Somdet Phrachao Boromawongthoe Gromaphraya Chainatarenthorn’s Palace (Vidyu Palace)

Location: Wittayu Road, Lumpini, Patumwan, Bangkok

Architect(s)/Designer(s): Charles Berger Lang

Occupant: Rangsit Royal lineage

Year established: completed in 1925

Somdet Phrachao Boromawongthoe Gromaphraya Chainatnarenthorn (or Prince Rangsit) was born as a child of King Chulalongkorn and Chao Chom Manda Nueang (common name Nueang Snidvongs). He started his educatin at the Royal School in the Grand Palace. Later, he was sent to Heidellberg-University in Germany where he studied in Education and Philosophy. He was the first university director general in Siam. He was the Chairman of the Committee on Planning and Development of Chulalongkorn University. He also served as the first director of the Public Health Ministry, and the director at Ratchapattayalai School. He married Miss Ellsabeth Scharnberger and the couple had two sons and one daughter: HSH Piyarangsit Rangsit, HSH Sanidh Prayurasakdi Rangsit, and HSH charulaksana Kalyani.

The Vidyu Palace was his place of residence and it is also where he housed and showcased his antique collection. He was the first Thai Royal to collect ancient artifacts. He purchased land on Wittayu road, which at that time was a suburb, to build a palace “in a good atmosphere”. The old royal palace located in Pomprabsatrupai, which King Chulalongkorn had granted him, did not have enough space for his larger ancient objects. So he hired Mister Charles Berger Lang, the Swiss architect, to design new palace in a Swiss-German style for his wife. He designed the interior of the Vidyu palace himself and asked the architect for a thick wall to prevent moisture damage from outside and to maintain a consistent temperature inside. Since he had purchased a backdrop with Thai lacquer work on it called “Lai Rod Nam”; along with his other collectibles of Thai art, sculptures and furniture from Europe, he fitted out his new palace in a unique and attractive style, showcasing a blend of European and South East Asian design.

Vidyu Palace was completed in 1925. He lived there with his family until his death in 1951. After that, HSH Piyarangsit Rangsit and his wife, Princess Vipavadee Rangsit, resided in the palace. Today, Vidyu Palace is the property of their three daughter, who have signed the heritage record that states the ancient collectible objects will be kept in their original location to honor their ancestor, and also that they should open a museum for visitors in the future. Mom Rajawongse Vidyu Palace is a unique royal palace kept in perfect condition. The royal lineage Rachskul Rangsit has continued to house the antiques and interior crowded and busy, Vidyu Palace has been very well-reserved. The owners of this great inheritance see that these belongings as essential. They feel that it is needed for new generations to be educated about the royal family who played various important roles in the country’s history.

Therefore, Vidyu Palace is a virtual treasure centre of Thai culture located in the heart of Bangkok. Preeyanantana Rangsit is now responsible for managing Vidyu Palace.

Chinpracha Mansion

Location: 98 Krabi Street, Talad Nua, Amphor Muang, Phuket

Occupant: Mr. Pracha Tanthwanich

Year established: 1903

Phraya Bhitak Chinpracha (Tan Ma Siang) was the seventh son of the Chinese immigrant, Luang Baamrung Chin Prated (Tan Nieaw Ye), who owned tin mines in Phuket and other various trading businesses in Penang. After his father had passed away, he inherited his family business. He set about modernizing his trade with the introduction of machines as opposed to the traditional use f manpower. This was greatly advanced for its time. He was later given the task of being a mining advisor for the Metal Department before dedicating himself to King Rama VI (Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua), and it was at this time he received his last name “Tanthawanich”. Through generous donations he assisted in establishing a school, where King Rama VI came to the opening ceremony and named it “Tanthawanich Withyakhom” (now known as Stri Phuket School), to honor and remember all doPhunors responsible for the founding of the school.

