The establishment of the Public Works Department in 1889 is considered a significant turning point in the period of Siamese reform because it was the major department in charge of the development of architecture and edifices, some of which were crucial for the expansion of the capital city and some of which were realized to pronounce the country’s movement toward modernity. While urban development was on its way during the reign of King Rama V, the modi operandi were altered from time to time. For instance, modification was made to the Public Works Development’s administration management; foreign architects and engineers were hired to work for the Department, etc. When the Ministry of Public Works was later dissolved in the reign of King Rama VI, foreign expatriates, both architects and engineers, working for the previous Department of Public Works were transferred, some to the Department of Sanitary Service and some to the Ministry of Local Government.
When the Public Works Department was first founded, the small group of Western professionals was consigned there and given the chief responsibility of assisting the various sites with application of modern construction methods. Afterward, when more Western professional were employed from Italy, they were subdivided to the Office of Engineers or Technical Offices of Engineering and Office of Architects or Technical Office of Architecture, responsible for modern civil works and Western-style architecture.
The new generation of architects and engineers from Italy entered the State service of Siam continuously since 1898. Interestingly, most of them shared common schooling background in higher education from Turin. They were either alumni from the Royal School of Application for Engineers (Regia Scuola di Applicazione per Ingegneri) or Royal Academy of Fine Arts Albertina (Regia Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti).
When construction projects of building and modern structures were increasing in number to respond to the urban expansion of the capital city, the Siamese government gradually placed more and more foreign officers into the civil service. It was in the Siamese Public Works sector where the Italian professionals from Turin played remarkable roles, especially at the end of 1897, after King Chulalongkorn returned to Siam from his long journey in Europe.
Lohapon, Neungreudee. The Siamese Pavilion at Turin Expo 1911. Bangkok: Amarin Printing & Publishing, 2012.
