is everywhere, especially in the Thai home.
The teak wood ‘stilt’ house is the typical traditional home in Thailand, especially in the rural areas of the north, center and south. Although the size of these structures often differs, depending on the social status of the owners, and the materials used also varies, the principles behind the design of the house have remained consistent over the centuries.
The stilt house has a multipurpose practicality. Because of the regular monsoon seasons, most of the living areas of a Thai house are built on raised platforms to avoid being flooded. It is for this reason also that many traditional Thai houses have sharply angled roofs, which allow rainwater to run off. The elevated position of a stilt house also allows for cool breezes to pass below the platform and keep the structure from becoming overly warm in the hottest months. This one-floor structure was typically made using teak wood (now a restricted material in Thailand) because of its strength and insect-repellant properties. The use of hardwoods, bamboo and dried leaves also helped keep the house cool.
The elephant shrine in the lobby of the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp.
A raised door frame, seen in temples and houses to keep spirits out and babies in.
Beautifully crafted wooden furniture is a dominant feature of traditional Thai-style houses.
A traditional Thai stilt house.
INSIDE THE THAI HOUSE
As with Thai temples, visitors to Thai homes take off their footwear before venturing inside. There is no danger of footwear being stolen. Even in the poorest, most ramshackle and dodgiest apartment blocks you will see dozens of pairs of shoes that will remain untouched outside doors.
One of the most interesting architectural features commonly found in traditional Thai homes and temples is visible before one even steps foot in the building. Many Thai homes and temples have raised door frames at the threshold that require visitors to step over and into a room. These are designed not only to strengthen the structure but, it is also believed, to prevent demons from getting in and, in the case of homes, babies from crawling out.
As a result of the gradual Westernization of Thai society, the interior of contemporary Thai homes resembles other nation’s homes, except for the ample floor space. Whereas in Western homes space would typically be filled with sofas, chairs, cabinets, coffee tables, TV stands and ornaments, care is taken in Thai living rooms and bedrooms, in particular, to have space for makeshift dining or sleeping areas.
GET IN TOUCH WITH NATURE—ADD A PLANT
Considering the Thai cultural relationship between plants and animals, it is not surprising that a vital part of Thai architecture, past and present, is how it interacts and blends seamlessly with nature. This is why, regardless of whether in the middle of the city or in the rural countryside, most Thai rooms, buildings, apartments or houses will have a plant or two.
As to be expected in Thailand, if you are in the market for a plant, then there is a market for a plant, along with a plethora of seeds and flower bulbs. Also to be expected in the land of street life is a visit from the local plant man at some time over the weekend. Pick-up trucks or carts laden with pots in a variety of sizes and shapes and all manner of flowers and plants will make the slow crawl from remote pockets of the countryside to the inner cities and suburbs of Thailand to sell their wares.
The Father of Thai Design
Many of today’s young Thai designers graduate from the world-renowned Faculty of Decorative Arts at Silpakorn University and are proponents of what is known as Thai modern design. An early mentor, Prince Narisaranuvativongse, considered the ‘Father of Thai Design’, combined Western design methodology with Thai tradition. The late prince’s traditional wooden residence and studio, Ban Plainern, in Bangkok, contains samples of his art works and is an important center for performing arts. Every Sunday, students and others with an interest in traditional Thai arts attend Thai classical dance and music lessons.
The Golden Era of Thai Architecture
Assistant Professor of Architecture at Silpakorn University Faculty of Architecture, Dr Pattrapon Vetayasuporn, believes that to understand Thai architecture is to understand Thailand’s geographical position in relation to the two great civilizations of India and China as well as nearer neighbors. Shapes, lines and motifs from these places are integral features of the Thai architectural landscape.
“You see both Indian and Chinese influence in the design of different temples. One of Thailand’s most famous temples, Wat Arun, for example, is a real melting pot. Images of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals are around the base of the Khmer-style central tower while other sculptures are inspired by Indian Hindu gods and goddesses like Shiva. If you want to understand Thai architecture, you have to trace its historical origins,” says Dr Pattrapon.
Thai architecture also differs according to the location, and what Dr Pattrapon calls ‘resource of space’. The further north you travel, he says, the more likely you are to see houses made from teak, whereas in the south, because of the absence of native teak wood, houses tend to be made from a variety of other materials. It is for this reason that Dr Pattrapon believes that in addition to the three broad Thai architectural categories of temple and shrine architecture, palace architecture and traditional Thai house architecture, there are other differences that stem from variations in location and the ethnicities, background, beliefs and lifestyles of the inhabitants.
Dr Pattrapon considers the Sukhothai period of Thai history to be the ‘golden era’ of Thai architecture, arts and craftsmanship. It was because of the kingdom’s prosperity and stability that both time and money were spent on building, developing and creating culture and towns, as opposed to fighting. “Even the Buddha was smiling,” he remarks.
The future of Thai style, of Thai design, however, is uncertain he feels. “Thais don’t appreciate Thai architecture and culture anymore. It’s a real shame. It’s a situation where foreigners appreciate and see the value in it more than locals do.”
Space is at a premium in Thai homes and often low tables are brought out at mealtimes.
The traditional Thai ‘lying cushion’.
At mealtimes, a low table is brought out and reed matting or cushions are placed around it. Thai people still prefer to eat seated on the floor. This, again, has its origins in functionality. In most social situations, Thais are preoccupied with social status and hierarchy and the potential for embarrassing scenarios caused by chairs of different heights. If, however, everyone sits on the floor, then everyone is equal and potential problems are avoided. The host just has to be