The Chinpracha Mansion ws built in 1903 by Praya Bhitak Chinpracha in the reign of King Rama V. His intention was to pass it on to his son. This is the first mansion built in a Sino-portuguese architectural style within Phuket or known as Ang Moe Lhaow style. The mansion is a two floor building with a sign of Chinese characters on the porch at the entrance. The entrance door is decorated with designed in order to create maximum ventilation. Almost all the furniture and furnishings are inherited from an ancestral Chinese style. Due to the merchant ships from Penang to Phuket over the flourishing period, most of the materials used for the home furnishings were imported from overseas, such as fences made from Holland or flagstones imported from Italy.

Today, Khun Pracha Tanthawanich, the descendent of Phraya Bhitak Chinpracha, is the inheritor of this luxurious mansion. It is still well-preserved and open to the public as a source of cultural and social studies as an example of what life would have been like in Phuket three-hundred years ago. It also exhibits many interesting antique furnishings such as home appliances, photographs and paintings.

158-162 The Old Row House on Charoen Muang Road

Location: 158-162 Charoen Muang Road, Tumbol Wat Ked, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai

Occupant: Mister Narong Noenbhunsk

This is the ancient wooden row house situated in Chiang Mai province, one of the few that still remains today. Its most outstanding feature is its balcony and the gorgeous wooden carved stair rails. The property has passed through a few hands to its current owner, Mister Norong Noenbhunsuk, who has been living there for sixty years. In the past the house was a sell and repair bicycle shop under the name “Lioew Shun Lee”.

U Hotel Chiang Mai

Location: 70 Ratchadamnoen Road, Tambol Sri-Poom, Amphur Muang, Chiaang Mai

Occupant: Associate professor Jarunee Maneekul

U Hotel is situated in the center of Chiang Mai city. It was a former residence of the first governor general of Chiang Mai, Phra Nayok Khananukarn (Muang Tiphaya Monthon), who was assigned any important tasks to all royal family and nobleman in the north. For example, he was a guard chief to suppress all kind of rebellions. He also followed the voyage of the Princess Dara Rasmi from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Besides, he was the renovation group leader for WWat Phra That Sri Chom Thong and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

U Hotel Company Limited is now the owner, which has later rented the entire building and land for its hotel affair, approximately 1 Rai ( 1 rai = 1600 sqm) for twenty years. At the beginning, all entire building had been damaged from the use of a former owner in a long period. Thus, the renovation started under the concept of reconstruction the past by preserving and maintaining the unique building. Especially, its roof and gable, which has been decorated with the Tiphaya family symbol; the sun in the triangle frame. The interior of the building has been changed the layout to appropriate the hotel services for tourists. It is divided into two part, front reception and rooms for guests.

Today the building has been operated under the name “U Hotel Chiang Mai”. With its history and value, the hotel guests can enjoy peaceful atmosphere among the Lanna culture in Chiang Mai.

The Supreme Court

Locaation: Ratchadamnoen Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Pra Nakom Bangkok

Architect (s)/Designer (s): Phra Sarocharattanimmaan (Saroch Sukkayang)

Occupant: Ministry of Justice

Year established: 1939

The complex of the Court of Justice was established in 1939 by Phra Sarocharattanimmaan (Saroch Sukkayang). Before drawing the plans, the government sent him to visit a court in Singapore and bring back architectural information. The opening ceremony of the Court of Justice was held in 1941 by Phra Ong Jao Atit Tiphaya Apa.

The buildings are laid out in a “U” shape divided into three parts. The first part was built in 1939 for the Court of Justice. The second part is the building nearby the “Ku Muang Doem Canel”, and it was completed in 1943. This part is used as the Court of Appeal. The third part is the Supreme Court. It sits on the site of a former Justice Court used in the reign of King Rama V that was demolished in 1959. In 1963, a new building was erected and installed as the Supreme Court. The architecture was influenced by modernism, which was the main architectural trend of that period. The concept of modernist architecture was well-known in the reign of King Rama V by groups of Thai students who studied it in Europe. However, the popularity of this style didn’t become wide spread until after the revolution of 1932. It can now be found on various important public buildings.

