Abstract:
Winter fairs were seasonal leisure places in Bangkok before the World War II era. These fairs were established at Wat Benchamabophit (Marble temple) and Sanamseupah area, which both are close to royal residences. The fairs had been popular due to their various leisure activities such as performance entertainment, retail shops and particularly, gambling. The winter fairs had been divided as the elites? area (Pumeebandasak) with the entrance fee and the commoners? area (Sampek) without any fee. This reflects how the winter fairs had served as the leisure spaces for both the elites and commoners. In fact, on occasion entrepreneurs had to ask permission with the interior minister to set up gambling by guaranteeing charitable aims rather than their own business profits. It reflects the unique leisure and entertainment in Bangkok before the World War II era. That also reflects a social transformation from rural leisure places such as Wat fairs (Buddhist temple fairs) or local gambling dens to the winter fairscomplex entertainment spaces with modern electricity and urbanization. The winter fairs are not only the representation of Bangkok leisure before the World War II era but also reflect a unique social transformation, modernization, and urbanization within the history of Bangkok.
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