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  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00001972
    Country Thailand
    ICH Domain Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe
    Address
    The know-how around this form of irrigation has developed particularly in Thailand’s central plain area, in which Bangkok is situated. The land in the Bangkok area has ideal characteristics for being used as rice fields and orchards, as the Chao Phraya river has deposited many minerals from the inland area toward this alluvial plain and made the soil fertile and capable of providing high yields. These favorable conditions drew the attention of the ancient Siamese, who decided to settle in this location in order to practice agriculture.
Description Thai society in its way of life as well as in the commodities of its trade has been an agricultural one since in the ancient times. As a consequence of centuries of practice, farmers and orchardists have developed localized forms of wisdom and know-how on the cultivation of a variety of crops. A crucial element of this know-how lies in the mastery of irrigation methods used to maximize the productivity of the fields and orchards. The management of the water supplied by the Chaophraya river and the strong seasonal rainfalls was crucial to convert the plentiful sunlight provided by the tropical climate into rich harvests. Among the techniques that the farmers and orchardists developed, the most important way in which the flow of the Chaophraya’s nutrient-rich water to the fields was regulated was by the digging of irrigation ditches. The traditional ditch that was used most widely had its origin in southern China, from where significant numbers of Chinese immigrated to Siam during the Ayutthaya period. This technique can be used both as a way to prepare soil for cultivation and to sustainably regulate water supply to the plants. In the particular case of Bangkok, with its proximity to the sea, it is also a water management process through which the gardener can maintain the balance between fresh water, salt water and brackish water. The gardener will work to regulate the proportions of these three sources of water within their garden by purposefully designing the ditch channels without harming their crops. The wisdom behind the raised garden with a ditch and dike system consists of many small connecting canals dug by the farmers within the turf soil to fertilize the trees. The trees are planted in an elevated plot to prevent flooding during the rainy season. This knowledge of making high-ridge agricultural plots where the soil is dug in lanes is called “Oak Rong” and “Thong Rong”. Besides, the gardens’ water systems were connected to rivers and streams of the public water system.
Social and cultural significance Agriculture played a crucial role in Thai society from the very beginning. Since Thailand was blessed with abundant natural resources as well as conditions favorable for agriculture, farming, the cultivation of a broad variety of crops and fruits played a major role in the country’s development. The fields and gardens provided food and work for broad parts of the Thai population and were the foundation of Thailand’s economic growth. The wisdom that accumulated over this long period of cultivation is evident in the unique lifestyle of the orchardists and farmers. It illustrates Central Thailand’s specific culture which extends to many interrelated aspects such as the orchardist’s traditional cuisine. Moreover, these agricultural areas and the practices associated with them continue to bear testimony to the transformation of Thailand’s Central Flood Plain into a cultural landscape that is shaped by the interaction between humans and their natural surroundings. They also act as a window into the gardeners’ life stories within a Bangkok that has been completely changed by its urban development.
Transmission method Thai agricultural knowledge has traditionally mostly been passed on within the families, often stretching back for many generations. In response to the rapid decline of agricultural practices within Bangkok, some of the remaining agricultural estates have recently opened up to the public in order to convey their wisdom and keep alive the know-how surrounding their practices. These preservation efforts often go hand in hand with touristic and leisure activities that appeal to a wider audience. A good example of this found within the Bangkok area is PoomJai Garden, one of the few remaining old lychee gardens situated in the Bang Khun Tian area. At Poom Jai garden, visitors can enjoy themselves amongst the fascinating garden atmosphere while enjoying some wonderful drinks at “Natura” the garden cafe, designed to incorporate stunning bamboo works. This garden is operated by a local family who has been working as gardeners for many generations. Their knowledge of gardening had originally come from southern China, where the roots of the family lie and from where they brought their very first lychee trees. At present, many gardens in the area have had to stop operating there as the changing of the city’s temperature is directly affecting the quality and yield of lychee production. Some of the farmers have also sold their property to real estate companies. Fortunately, the owners of Poom Jai Garden decided to continue their work with the intention of reviving and preserving the traditional Thonburi garden culture and cuisine with some adaptations to fit with the present day situation. They also continue to tend to their heritage trees, which remain in good condition even after more than one hundred years. The outcome of their initiative has proved a marvelous success, as the garden has become widely known throughout the country and is already inspiring other garden owners to view their way of life through another lens.
Community The ditch and dyke system, as well as further techniques of water management are widely used among farmers and orchardists in the central part of Thailand, dating back to the ancient times and continuing until nowadays, since it is well-suited to the region’s landscape and topography. The practice is a foundational technique involved in the farming of almost every type of agricultural product, such as coconuts, palm trees, lychees, durians and others. However, in Bangkok it has nowadays become exceedingly rare to see orchard crops being farmed due to comprehensive urban transformation of the last decades. However, on the Thonburi side of the Chaophraya there still remain some few plots where we still can find the orchardists’ old way of life, like in the “Bang Khun Tian” area or “Chom Thong” area.

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