This building holds the Justice Court and the independence Memorial. Its modern architectural style was popular in the period of the People’s Party, after the 1932 revolution. The entire construction is a valuable national architectural heritage site and the land it is build on has a long history as a justice court. The building exposes the arts and architectural styles of the old period and represents a good society and political system. Thus, the buildings of the Justice Court and the Supreme Court are worthwhile to be preserved.

Baan Dinso Boutique Hostel

Location: 113 Trok Sin, Dinso Road, Borvornnivate, Pranaakorn, Bangkok

Occupant: Baan Dinso Hstel Company Limited Partnership

Year established: Constructed in the reign of King Rama V

Baan Dinso Boutique Hostel is located near the old communities of Bangkok. The house is estimated to have been built in the era of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). It was granted to Phraya Wisesongkran (Choi Chantarasonthi) by title deed. It is a two storey house built with a golden teak wood in Colonial style. The front area of the house was slightly elevated to balance the ground level. There is a bedroom, main hall and stairs at the ground level, and four more bedrooms upstairs.

The hostel has passed through many hands to its current owner, Baan Dinso Boutique Hostel Limited Partnership in 2006. Shortly after, a thorough inspection was conducted for the purpose of renovating the house in-keeping with the original architectural characteristics. The original building has been preserved and maintained as much as possible. Used materials in the process of preservation were carefully selected to closely match the original materials.

After the renovation, the ground level has been lowered so that the basement is now entirely below the building. Thebasement area was also entirely reconstructed. It is now used as a kitchen and for laundry. The hostel is open to both Thai and foreign visitors under the name of “Baan Dinso Boutique Hostel”. It aims to preserve and rehabilitate housing in a traditional community as a national heritage, and as part of a co-occupation, together with the well-being of the people in this community.

Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum

Location: 15 Praisani Road, Tambol Changmol , Amphur Muang, ChiangMai

Occupant: CAT Telecom Public Company Limited

Year established: 1910

Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum was a former building of the Monthon Payaap Court before the construction of the first Post and Telegraph Office in Chiang Mai on April 1 st, 1910. Later, the building was extended with the addition of a second storey for more working spaces and public services. It was named “Mae Ping Post Office”.

CAT Telecom Public Company Limited began a restoration project to establish the Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum. It was first opened to the public on November 15^th, 1990. Initially the ground floor had been used as a post office until the restoration was finished. Afterwards the post office was moved to a new building. Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum has been able to continually progress since 1996.

The interior of the museum contains 4 sections; Library Service, Postage Stamp Sales and Collectibles, Postage stamps on display such as Thai and foreign stamps dating back to the reign of King Rama VIII, and the exhibition in which participants are able to develop a greater understanding of the old postal service. Various other forms of dated and original communication tools like Morse Code, 12-volt telegraph key or tables and benches, which were of the museum exhibits five old post boxes from different places. The museum aims to increase both students and enthusiasts’ knowledge and understanding of current and historical postal operations in Thailand. Today it is open to visitors on Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Wat Lanka School

Lacation: Moo 3, Tambon Khok Kram amphur Bagplamg, Suphan Buri

Occupant: Wat Lanka School

Year established: 1930

Wat Lanka School is established by the Elementary Education Act. It was previously named “Khaow Hong School” opened in September 10^th, 1922. Later, the name has been changed to Pracha Tambol Khaow Hong School (Lanka Withayasap), Pracha Tumbol Khok Kram 3 (Lanka Withayasap), Wat Lankaa School (Lanka Withayasap), and lastly Wat Lanka School respectively.

At the beginning, the class took place at Wat Lanka sermon hall. In 1930, Phra Kru Piphat Suttakun (Somboon), Lanka temple’s abbot, and Luang Amnuay Silpasart, the provincial education supervisor, managed to build a school for theologians called “Nak Dharm School”, by using money that was left of Phra Kru Piphat suttakun (Thong), who had passed away. The construction of the school finished, Thai Study School (Nang Sue Thai School) then moved to use the place. As the old building ruined badly, it was demolished and replaced with a new building, where all the theologians moved back to in exchange.

