ARCHITECTURE OF SIAM (THAILAND)

Thailand

Formerly named SIAM

Siam

Located at the center of Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia

Bangkok

Capital City of Thailand

dark or brown

The word Siam has been identified with the Sanskrit Śyāma (meaning “_____” or “_____”).

George Coedès

According to _____________, the word Thai means “free man” in the Thai language, “differentiating the Thai from the natives encompassed in Thai society as serfs.“

free man

According to George Coedès, the word Thai means “___________” in the Thai language, “differentiating the Thai from the natives encompassed in Thai society as serfs.“

people or human being

A famous Thai scholar argued that Thai simply means “______” or “_________”

Burma

North and west of Siam

Laos

Northeast of Siam

Cambodia

East of Siam

Teak and Ebony

Siam is rich in durable and decorative TIMBER like ______ and ______

Ebony

Darker shade of wood

Bricks and stone

Siam also used ______ and;

_____ was little used

Theravada Buddhist

Majority of Siam’s religion

Royal Thai Government

• Siam’s socio-political status was the ________________

• Constitutional Monarchy

King

Symbol of Siam, and also the highest position

Prime minister

The head of Siam’s government

Siam

The only southeast asian nation that has never been colonized because they sided with Japan

Harmonious Eclecticism

Architectural Character of Siam. It is a Harmony of Elements from Different Styles

Thaan

Plinth used as a base for important buildings in Siam.

Floors

are usually raised in multiple layers that add height, structural complexity and decoration.

square or cruciform

Floor Plans usually comes in _______ or _______ layout.

Cruciform Layout

Identify

openings

Siam’s Walls have enough _______ to provide ample sunlight on the interiors.

heightened

The __________ status of the interior space in Siam buildings are suggested by the elaborate decoration of doors, windows, air vents and eave brackets (openings).

special motifs

Openings in Siam are decorated with ________ in order to ward of the entry of evil spirits.

Sum

a Decorative Arch used in Siam openings

Multi tier

______ roof forms are reserved for Siam’s temples, palaces and public buildings.

Roof spires

________ designate Siam’s buildings of the highest status.

Hu Chang

“Elephant Ears” Siam’s Eave-brackets along the outer wall of the viharn

Pan Lom

(Siam) Bargeboard that covers the end of the gable, preventing the tiles from falling off.

Chofas

“Sky Cluster” Horn or bird-like finials seen on the roof ridges of Siam temples.

Sao

Siam columns made of timber or brick.

redentings

Sao columns can be round, or, if square, can have single, double, or curved _______.

Mural Paintings

_______ are employed to enliven the halls of Siam Buildings.

Naga

Representation of a mystical serpent that according to the holy scripts sheltered the Buddha while he was meditating.

Singha

Pair of lions guarding the entrance of a viharn.

Hti

Bejeweled sacred umbrella that sits at the topmost part of the chedi.

Chat

Burmese-style sacred filigree parasol

Chedi

Thailand’s Stupa

Prang

Thailand’s Pagoda

Bell-shaped style

Phra Pathom Chedi (identify Type)

Square Ched

Jed Yod (identify Type)

Indented Chedi

Arun (identify Type)

Suwanna Chedi-Pran

Phra Prang Sam Yod (a combination of Stupa and Chedi) (identify Type)

Suwanna Stepped Chedi

Chamathevi, Chedi Liem, Phrathat Haripunchai (identify Type)

Wat (Temples)

Group of religious buildings and other features (such as trees and lakes) surrounded by a wall, and with at least one gate.

Phuttha-wat and Sangha-wat

A wat consists of two parts: _______ and _______

Phuttha-wat

temple complex

Sangha-wat

Living quarters of the monks

Wat

Thai Buddhist temple or monastery.

Complex

collection of Thai buildings, shrines, and monuments within a courtyard that is enclosed by a wall.

whitewashed

Thai Walls are often _________, usually encloses a rectangular area.

temple compound

Thai walls demarcate the __________, called putthawat, or the sacred enclosure

east

The main entrance of Wats ideally faces _____.

Phuttha-wat

Consists of Ubosot/Bot, Phra Rabieng, Viharn, Chedi/Stupa, Crematorium, Sala, Sala Kan Prian, Ho rakang, and Boddhi Tree

Ubosot/Bot

Ordination Hall (of Phuttha-wat)

Phra Rabieng

Galleries (of Phuttha-wat)

Ho rakang

Bell (of Phuttha-wat)

Wats

• Wat Jed Yod

• Wat Arun

• Wat Chamathevi

• Wat Doi Suthep

• Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew

Thai Palaces

• Grand Palace

• Vinmanmek Mansion

• Bang Pa-In Royal Palace