THAI ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Thai Architecture reflects the influences of the Buddhist countries and of the
various groups with which it has mingle and associated for two millennia.
At various stages down the years, the cultures of Burma, China, Khmer, India
and Sri Lanka, can all be seen to have had an important and distinctive influence
on architecture in Thailand.
Most noticeable in Thai architecture are the swooping multi-tiered rooflines, the
distinctly ornamental decorations, the stunning interior murals, the vivid colors
and the lovingly crafted and gold- adorned Buddha images.

TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE
CHARACTERISTICS:
1. ROOF GABLE (NGAO)
A distinctive feature of the Central Plains house is the elegant curved
decoration at the ends of the peaked bargeboards surrounding the gables.
Known as ngao, it evolved from Khmer architecture and appears in
elaborate form on religious buildings and palaces. A Stylized version can
also be seen in domestic houses.

2. PANELING
Paneled walls are a relatively recent addition to the Thai house
3. GATE
Houses belonging to more prosperous families usually have a gate,
often sheltered by a Thai-style roof that opens on to the central platform. A
jar of water is placed at the bottom of the steps so that visitors and
residents can wash their feet before coming inside the house.
 4. THE SALA
An open-sided pavilion; familiar structure in Thailand found in the
courtyards of temples and along heavily traveled routes. Serves as a
shelter, giving shade from the hot tropical sun and heavy monsoon rain. It
also is a, living room and a hub for community social gatherings and
village activities.

THAI HOUSE
The basic Thai house of the past, rarely seen today, was simple structure
of bamboo and thatch, raised off the ground for protection against floods and wild
animals. Most family life took place on a veranda-like platform outside the one or two
rooms that served as sleeping quarters. This model evolved into more complex
structures of wood, varying both in form and decoration to suit conditions in different
regions but always retaining their essential simplicity.
 CENTRAL PLAINS HOUSES
Elevated on stout round posts, it has steep roofs with curved bargeboards
and paneled walls leaning slightly inward; the various components are prefabricated to
enable easy dismantling and reassembly. The simplest house consists of a single unit
with an outside veranda, while those accommodating larger families might have several
separate units arranged around a central platform.

THE NORTHERN HOUSES

The northern Thai houses differ significantly from its counterpart in the
Central Plains. The walls lean outward, giving it a sturdier look, and windows are often
smaller.
Kalae- V-shaped decorative feature at the ends of the roof. Some authorities believe
they represent a pair of buffalo horns.
 NORTHERN RICE BARN
A rice barn is a component of most traditional compounds in the northern
region. Raised on pillars and with a ladder for access, it is a solid structure with few
windows, used to store grain.

ROYAL HOUSES
Royal houses were similar in design to those of commoners except that
they were generally closer to the ground and had more decorative features.

RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE
Regardless of historical period, the most important area of religious architecture
is the Thai temple or wat.The Thai wat is a group of buildings each serving various
purposes and usually set within a walled enclosure. In addition to being a place where
the lessons of Buddha were taught, the Thai wat was traditionally a school, hospital,
community center and even an entertainment venue.
It follows a similar set of design principles and the same can normally be said for
the functions of the various buildings within the complex Architectural modifications
have been made and the overall style of each of the buildings may vary considerably
There is also a symbolic significance to each and every part of the Thai wat complex.
The capitals of the columns, for example, are shaped like lotus buds or water lilies
symbolizing the purity of Buddhas thoughts.

WAT PHRA KAEW OR

TEMPLE OF THE EMERALD
BUDDHA

PARTS OF A WAT

1. THE BOT
All wats usually include an ordination or assembly hall known as the
bot or sometimes known as an ubosot. The bot is reserved for monks
to perform ceremonies, meditate and sermonize. It faces east and
usually houses the main Buddha.
2. BAI SEMAS
Surrounding the bot are bai semas. These are sacred boundary
stones, used to demarcate the sacred ground of the bot and to keep
away evil spirits. Normally eight are used in total, but double slab
stones for royal wats. This is also an example of how animist beliefs
coexist with Buddhism.
3. THE CHEDI
The Chedi is a solid domeshaped structure where relics of Buddha
may be housed, such as a bone fragment or hair, or the ashes of a
past king. Some Thai wat complexes are specifically designed and
built around the sacred Chedi.
4. THE VISHNU
At the top of a Chedi may be a stylized thunderbolt sign of the Vishnu,
an ancient Hindu lord of the universe.
5. THE WIHAN
A second assembly hall, similar to the bot but usually larger, is the
wihan. Within a complex, there may be several wihan and each may
have an eclectic mix of architectural styles. The wihan is used by
laypeople to make their offering before a large Buddha figure. Normally
there are no bai sema surrounding the wihan.
6. THE PRANG
A few wats have prangs, which are towering phallic spires as can be
seen in the famous Wat Arun on the banks of the Chao Phraya river in
Bangkok.
7. THE CHOFA
The chofa is perhaps the most recognizable architectural detail in any
wat. Chofa means, tassel of air and its shape is thought to derive
from a highly stylized Garuda, a fierce bird featured in Hindu
mythology. The Garuda is also a royal symbol and can be seen on
other buildings Chofa on the top of a roof Chofa on the top of a roof of
Wat Pangsank Taii denoting that of Wang Pangsank Taii they operate
by royal appointment.