In 1955, the school had not enough places to students that increased every year. So it requested money from the Government together with the public funds to enlarge the school building by adding more 16 meters length and one more entrance porch (totally two porches). After the enlargement, the entire building has 40 meters length and 8 meters width.

Today Wat Lanka School is located in the area of Tambon Khok Kram Administration Organization. The teaching is open from the first kindergarten level to the sixth primary level, under the Supan Buri Elementary Education Office Area I. Mister Preecha Sirisomboonwech is now the director.

Wang Daeng : Hall of History, Udon Thani Rajabhat University

Location: 64 Udon Thani Rajabhat University, Thaham Road, Aumphur Muang, Udon Thani

Occupant: Udon Thani Rajabhat University

Year established: 1923

“Wang Daeng” was the first constructed building of Udon Thani Rajabhat University. The source of its name is not known entirely, but it is assumed to be inspired from the intricacy of the rooms and the grandeur of the building. It is also possible that it received its name from the red colored wooden walls in the building. Wang Daeng is also known as the, Akarn Klang (central building) or Akarn Khunprasom. Previously the building was an agricultural school in Monthon Udon, established on November 1 st, 1923 with Mister Perm Kamsomsin serving as a principal teacher. The school opened for male students who had finished their fourth level of primary education and wished to continue for male students who had finished their fourth level of primary education and wished to continue for another two years in order to receive a Diploma in Teaching. Most students had received scholarships from many different provinces. The former location of the school was in Monthon Udon Scount Club (Samosorn Sua Pha) before the construction of a permanent school building at Huoy Soh, or Udon Thani Rajabhat University as it is known today.

The large raised platform building is made intirely of wood. Its architectural shape is similar to houses found in the northeast of Thailand and is similar to traditional Thai structures. The building has a symmetrical layout in the shape of the letter H. It has large wooden stairs that lead into the center of the building and there is also a balcony connected to each room. The wooden walls have a ventilated air space between the wall laathes, except for the outer walls by the balcony. Instead the balcony walls are solid to prevent the building from sunlight and rain. There are carved wooden poles on every corner of the balcony. Its doors and panned are made from thick wood with penetrable cogged over them. The gable roof is mixed with a Panya-style. The interior of the building has many rooms, which have been used for a variety of reasons, such as class rooms and work rooms for teachers.

Today, the building has been conserved and modified to be used for major functions. Renovation has taken place only using materials similar to the original design and adaptations have been made original design and adaptations have been made on the ground floor of the building which is now used for assembly activities of the university. The top floor is now a museum to present the university’s history under the name “Hall of History, Udon Thani Rajabhat University” in order to commemorate the young people who realized the value of this architectural heritage, which has been situated here for over eighty five years.

Thon Nhae Noy - Thon Nhae Luang Community

Location: Moo 1, 7, Tumbon Tha Wang Praow, Amphur San Pha Thong, Chiang Mai Province

Ban Thon Nhae Noy  - Thon Nhae Luang community is a Thai-Khoen or Thai – Kheun village. The people were originally from Muang Chiang Tung in Shan State and in Sipsong Panna in Myanmar near the border of China and Thailand. Myanmar near the border of China and Thailand. “Khoen” has become the name to these people because they used to live along the bank of the “Khoen River”. According to legend, a hermit, Tungka Ruesi, found a wide lake. With his foresight, he knew that the lake one day would become an important town. So he used his walking stick drawing down the ground. The water suddenly flowed back northwards. However, the name “Khoen’ or “Kheun” has been used as a name for the river and the people themselves.

The Khoen people moved to Chiang Mai in 1262. At that time. Muang Chiang Tung was occupied by Chiang Mai as a dependent state. Later in 1782, in the reign of King Kawila of Chiang Mai, the emptied town was restored by a gathering of people. The King sent out Phra Upparachadharm to persuade people to return to their homeland. He also led the army to battle with other towns and gathered prisoners of war in Chiang Mai. The communities in his reign were divided by skills, such as blacksmiths, papermakers, artists, goldsmiths, gong specialist or Khoen specialists etc.

