THAILAND

Presented by:
Marla Shiela Joy C. Mendoza
Crizaldo Guevarra
Geographical Setting
o Total Land Boundary: 4,863 km

Borders
o North- Laos and Myanmar
o East- Laos and Cambodia
o South- Gulf of Thailand and
o Malaysia
o West- the Andaman Sea and
o Myanmar

Maritime boundaries
o Southeast- Vietnam in the
o Gulf of Thailand
o Southwest- Indonesia and
o India in the Andaman Sea
o Bangkok - capital
o also called Krung Thep, meaning “city of angels”
o Krung Thep was adapted from it‟s original name.
(listed inguinness world book of records as the
longest name of a place):

o Krungthep Mahanakhon Bovorn Rattanakosin

Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokpop
Noparatratchathani Burirom
Udomratchaniveymahasathan Amornpiman
Avatansathit Sakkathattiya- avisnukarmprasit.
Historical Background
o Thailand - Prathet Thai, meaning “land of the free”
o previously known as syam, or "dark brown" people. It
was believed that Siam derived from the Hindi
word shyam, or brown race, with a contemptuous
signification.
o Also spelled Siem, Syâm or Syâma, it has been
identified with the Sanskrit Śyâma ( , meaning
"dark" or "brown")
o During the reign of Rama III (1824–1851,) a Scottish
trader had experimental coins struck in England at the
king's behest, Though not adopted for use, the name
of the country put on these first coins was Muang Thai,
not Siam.
Climate

o Tropical – with temperatures ranging from 28-35°C

o The area of Thailand north of Bangkok has a climate

determined by three seasons whilst the southern
peninsular region of Thailand has only two.
National Symbols
o National Flower: “Ratchaphruek“ (or golden
shower) The color of flowers is shining yellow
contrasting great importance similarly to the
color of their national religion „Buddhism'
and the color of Monday when His Majesty
King of Thailand was born.
o National Animal: “Chang Thai” (or Thai
elephant) According to ancient royal Thai
traditions, a white elephant is a noble beast
of special importance, exemplifying a king's
honor and glory.

o National Architecture: “Sala Thai” (or Thai-

style arbor) Sala Thai reflects knowledge of
Thai people. It retains beauty, which is
different from architectures of other
countries, and foreigners can acknowledge
„Thai-ness„ through Sala Thai.
Religion
o 94% - Hinayana Buddhism
or Theravada Buddhism
o 3.9% are Muslims,
o 1.7% are Confucianim and
o 0.65% are Christians.
o Hindus and the Sikhs

o Buddhism, however, is the

national religion of
Thailand.
Theravada Buddhism
o Theravada Buddhism reached Thailand around the 6th
century AD.

o Buddhism has also shaped much of Thailand's culture.

The early Thai architecture, literature, sculpture all
reveal Buddhist influence. It had been a Thai tradition
that Buddhist males above 20 yrs of age must practice
at least 3 months of monk hood after which they
could retreat to their normal lives. The Buddhist monks
are treated with utmost respect throughout the
country. The monks drape themselves with saffron
colored robes. Golden stupas and steeply sloping
roofs characterize The Buddhist temples. They also
serve as the hub of important social activities. Most of
them are situated in the countryside.
Muslims
o The Muslims in Thailand are mostly Sunnis. The country
allows its minority to practice the religion of their
choice. The king attends the important Muslim
religious festivals and those in the service of the
government are allowed leaves on special religious
events. There are about 2000 mosques and 200
Muslim schools in Thailand.
Confucianism
o It is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system
based on the teachings of Confucius who was a
Chinese sage. This is practiced by a minority of the
Thai people.
Christians
o This religion was introduced in Thailand during the 16th
and 17th centuries and has played an important part
in the country's progress. It was the Christians who
introduced surgery, smallpox vaccinations and also
trained the doctors in western medicine.

o 5 major Christian denominations:

o The Roman Catholic Church,
o The Southern Baptists,
o The Seventh Day Adventists,
o The Church of Christ in Thailand and
o the EvangelicalFellowship of Thailand
Hinduism
o Hindu deities are
worshipped by manyThais
alongside Buddhism, such
as thefamous Erawan
shrine, and statues of
Ganesh, Indra, and Shiva,
as well as numerous symbols
relating to Hindu deities are
found, e.g., Garuda, a
symbol of the monarchy.

