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Haw Kham - the traditional Lanna Thai museum |
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Haw Kham is the fruit of love and faith that was built for collective benefit, as it serves as a folk museum where valuable ancient artifacts of Lanna art are kept that the younger generation can observe for educational purposes. Such is an important project in the footsteps of the late Princess Mother. The term “Haw Kham” is derived from the local Lanna dialect and means the residence of the sovereign. The term “Kham” refers to gold and anything considered auspicious. This national property is located in a 150 Rai (60 acre) compound of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation at Baan Pa Ngew, Muang District of Chiang Rai Province. It was built as a tribute to the late Princess Mother on her 90 th birthday anniversary. Haw Kham was built in 1987. The structure and raw materials follow Lanna architectural styles; the roof structural design inspired by that of a temple in Lampang. The structure tapers gradually in the tradition of ancient Lanna houses, while the motifs are from Uttaradit, a province marking the end of the northern region. Timber used in the construction of the entire building is old wood repurchased from 32 houses in Chiang Rai and Phayao. The main wooden columns and teakwood columns were courtesy of the Forest Industry Organization. The roof – an old roof belonging to a rural house – is made from four-inch thick teakwood in different layers known locally as “Paen Ked”. The construction of Haw Kham took place as a major joint effort of which Lanna local folk can take pride through their direct involvement. Mae Fah Luang selected skilled workers with experience and a deep understanding of Lanna art to work on the project. Local carpenters from Chiang Rai and Phrae Provinces were recruited to build Haw Kham, while Chiang Mai and Lamphun Provided people skilled in craftsmanship. Meanwhile, the Department of industrial Promotion watched over the decorative aspects, and architects from the Royal Irrigation Department supervised the construction. Finally, this valuable piece of public property is entrusted to the care of the residents of Pa Ngew. Haw Kham is a major building, built from strong and stable wooden columns. The interior is roomy allowing free ventilation without having to rely on air-conditioning. The architecture gives priority to grace and simplicity, with focus on the authenticity of building materials. Wood, for example, must not be coated, dyed of glazed. Any flaws in the wood are to be left untouched, all for the sake of functionality and its age-old looks. The first artifacts displayed in Haw Kham include a candlestick and a traditional Lanna Buddha image in teakwood. A major economic phenomenon occurring between 1986 and 1987 resulted in a more affluent locale, especially in villages where members were employed in foreign lands. Changes resulted in the availability of electricity and transportation; old temples were misplaced, resulting in an increasing decline in Lanna art. Recognizing the need to preserve the beautiful art form, Mae Fah Luang Foundation made a purchase of the religious items, gathering them under its custodianship, as they represent enlightenment, peace and the hope of the Lanna people for generations to come. During the search for these artifacts, many were also donated, making efforts easier to preserve religious items. Religious items of varying forms and shapes, from different provinces of the shapes, from different provinces of the northern region, are tastefully displayed around the balcony of Haw Kham. The teakwood Buddha image called Phra Phraa To occupies the upper part of the spacious hall right in the middle of the building. This Buddha image, a gift from a temple in Phrae Province, is said to have been made during the early years of the settlement when professional tools necessary for the casting of an exquisite Buddha image were not available. As a result, they had to make do with the only tools they had – big knives – to make a Buddha image. The outcome is an image that looks strong and tough, but also elegant. Donating the Buddha image to Haw Kham augurs well for Rai Mae Fah Luang(Art and Cultural Park) as it has just begun its crusading work with many challengers ahead. Other ancient Lanna artifacts displayed in Haw Kham include Buddha images, groups of offering tables, scripture cases, pulpits, banners, long drums and crafted doors, among others. There are five sets of huge wooden triangles with woodcraft featuring five different kinds of animals to mark the years of birth of HRH Prince Mahidol, the late Princes Mother, the late King Rama VIII, His Majesty the King and HRH Princess Galayani Vadhana Kromluang Naradhivas Rajanarindra, respectively. And, accordingly, they deserve to be placed at the highest point of any building. Besides Haw Kham, Rai Mae Fah Luang (Art and Cultural Park) has another building called Haw Kham Noi where paintings on teakwood from Vieng Ta, Long District in Phrae Province are retained for educational purposes. Properly maintained, the surroundings around Haw Kham and Haw Kham Noi make it an ideal recreational destination. | ||||||
| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 October 2008 ) | ||||||
