Proposing guideline and improvement of physical environment and facilities in the temple area at Bang Na District, Bangkok. Case Study: Bang Na Nai Temple, Wachirathamsatit Temple and Thamma Mongkol Temple

Abstract

This research is a qualitative research. The purpose is to study about physical environment and facilities of the temple area in Bang Na District, Bangkok to point the guidance and improvement to encourage the lives of elderly people in order to be living appropriately, safe and consistent with the body nature. There are 3 key informants that were purposively selected: Bang Na Nai Temple, Wachirathamsatit Temple and Thamma Mongkol Temple. The tools that were used are observation and survey all round the area together with interview from visitors and caretakers. Research resulted as in each area among 3 places have a different physical environment: Thamma Mongkol Temple is the one and only place which has parking lot for elderly, or even Wachirathamsatit Temple and Thamma Mongkol Temple has restroom for eldely but still lacked of signs and instructions. Moreover, the interviewing indicated that many temples does not focus on elderly conveniences even though it is part 2 of 4 that elderly was a visitor and what the elderly people need is a better design for parking lot, all the restroom, include with signs and directions. This research is the guidance in order to improve facilities for the other places to be better and more appropriate for elderly people.