| Imagine reclining on hammock swinging in the | | | | which make it weatherproof. It is also resistant to |
| breeze of a Siamese late afternoon. As you sip | | | | termite attacks and has low heat conductivity. |
| your sundowner, the sun dips orange and | | | | Due to deforestation, this timber is now very |
| magnificent, gleaming on the teak terrace of your | | | | expensive. |
| house. You feel like you're in heaven. With the | | | | The general structure of the Thai style house is |
| warmth of the wood and the charm of the | | | | of a broad open deck or terrace area. This |
| soaring roofs, gables and eaves, the Thai style | | | | platform area may account for 40 per cent of |
| house is a feast for the eyes and the soul. | | | | the total area of the house. This arrangement |
| Though one of the world's most romantic | | | | allows the flow of cooling breezes and provides a |
| dwellings, the Thai style house actually developed | | | | space for relaxing and eating. People also sleep |
| as a practical response to Thailand's monsoon | | | | here during the hot summer nights. Around the |
| climate. Thailand is hot, sunny and humid for most | | | | perimeter are the living rooms and bedrooms. The |
| of the year. And the monsoon rains sweep in in | | | | deck is on a lower level than the dwelling rooms |
| May and ravage the country until November. So | | | | to allow water to drain away. The long deep |
| any building needs to be able to resist both | | | | eaves give protection from the sun and the rain. |
| relentless sunshine and lashing monsoon storms. | | | | The rooms have shutters which can be swiftly |
| The first thing that strikes you about the | | | | opened to let in breezes and just as swiftly |
| traditional Thai house is its sense of space and | | | | closed to keep out the rain. |
| airiness. It is perched a man's height off the | | | | Another striking feature of the Thai house is the |
| ground and is formed of rooms arranged around | | | | ornate roof. Often the designs are based on |
| broad terraces. Then there's the wonderful warm | | | | some traditional motif. For example, the curving |
| glow of the teak wood that feels so good under | | | | ends of the bargeboards represent nagas or |
| your bare feet. Both design and choice of | | | | celestial serpents. The decorative elements of the |
| materials are not only pleasing to your eye but | | | | traditional Thai house have practical as well as |
| also highly functional. | | | | symbolic significance. The steep roofs allow rain to |
| The house is elevated to avoid being touched by | | | | drain off easily and holds air to provide insulation |
| the floods during the rainy season. In addition, the | | | | against heat. |
| space under the house once provided housing for | | | | In the past, Thai houses were traditionally built |
| the animals needed for farm work. And not least, | | | | along waterways for transport and water supply. |
| the elevation provided protection from the wild | | | | A perfect site was amid lush groves of fruit trees |
| animals that once roamed the area. | | | | and coconut palms which proffered shade. The |
| But the true splendor of the house comes from | | | | Thais also built these houses without nails. They |
| its construction material. In the past much of | | | | were essentially prefab and could be disassembled |
| Siam was forested so wood was plentiful. | | | | and moved anywhere. The famous Jim |
| Especially prized for house construction was the | | | | Thompson house in was in fact brought from |
| fabulous golden teak. Golden brown in hue, this | | | | upcountry and assembled in Bangkok. |
| teak is easily worked and is rich in natural oils | | | | |