FEATURES OF
THAI HOUSE STYLES
AND CURRENT
ADAPTATIONS
Associate Prof Ruthai Jaijongrak
National Artist (Architect art field)
In Central Thailand, houses are
made of wood. House floors are
raised for easier wind circulation,
protection from dangerous
animals and thieves at night,
and protection from flooding.
The space under the house can
be used for storage, relaxation
or for a family-business.
Traditional Thai houses
adapted for contemporary
use maintain a
high roof that allows
heat to escape from
the house. The space
below the raised floor
can be adapted for any
purpose.
Roofs are high for protection
against sunlight and rain, and
houses are usually positioned
so that the front faces a river.
In Northern Thailand, houses are
made of wood, and floors are
raised. Architectural features
are similar to those in Central
Thailand, but Northern Thai
houses have gabled roofs.
Northern traditional Thai house
(Doi Inthanon)
Central traditional Thai house
(Prapadaeng)
Features of Thai house styles and current adaptations
Housing Designs and Modern Thai Living
16 GH Bank Housing Journal
The bedroom is in the rear, but the space can
be used as a large hall or be divided into two
rooms. There are two steps in the front of the
house and two in back near the kitchen fire.
In Northeastern Thailand, houses are similar
to those in Central and Northern Thailand with
raised floors, but the gabled roof is lower than
in Central Thailand. In some houses, the ground
floor is used for relaxing at mid-day, conducting
a family business, having a meal or used
as a sleeping place for a son.
Houses are built parallel to one another.
In Southern Thailand, Buddhist Thai houses
follow the same style as Central Thai houses.
Muslim Thai houses, however, can be divided
into four types according to roof type and
interior layout: Gabled type; hip type; gable-hip
type; and gable combined with hip type.
Structures are generally wood with pillars and
rafters.
Traditional Thai houses adapted for contemporary
use maintain the advantages of a high
roof allowing heat to escape from the house,
and the space below the raised floor can be
adapted for any purpose.
To reduce the gloominess of the upper
bedrooms, windows are installed. The effects
of mid-day heat on the roof are reduced with
heat-reflective ceiling materials. Openings are
drilled into the gables to allow air to circulate.
In previous times, the bathroom was located a
distance from the house, increasing danger from
predatory animals. For contemporary use, the
toilet is built next to the bedroom, and modern
equipment is installed.
Northern traditional Thai house
(Mae Hong Son province)
Lima house (Pattani province)
Southeastern traditional Thai house