Baan Dam, Chiang Rai
(Black House Museum)
Created by the artist, Thawan Duchanee, the Black House Museum has been in development for 50 years. Just north of Chiang Rai, Baan Dam offers a startling contrast to Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) to the south. There are over 40 separate buildings spread over a huge area, many contain artifacts from the 'weird and wonderful' category. For 'wonderful' read 'weirder-still' actually, there are some pretty spooky things on display - demon motifs, skulls, and animal skins in full-on Goth settings.
Adding to the gloom, there was a tumultuous thunderstorm when we were there, causing the staff to close all the doors in case the rain got in. Sitting in the dark next to buffalo skulls, crocodile hides, and who knows what, made
for a memorable visit, to be fair.
for a memorable visit, to be fair.
