ARCHITECTURE IN

THAILAND
 THAILAND:
GEOGRAPHICAL,GEOLOGICAL
& CLIMATIC

• Siam-since 1939 has been generally translated

as Thailand-is bordered on the North and West
by Burma, and in the North-East and East by
laos and Cambodia. The country is immensely
rich in durable and decorative timbers,
including teak and ebony, suitable for all types
of constructive work. The other principal
building material is brick, stone was little used,
except for foundations. The climates is tropical,
with monsoon rains and winds.
HISTORICAL SOCIAL & RELIGIOUS
In the 14th century, Ayudhya became the capital, with direct access to the sea
and the Cam- bodian Trade routes, a city destined to be renowned
throughout the Indo-Chinese world for wealth and luxury, destroyed by the
Burmese in 1767 and now a desolate ruin. In 1555 Ayudhya had fallen briefly
into Burmese hands, but foreign domination had always been short lived and
apart from the Japanese occupation during world war 2, Thailand remains
unique among the south-east Asia in maintaining considerable measure of
independence throughout her natural history. Despite foreign intrusions,
Thailand was always suspicious of European intentions and managed to
evade colonialist occupation Buddhism for 1500 years remained the
prevailing influence on art and architecture.
 ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
Architecture in Thailand reflects the influences of the Buddhist countries and is divided into:
a. The Dvararati period-Central Thailand (sixth-10th) characterized by Burman Buddhist
forms. There are no other architectural remains except for fragments of foundations which
give some idea of plans but not the style of buildings, constructed of brick and stone, the
plinths, with mouldings similar to those of Buddhist structures have granite bases with
mortise holes for pillars which must have supported timber superstructures.
b. Mon-Khmer period, Central and Eastern Thailand (10th-13th century)-provincial
manifestation of the Khmer-Angkor style of architecture. It also mirrored earlier building
traditions of the mons and Talaings of Southern Burma, who brought with them architectural
echoes of pagan. The Khmers introduced the use of stone, in place of the traditional brick or
rubble bonded with vegetable glue.
c. THAI period (13th-17th century)-In all phases of Siamese building, the part played by
sculpture, and in interiors, by mural painting is important. Here there are three subdivi- sions
of style.
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
1. Sukhothai Style - Harmoniously ecclectic, employing Indian Mon dravidian, Mon-
pagan, sinhalese and Khmer motifs. Buddhist Temple couples normally erected on a
terrace. These had a central sanctuary, which sheltered a colossal Buddha statue
screened by a high wall. The wall had a narrow arched aperture through which the
image was viewed and worshipped. Over the sanctuary rose a tapering tower. The
only usually rectangular surrounding stupas carried similar elongated finials.

2. Ayudhya style - the stupa was generally circular in plan, ring-based and bell-shaped.

3. Chiengmai manner of the North, Cosmopolitan influences were less conspicuous,

although here too, the custom of copying venerated monuments from abroad as
"reminders" of the need for religious observance was the origin of some of the purest
architecture.
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
d. Bangkok style-(18-19th century)-The New Capital was designed to
emulate the destroyed City of Ayudhya. Many religious buildings and
palaces were erected in which Traditional forms were overlaid with
ornamentation of Chinese character, introduced to Siam by refugees.
Surfaces were often finished with porcelain tiles. Sometimes the walls are
white stuccoed brick which contrasts with the brightly-coloured glazed
tiles of the multi-levelled overlapping Timber roofs. Gables and barge-
boards are decorated with Angkor-Hindu iconography; 'nagas' vishnu, on a
'garuda' (a mythical bird) siva on a bull etc. Doors and window shutters are
of carved wood, lacquered in black and gold, or painted or inlaid with
mother-of-pearl depicting themes of guardian divinities, enchanted forests
ferns, flowers and still life.