8. THE MONDOP
The mondop is a square-based structure topped with either a cruciform
roof or a spire. The edifice contains sacred text or an object of worship.
9. THE BODHI TREE
Most wats will also include a Bodhin tree (Ficus religiosa), also known
as the Sacred Figar Pipal tree. The Buddha is thought to have attained
Mondop at Wat Arun enlightment (Bodhi) while neditating under a
Bodhi Tree at Boghi-Guy in India.
10. THE CLOISTER
The cloisters or main wall will enclose the main area of the wat
complex (known as the phutthawat). The cloisters are sometimes
painted with decorative murals and also may house a row of Buddha
images.
11. THE SANGHAWAT
These are the monks living quarters and dormitories and are usually
in a separate compound.
12. THE HO RAKANGS
These are bell towers and are used to toll the hour and summon the
monks to prayer.The Minor Salaso This hall acts as a meeting The Ho
Rakangs place for Pilgrims.

13. THE MINOR SALAS

This hall acts as a meeting place for Pilgrims.
14. THE HO TRAI
This is the wat library and houses Holy Scriptures. A ho trai is a rare
feature of the wat complex. In the countryside they are usually on a
high base or surrounded by water to minimize insect damage by
insects.
 15. KUTI
A Kuti is a small structure, built on stilts, designed to house a monk. Its
proper size is defined in the Sanghathisep, Rule 6, to be 12 by 7 Keub
(or 4.013 by 2.343 meters). This tiny footprint is intended to aid the
monks spiritual journey by discouraging the accumulation of material
goods. Typically a monastery consists of a number of these buildings
grouped together on a shared terrace, either in an inward facing cluster
or lined up in a row. Often these structures included a separate
building, called a Hor Trai, which is used to store scriptures.

ROYAL ARCHITECTURE
Royal houses and mansions are typically a mixture of Thai wat, traditional
Thai house style and western architecture.
Teak wood is the main structural material of such buildings, giving them
their distinctive rich red color.

The red house at the National Museum in Bangkok is a typical royal house
and a good example of Thai royal architecture. Royal wats can be identified by usually
have ornate pediments and frames, which are sometimes decorated in gilt bronze. Like
the Thai wat, the roof of the royal building will have a chofar and normally the roof tiles
are made of finest teak wood.o the prefixes of Rat, Raja or Racha in their names. There
are only 186 such wats under royal patronage in the whole of the country.
 THE GRAND PALACE
Wat Phra came to be known as the Grand Palace, in which the earliest
edifices contemporary with the foundation of Bangkok were the two groups of
residences named the Dusit Maha Prasat and the Phra Maha Monthian.

PHRA MAHA MONTIAN

This consists of three main buildings,namely :
1. The Audience Hall of Amarin Winitchai- where the ceremonies of the Court
usually take place.
2. Paisal Taksin Hall where the coronation of a monarch takes place with its
coronation chair and the octagonal seat wherethe monarch receives the peoples
invitation to rule.
3. Descending from here we come to the antechamber to the Chakrapat Phiman
building.
 DUSIT MAHA PRASAT THRONE HALL

Here we have an audience hall with a throne of mother-of- pearl surmounted by

the usual nine tiered white canopy, the mark of a duly crowned king. At the back of this
audience hall is yet a living quarter. All are built in pure Siamese architecture of perfect
proportions.

BORON PHIMAN MANSION

Phra Thinang Borom Phiman: built in the western style in 1903 by King
Rama V for the Heir Apparent, the future King Rama VI, this mansion was also used at
various times as a royal residence by King Rama VII (1925-1935), King Rama VIII
(1935- 1946), and the present King Rama IX.
 REPORT NO. 3

CONTENT:

1. DIFFERENT TYPES OF THAI ARCHITECTURE AND THEIR EXAMPLES

 A.HIST 4
MW 5:00-6:30 PM

DIFFERENT TYPES OF THAI

ARCHITECTURE AND THEIR EXAMPLES

RACHO, RAPHA S. BSARCH 3C

D-101213

AR. ROBERTO AGUILLON

INSTRUCTOR