Local Wisdom of Vernacular Architecture in Southern Thailand

Main Article Content

Wanida Puengsunthorn

Abstract

Southern Thailand has its unique history. For a long time, it has been an important trading centre on the coast of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. This geography creates diversity in cultures through many peoples who entered this area. Vernacular architecture built in this region encompasses building traditions passed down from generation to generation, serving immediate local needs and in response to local climate, especially severe rainstorms. In this respect, Southern vernacular architecture significantly differs from other regions' vernacular architecture. This paper investigates distinctive Southern vernacular architecture, focusing on its local wisdom that is embedded in building traditions. The research analyses various building types of vernacular architecture found in the Southern region, such as dwellings and religious buildings. Some of the case studies are compared with the vernacular architecture of Central Thailand to point out their similarities and differences. The finding offers a better understanding of creative wisdom nested in Southern vernacular building tradition. The result will build a solid foundation for future studies.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

Section
ARTICLES

References

Amara Sri Suchart. sāi rāk phāk tai: phūm lak rūp lak čhit lak [Southern root lineage: Ecological physical and psychological]. Bangkok: Thailand Research Fund, 2011.

Department of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture. khāpsamut phāk tai: ʻadīt thưng patčhuban [Southern Peninsula: Past and present]. Bangkok: Ministry of Culture, 2011.

Isarachai Buranaut and Kullaphut Seneevong Na Ayudhaya. “phatthanākān khō̜ng rūpbǣp sathāpattayakam phư̄n thin thīyūʻāsai lumnam thalēsāp Songkhlā nai khēt čhangwat Phatthalung [Development of vernacular dwelling house in Songkhla Lake Basin, Pattalung Province].” NAJUA: Architecture, Design and Built Environment 28 (September 2013-August 2014): 199-236.

Jantararat Hemvej. “rư̄an Thai Mutsalim bǣp praphēnī nai sī čhangwat chāidǣn phāk tai (Pattānī Yalā Narāthiwāt læ Satūn) [The traditional Thai Muslim houses in 4 southern provinces of Thailand (Pattani Yala Narathiwat and Satun)].” Master Thesis, Silpakorn University, 2001.

Jantararat Hemvej. “rư̄an Thai Mutsalim nai sī čhangwat chāidǣn phāk tai [Traditional Thai Muslim houses in 4 southern provinces of Thailand].” NAJUA: History of Architecture and Thai Architecture 3 (September 2005): 102-111.

Kriengkrai Kerdsiri. “ʻong rūam phūm that watthanatham chumchon læ sathāpattayakam phư̄n thin rư̄an thīyūʻāsai nai lumnam thalēsāp Songkhlā [Holistic cultural landscapes of community and vernacular architecture in the area of Songkhla Lake Watershed].” NAJUA: History of Architecture and Thai Architecture 11 (September-December 2014): 176-213.

Kreangkrai Kirdsiri, Pattrapon Vetayasuporn and Tippawan Tangpoonsupsiri. “sangwānwatthanatham mō̜radok phut sinlapa sathāpattayakam hǣng khāpsamut phāk tai: sakkayaphāp rūam nai kān sanoē chư̄ bǣp rūam klum sū sēnthāng mō̜radok lōk [Cultural route of Buddhist art and architectural heritage in Southern Thai Peninsular: Opportunities for world heritage serial nomination].” In Architectural Paradigms 2015: Proceeding of National Academic Conference, 23-44. Bangkok: Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University, 2015.

Language and Cultural Centre, Srinakharinwirot University, Songkhla. lōkkathat Thai phāk tai [Southern Thailand's worldview]. Songkhla: Srinakharinwirot University, Songkhla, 1978.

Nattaneporn Noisaheam. “kānsưksā satsūan rư̄an mongkhonlasūt tambon ko̜ yō̜ čhangwat Songkhlā [A study on the proportion of vernacular house in Koa Yo, Songkhla Province in accordance to Mougkolsutara oral literature].” Master Thesis, Silpakorn University, 2003.