o The Hindus have their own

religious shrines and also
operate separate schools
where they teach Sanskrit to
the students.
Sikhism
o Ladha Singh-first Sikh to
migrate to Thailand (1890)
o Sikhs began migrating to
the Kingdom of Thailand
in the early 1900s. By the
year 1911, many Sikh
families had settled in
Thailand.
o The Sikhs in Thailand
perform many charitable
functions such providing
free school for the poor
children and also aiding
the aged.
Historical Periods

o Ancient Civilization (Mon-Khmer and Malay - 9th to

13th Century)
o Sukhothai (Mid 13th to 15th Centuries)
o Ayutthaya (Mid 14th to late 18th Centuries)
o Lanna (Mid 13th to 19th Centuries)
o Rattanakosin (Late 18th Century to present)
Ancient Civilization (Mon-Khmer
and Malay - 9th to 13th Century)
o Prior to the arrival of the Tai people and culture into what is
now Thailand, the region hosted a number of
indigenous Mon-Khmer and Malay civilizations. Yet little is
known about Thailand before the 13th century as the literary
and concrete sources are scarce and most of the
knowledge about this period is gleaned from archeological
evidence.
o The Chao Phraya valley in what is now Central Thailand had
once been the home of Mon Dvaravati culture, which
prevailed from the 7th century to the 10th century. The
existence of the civilizations had long been forgotten by the
Thai when Samuel Beal discovered the polity among the
Chinese writings on Southeast Asia as “Tou-lo-po-ti”. During
the early 20th century the archeologists led by George
Coedès made grand excavations on what is now Nakorn
Pathom and found it to be a center of Dvaravati culture.
The constructed name Dvaravati was confirmed by
a Sanskrit plate inscription containing the name “Dvaravati”.
Nanchao Period (650–1250)
o Nanchao Period (650–1250): Located on the
southwestern border of China‟s Tang empire (A.D.
618–907), Nanchao served as a buffer for and later
rival to China. The Tai, a people who originally lived in
Nanchao, migrated into mainland Southeast Asia over
a period of many centuries during the first millennium
A.D.
Sukhothai Period (1238–1438)
o Founded in 1238 by two Thai governors, Khun Bang
Klang Tha(Si Inthrathit) and Khun Pha Muang who
rebelled against the Khmers; and gave
independence to the region.

Golden Age of Thai culture

o “Thai” means “Free”
o gained independence in 1238 and quickly expanded
its boundary of influence.
o A political feature which "classic" Thai historians call
"father governs children" existed at this time.
o King Ramkhamhaeng- the most famous and dynamic
monarch ever to rule the Sukhothai kingdom.
o King Ramkhamhaeng established the Thai Alphabet
Ayutthaya Period (1350–1767)
o The city-state of Ayutthaya was founded by King U-
Thong in 1350 and established its capital in 1351 on
the Chao Phraya River in central Thailand, calling it
Ayutthaya.
o In 1360 Ramathibodi (r. 1351–69) declared Theravada
Buddhism as the official religion and compiled a legal
code based on Hindu legal texts and Thai custom that
remained in effect until the late nineteenth century.
o Ayutthaya as an island is formed by the gathering of
three rivers, the Chao Phraya, the Pasak, and the
Loburi and surrounded by rice terraces
o King U-Thong and his immediate successors expanded
Ayutthaya's territory, especially northward towards
Sukhothai and eastward towards the Khmer capital of
Angkor
Ayutthaya Period (1350–1767)

o The greater size of

government could not
remain the same as during
the days of King
Ramkhamhaeng KING
o The society during the
Ayutthaya period was
SOCIAL
strictly hierarchical. There
were, roughly, three classes
of people, king at the top COMMONERS &
of scale at the bottom of SLAVES
social scale were
commoners and the slaves.
Ayutthaya Period (1350–1767)

Ayutthaya was a society of

builders rather than
sculptors.
o It was preoccupied with
building monuments to
impress outsiders by sheer
imensity.
o It erected a major portion
of its 400 wats in
Ramathibodi's reign and
completed most of its
major monuments in the
first 150 years of its
existence.
Ayutthaya Period (1350–1767)

