3. INTRODUCTION
Thai architecture can be grouped into three
categories, consisting of Buddhist temples and
their monasteries, known as Wat in Thai,
palaces, and houses
Eight periods in the evolution of Thai
architecture, Dvaravati, Srivijaya, Lop Buri,
Chiang Saen, Sukhothai, U Thong,
Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin.
4. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS
Most noticeable in Thai architecture are:
the swooping (of a bird) multi-tiered rooflines,
the distinctly (noticeable) ornamental decorations,
the stunning interior murals,
the vivid colour (bright, distinct, contrast)
the lovingly crafted and gold- adorned Buddha
images
6. THAI STILT HOUSE
A Thai stilt house is a bamboo-made hut with
sharp angled roofs and wooden floorboards
The ceiling is typically high to provide good
ventilation. (high ceiling)
The mattress would be usually laid on the floor
as a bed.
The house can be found along the beaches
in Thailand, and some freshwater sources
like lotus ponds.
7. THAI STILT HOUSE
Universal aspect of Thai House is the elevation of
its building on stilt, mostly around head height.
Area beneath the house used for storage, crafts,
lounging, and cultural activities, etc.
To avoid flood and predators (wild animal)
Mostly made of wood and bamboo
Mostly use pad foundation
Utilize the passive design feature: cross
ventilation, stack effect, etc.
22. THAI WAT
Wat (enclosure) is a Thai Buddhist temple or
monastery.
Consists of collection of buildings, shrines, and
monuments within a courtyard.
A typical Wat has enclosing wall that divides it
from secular world.
Different in lay-out and style, but still adhere to the
same principal.
23. THAI WAT
Consists of two parts
1- Puttha Wat
– dedicated to Buddha.
2- Sangha Wat
– The living quarters of monks.
27. PUTTHA WAT
Contains several elements:
1. CHEDI
- known as Stupa
- Form of a tall bell shaped
tower
- Often accessible
- Covered with gold leaf
- Containing relic chamber of
Buddha
30. PUTTHA WAT
2. PRANG
- Ayutthayan or Khmer-style Chedi
- High and slim, looks like vertical ear corn
- the Thai version of Khmer temple tower.
- Mostly seen in temples from the Sukhstani and
Ayutthaya period.
32. PUTTHA WAT
3. UBOSOT HALL / BOT
- The ordination Hall of a Wat
- Place where monks take their vows.
- Six boundary stones (Bai Sema) placed around
the perimeter - mark the limit of its sanctuary.
- Building facing East
- Houses an altar and one or several Buddha
images.
- Chofah on top of roof finial
39. PUTTHA WAT
4. VIHARN
- Assembly hall where monks
and believers assemble.
- Open to public
- Public must be properly
dressed, shoes off, and
behave quietly
- Contains the altar and several
Buddha images.
- Same as Ubosot but with no
Sema stone
VIHARN, CHIANG MAI
41. PUTTHA WAT
5. HOR TRAI
- The temple library or Scriptures Depository
houses of the sacred Tripitaka Scriptures.
- Very small highly decorated building
- Sometimes, built in the form of Mondop
43. MONDOP
The Mondop is a
square based
building with a
pyramidal shaped
roof supported by
columns. It is
typically used to
house sacred
relics or scriptures
44. PUTTHA WAT
6. SALA
- An open-sided pavilion.
- Open on four sides.
- A place for meeting, rest, eat or listen
to sermon from the monks.
50. SANGHA WAT
KUTI
- Originally a small structure built on stilt.
- Designed to house a monk.
- Proper size defined in Sanghathisep, Rule 6 to
be 12 by 7 keub( 4.013 by 2.343 m)
- Modern Kuti – shape of an apartment with
small rooms for the monks.
54. SANGHA WAT
2. Also contains ‘Hor rakang’ (bell tower) and
even the ‘Sala Kan Prian’ (Sermon Hall)
3. Will house most of the functional buildings
such as kitchen building and sanitary building.
55. Roof forms
Multiple roof tiers
Ornamented roof
Roof finials
Decoration structure attached to the
bargeboard (long thin panel on the edge of
the roof at the gable ends.)
The ornament called Chofah/ Chofa
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS
56. ROOF AND GABLE OF THE MAIN VIHARN OF WAT PHRA SINGH IN
CHANG MAI
57. CHOFAH
Chofah is a decorative ornament that
decorates the top at the end of Wat and
palaces roof.
It resembles a tall thin bird and hornlike looks.
The Chofah is generally believed to represent
the mythical creature Garuda, half bird and half
man, act as vehicle of the Hindu god Vishnu.
58. CHOFAH/ CHOFA
Same function as the ‘tunjuk langit’ of Malay
traditional house
Usually designed based on the animal figure.
Design as the holy symbol.
Usually painted in golden color as a symbol of
dignity and richness.
69. REFERENCES
Ruethai Chaichongrak. (2002). Thai House: History And
Evolution. Weatherhill. ISBN 0-8348-0520-0
Karl Döhring, Buddhist Temples of Thailand: an Architectonic
Introduction, White Lotus, 2000. ISBN 974-7534-40-1
