Abstract:
Squatter communities are among major problems of the Bangkok Metropolitan area. In fact, there are as many as 770 such communities with a steadily increasing trend. Yannawa, an inner city district, has had the largest number of these communities spring up, 35 since 1957. Currently, Yannawa is one of the three districts that have been defined as new major central business districts of BMA. Based on the policy, the Department of Housing approved three theses study on the management of 3 types of the slum community in Yannawa this year; (1) slum communities established on temple land, (2) slum communities on private land under rental agreement and (3) this research, to study squatter communities on encroached government land. Chuerplerng Pattana Community, an oldest squatter community residing on Treasury Department land, and Yannawa District's largest community of this type, was selected as the case study. The research objectives, are to study the development, problems and restrictions in the management and development process of the Chuerplerng Pattana Community from its beginning until the present. The method of research was to gather secondary data from relevant documents while primary data was collected through a site survey, observations and interviews with the community president, board members and residents as well as officials from relevant government and non-government organizations. The research found that the management and development of Chuerplerng Pattana Community can be divided into three periods. First period was prior the establishment of a community board (1967-1980) Housing management was only within the housing unit level by each of its resident, not in the community level. As a result, there were regular floods, no permanent walkways, no utilities-such as electricity, water system and telephones. Furthermore, arising from being without community organization, management resources were difficult to acquire. Those are money, materials and management. Second period (1981-1984) was establishment of informal community board. Involvement of Redd Barna, a children's assistance organization, led to the registration of housing unit and the improvement of community conditions and environment, construction of permanent wooden walkways, installation of electricity and public water system. Community members were able to participate in most community actions. At the same time; community savings cooperative was founded. Problems existed was that the community was still a squatter. Therefore, acquisition of public utilities was difficult. Moreover, management resources were insufficient. Third period was after the formation of a community board (1985-2000), recognized by the Yannawa Municipality. This allowed further development of community conditions and environment. For example, permanent concrete walkways, water system in each housing unit, well-maintained drainage and lighting system, and accessible fire fighting center. The community board was highly active in Chuerplerng Pattana community management. It well connected with public and private agencies. However, community member's actions declined. After analyzing the management and development process, It can be concluded that the key factor of the management and development process of Chuerplerng Pattana community is the cooperation, participation, and strength of community member, as well as establishment of community board. With the involvement of Redd Barna, the community was stimulated to unite in 1980. It is obviously clear that self-community management can be motivated and directed within community itself when they have a little assistance from either government organization or private.