Ayutthaya had three palaces for its rulers:

o Wang Luan (Royal Palace)- occupied by the principal
king, situated on the northern rim of the city
o Wang Na (Palace to the Front) built for the second or
Vice- King, situated on the northeastern corner of the
city
o Wang Lang (Palace to the Rear) later occupied by
princes of the royal blood, situated on the western
part of the city
Lanna (Mid 13th to 19th Centuries)
o Another Thai state that coexisted with Sukhothai was
the eastern state of Lanna, centred in Chiang Mai.
o Founded by King Phya Mangrai.
o This city-state emerged in the same period as
Sukhothai. Evidently Lanna became closely allied with
Sukhothai. After the Ayutthaya kingdom had
emerged and expanded its influence from the Chao
Phraya valley, Sukhothai was finally subdued. Fierce
battles between Lanna and Ayutthaya also constantly
took place and Chiang Mai was eventually
subjugated, becoming Ayutthaya's 'vassal'.
o made use of wood but more of stones and bricks.
o Wats or temples were the main structures built at this
era.
o Lanna's independent history ended in 1558,
Lanna (Mid 13th to 19th Centuries)

o This architectural style had its own distinctive

characteristics which emphasizes on the enormous
size of the shrines and relatively small sermon or
temple‟s hall. Stupas were later built from mid 14th
century onwards since the entrance of Lankawong
Buddhism sect. The stupas were then built in Lanka
style.
Thon Buri Period (1767–82)
o After more than 400 years of power, in 1767, the
Kingdom of Ayutthaya was brought down by
invading Burmese armies, its capital burned, and the
territory split.
o General Taksin (now known as King Taksin the Great)
managed to reunite the Thai kingdom from his new
capital of Thonburi and declared himself king in 1769.
o Later due to stress and many factors, King Taksin went
mad. General Chakri (later becoming Rama I) helped
run the empire instead. The King Taksin ordained as a
monk and ventured into the forest and never to be
seen again. General Chakri succeeded him in 1782
as Rama I, the first king of the Chakri dynasty. In the
same year he founded the new capital city
at Bangkok, across the Chao Phraya river from
Thonburi, Taksin's capital. In the 1790s Burma was
Thon Buri Period (1767–82)

defeated and driven out of Siam, as it was then called.

Lanna also became free of Burmese occupation, but
the king of a new dynasty who was installed in the
1790s was effectively a tributary ruler of the Chakri
monarch.
Rattanakosin (Late 18th Century to present)
o It included vassal states of Cambodia, Laos, and some
Malay kingdoms. The kingdom was formation by
Chakri Dynasty until 1932 came into being when King
Rama I ascended the throne in 1782.
o King Rama I was determined to build a new capital to
revive the glory and splendor of old Ayutthaya.
o The new capital was located on the island of
Rattanakosin, protected by river to the west, series of
canals to the north, east and south.
o Economic activity in the Rattanakosin Era was
primarily agriculture.
o Thai art, culture, philosophy, and literature was
created, developed and mainly influenced by
Buddhism and Hinduism religion.
Rattanakosin (Late 18th Century to present)

o Architectures of this period

are divided into 4 groups:
o Architectural style of athe
declining period of Ayuthaya
(lopburi style and prang)

Lopburi Architectural Style

o Were mostly constructed from
bricks and cut stones with
influences from both the
Mahayana Buddhism sect
and the Hinduism religion.
Prang
o A prang is a tall finger-like Prang at Wat Arun
spire, usually richly carved.
Rattanakosin (Late 18th Century to present)

o Architectures constructed during the reign of King

Rama III had either one of the two distinctive
characteristics („in‟ or „out‟).
o The „in‟ type was the one with traditional gable ends
decorating the roof while
o the „out‟ type‟s, the gable ends of the roof were
plainly constructed with bricks and stucco or
Geological Setting

o Brick- (around 12th century)replaced sandstone as the

favored mortar, bound with vegetable glue, and then
sheathed in carved stone
o Stucco- a sand, lime, and glue mixture strengthened
by a terra cotta armature, was later used to cover the
brick walls
o Wood- was employed in temple construction and
craftsmen attained great skill in carving decorative
elements, in the heavily forested north.
o Sandstone- was used to form door parts, lintels, and
rectangular windows
Geological Setting
o Porcelain fragments- influenced by the Chinese, it can
be seen in some ornamental decorations
o Materials such as glass mosaic pieces highlighted
gables and pillars, as well as wooden and stucco
figures, and other decorative techniques utilized
lacquer, gilt, mother-of-pearl inlay, gold leaf, and
porcelain fragments to obtain the desired effect
ofgleaming elegance.
Architectural Characteristics
Thai Architecture
o reflects the influences of the Buddhist countries and
of the various groups with which it has mingle and
o associated for two millenia.
o At various stages down the years, the cultures of
Burma, China, Khmer, India and Sri Lanka, can all be
seen to have had an important and distinctive
influence on architecture in Thailand.
o Most noticeable in Thai architecture are the
swooping multi-tiered rooflines, the distinctly
ornamental decorations, the stunning interior murals,
the vivid colors and the lovingly crafted and gold-
adorned Buddha images.
Traditional Architecture
Thai House
o the basic thai house of the past, rarely seen today,
was simple structure of bamboo and thatch, raised off
the ground for protection against floods and wild
animals
o Most family life took place on a veranda-like platform
outside the one or two rooms that served as sleeping
quarters.
o This model evolved into more complex structures of
wood, varying both in form and decoration to suit
conditions in different regions but always retaining
their essential simplicity
Traditional Architecture
Central Plains Houses
o Elevated on stout round posts, it has steep roofs with
curved bargeboards and paneled walls leaning
slightly inward; the various components are
prefabricated to enable easy dismantling and
reassembly. The simplest house consists of a single unit
with an outside veranda, while those accommodating
larger families might have several separate units
arranged around a central platform.
Traditional Architecture

