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Thai Yai Architectural Style |
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Although a part of
the Lanna region, indigenous Thai Yai or Tai people living
there are faced with very cold weather during winter and
extremely hot weather in the summer, with mist or fog practically
throughout the whole year. Not surprisingly they have had
to adapt to the environment. As a result, their architectural
style has developed into something different from other
Lanna communities. Their living quarters are usually built
with tall floors and low roofs, the sizes differing according
to one's social status and position. Homes of the ordinary
folks are usually with one single level of roof, while those
of the local aristocrats have two or more levels forming
a castle-like shape. The space thus provided is believed
to help air circulation. An interesting feature of the Thai
Yai style is the perforated designs along the eaves which
are an architectural identity of the area.
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