Charoenkrung Creative District

Charoenkrung has been serving as a place for the specialized showcases of Bangkok Design Week, fostering initiatives, endeavors, collaborations, opportunities, and even new perspectives on how to address the issues of the city. Charoenkrung continues to stride toward the horizon as Thailand's first Creative District. This district represents a successful model of creative economy development that has generated significant economic impact while preserving cultural heritage and fostering innovation.

Key Findings:

• Over 7 years, Bangkok Design Week has attracted over 2.51 million visitors and generated more than 3.198 billion baht in economic value

• The festival has revitalized once-quiet neighborhoods like Charoen Krung, Talad Noi, Hua Lamphong, and Pak Khlong Talad, turning them into thriving Creative Economy Districts

• Charoenkrung is iconic for many reasons, not the least because it is home to the first asphalt road built in Bangkok, constructed in the 1860s during the reign of King Rama IV

Historical Context and Development

Charoen Krung Road, as the city's oldest road and its first paved street, blends historic charm with modern creativity. Once the heart of Bangkok's commercial activity, it has transformed into a vibrant arts district. The area has deep multicultural roots, having served as a hub for international trading, thanks to its proximity to the Chao Phraya River and was considered a culinary melting pot, where the traditions and customs of different cultures, from Chinese merchants to British diplomats to Persian traders, were thrown and mixed together.

The project was initiated in 2015 by Thailand Creative & Design Center (thereafter the Design Center), a government agency charged with promoting the country's creative industries. Built in the mid-nineteenth century, Charoenkrung is recognized as Bangkok's oldest road. The arrival of the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) at Bangkok Grand Postal Building and its eventual development into the CEA in 2018 led to Charoenkrung becoming the initial testing ground for Bangkok Design Week.

Governance and Policy Framework

The Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) (CEA) is a Thai public organization tasked with the support and development of Thailand's creative economy. Established in 2018, the agency oversees the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) in Bangkok, along with creative city initiatives throughout the country. CEA's mission includes promoting and developing the creative economy and its enabling factors, supporting creativity and innovation in local communities, and developing spaces with conducive atmosphere for creativity.

The Charoenkrung Creative District aligns with Thailand's broader national strategy. Thailand's Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, and the government have emphasized the necessity of promoting Thai soft power and creative economy as one of the essential mechanisms for driving the economy. Thailand is ranked 35th out of 120 countries in the Global Soft Power Index 2022 by Brand Finance, with 40.2 points, and ranked 6th in Asia.

Economic Impact and Performance

The economic performance of Charoenkrung Creative District through Bangkok Design Week has been substantial:

• The past five Bangkok Design Weeks during 2018 – 2022 helped generate an economic value of some 1.368 billion Baht (40 million US dollars) and were attended by over 1.75 million visitors

• Each year, the event draws an estimated 400,000 visitors domestically and from abroad

• The event is expected to attract over 300,000 visitors, generating more than 500 million baht in economic value for recent editions

Bangkok Design Week is a growth engine for Thailand's creative industries in a variety of ways, including showcasing creative businesses and designs, stimulating competitiveness, providing a local and international business networking opportunity, and generating economic momentum for downstream businesses such as marketing, printing, online media, galleries, cafes, restaurants, gifts & souvenirs, travel, hotels, and public transportation.

Infrastructure and Spatial Development

1. Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC): Housed in the Grand Postal Building, TCDC serves as a beacon for design and creativity. With an extensive library, exhibition spaces, and workshops, it fosters innovation and showcases both local and international talent

2. Warehouse 30: A collection of refurbished World War II-era warehouses, Warehouse 30 has been transformed into a dynamic space featuring art galleries, boutiques, cafes, and event venues

3. River City Bangkok: Situated on Soi Charoenkrung 24, River City Bangkok is a premier art center showcasing a mix of mainstream and alternative artists

Linear tourism tightens two things: space and narrative. Given its power in weaving proximate sites, linear tourism is a particularly appropriate device for Charoenkrung, a spread-out district. The district uses walking tours as a tool to convert mundane sites into spectacular tourist sights while maintaining authenticity.

---

Charoenkrung Creative District represents a successful model of creative economy development that balances heritage preservation with modern innovation. Its integration within Thailand's national creative economy strategy and alignment with ASEAN frameworks positions it as a template for regional replication.

The district's success in generating substantial economic impact while maintaining cultural authenticity demonstrates the viability of creative-led urban development. For ASEAN and APEC policymakers, Charoenkrung offers valuable insights into the implementation of comprehensive creative economy strategies that can drive sustainable economic growth while preserving cultural heritage and fostering regional cooperation.

The evolution from Bangkok's first road to Thailand's first creative district illustrates the potential for creative economies to transform urban spaces and generate significant economic value while maintaining cultural authenticity and community engagement. This model provides a blueprint for other cities in the region seeking to develop their own creative economy initiatives within the broader framework of regional cooperation and sustainable development.