Teak wood mansions in Phrae
Late 19th, early 20th century houses built for noblemen and rulers of Phrae
Phrae houses a number of impressive teak wood mansions. They were built a little over a century ago for the rulers and noblemen of Phrae when the area was one of Thailand’s centers of the teak logging industry.
Before Phrae was incorporated into Siam (present day Thailand), it was an autonomous state, governed by local rulers who built imposing mansions for their families. Several beautiful buildings remain, of which Ban Wongburi and the Phra Governor’s House are the most impressive.
Turned into museums, the mansions provide a chance to see how the rulers of Phrae lived during the late 19th, early 20th century.
Vongburi House
Vongburi House or Ban Wongburi is an impressive, very large teak wood mansion in pink color located in the old town. At the start of the 20th century a local ruler (Chao Muang) of Phrae ordered the house built for his daughter. The colonial European style mansion with elaborate embellishments both outside and inside was built by Chinese craftsmen. The two storey building with a high hip roof is richly decorated with intricate wood carvings on gables, eaves and over windows. Just under the rooms ceilings are ornately carved open clerestory to let light and air into the rooms. At the front is a square portico protruding out of the building.
The very well kept private residence has been turned into a museum. Twenty nicely decorated rooms contain the original antique furniture, photos, documents, artifacts and paintings of family members. In Thailand the house is known as the scene of several TV series. Ban Wongburi, which is in an excellent state of preservation has received the conservation award of the ASA Association of Siamese Architects.
Vongburi House is located on Kham Lue road near the Wat Phra Non temple in the old part of town. The museum opens daily from 9 am until 5 pm. Admission is 20 Baht.
Phrae Governor’s House
The Phrae Governor’s House or Khum Chao Luang Muang Phrae was built towards the end of the 19th century as the mansion for the governor of Phrae. The colonial mansion was constructed in a similar style as Vongburi House. Both outside and inside the house is decorated with intricate handmade wood carvings.
Phrae Governor’s House is a two storey brick and cement building with huge hardwood logs supporting the structure. Its interior is made of teak wood. At the front of the European/Thai style building is a square portico protruding out of the building with a stairway leading to the entrance. Its interior is decorated with the original 19th century furniture, photos and artifacts. In the windowless basement was a prison; the old chains can still be seen hanging down from the walls.
In 1902 the last Chao Luang (governor) of Phrae fled the country after a rebellion by the Burmese Shan, after which the house was used by Thai troops that came to end the rebellion. After the uprising had been ended, Phrae lost its independence and was incorporated into Thailand. The mansion has since been turned into a museum. His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit spend a night in the mansion when they visited Phrae in 1958.
Phra Governor’s House is located on Khum Doem road in the center of the old town. The museum opens daily from 9 am until 4.30 pm. Admission is 50 Baht per person.
Pratubjai House
Pratubjai House is one of the largest teak wooden houses in Thailand. It was built in the early 1970’s in Northern Thai style from recycled teak wood obtained from nine other teak houses in the province. The house is supported by 130 intricately decorated teak logs, that are over 300 years old. Its interior is decorated with antique teak furniture, old porcelain, various antiques, shrines to Royals, old family photos and other artifacts.
The house is open to visitors. Opening hours are daily from 9 am until 5 pm. Admission is 50 Thai Baht. Pratubjai House is located on Moo 13 on the outskirts of Phrae.