Bangkok’s first “Creative District” prototype that takes pride in its gathering of brainchildren conceived by the joint development of the traditional entrepreneurs in the area with an aim of driving the district into a truly creative district

Over the years, CEA has been joining forces with the people in the district as well as public and private sectors in developing the historic district into a “creative district” prototype, the central hub that integrates the continued prosperity of the old community sitting along the Chao Phraya River made up of an exuberant spectrum of races and beliefs with the strong connection within the family-run businesses that have been handed down for more than 4-5 generations.

An old community sitting along the Chao Phraya River made up of an exuberant plethora of people that takes pride in being a junction where contemporaries meet histories, a one-of-a-kind destination whereto new generations flock to try their hand at experimenting with the alchemy between the old and the new, which brings about endless movements that never get old

After many years of getting to know and understand the district through field trips, the Creative Economy Agency (CEA), along with its partners, has improved the physical attributes of the entire area through a wide variety of experimental projects to create new landscapes and images for its people and visitors to experience. The next step is to concretely develop and strengthen the potentials and possibilities of running creative businesses in the district, from the adjustment of the space of old buildings incorporating the original assets to facilitate contemporary functions and promote activities, such as Thailand’s first bank Siam Commercial Bank Talat Noi Branch; Bangrak Central Post Office as a creative incubator center; Old Customs House, a historic building to be renovated and remodeled in conjunction with the two newly constructed buildings on its both sides as one luxury hotel; over-100-years-old Haroon Mosque Community as a venue where rotating activities are organized in collaboration with various communities and groups, to the further development of alleyways that has been being developed since the first edition’s Co-Create Charoenkrung project that promoted the connectivity within the district, which has culminated in a wide range of ongoing activities, including Colour of Charoenkrung, where visitors explore the district by walking through its alleyways. Not only is the improved connectivity within the district considered its newly developed unique selling point, but it also attracts many private sectors to invest in opening up services in the district, from a plethora of shops, cafes, and boutique hotels, to a dozen of art galleries and creative spaces, such as Warehouse 30 and Central the Original Store, which takes visitors back to the starting point of the Central Group’s retail empire while allowing them to enjoy an exciting array of exhibitions and libraries range dedicated to business and retail.

The growths — from assets as a kind of capital to develop building upon to necessary infrastructures — are part of the pioneering of the “Creative District” project, which contributes to the growth of communities and businesses in the district and the further development of traditional products and services into ones that physically appeal to the modern consumers, so that they can be sold or create more values. These examples are considered the starting point where Charoenkrung district started gradually transitioning from an old district to a creative district building on collaborations between public sectors, private sectors, creative personnel, and the local people in the communities, which culminates in the district’s image as a creative district becoming more prominent every year.

What’s Worth Visiting in the District?

Old Stories, New Narratives: The still living past is becoming the district’s valued capital that does not require huge investments through the advance on the public relations and perception front and the joint efforts to promote understanding from all sectors in the community, which, in the long run, greatly increases benefits and advantages in terms of building strength;

Coming-to-Be Creative District Prototype: An extensive spectrum of products is developed building upon the understanding of the identity and traditional businesses of the district combining skills of older generations and creativity of younger generations within the framework of various product development projects, most notably the first and second edition’s Made in Charoenkrung, which opens up new directions for the further development of many works and generates income for entrepreneurs and communities;

Robust Collaboration and Network of People within the Community: With an abundance of old buildings, mosques, and embassies, ​​the district prides itself on its cultural diversity brought about by the symbiosis of people of different ways of life living together for over a century and united by joining hands to develop the district into a district where its identity can perfectly coexist with modernity.

 

#CreativeDistrictofBKKDW       #BangkokCityOfDesign