Changes in sensorial experiences on Khaosan Road
The perception of the same street by different individuals
D.Y. Heidema (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Vincent Baptist – Mentor (TU Delft - History, Form & Aesthetics)
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Abstract
Khaosan Road in Bangkok has transformed a lot over the past years. From a quiet local marketstreet to a busy tourist hotspot only become more and more busy. This thesis explores how these transformations have effected the sensory and emotional experiences of locals and tourists through looking at individual stories through surveys (Kenny, 2014), newspapers, images and academic papers. The research shows 5 major timeframes: Before tourism (before 1992), the rise of backpackers (1992–2010), peak tourism (2010–2020), COVID-19 (2020–2021), and post-cannabis legalization (after 2023). The study shows how the sensory experience is different due to background, memory and social positioning.
Findings show that tourists generally love the street’s chaotic atmosphere and its multisensory overload. Locals of older generations often experience these same elements as negative because of there memories of how the street used to be. Younger generations have less memories of the street and thereby tent to like the street more.
By comparing emotional experiences over time, this research shows the importance of recognizing urban spaces as complex environments that can evoke different reactions for different people. Ultimately, Khaosan Road serves as a casestudy for understanding how quickly changing urban places can impact the emotional and sensory feelings of those who visit them.