The Northern houses

o The northern Thai houses
differ significantly from its
counterpart in the Central
Plains.
o The walls lean outward,
giving it a sturdier look, and
windows are often smaller.
o Kalae- V-shaped decorative
feature at the ends of the
roof
o Some authorities believe
they represent a pair of
buffalo horns.
Traditional Architecture

Northern rice barn

o A rice barn is a
component of most
traditional
compounds in the
northern region.
o Raised on pillars and
with a ladder for
access, it is a solid
structure with few
windows, used to
store grain.
Traditional Architecture

Royal houses
o were similar in design to
those of commoners
except that they were
generally closer to the
ground and had more
decorative features.
Traditional Architecture
Characteristics
o Roof Gable (Ngao)
o A distinctive feature of the
Central Plains house is the
elegant curved
decoration at the ends of
the peaked bargeboards
surrounding the gables.
o Known as ngao, it
evolved from Khmer
architecture and appears
in elaborate form on
religious buildings and
palaces. A Stylized version
can also be seen in
domestic houses.
Traditional Architecture
Paneling
o Paneled walls are a relatively
recent addition to the Thai
house
Gate
o Houses belonging to more
prosperous families usually
have a gate, often sheltered
by a Thai-style roof that
opens on to the central
platform.
o A jar of water is placed at
the bottom of the steps so
that visitors and residents
can wash their feet before
coming inside the house.
Traditional Architecture

The Sala
o An open-sided pavilion
o familiar structure in Thailand
found in the courtyards of
temples and along heavily
traveled routes.
o serves as a shelter, giving
shade from the hot tropical
sun and heavy monsoon
rain.
o It also is a „living room‟ and
a hub for community social
gatherings and village
activities.
Religious Architecture
o Regardless of historical
period, the most important
area of religious
architecture is the Thai
temple or wat.
o The Thai wat is a group of
buildings each serving
various purposes and
usually set within a walled
enclosure.
o In addition to being a
place where the lessons of
Buddha were taught, the
Thai wat was traditionally
a school, hospital,
community center and
even an entertainment
venue.
Religious Architecture

o follows a similar set of design principles and the same

can normally be said for the functions of the various
buildings within the complex
o Architectural modifications have been made and the
overall style of each of the buildings may vary
considerably
o There is also a symbolic significance to each and
every part of the Thai wat complex. The capitals of the
columns, for example, are shaped like lotus buds or
water lilies symbolizing the purity of Buddha's thoughts.
Religious Architecture
Parts of a Wat
The Bot
o All wats usually include an ordination or assembly hall
known as the bot or sometimes known as an ubosot.
The bot is reserved for monks to perform ceremonies,
meditate and sermonize. It faces east and usually
houses the main Buddha image.

o Ubosot:
o Wat Benchamabophit
Religious Architecture
Bai Semas
o Surrounding the bot are bai semas. These are sacred
boundary stones, used to demarcate the sacred
ground of the bot and to keep away evil spirits.
Normally eight are used in total, but double slab
stones for royal wats. This is also an example of how
animist beliefs coexist with Buddhism.

The Chedi
o The Chedi is a solid domeshaped structure where
relics of Buddha may be housed, such as a bone
fragment or hair, or the ashes of a past king. Some
Thai wat complexes are specifically designed and
built around the sacred Chedi.
Religious Architecture
The Vishnu
o At the top of a Chedi may be a
stylized thunderbolt sign of the
Vishnu, an ancient Hindu lord of
the universe.
The Wihan
o A second assembly hall, similar
to the bot but usually larger, is
the wilhan. Within a complex,
there may be several wilhan
and each may have an eclectic
mix of architectural styles. The
wilhan is used by laypeople to
make their offering before a
large Buddha figure. Normally
there are no bai sema
surrounding the wihan.
Religious Architecture
The Prang
o A few wats have prangs, which are
towering phallic spires as can be
seen in the famous Wat Arun on the
banks of the Chao Phraya river in
Bangkok.

