In bygone times the canals in Bangkok and many other parts
of central Thailand were the
streets. Their importance for travel and commerce has declined but they are
still vital for drainage as was highlighted during the severe flooding at the
end of 2011. Poor maintenance, irregular dredging and indecisive management made
for inefficient drainage which was compounded by the communities of canalside
homes such as these that had spilled over into the canals themselves.
These dwellers are the amongst the poorest of the city’s
residents and have little other choice for a place to stay but there are signs
that they will be encouraged or forced to move. On the other hand, the roads,
industrial estates, housing estates and other structures that formed more solid
barriers to the water will stay.
Photograph taken in Don Muang, Bangkok, Thailand
