Baan Dokmai The Community Of Producing Fireworks
Baan Dokmai is located on the bank of the Ong Ang Canal at the back of Wat Saket and opposite Baan Bat in Bangkok. People in this community were engaged mainly in producing fireworks and firework pinwheels. Anyone who needed fireworks and firework pinwheels from major events usually ordered them from Baan Dokmai.
Formerly, Baan Dokmai residents were Cambodian immigrants coming to settle down in Thailand during the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809). They built their homes on the banks of canals, east of the capital, and made a living by producing fireworks and fireworks pinwheels. Baan Dokmai was famous for craftsmen in this filed and it has been listed among the 18 old handicraft communities in Bangkok.
It is said that around 1962, a fire accident took place because of a burst in fireworks making, resulting in most houses at Baan Dokmai burning down.
After the tragic incident, the Government has no longer allowed fireworks production. In the meantime, large volumes of fireworks were imported from foreign countries, mainly from Japan and China. The imports were convenient and local residents would not have to take a risk of making fireworks.
Today, only some houses at Baan Dokmai sell fireworks, but they do not produce them as they did in the past. This old active area has become quiet and its distinctive feature is disappearing. It also seems impossible for the old Baan Dokmai to make a comeback.