The Chofa
o The chofa is perhaps the most
recognizable architectural detail in
any wat. Chofa means, „tassel of air‟
and its shape is thought to derive
from a highly stylized Garuda, a
fierce bird featured in Hindu
mythology. The Garuda is also a royal
symbol and can be seen on other
buildings Chofa on the top of a roof
Chofa on the top of a roof
of Wat Pangsank Taii. denoting that
of Wang Pangsank Taii
they operate „by royal appointment‟.
Religious Architecture
The Mondop
o The mondop is a square-based
structure topped with either a
cruciform roof or a spire. The
edifice contains sacred text or
an object of worship.

The Bodhi tree

o Most wats will also include a
Bodhin tree (Ficus religiosa),
also known as the Sacred Figar
Pipal tree. The Buddha is
thought to have attained Mondop at Wat Arun
enlightment (Bodhi) while
neditating under a Bodhi Tree
at Boghi-Guy in India.
Religious Architecture
The Bodhi tree
o Most wats will also include a Bodhi tree (Ficus
religiosa), also known as the Sacred Figar Pipal tree.
The Buddha is thought to have attained enlightment
(Bodhi) while neditating under a Bodhi Tree at Boghi-
Guy in India.

The Cloister
o The cloisters or main wall will
enclose the main area of the
wat complex (known as the
phutthawat). The cloisters are
sometimes painted with
decorative murals and also
may house a row of Buddha
images.
Cloister at Wat Phra Kaew
Religious Architecture
The Sanghawat
o These are the monks„ living
quarters and dormitories and
are usually in a separate
compound.

The Ho Rakangs
o These are bell towers and are
used to toll the hour and
summon the monks to prayer.

The Minor Salas

o This hall acts as a meeting The Ho Rakangs
place for Pilgrims.
Religious Architecture

The Minor Salas

o This hall acts as a meeting
place for Pilgrims.

The Ho Trai
o This is the wat library and
houses Holy Scriptures. A
ho trai is a rare feature of
the wat complex. In the
countryside they are
usually on a high base or
surrounded by water to
minimize insect damage Ho Trai at Wat Phra Singh,
by insects. Chiang Mai
Religious Architecture
o 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.
Royal Architecture
o Royal houses and
mansions are typically
a mixture of Thai wat,
traditional Thai house
style and western
architecture.
o Teak wood is the main
structural material of
such buildings, giving
them their distinctive
rich red color. The
doors and windows
Royal Architecture
o The 'red house' at the National Museum in Bangkok is
a typical royal house and a good example of Thai
royal architecture.
o Royal wats can be identified by usually have ornate
pediments and frames, which are sometimes
decorated in gilt bronze.
o Like the Thai wat, the roof of the royal building will
have a chofar and normally the roof tiles are made of
finest teak wood.
o the prefixes of Rat, Raja or Racha in their names. There
are only 186 such wats under royal patronage in the
whole of the country.
The Grand Palace
o Wat Phra came to
be known as the
Grand Palace, in
which the earliest
edifices
contemporary with
the foundation of
Bangkok were the
two groups of
residences named
the Dusit Maha
Prasat and the
Phra Maha
Monthian.
The Grand Palace

Phra Maha Montian

o This consists of three main buildings,namely :
1. The Audience Hall of Amarin Winitchai- where the
ceremonies of the Court usually take place
2. Paisal Taksin Hall where the coronation of a monarch
takes place with its coronation chair and the
octagonal seat wherethe monarch receives the
people's invitation to rule
3. Descending from here we come to the antechamber
to the Chakrapat Phiman building
The Grand Palace

Dusit Maha Prasat Hall

o Here we have an
audience hall with a
throne of mother-of-
pearl surmounted by
the usual ninetiered
white canopy, the mark
of a duly crowned king.
At the back of this
audience hall is yet a
living quarter. All are
built in pure Siamese
architecture of perfect
proportions.
o Boron Phiman Mansion
Phra Thinang Borom
Phiman: built in the
western style in 1903 by
King Rama V for the Heir
Apparent, the future
King Rama VI, this
mansion was also used
at various times as a
royal residence by King
Rama VII (1925-1935),
King Rama VIII (1935-
1946), and the present
King Rama IX.
GOOD DAY!