Some of Thai Khoen people later moved south of Chiang Mai. Some of them set down in a village around the basin of the Khan River, which was full of the Nhae trees and teak woods. The people then cleaned up the area for their houses and agriculture on the bank of the river. The village was named “Ban Thon Nhae Luang” because a lot of the Nhae trees wrer found around the village. Later, the village extended to the western side of the Khan River, and the name “Ban Thon Nhae Noy” was given to this new location.

Today Ban Thon Nhae Noy – Thon Nhae Luang has in total 206 households with approximately 680 villagers. Most of them are Buddhist. Wat Don Chai is the heart of their community. There are various traditions which have been inherited from generation to generation. They believe in “phi” or spirits, for example, “hor seu ban” or the village guard spirit believed to keeppeace in the village, “phi pu ya” a family guard spirit believed to protect the family, and “teveda hieun” a house guard spirit believed to help people who live in the guard spirit for fields, farms and land. Besides this there are other interesting traditions such as “phi pha” worship, “Sorn kwan” or “Riak Kwan” and “aaew haab” (a tradition for a bride), etc.

The main occupations of the people are to make traditional vessels called “khoen” together with agricultural farming. The people in the community have a very close relationship with each other and their extended families. Their houses aare made of wood in the Lanna style, and the ancient tile roofs are still well-preserved.

Wat Maha Chin That Chao ( Wat Phra That Doi Tung)

Location: Tambol Tertthai, Aumphur Maefaluang, Chiangrai

Occupant: Wat Maha Chin That Chao (Wat Phra That Doi Tung)

Year established: 911 A.D

The Phra Thaat Doi Tung Stupa is considered to be one of the oldest monuments in Northern Thailand. The stupa is believed to represent the zodiac sign for the year of Pig. According to legend, Phra Maha Kassapa brought a left collar-bone relic of the Buddha to King Achutarat of Yonok Nakhon, who later established the stupa to enshrine the collar-bone of Lord Buddha at the peak of the mountain by making long flags know as the “tung”, 1,000 wa length (1 wa =2 meters), pitched at the top of the mountain. The stupa was built where the flag was originally displayed. In the era of Phraya Mang Rai, Phra Maha Wachira Photi Tera brought him a bone relic of Buddha, Phraya Mang Rai then enshrined the bone relic of Buddha at Doi Tung and had another stupa established near the existing one there.

The two stupa ruins were renovated in a Lanna architectural style by a venerable monk, Khruba Sriwichai and the collaboration of both the Lanna and Chiang Rai people in 1927. That time, the pagoda had 8 square sapes and 12 niches like the Phra That Doi Suthep found in the Chiang Mai province. Later in 1973, the government office renovated the pagoda. The rebuilt pagoda was a castle-like structure decorated with niches on all four sides. Stucco Buddha images are found at all the eight gates and a ubosot is also in the area. Somdech Phra Boroma Orasadhiraj Chao Fah Maha Vajiraalongkorn Sayam Makutrajakuman attended the foundation stone laying ceremony.

By the request of local people. The Department of Fine Arts were given a project to decommission the pagoda in 2006, as it had a new cover which did not maintain the appearance of the original shown on photos dating back to eighty year ago, in the period of Khruba Sriwichai. The pagoda was again reconstruction but this time more in keeping with its former design. The relic was also relocated to Wat Phra That Doi Tung Noi, situated below the mountain.

