During the 231 years that Bangkok has been the capital of the country, the city has gone through several development phases, beautification projects and gradual societal changes that have made Bangkok as we know it today.

These dynamics will continue to further transform the city in the future.

However, several projects that are intended to further modernise the city, such as the “Chao Phraya for All” riverside promenade project, the beautification of Mahakan Fort and the construction of the Metro line past the historic neighbourhood of Nang Leang threaten to erase Bangkok’s identity forever.

Why should we care about these efforts to develop our city, which could harm our identity? This is why.

Bangkok is now a modern city, but it still has a rich history. Past and present governments have always proudly presented the heritage of our capital to guests from around the world and pledge to preserve historic landmarks such as the Grand Palace and Wat Arun Ratchawararam Temple, but in fact we have many historic sites and much more to boast about.

Since our capital was founded, communities within Bangkok have developed their own histories and identities over time. One of the best examples of these communities is the Mahakan Fort Community, with community leader Thawatchai Voramahakun having said the neighbourhood’s history can be traced back to the early days of Bangkok.

Embedded in the small alley of the Mahakan Fort Community, there are old wooden houses that in the sight of policy planners are an eyesore, but in the eyes of people who live there, these houses have so many tales to tell.

Thawatchai said that his family, which used to craft traditional Thai music instruments, has lived in the old house in the middle of the community for six generations.

“The wooden floor that you are sitting on was once the favourite spot for my grandfather to work on his music instruments,” the elderly wise man of the community told me.

Suddenly, I realised that the way of life of these people, which has developed over generations, can be told from the cracks in the wooden floor, the style of the windows and the dusty old pots in the backyard. Beyond these material things, there also must be people who live there to tell their own stories.

This is the importance of these old, dusty houses that the policy makers are unable to see. Our city cannot be this city without its people. Likewise, the city’s history cannot be complete without referencing the people’s history as well.

These houses and the people are the roots of Bangkok and they represent the culture, livelihood and, most important of all, our identity.

It should be noted that if these historic communities die out, we could not just resurrect them to become lively historic places again.

The Mahakan Fort Community is just one example of many communities that have the same historical value and are also under threat to be removed to open the way for development projects.

It is a simple truth of the world that everything has to develop and change, but authorities should consider more carefully their projects to avoid destroying Bangkok’s roots forever.

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