From Drainage to Regeneration: Revitalizing the Samsen Canal in Bangkok
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Abstract
This study investigates the environmental condition and management challenges of the Samsen Canal, an inner-city waterway in Bangkok that currently functions primarily as a drainage channel. Water-quality monitoring at ten sampling stations revealed severe organic and microbial pollution, with BOD₅ and COD exceeding national standards, persistently low dissolved oxygen, and fecal coliform levels indicating continuous discharge of untreated wastewater. Spatial analysis identified hydraulic stagnation, sediment accumulation, and canal-bank encroachment as key physical constraints.
An integrated assessment using SWOT analysis, Stakeholder Influence Matrix, and the DPSIR framework under Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principles was applied to evaluate technical and governance dimensions. The results show that canal management is limited by fragmented institutional responsibilities, inconsistent monitoring, and a continued emphasis on flood conveyance rather than pollution control and ecological function. The study concludes that future development should adopt a multifunctional canal approach, supported by centralized wastewater interception, hybrid blue–green–gray measures, and participatory management. Environmental engineers play a critical role in translating empirical evidence into coordinated actions to improve water quality, ecological performance, and urban livability.
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References
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