6a thai architecture

Welcome to the Land of Smiles

(Thailand)

ARCH. DIANE A. JOSE

THAILAND

United in mid-14th Century as Siam.

Took name Thailand in 1938.

National religion is Theravada Buddhism. (“Way of the Elders”)

Became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.

Subject of the Broadway musical, The King and I.

Allied with U.S. during Vietnam conflict.

Facing armed Muslim violence in South.

THAILAND’S CULTURE

Thailand is often called the "land of smiles",

you will see more smiling people here than

anywhere else in the world.

The official language is Thai, but English is

widely spoken in all major tourist locations

Thai people are friendly and tolerant.

THAI FOOD Spices

Common Ingredients are ginger, garlic, chili, pepper, lemon grass and basil leaves

Fruit

Thailand is a paradise for tropical fruits. At any time during the year dozens of fruits are found at market. These include durian, rambutan, magosteen, longans, lychee, and langsat.

Salads

Frequently is the main course. Commonly topped with peanuts, various shredded leaves and strips of chilli. A popular dish is Thai beef salad: thin strips of beef are mixed with coriander, soy, lime juice and black pepper. Then cooked with onions and chillis. Served with lettuce and leaves.

THE KING OF THAILAND

Bhumiphol Adulyadej

(Rama IX) – longest reining Thai monarch. Born in U.S.A. in 1927;

became king in 1946.

Father was a doctor; younger son of a younger son. Married Sirikit.

Played sax with Goodman & Armstrong. Wrote “Blue Night”

Still anachronistically considered a god by subjects.

Exercises great moral authority.

THE KING’S ROLE

Politically – to moderate.

Economically – to pioneer. Artificial rainmaking.

New strains of fish(tilapia), rice & tapioca (casava).

Irrigation projects and dams

Alternate crops for Hmong – cabbages, turnips, brussels sprouts, etc., instead of poppies.

Demonstration projects – dairy farming, bio-gas & forests.

Traditional Mediator – hill tribesman’s complaint..

DOS AND DON’TS

Keep your feet on the ground

Smile and enjoy the hospitality of your hosts.

If you are introduced to a Thai and that person Wias to you then you should return the Wai.

Women’s legs and shoulders should be cover before entering a Buddhist temple.

No Public displays of affection

Avoid touching people on their head

Do not point the sole of your foot at another person

Please do not wear shorts in the temples

QUESTIONS

What is the national religion of Thailand?

With what major power was Thailand allied

during the Vietnam conflict?

Name the current king of Thailand. For how

many years has he been king?

Name the fish that the king pioneered raising

commercially?

ARCHITECTURE OF THAILAND

History of Architecture 03

ARCHITECTURE OF THAILAND

The architecture of Thailand is a major part of the country's

rich cultural legacy and reflects both the challenges of living

in Thailand's sometimes extreme climate as well as,

historically, the importance of architecture to the Thai

people's sense of community and religious beliefs.

Influenced by the architectural traditions of many of

Thailand's neighbors, it has also developed significant

regional variation within its vernacular and religious

buildings.

STILT HOUSES

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. The mattress would be usually laid on the floor rather than on a bed. The house can be found along the beaches in Thailand, and some freshwater sources like lotus ponds. The purpose of stilts was to elevate the house sufficiently to avoid the main structure being flooded in the monsoon.

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 monk's 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.

THAI TEMPLE ART AND ARCHITECTURE

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 03

WAT

Wat refers to a monastery or temple

The architecture of a Wat has seen many

changes in Thailand in the course of history.

Although there are many differences in lay-out

and style, they all adhere to the same

principals.

A Thai temple, with few exceptions, consists of

two parts: The Phuttha-wat and the Sangha-

wat.

1 PHUTTHA-WAT

The Phutthawat is the area which is dedicated

to Buddha. It generally contains several

buildings:

1 PHUTTHA-WAT

Chedi (Thai: พระเจดย์ี) – also known as a stupa it is mostly seen in the form of a bell-

shaped tower, often accessible and covered with gold leaf, containing a relic

chamber.

Prang (Thai: พระปรางค์) – the Thai version of Khmer temple towers, mostly seen in

temples from the Sukhothai and the Ayutthaya period.

Ubosot or Bot (Thai: พระอุโบสถ or Thai: โบสถ์) – the Ordination Hall and most sacred area of

a Wat. Eight Sema stones (Bai Sema, Thai: ใบเสมา) mark the consecrated area.

Wihan (Thai: พระวหิาร) – in Thai temples this designates a shrine hall that contains the

principal Buddha images; it is the assembly hall where monks and believers

congregate.

