Reun Thai (Chula Thai House)
เรือนไทยจุฬาฯ
The complex comprises five traditional Thai houses:
House 1
House 1 enshrines the Buddha image which was graciously donated by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the occasion of the inauguration on March 25, 1988. There are also divine masters of music and dance masks and celestial statuettes which are an integral part of the ceremony to pay homage to the teachers of music and dance. Two sets of Thai musical instruments are displayed. This “Dukdamban” ensemble instruments were commissioned by the university as part of an ongoing project to preserve the musical genre.
House 2
House 2 displays a collection of art objects by Dr. Winit Winitnayapak, Grand Chamberlain of the Bureau of the Royal Household, and Khunying Pannee Winitnayapak. This collection includes crystal, silverware, porcelain and pottery, various sets of Royal Decorations, Buddha images, and many other valuable objects.
House 3
House 3 displays a collection of wickerwork and basketry which the late Associate Professor Sangaroon Ratagasikorn acquired during his lifetime, and which attests to the patience and skill or rural Thai people. The collection was donated to the university by his wife, Assistant Professor Lada Ratagasikorn.
House 4
House 4, Water Pavilion, is different from other buildings in the complex in its traditional Thai architecture. The gables are installed with carved elements featuring the coronet, a topknot covering of young princes and princesses used by King Chulalongkorn as his emblem and, by royal permission, also as the seal and emblem of Chulalongkorn University.
House 5
House 5 is an office coordinating the use of Thai Houses and a reception area for distinguished guests of the university.
Chulalongkorn University realizes the importance of promoting an atmosphere of the Thai culture in the community by organizing activities that blend the Thai culture with the modern way of life of the society, focusing especially on the young generation who would lead the development of the country in the future. In this light, coupled with an idea of building a permanent structure as part of a celebration of the 60th birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, His coronation, and the 70th anniversary of the university, The university council decided to build the Thai House complex, initially with two million baht memorial fund in the name of the late Associate Professor Sangaroon Ratagasikorn, a late professor of Thai Arts at Faculty of Architecture, donated by his wife, Assistant Professor Lada Ratagasikorn. The University also allocated a budget of 3.5 million baht for the constructing and 1.2 million baht for the landscape. That brought the total cost of construction the complex to 6.7 million baht.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn laid foundation of Thai House on April 7, 1987, and presided in the opening ceremony on March 25, 1988.
Contact Reun Thai (Chula Thai House)
Contact for visitation or booking:
Tel. +66 218 3645 -6
Email: chulamuseum@gmail.com, chamchuriartgallery@gmail.com