Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide


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The Galare House:
Following Lanna Tradition

Text & Photos: W.B.

Each part of Thailand has its own characteristics. Besides a region's culture and language, the design of a house can say a lot about the character of its environment because it is built according to people's beliefs and way of life. Houses in the North are definitely different from other parts of the country; their style derived from many different cultures and belief systems.

The most recognized element of the house is the roof. A V-shaped design is called a Galare, which means glancing crows in Tai Yuan dialect. Although the real meaning of this design is not fully understood, it is thought that it represents a pair of buffalo horns rather than birds. There are many beliefs about a Galare: some people believe that since Lanna was a colony of Burma, Galare was a tool which represented the domination of the Lanna Kingdom by Burma. Some people also believe that it is a kind of curse, stopping the house from getting any good luck or good spirits.

A Galare house appears as a set of twin houses on a raised platform, forming a single large room that can be entered via two doors. The old houses of northern Thailand were built on log posts above the ground and an important part of this structure is the Toen. The Toen is a large veranda which was traditionally used as a living area, a place also where the women of the family did their sewing work, and where guests spent their time when visiting. This verandah is constructed on the same level as the inner room and slightly raised from the walk way. This is also where residents and guests have their dinner and spend time together.

The lintel, or in Lanna dialect haam yon is the carved design often from teak wood, that is placed over doorways to the inner room of Northern Thai houses, symbolizing the genitals of the buffalo. The doorway to the entrance of the house is important for all residents of the house as the haam yon is where spirits will protect the home and ward off danger and evil to those living within. This was a powerful belief in the past and a family moving into a house once occupied by another family would beat the lintel thoroughly to drive out any spirits that might not be friendly to the new family.

Another characteristic of a Galare House is the way of welcoming all guests. A stand on which a water pot is placed is in front of every house, representing the character of Lanna people who are always nice to each other, visitors and even strangers.