Mondop (Thai: พระมณฑป) - A Mondop is a specific square or cruciform based building or

shrine,sometimes with a spired roof within a Thai Buddhist temple or temple

complex. It is a ceremonial structural form that can be applied to several different

kinds of buildings. It can house relics, sacred scriptures or act as a shrine. Unlike the

mandapa of Khmer or Indian temple, which are part of a larger structure, the Thai

mondop is a free -standing unit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_language







1 PHUTTHA-WAT

Ho trai (Thai: หอไตร) – the Temple Library or Scriptures Depository houses the sacred

Tipiṭaka scriptures. Sometimes they are built in the form of a Mondop (Thai: พระมณฑป), a

cubical-shaped building where the pyramidal roof is carried by columns.

Sala (Thai: ศาลา) – an open pavilion providing shade and a place to rest.

Sala kan prian (Thai: ศาลาการเปรยีญ) – a large, open hall where lay people can hear

sermons or receive religious education. It literally means "Hall, in which monks study

for their Prian exam" and is used for saying afternoon prayers.

Ho rakang (Thai: หอระฆงั) – the bell tower is used for waking the monks and to

announce the morning and evening ceremonies.

Phra rabieng (Thai: พระระเบยีง) – a peristyle is sometimes built around the sacred inner

area as a cloister.

Additional buildings can also be found inside the Phuttawat area, depending on local

needs, such as a crematorium or a school.







1 PHUTTHA-WAT

2 SANGHAWAT

The Sanghawat (Thai: เขตสงัฆาวาส) contains the living quarters of the monks. It also lies

within the wall surrounding the whole temple compound. The sanghawat area can

have the following buildings:

Kuti (Thai: กุฎ ีor กุฎ ิkut) – originally a small structure, built on stilts, designed to house

a monk, with its proper size defined in the Sanghathisep, Rule 6, to be 12 by 7 Keub

(4.013 by 2.343 meters). Modern kutis take on the shape of an apartment building

with small rooms for the monks.

The sanghawat can also contain the 'Ho rakang' (bell tower) and even the 'Sala Kan

Prian' (sermon hall).

It will house most of the functional buildings such as a kitchen building where food

can be prepared by lay people, and sanitary buildings.



POPULAR TEMPLE ICONS


TEMPLE ICONS

During the 10th century, Thai Theravada

Buddhism and Hindu cultures merged, and

Hindu elements were introduced into Thai

iconography.

Popular figures include the four-armed figure of

Vishnu;

TEMPLE ICONS

The garuda (half man, half bird); The eight-armed Shiva;

TEMPLE ICONS

Elephant-headed Ganesh;

The nāga, which appears as a snake,

dragon or cobra;

TEMPLE ICONS

And the ghost-banishing giant Yaksha.

MOST FASCINATING TEMPLES



Wat Phra Kaew (Bangkok): With its flamboyant colors and rich details, this shrine is a

magnificent setting for Thailand's most revered image, the Emerald Buddha. Inside

the main temple building, a profusion of offerings surround the pedestal that

supports the tiny image.


Wat Arun (Bangkok): The golden Temple of Dawn shimmers in the sunrise across the

Chao Phraya River from Bangkok, but viewing it at sunset is better still. As you climb

its steep central Khmer-style prang (tower), you'll get a close view of the porcelain

pieces that make up its floral design.


The Erawan Shrine (Bangkok): Not a site notable for its size or super-structure, the

Erawan Shrine is famed for the veracity of its devotees. Not long ago, a deranged

Thai took an ax to the central figure; incensed by the desecration of the site, the

crowds beat him to death. The statue has since been replaced. Located between

Chit Lom and Ploen Chit BTS stations in the center of town, few Thai people pass

without offering a bow, or wai, in reverence.


Wat Yai (Phitsanulok): One of the holiest temples in Thailand, Wat Yai is home to the

Phra Buddha Chinarat image, cast in bronze. One of the few remaining Sukhothai

images, the Buddha here is the prototype for many replicas throughout the country.

Outside, the temple complex hums with activity, since many Thais make the

pilgrimage here.


Wat Phra That Lampang Luang (Lampang): This city is the center of southern

Buddhism in Thailand, the first Thai capital to convert to Theravada Buddhism and a

major influence on the kingdoms to follow. The main chedi (stupa) contains a relic of

the Buddha brought from Sri Lanka over a millennia ago and the Lanna styled

architecture is evident all around town.


Wat Phra Singh (Chiang Mai): While most Thais head here to see the revered Lion

Buddha image, it's the delightful Lanna murals in the viharn next door that always

amaze. Dating to around 1870, these faded illustrations include images of

elephants, armies, and even fanciful impressions of early Western travelers.

MOST INTRIGUING HISTORICAL SITES



Ayutthaya: The former capital of Siam was one of the world's largest and most

sophisticated cities before it was ransacked by the Burmese in 1756. Today it

remains one of Thailand's greatest historical treasures, with abundant evidence of

its former majesty. It is easily reached in a day from Bangkok.


Sukhothai: Founded in 1238, Sukhothai (The Dawn of

Happiness) was a capital of an early Thai kingdom. Many of the

ruins of this religious and cultural center are skillfully preserved

and well maintained in an idyllic setting.

6a thai architecture

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