Baan Klang Thung – "the house among the paddy fields" – as this house was previously known, is set amid 3 acres (7.5 rai) of rice fields. In its original days, early mornings would see farmers heading to San Pa Koi market with baskets of their freshly-harvested produce balanced on their shoulders. In terms of traffic, seldom would even a rickshaw or bicycle pass by. The clanging of ox bells and creaking of cart wheels joined by bird song and cicadas created the area's aural symphony.
In 1935, a local farmer known as Grandpa Phreng Laohapensang, excavated a large fish pond on his land and used the surplus soil to create a firm foundation on which to build a house. Sketching his own designs, he managed to construct the house by his own means and capabilities, down to calculating the amount of metal needed and building a kiln to fire the bricks. Grandpa Phreng was known to insist that his house was built to last for hundreds of years. And indeed, the bricks are strong and thick, each weighing 1 kilogram. Moreover, enough metal is interwoven into the construction for a three-storey building. During World War II, when bombs were dropped on the nearby railway station and several homes in the area were destroyed, nevertheless Grandpa's house miraculously escaped the threat unscathed.
Even with the absence of an electrical carpenter’s plane, Grandpa was able to fashion highly refined teak wood elements with which to decorate the ceilings, walls and windows of Baan Klang Thung. |
Over 70 years have now passed and the house maintains its original strength as well as its splendor and charm. To the north of the main house stand two other large teak houses that were once rice barns. West of the teak houses lies a distinctive octagonal building on top of an underground shelter where the locals would hide when the air raid siren sounded.
Both grandpa and his wife were devoted to preserving nature. To this day, the area is blessed with a variety of plant species that are integral to the serene environment for which the house was recognised with a prestigious award by the Thai Ministry of Public Health in 2003.
Salapee trees that originally grew in the gardens of Darapirom Palace, the residence of Princess Dararasmee, now also loom large around the house. In another prestigious citation, the sheer variety of trees and plants at the school has been recognised by the Thai Ministry of Education which bestowed the title ‘School in the Park’.
Both grandpa and his wife were devoted to preserving nature. To this day, the area is blessed with a variety of plant species that are integral to the serene environment for which the house was recognised with a prestigious award by the Thai Ministry of Public Health in 2003.
Salapee trees that originally grew in the gardens of Darapirom Palace, the residence of Princess Dararasmee, now also loom large around the house. In another prestigious citation, the sheer variety of trees and plants at the school has been recognised by the Thai Ministry of Education which bestowed the title ‘School in the Park’.
In 1972, the vicinity was converted into a kindergarten, called "Baan Dek", and memories of the original name of the house, Baan Klang Thung, gradually faded. Some areas of the grounds were cleared to accommodate additional school buildings. However, the remaining trees, coupled with newly planted trees, ensure that the natural beauty is preserved.
In another development, the owner of the property created one of Chiang Mai's first fitness centers – "Sara" – and installed a swimming pool large enough to host regional tournaments and to be used to train the Thai national swimming teams.
Baan Dek has played a role in building people’s lives, from toddlers to adults. By providing a place for learning and training from a young age, and building a stable foundation for adulthood, it has enabled so many to step forward in society and become doctors, teachers, and architects, among other noble occupations. Throughout its life, it has seen much creativity and hosted many achievements, in the process also becoming integral to this peaceful, contented community.
As time goes by, more and more visitors have the opportunity to savor the experience. Just as the man who built the original house clearly wished, it is still bringing happiness not only to the locals but to visitors from far and wide.
In another development, the owner of the property created one of Chiang Mai's first fitness centers – "Sara" – and installed a swimming pool large enough to host regional tournaments and to be used to train the Thai national swimming teams.
Baan Dek has played a role in building people’s lives, from toddlers to adults. By providing a place for learning and training from a young age, and building a stable foundation for adulthood, it has enabled so many to step forward in society and become doctors, teachers, and architects, among other noble occupations. Throughout its life, it has seen much creativity and hosted many achievements, in the process also becoming integral to this peaceful, contented community.
As time goes by, more and more visitors have the opportunity to savor the experience. Just as the man who built the original house clearly wished, it is still bringing happiness not only to the locals but to visitors from far and wide.