Ubosot and Scripture Hall Wat Na Phra That

Location: Moo 1, Tumbon Taku, Amphur Pak Thong Chai, Nakorn Ratchasima

Occupant: Wat Na Phra That

Year established: 1787

Wat Na Phra That or Wat Taku is an ancient temple in the Pak Thong Chai district. It was built in 1787, in the era of King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I). According to legend, people migrated from Wiang Chan in the reign of King Taksin. While villagers had cleaned up the land for agricultural purposes, they found the Buddha relic in the forest. So they wrote a letter to the monks demanding for a temple to be built in the community. The temple later wwas named “Na Phra That”. People set their houses closer to the temple. In the past, this location was full of the Taku trees, so the trees name was used to call the sub-district, Tumbon Taku.

The original ubosot is situated beside the new ubosot. The building has a curved base characteristic. The roof has an elongated carved apex of the gable (chofa), a bai raka (to represent the scales or spines of nagas) and a hang hongse (Swan’s tail). This architecture is similar to the popular royal architecture in the reign of King Rama III. The interior decorations of the ubosot depict the complete history of Buddha with various images, such as the chadok, Phra Bod, the Buddha footprint worship, funeral and Phra Malai. In the past, the exterior of the ubosot had mural paintings. Today, they can be seen only above the front entrance.

The Scripture or Dharma Hall is located in the front of the ubosot, surrounded by the pool. It is a high raised building with the architecture of a traditional Thai house with a gable roof. It has a carved wooden partition wall. The entrance door is decorated with gliding paintings about Buddha’s history, Thep Chumnum, Pum Kao Bin Kan Yang and Phra Mae Torance, they images of Thep Chumnum and Dok Mai Ruang. Today this scripture hall is no longer used for its intended purpose.

The Dharma Chamber of Ban Loog

Location: 163 Moo 8, Tambol Muang Nga, Amphur Muang, Lumphoon Province

Occupant: Wat Ban loog

Year established: 1886

In the past, the Lanna people believed that the building of a Dharma chamber or a Tripikata chamber is a way to worship the Tripikata, which is regarded as the Lord Buddha’s own words. The Tripikaataa which has been recorded in the right way will become priceless and sacred. Therefore, it needs to be kept in high places and has to be separated from other buildings.

The Dharma chamber of Ban Loog Temple was built in 1886, with Guru Bahpunya, the fourth abbot of the temple, as the chaiman of the construction. The construction was done according to cosmological principles, having the character of a two floored Thai shaped building, with a rectangle plan and a high cellar. In order to enter the Tripikata storage room, a ladder has to be leant to climb in, which is the reason why there are no stairs construction to be found, both internal and external. From the outside, the building is decorated with sculptures, which have been used to decorate the Dharma chamber of Ban Loog Temple, consisting of four wooden carved sculptures of the Chatulokaban (the Four Guardians of the world according to Buddhist belief) standing in the four corners of the building, symbolizing the principles, belief and idea of the Dharma chamber construction.

The tile covered roof is decorated with hanging water boards. The roof ridges are embellished with wooden carved Hassadeeling birds dotted into Chinese glass. There are wooden carved sculptures decorated with Chinese glass in the front side. The gable and its apex are wooden carved and dotted with brass, a special style which can be found in art of the area nearby the Ping River (Chiang Mai – Lampoon). The windows have drawings of angels walking south painted on cinnabar. Within the upper floor of the Dharma chamber, lays a Dharma casket containing the Tripikata made of palm leaves, which is considered to be the Dharma casket with the most perfect condition. There is a mulberry paper made base to place the image of the Lord Buddha in the bottom floor, where other antiques of the temple are being kept.

With its unique and beautiful characteristic of the Dharma chamber of Ban Loog. Muang Nga municipality is presenting the exhibition to increase both students and enthusiasts’ knowledge and understanding of its local history and the Lanna beliefs.

Dharma Chamber at Wat Pa Puay

Location: 158 Moo 3, Tumbon Ban Hong, Aumphur Ban Hong, Lumphun

Architect (s)/Designer (s): Pho Nanpang Perakaoew

Occupant: Wat Pa Puay

Year established: 1902

Wat Pa Puay is an old temple in the Baan Hong district. It was built in 1887. Before its construction, the area was full of Lythraceae trees (Mai Puay), which was a good location for a temple. Villagers then helped to clean up the area and built the temple. Wat Pa Puay received Prarachtan Wisugcamsima in 1974.

