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Reuan Saw Hong (built 1870)

On the grounds of the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center is an old Lanna house dating from 1870. Known as the Reuan Saw Hong, named for its owner, it is one of the few well-preserved traditional Lanna dwellings remaining in Chiang Mai. One distinctive feature is the V-shaped projections extending from the barge boards over the roof. Known as "kalae", these decorative features were once found primarily in the Chiang Mai region, but have now been adopted all over northern Thailand as an emblemmatic feature of the Lanna style. Although once denoting the residence of influential members of the community, this distinction has been lost in the modern age.

The house comprises two primary dwellings and a secondary structure elevated on stilts. The house is now entirely surrounded by a fence and is not inhabited, so in order to reach it, one must enter through the grounds of the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center during opening hours.

Bibliography:

All images copyright 2008 Timothy M. Ciccone (photographed early March, 2008).

Aasen, Clarence. Architecture of Siam: A Cultural History Interpretation
  Oxford University Press, 1998. Kuala Lumpur

Amranand, Ping & Warren, William. Art & Design of Northern Thailand: Lanna Style
  Sirivatana Inerprint Public Co., 2000. Bangkok

Cummings, Joe. Lonely Planet: Thailand
  Lonely Planet Publications, 1990. Singapore

Freeman, Michael. Lanna: Thailand's Northern Kingdom
  River Books, 2001. Thailand

Lassus, Pongkwan (Sukwattana). Architectural Heritage in Thailand
  Amarin Printing and Publishing, 2004. Bangkok

Matics, K. I. Introduction to the Thai Temple
  White Lotus Co., 1992. Bangkok

Ringis, Rita. Thai Temples and Temple Murals
  Oxford University Press, 1990. Kuala Lumpur

Sthapitanonda, Nithi & Mertens, Brian. Architecture of Thailand: A Guide to Traditional and Contemporary Forms
  Thames and Hudson, 2005. Singapore


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