Nattaneporn Noisaheam. “mư̄ang Songkhlā bō̜yāng: rūpbǣp sathāpattayakam phra ʻubōsot [Mueang Songkhla Bo Yang: Architectural styles of ordination halls (Ubosot)].” NAJUA: History of Architecture and Thai Architecture 18, 2 (July-December 2021): 104-131.

Prathoom Chumpengpan. prawattisāt ʻārayatham phāk tai lǣng prawattisāt læ bōrān nakhadī thī samkhan nai prathēt Thai [History and civilization of Southern Thailand: Significant historical and archeological sites of Southern Thailand]. Bangkok: Suweeriyasarn Press, 2002.

Prathoom Chumpengpan. sinlapa watthanatham phāk tai: wādūai phūmisāt prawattisāt bōrān nakhadī sinlapa phāsā watthanatham praphēnī phư̄nbān: khrop khrư̄ang rư̄ang mư̄ang tai [Southern arts and culture on geography history, archaeology, art, language, culture and folk tradition: complete information on southern cities of Thailand]. Bangkok: Suweeriyasarn Press, 2005.

Supawadee Chuapram and Ornsiri Panin. “kān prap tūa khō̜ng withī chīwit phư̄n thin thī prākot nai rư̄an khō̜ng chumchon Thai phut klum thalēsāp Songkhlā [Adaptability of local living in vernacular houses: Buddhist Thai communities of Songkhla Lake Basin].” Songklanakarin Journal of Social Sciences and humanities 20, 2 (April-June 2014): 71-116.

Tanasun Tapparat. “rư̄anphǣ bok phūmpanyā kān yū ʻāsai nai phư̄nthī nam lāk ʻamphoē khīrī rat nikhom čhangwat surāsotthānī [Ruean Pae Bok: Wisdom of living in flooding area of Kiriratnikom District, Suratthani Province].” NAJUA: History of Architecture and Thai Architecture 12 (January-December 2015): 120-139.

The Institute for Southern Thai Studies, Srinakharinwirot University, Songkhla. sārānukrom watthanatham phāk tai Phō̜.Sō̜. sō̜ngphanhārō̜iyīsipkāo lem hā [The encyclopedia of Southern Thai culture, vol.5]. Bangkok: Amarin Printing, 1986.

The Institute for Southern Thai Studies, Srinakharinwirot University, Songkhla. sārānukrom watthanatham phāk tai Phō̜.Sō̜. sō̜ngphanhārō̜iyīsipkāo lem kao [The encyclopedia of Southern Thai culture, vol.9]. Bangkok: Amarin Printing, 1986.

The Institute for Southern Thai Studies, Srinakharinwirot University, Songkhla. sārānukrom watthanatham phāk tai Phō̜.Sō̜. sō̜ngphanhārō̜iyīsipkāo lem sō̜ng [The encyclopedia of Southern Thai culture, vol.2]. Bangkok: Amarin Printing, 1986.

Wanida Phungsoonthorn. “rabīap withī læ kān ʻō̜kbǣp sathāpattayakam Thai praphēnī nai ngān patčhuban [The art of designing comtemporary Thai Buddhist style architecture].” NAJUA: History of Architecture and Thai Architecture 2 (July 2004): 32-51.

Wanida Phungsoonthorn. “sathāpattayakam phư̄n thin phāk tai [Southern vernacular architecture].” In On the diversity of Thai vernacular houses. 2nd ed., 24-43. Bangkok: Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University, 2001. Proceeding of the National Academic Conference, June 22-23, 2001.

Wanida Phungsoonthorn, and others. “kānsưksā rūpbǣp sathāpattayakam bō̜riwēn thalēsāp Songkhlā [A study of architectural styles around Songkhla Lake].” NAJUA: Architecture, Design and Built Environment 16 (January 1999): 45-92.