The Dharma or Tripitaka Chamber of Wat Pa Puay was built in 1902 by Phra Maha and his student. The chamber was designed by Pho Nanpang Perakaown. It is a golden teak wood chamber with a raised basement, and a path to walk around the chamber upstairs. The interior of the chamber is used to keep the Buddhist scriptures. This chamber has two entrance doors in the front and back. The wooden tympanum has flowers and plant details carved into it together with a Chinese mirror decoration. Buddhist scriptures are kept inside the chamber like the chadok (the story of the penultimate life of Buddha), and other dharma information. In the past, Lanna people recorded the scriptures in their own native characters, so the text was considered sacred. Thus, they deserved to be respected and honored for worship and kept in high places separate from other buildings.

Dhama Chamber of Wat Dong Ruesi

Location: Tambon Ban Hong, Amphur Bang Hong, Lumphun

Architect(s)/Designer(s): Pho Nhanphan Chaiyachompu

Occupant: Wat Dong Ruesi

Year established: 1927

Wat Dong Ruesi is an old temple situated in the Ban Hong district. According to legend there were two sons who ran away from their rich father in order to become hermits at this spot. After both the sons passed away, their father donated money to build a temple and a sculpture, which was dedicated to both the hermits. The sculpture is currently enshrined in the temple area.

The Dharma or Tripitaka Chamber was established in 1927. Phra Kru Pan Photigo and his students cooperated to build this chamber. Pho Nhanpan Chaiyachompu was the construction engineer. The chamber is used to keep the Buddhist scriptures, The chadok (the story of the penultimate life of Buddha), and other dharma information. People in the past believed that Dharam scriptures wrer holy and sacred. Thus, they deserved to be respected and honored for worship and kept in high places.

It has a golden teak wood chamber with a raised basement, and a path to walk around the chamber upstairs. The interior of the chamber is used to keep the Buddhist scriptures. The wooden balcony fence was cleverly carved in a revered artistic style. This chamber has two entrance doors in the front and back. The ceiling is decorated with condition. The ceiling is decorated with colored stars which are now in a dilapidated with condition. The wooden tympanum has flowers and plant details carved into it together with a Chinese mirror decoration. Small clay tiles were installed on the roof.

Wat Pratu Pha Scripture Hall

Location: 95 Moo4, Ban Pratu Pha, Amphur Muang, Lamphun

Occupant: Wat Pratu Pha

Year established: 1894

Wat Pratu Pha (Pha Mamuang Chum Huang Wiang Lha Poon) is a temple of the Maha Nikaya sect. It was established in 1758 by nobles of the city f Nakhon Haripunchai (today in Lumphun province). People from Muang Yong in the village of Pratu Pha migrated to Pak Lum Muang  Daeng in the town of Wiang Lha Poon. They built the temple and asked Phra Kruba Lhek to be the abbot. The villagers cooperated in planting hundreds of mango trees around the temple (as a food supply) and to remind them of the first move to a new location. They named the temple after their original temple, but when the mango trees grew they renamed it “Pratu Pha”, “Pha Muang Chum Huang Wiang Lha Poon”, or “ Pha Ma Muang Luang”.

The Scripture or Dharma Hall of Wat Pratu Pha was built in 1894 in the period of the fourth abbot, Kruba Ariya. The hall was built by the skilled Yong people. It is a teak wood building with a high raised basement, and a path to walk around the chamber upstairs. This hall has only one entrance door. The door and walls were painted in peacocks or devas. The wooden eave brackets and tympanum have animal, flower and plant details carved into them together with the “Ang Wah” mirror decoration. Clay tiles were installed on the roof, and the ridge of the roof is made from zinc. Inside the hall, the platform is raised. The Dharma scriptures are kept inside the hall and are made from plam leaves with the written texts of sermons inscribed in Lanna characters. Each Dharma box has a different decoration, for example, the floral lacquer and gilding, or the plaster casting with the glass decoration. Some of them are decorated with images of elephants, horses and bees.

