The Institute for Southern Thai Studies

The folklore museum is located within the Institute for Southern Thai Studies. It is a folk museum displaying data about southern Thai studies in connection with the way of life of southern people and unique local customs. Furthermore there are displays on history, archeology, and artistic handicraft of the South that demonstrate the wisdom of the people residing in the South of Thailand. The folklore museum officially opened on September 22, 1991, with His Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presiding at the inauguration of the gable-roof, Panya -roof, and Bla-naw – roof group of houses. Later on September 6, 1996, His Majesty the King graciously designated His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to preside on His Majesty ' s behalf at the opening of the Navama Bhumindara building. The folklore museum is equipped with approximately 49,000 actual objects, along with models, sound representations, pictures, videotape, and multimedia that accompany the displays. The exhibits are permanently housed in the four groups of buildings in a total floor area of about 3,000 square meters.

The Bla-naw-roof group of Buildings

The Bla-naw roof is a blend of the Panya roof and the gable roof, also called “ Manila gable roof, ” the roof being of Panya style with gable at the top for ventilation and prevention of rainwater seepage around the backbone of the roof. This kind of roof is believed to have been influenced by Dutch architecture.


The Group of Gable-roof Houses

It is believed that this style of house has been influenced by the Thai house of central Thailand. It is found very much in traditional communities, for example, Tanyong Luloh Village and Bangpoo Village. It differs from the central style in that the piece that closes the end of the backbone board takes the shape of a bird ' s wing under the influence of Malaysian architecture, in contrast to the Thai-style backbone board. The southern way of life is also on display here.

Navama Bhumindra Building

This is a concrete, gable-roof building constructed in celebration of the 50th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol ' s reign, and to complete and update the folklore museum.