HISTORY OF THAILAND ARCHITECTURE

In this video you will learn Thailand Terminologies, Parts of Thai Wat, Parts of Wat Phra Kaew, Traditional Thailand Houses, Character of Thailand Architecture, and Famous Thailand Architecture. Thailand architecture is well known for its elevated buildings on top of a stilts which is approximately above the height of an average person. The space below is sometimes used as a lounge for day time, storage facility, and a livestock for chicken or ducks. Thailand architecture have various religion such as Christian, Hinduism and Muslim, but Buddhism is most prevalent among the rest that greatly shaped its architecture. Thailand Terminologies Wat – It is a place for worshipping Buddha. Sala Thai – Open pavilion. Kalai – A V-shaped design at the ends of a roof ridge, representing buffalo horns. Ku – A reliquary containing the main image of Buddha in a form of a miniature chedi. Singha – A pair of lion guarding at the entrance of Viharn. Nak Sadung – A Viharn baluster in the form of a dragon with features of a crocodile, elephant and fish. Kong Kew – An arch representing Buddha's eyebrows. Parts of Thai Wat A. Chedi or Stupa – A reliquary tower with a hemispherical mound-like, containing the relics of Buddha or Buddhist monk. B. Bat or Yubasat – An ordination hall oriented on the east, wherein an image of Buddha is being kept. It is also used for meditation and ceremonial activities of the monks. C. Ho Rekang – Bell Tower. D. Sala Kamparayan – An open-sided preaching hall. E. Phra Rabiang – A covered pathway on the side of a monastery with an abutting sculptures of Buddha. F. Viharn – A teaching hall. It also contains images of Buddha, used as a preaching and prayer hall. G. Krematorium – Structure for cremating dead bodies. 2. Sangawada Monks Quarter with three parts. A. Kuti – Small elevated houses on top of stilts. B. Ho Rekang – A bell used to signal the monks for praying. C. Sala Kamparayan – Pavilion used for ceremonies. Parts of Wat Phra Kew 1. Abusit – Ordination hall for monks. 2. Emerald Buddha – The most important Buddha statue in Thailand. 3. Main Stupa – A hemispherical mound-like, containing the relics of Buddha or Buddhist monk. 4. Phra Mondop – Golden building that holds the canon of Buddha, sacred scriptures written on palm leaf. 5. Royal Pantheon – Contains life-size statues of all the kings of Chakri dynasty. 6. Gallery 7. Scripture Hall 8. Angkor Wat Model 9. Viharna Teaching Hall 10. Ho Phranak – A royal mausoleum. 11. Prang – A tower-like spire on a Hindu temple. Significant Thailand Structures 1. Temple 2. Mausoleum 3. Palace 4. Traditional houses such as, Ngao, Kamthig, and Kuti. 5. Fortress Character of Thailand Architecture 1. Roof is composed of three superimposed tiers, in which it may comprise of two to three sections having a steep to a shallower slope. 2. The lowest portion of a gable wall is often decorated by a kong cue. 3. Roofs are usually outlined with one to two different colors. 4. Buffalo horns are usually present at the ends of a roof ridge and a small chedi on the center top of a roof. 5. Edge of a gable roof are well decorated. Famous Buildings in Thailand 1. Wat Phra Kaew 2. Wat Arun 3. Wat Pho 4. Pavilion of the Enlightened 5. Royal Grand Palace Meanwhile on the southeast of Thailand comes Cambodia, having the same historical roots from the ancient Khmer civilization. Both countries are considered belonging from the oldest kingdoms of Southeast Asia that will be discussed on the next video.