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The Thai house, like other houses in Southeast-Asia, is a wooden structure raised on posts.
Over many centuries it has acquired its own unique style. The distinguishing marks are an
elegantly tapering roof and various finials and decorations that differ regionally. While
architectural features vary throughout the four cultural regions, Central Thailand, the North (Lanna),
the North-East (Isaan), and the South, the method of raising a platform on poles is common to all parts
of the country. It offers protection from dirt, hostile wildlife, thieves, and most importantly from
the monsoon floods which affect all of Thailand.
The traditional Thai house is ideally adapted to its environment. The open high-pitched roof
facilitates air circulation. Open windows and walls in combination with a large central terrace provide
ideal ventilation and offer relief from the hot and humid climate. Wide overhanging eaves protect the house
from sun and rain. Rainwater runs off the steep roof quickly and falls through the permeable terrace and house floors.
The use of wood and bamboo reflects the once abundant forests that provided these materials ubiquitously and cheaply.
In the past, an agricultural society existed in relative harmony with its natural environment.
Unfortunately, things are different today. Uncontrolled development has led to poorly planned
traffic-choked cities, vanishing forests, and overall environmental degradation. Thai architecture
has changed, too. As canals have been filled; cars, TVs and air conditioners have made inroads,
ugly rows of uniform, concrete shophouses and apartment blocks are now the norm. In recent years,
however, people began to realize the negative impact of unbridled economic development.
Zoning laws and building regulations were just introduced recently. One may hope that the tropical
climate will do its part to rid the landscape of unsightly and poorly adapted structures and that
the commencing rediscovery of the vernacular architecture will lead to increased harmony between buildings and environment.
There are 4 types of Thai houses