of the floor cushions.
Most Thai houses also have a shrine area, complete with Buddha images, photos of deceased relatives and photos of the King and Queen of Thailand.
In many Thai houses, the cooking area or kitchen is situated outside, usually at the rear of the house and often at ground level to keep cooking smells away from the living areas. The fridge, however, is often placed in the living room for ease of access.
Traditional Thai houses are also commonly known as Thai knock-down houses, referring to the ease with which they can be dismantled and reassembled in another location, a common practice in the past because of the migratory nature of rural Thais. This adds a completely new meaning to the term ‘moving house’.
In recent years, many Thai architects have revisited the architecture of the traditional Thai home, in particular the rural home, which they have come to regard as sustainable, multipurpose and stylish, and reflecting the essence of Thai style and design. The time when all Thais lived in such homes rather than in apartment buildings or Western-style concrete homes is nostalgically perceived as reflecting a richer culture and a simpler, more peaceful existence, when fish were in the sea, rice was in the fields and Thai society was less fraught with political and other struggles.
Today, the subtle blending of nature and functionality with elegant design is at the heart of much of Thai architecture. This is seen in Thailand’s most iconic contemporary buildings and structures, which often blend traditional Thai style with modern Western conveniences.
The Influence of Foreigners
The contribution of foreign artists and architects and their works deserves special mention in the development of Thai art and Thai style. Several influential foreign artists, some working alongside local artists, had a profound impact on the development of Thai art and sculpture. One such person was Italian-born Corrado Feroci, who was invited to Thailand in 1923 by King Rama VI to teach Western sculpture in the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Palace Affairs. He later served as the court artist of Siam. In 1944, he changed his name to Silpa Bhirasri and became a Thai national in order to avoid arrest by the invading Japanese army.
Along with Prince Narisaranuvativongse, with whom he worked, Bhirasri is widely credited as being one of the fathers of modern art in Thailand. He designed and sculpted many of Bangkok’s monuments, including the Democracy Monument and Victory Monument and the statue of King Rama I at Memorial Bridge. He was also instrumental in the founding of Silpakorn University, the University of Fine Arts, in 1944. His birthday, September 15, is observed every year as a public holiday.
The tradition for European or foreign-influenced art has continued in Thailand. In 2013, a European Heritage Map listing 65 sites of historical importance in Bangkok and Ayutthaya was published by the European Embassies and Delegation of the European Union. A year later, an app was released. It includes some of the best as well as lesser known pieces of European architecture, including the Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok.
The Jim Thompson House
The late Jim Thompson, famous for revitalizing the Thai silk industry, and later for his mysterious disappearance in the jungles of Malaysia, is also well known for his former residence, the Jim Thompson House, located alongside a canal in Bangkok. The house comprises six separate buildings built from disassembled century-old teak homes, and has been turned into an official museum. Its hundreds of pieces of art and items of interest make it a must-visit place for those who wish to learn about one of Thailand’s most interesting foreigners and entrepreneurs while enjoying a tour around an immaculately kept and beautiful traditional Thai home.
The interior throughout contains a mixture of Western and Eastern influences.
Marble, as opposed to wood, is used to keep feet cool.
The exterior of the Jim Thompson House after the tourists have all left.
THAI ANTIQUES AND CRAFTS
Most tourists leave Thailand with a souvenir or two, but while visitors may find it easier to take home a miniature elephant statue or wooden frog instrument, Thailand has a wonderful assortment of handicrafts, pottery and other unique and worthy items to compete for that valuable luggage space.
PEACE AND PATRONAGE
Thai craftsmanship started to flourish during the Ayutthaya period (1350–1767) of Thai history. It was then that artists, artisans, musicians and craftsman tended to create under the patronage of the kings, and as such were encouraged to produce the finest and most noteworthy pieces.
CERAMICS, COLORS AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
Thai ceramics, one of the earliest recorded examples of Thai craftsmanship, have been found dating back to 3000 BC. The earliest ceramics were earthenware, made of clay, and were basic in design. The most famous and celebrated of Thai ceramic-making came during the Sukhothai period (1238–1448) and these exquisite bowls, boxes and jars were often used in foreign trade.
From the 18th century onwards, a unique type of polychrome enameled porcelain with Thai motifs, called bencharong (‘five colors’), was made in southern China exclusively for Siamese royalty. There is now some modern reproduction in Thailand.
ORIGINAL 3D SCREENS
Although the commercial use of teak wood in Thailand has been restricted since 1989 in an attempt to replenish Thai forests, there are still a number of skilled craftsmen and carpenters in the large cities, with Chiang Mai perhaps the best place to find all manner of furniture expertly crafted from teak and other types of wood.
Thai spas, fine dining restaurants and even temples adorn their walls with intricately hand-carved wooden panels. Chiseled from wood, sometimes teak, in a variety of sizes, the level of detail of these 3D works of art is often quite breathtaking. They often depict images of Buddha or Thai mythological creatures, and are finished with varnish, oil or sometimes paint.
KNACK OF LACQUERWARE
Lacquerware, made by applying successive coats of translucent colored lacquer layers to a wood or bamboo base, then embellishing it with designs, most often gold and black lacquer figures or traditional motifs, was originally made almost exclusively for temples and palaces. Many household objects, from simple bowls to large cabinets, are still made by this ancient process, though modern lacquerware makes use of a wide range of base materials, including ceramics and metal.
Like many of the craft traditions practiced in Thailand, the origins of lacquerware can be traced to Chiang Mai, where the finest pieces are still created.
CARVING OUT A NICHE IN HISTORY Although it is unclear as to whether vegetable carving originated in Japan or Thailand, the delicate, intricate and flawlessly beautiful art, which has since been extended to fruit and soap carving, can be seen in Thai hotel lobbies and at cultural fairs, markets and restaurants around the country.
Vegetable carving is believed to date back more than 700 years to the Sukhothai era, when, in much the same way that other Thai arts developed, a servant to the king who was charged with making a krathong (a boat-shaped offering made from banana leaves), decided to carve a pattern of a flower as decoration.