Wat Bot Samsen

Location:  Samsen Road, Dusit, Bangkok Province

Occupant:  Wat Bot Samsen

Year established:  1932

Wat Bot Samsen is a royal temple for the Theravada Buddhist monks of the Maha Nikayasect in Thailand. The land area is eight rai and three tarangwaa. It was established on February  1 ,1708 and received Prarachtan Wisugcamsima on February 20, 1728 in the late Ayudhaya period of Somdej Phra Chaoyuhua Boromakot. The name of the temple builder is unknown. After the establishement of the Rattanakosin Island, the temple was renovated by Somdet Phra Bawornrajchao Maha Sura Singhanat. And the temple has been continually maintained ever since.

The architecture is of the early RAttanakosin period style. The temple is composed of a Ubosot(the old one) is the only Ubosot in the Ayudhaya style. The building is curved like the bottom of a sailing boat. The mural paintings found inside the Ubosot are of the late Ayudhaya period. They depict Marn Phachon on the front wall above the door, Thepchoomnoom images on the side walls and Wedsandon Chadok images on the wall near the windows.

Pagoda is in the front of the Ubosot. It is the castle-like pagoda in the Prasat style located on a high base with the Larn Prathaksin on the top. The upper base(Ruan That) has the Jara Nam arches with Buddha statues facing four directions. The top of pagoda is in the twelve notchedrim style.

Mondop of the Footprint of Buddha has a square layout in the Prasat style located on a high base with the tile roof of the Chedi style. The colored painting of Thephanom and Kanok patterns are decorating the tympanum. The four arch doors are found on its four sides. The Buddha statue is placed on the high base decorated with a lotus pattern.

Bell Tower is a two-storey square building. Its tile roof was installed in the Prasat style with casting decorating it. The building has four poles. Each pole is decorated with flowers and the Prachamyarm patterns on its top.

Pier Pavilion/Sala Thanam (in front of Monk’s Dwelling) is a building in the tetrahedron shape. The two stairs lead to the river. The building is surrounded by short fences. It has a wooden roof. The wooden carved gable is decorated of flowers and plants pattern.

Pier Pavilion/Sala Thanam (in front of Bell Tower) has the triangle roof style. The building was rebuilt over the former monks dwelling. There are two entrances surrounded by short fences. The top of the building is made from wood. The gable is decorated with a Lam Yong mold casting and the roof tiles are decorated along the sides.

Wat Sanam Chai

Location: 24 Moo 2, Tumbon Sanam Chai, Amphur Sating Phra, Songkla

Occupant: Wat Sanam Chai

Year established: around 1680-1699

 

Wat Sanam Chai or Wat Chaiya Tok is lacated in the middle of sathingpra Peninsula. Its name was founded in the Wat Pattaloong’s Galpana map as “Wat Sala Meechai” and “Sana Meechai”. Its vihara and pagoda were built in Ayutthaya period around 1680-1699. The temple received Prarachtan Wisugcamsima in 1757. The architecture of the temple was created traditionally from the sounthern skilled architecture in the reign of King Rama III, King Rama IV and King Rama V. It can be seen obviously that the ubosot had been rebuilt over the old one in 1897. It is a bricked building. The platform is raised with two front entrance doors. The arch exterior door is decorated with a plaster molding. The terrace walls are entirely perforated. The floor was installed with the lacal clay tiles from Koh Yoh. The door is decorated with Krutyudhanaga which has the sea shells decoration in a naga’s body. But the naga looks more alike a dragon. The roof is stitched by the Luk Pasak instead of using anail. The tympanum appears a giant holding a club image. The roof has been placed the Barali instead of the Cho Fah. The lacal clay tiles are installed on the roof. Inside the pagoda found the Buddha statue, which is covered on zinc plates by the temple in order to prevent the statue from rains.