Black House (Baan Dam) in Chiang Rai

The Black House of Chiang Rai (Baan Dam) is considered the “hell” to White Temple’s “heaven”.  The Black House was about a 30 minute songthaew ride north of Chiang Rai, tucked away in the back of a residential area.  Built by an artist named Thawan Duchanee, we were struck once again by the dedication one man put forth to make his artistic vision come true.  Walking around the Black House, you definitely have a sense that you have entered into a different reality.

The oversize furniture decorated with skulls and bones makes you feel like you are touring the house of giant monsters!

The Black House is actually a compound of over 40 architecturally diverse structures that serve as art galleries for Duchanee’s furniture, sculptures, and wood carvings.  In accordance with its name, the Black House has a very dark feel to it – animal bones, skins, furs, and skulls are found throughout the complex.  The structures are all scattered on a large garden that even has some horses grazing on the grass – leading to an interesting contrast between the artwork in the structures and the peaceful setting outside.

The table in the biggest structure on the compound.

Snakeskins used as a table runner.

One of the Black House structures.

Animal skulls along the side of one of the structures.

Inside of this submarine-esque structure was what looked like a torture chamber!

An entire skeleton of an elephant, on display underneath one of the structures

Although some people find a visit to the Black House discomforting, we enjoyed the strange and mysterious nature of the complex.  It is definitely an unforgettable and unique place to go!  Our visit to the Black House also served as a personal victory for us, as we were able to walk to the main road then communicate in Thai enough to figure out how to catch a bus directly back to Chiang Saen!  Learning Thai is definitely difficult (paasaa Thai maak yaak!) but we are progressing every day!

My favorite sculpture at the Black House