A developmental history of Thai architecture can be traced through surviving
stone temples, although most early Thai buildings were made of wood and have
since disappeared. With their disappearance went the architectural
principals to which they were built.
During the Sukhothai period, sandstone was used, in the Khmer manner, to form
door parts, lintels, and rectangular windows. Brick replaced sandstone and
the preferred material during the 12th century. Bound with vegetable glue,
the bricks were laid without mortar and then sheathed in carved stone. Yet
another change came, when later architects used stucco (a sand, lime, and glue
mixture strengthened by a terra cotta armature) to cover brick walls. The
north had ample forests, so wood was used by craftsmen and in temple
construction.
The finest Thai architecture shows the Chinese influence in ornamental
decoration, particularly the use of porcelain fragments and in various colors
and adornments and affords its harmonious polychromatic effect. During the
first half of the 19th century, this art reached its highest expression.
Buddhist architecture is seen at its most spectacular at Bangkok's Wat
Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). This temple contains more
exquisite carving and decoration per square centimeter than any comparable site
in the world. Almost every surface is covered with inspired decoration
within the temple compound.
Around 1900 traditional Thai architecture declined when buildings were
increasingly in European styles. Mastering Western techniques was required
of the craftsmen who were used to the old-style and worked on temples, palaces
and traditional homes. The concepts Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies Van der
Rohe were embraced by local architects.
Information Provided by the
Thai Embassy
