A few decades ago, there was a ceremony involving monks when building a house and digging the hole for the main pillar. Nowadays there are still ceremonies when raising new houses or big buildings. The monks are supposed to give chance to the workers, the inhabitants and bring luck for the business. In Isan area, the ceremony to commemorate a new house ("KEUN BAAN MAI" - ขึ้นบ้านใหม่) is often held the three first years.

	In Thai houses, there is often a room reserved for the Buddhist altar. On this altar, there are Buddha statues, Buddhist amulets. Thai people never buy Buddha statues but rent them. Pictures of the Royal Family are also present.
Buddhist altar

Sometimes, especially in shops or restaurants, such altars are fixed on the wall. "NANG KWAK" (นางกวัก), spirit supposed to bring money in the household, or Buddha statues with garlands often stand on such altars.
	Buddhist altar

	According to Thai belief, it is good omen to have bees hive in one's home. Thai people would leave them alone.
Bees hive

Some home Buddhist altars contain many Buddha statues so it is still a home or a Buddhist temple?
	Buddhist altar

Every Thai house has a house of spirits ("SAN PHRA PHUM" - ศาลพระภุมูมิ). The spirit house size is related to the owner's house. The biggest it is, the biggest the spirit house shall be. Every morning the owner of the house shall feed the spirits.

	Spirit houses are often installed in a corner of the garden. The spirit house shadow shall never overlay the main house.
Spirit House

It was mandatory to install a spirit house when building a new house. In fact the house is made for the spirit of the land. It calms the spirit and assure good blessings for the owner of the house.
	Spirit House

	Due to hot weather, Thai people enjoy sitting in open pavillons ("SALA" - ศาลา) in the garden.
Pavilion

Many Thai houses possess such similar benches, where family sit during evening time in order to chat, eat snacks and enjoy local drinks.
	Benches

Many houses don't have a kitchen similar to westerner model. No table, no chairs, people eat in a friendship way on the floor. Men always sit down on the floor with legs crossed and women always squat or have the legs behind the body. When somebody goes by somebody else, he always lowers the head and the top of the body. It is a sign of respect.

	Many Thai houses have no bathroom similar to westerner model. There is no shower, no hot water. In Thai traditional bathroom, there is a big container for the water. Thai people bathe by throwing water on the body. Sometimes the container is outside the house.
Bathroom

Thai houses don't contain oven same as western kitchens. Thai people cook with frying pans. In almost all kitchens there is also a rice cooker. Fridges are getting more and more popular.

Thai people wear clothes ("PHA THUNG" - ผ้าถุง) to hide the body. Most toilets are similar to Turkish style toilets. There a container filled with water and a cup. The cup filled with water replaces the flush of water.
	Bathroom

	Thai houses can have opulent green gardens. Due to the heat, having a green is a difficult task.
Garden

Nowadays Thai people build a wall around their home. A gate allows entering. The wall prevents robbers to enter in the home. Sometimes at night time, owners leave dogs wandering in the garden to frighten potential robbers. Dogs would bark if somedody enters in the compound.
	Beautiful Gate

Click to see more pictures

Home > Culture > Thai Houses

Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3