The Architecture of Thammasat University, Tha Phrachan Campus
Abstract
This article investigates the architectural history of the Tha Phrachan Campus of Thammasat University, with a focus on the chronological development of the campus layout and architectural styles. The university was officially founded in 1934 after the Siamese Revolution of 1932. The campus site had been a part of the Front Palace of the deputy king (formerly the designated heir to the throne). The history of the university has always been intertwined with the country’s politics, and its architecture is historically significant. The history of the university is here divided into eight periods, each marked by a transformation of the university’s layout. Buildings in the Tha Phrachan Campus are categorized into four architectural styles related to dynamic movements in Thai society. Certain buildings have aspects of architectural value and importance, which deserve conservation as examples of Modern architecture in Thailand.
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