Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Year: 2020
Volume: 15
Issue: 4
Page No. 1000 - 1006

Chinese Clay Building in Ubon Ratchathani Province

Authors : Songwoot Kaewvisit, Jarun Chaipratoom, Niyom Wongpongkham and Kittisan Sriruksa

Abstract: This study is part of the research titled “Chinese Building and the Cultural Assimilation to the Artistic Creation”. The objective of this research is to study the style, the structure and the materials used in the Chinese clay buildings in the Muang district, Ubon Ratchathani province. This research is a qualitative research, conducted using the following tools: field surveys, observations and interviews on the people involved with the buildings including the owners, the tenants and the experts on the old Chinese buildings n the research area. The interviews include both structured and non-structured interviews. The acquired data were analyzed through the semiotics theories, structural-functional theory and cultural assimilation theory. The result of the research shows that the Chinese who migrated into Thailand, especially in the Muang district, Ubon Ratchathani province, first came to live along with the local people. Most of them were hired labor working in the gardens and catching fish from the Mun river. When these people were able to save up some money, they would look for a suitable place that they can settle in such as building their own shops. These shops were mostly built along the bank of the Mun river such as in the Guangdong port, Chuan port and Talad port. These were important ports for the transportation of merchandise and people as well as connecting the other side of the river which is Warin Chamrap district. This area is currently on Promthep road which later on expanded to Promthani and Kuanthani road (the first road in Ubon Ratchathani). Trading areas like this one mostly consists of Chinese style buildings. The buildings are mostly one-story and two-story Chinese architecture style buildings. The structure of the buildings is a long-span structure. The importance is the ability to bear the weight of large and heavy structures. As for the poles or Dou Gong, all the parts were built fro support and connected using wooden spurs. No iron nails were used within the buildings. Other materials consist of hardwood and “raw soil bricks” which made the walls. This is local wisdom from China. For the raw soil, apart from being a material that can easily be found in Isaan can be applied and used to their full potential. This also helps reduce the expenses for the construction. The benefit of raw soil bricks is their tolerance and their ability to adjust the temperature inside of the buildings. For instance when the temperature outside is hot, the interior will be cooler. When the temperature outside is cold, the interior will be a little bit warmer. The roofs in the past were made using clay tiles, wood, thatch and straws. Currently, the roofs are all made from zinc sheets. Currently, it is also found that both the one-story and two-story Chinese buildings are all in the degraded status due to the fact that they had gone through a long period. Furthermore, they also lack the maintenance from both the owners and the tenants. Even though the main structure of many buildings are still strong but there are cracks in many connecting points and may lead to the collapse in the future. Other materials such as wood and raw soil bricks are also in a degraded status. The leading causes for the degradation were the lack of maintenance and the inappropriate use of the buildings such as the drills into the walls, the deconstructions or the addition of new structures without proper knowledge or the understanding in the architectural values. Therefore, the researcher believes that people who are involved with the buildings, such as the academics, the architects, the community leaders and the local administrative team will see the importance of these old buildings, educate the communities and provide the budget for the conservation of these Chinese buildings.

How to cite this article:

Songwoot Kaewvisit, Jarun Chaipratoom, Niyom Wongpongkham and Kittisan Sriruksa, 2020. Chinese Clay Building in Ubon Ratchathani Province. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 15: 1000-1006.

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