AYUTTHAYA WATERWAYS: HISTORY AND THREAT
History
Many history documents state that the ancient city of Ayutthaya was
located in the meeting point of three rivers, Chao Phraya, the Pa Sak and the
Lopburi.
In ancient time, all rivers were called as ‘Mae Nam’ which mean ‘Mother
of Waters’. The Siamese called their rivers using the method of which river flow
through around their cities. Steve Van Beeck wrote in 1857, a mere 90 years
after the fall of the once magnificent city, that the Chao Phraya river was
deviated towards Ayutthaya. We can thus exclude the Mae Nam Chao Phraya as one
of the rivers surrounding Ayutthaya prior 1767.
The birth of Maha Phram canal is from King Chakkraphat who used this
canal to flee on a royal barge during the rebellion of Prince Sri Sin in 1561
and the rebellion of Patani in 1564 and thus this canal give Ayutthaya access to
the Chao Phraya River.
The Khlong Rop Muang (canal around the city) is a moat dug in between
the Pa Sak river and the Lopburi river. The moat dug in 1568, not only widened
but also enlarged on both sides in the period 1570-1580. This made Ayutthaya finally
fully encircled by water.
Khlong Bang Duea also called as Maenam Bang Duea is a river produced by
splitting off Pa Sak river south of Pak Jan (the first possibility). The second
possibility is that in 1584, the Pa Sak River was straightened and leaped east
of the city in the old Front city moat.
The new Lopburi River appeared when water filled up Bang Duea canal from
filled up Wat Muang and Wat Khao Din. The old Lopburi riverbed became thus a
simple dead-end canal.
Khlong Bang Khuat is a canal dug for shortcut a meander in the Lopburi
River.
Khlong Chang was a multi-purpose canal connecting two rivers between Wat
Dao Khanong and Wat Ton Satu in Bang Pahan District.
In conclusion, Ayutthaya isn’t the meeting point of three rivers instead
Ayutthaya became a real city island at the end of 16th Century.
Lopburi River provided the water for the canal around the city.
Threat
This history of rivers now became the threat for Ayutthaya disappearance.
The growing or urban growth combine with water management problems lead to the
threatening of conservation efforts at Thailand’s ancient city of Ayutthaya,
the historic park.
A lot of flooding from the river killed more than 900 people and cost
billion of dollars. Dozens of temple were flooded and got a little damage everywhere.
Water management seems the only solution to prevent critical damage from floods
and droughts. According to the Royal Irrigation Department (RID), over the next
35 years, the area affected by floods will rise from 1.66 to 4.12 million rai,
while droughts will also last longer. Severe floods are likely every seven
years.
Source:
I think you can work on the problem or the threat of disappearing Ayutthaya or even part of other countries due to flooding or rising ocean-level due to urbanization!! How can we help to solve or make awareness to the public?
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