Baan Dam Museum
Baan Dam Museum
4
About
Thawan Duchanee (September 27, 1939 - September 3, 2014) was a Thai contemporary painter, architect and sculptor with an international reputation. In 2001, this notable artist was given the price by the Office of the National Culture Commission of Thailand as the National Thai Artist in Fine art and Visual art. Thawan is not only famous for his paintings but also architecture. His architectural masterpiece is Black House. It was the residence for Thawan for the rest of his life. In Thai, 'baan' means home or house and 'dam' means black. The Black House isn't just one structure, but a collection of around 40 buildings of varying shapes and sizes dotted around a peaceful garden. Created by Thailand national artist Thawan Duchanee, the grounds include nearly 40 small black houses made of wood, glass, concrete, bricks, or terracotta in various unique styles and design scattered around the temple area. The cluster of houses accommodates Thawan's collections of paintings, sculptures, animal bones, skins, horns, and silver and gold items from around the world. Several of the houses exhibit Balinese and Burmese architecture and art dating back to the Ayutthaya Period. The artist uses bones as a source of inspiration to paint. It is definitely not a place for animal lovers. There are also various kinds of baskets and drums from many regions and countries on display at Baandam. Not all exhibits are open to public.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • KarolinaDr
    Sanur, Indonesia127 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unique museum
    An unique attraction that offers visitors a glimpse into the mind of the late Thai artist, Thawan Duchanee. The museum showcases a diverse collection of art including paintings, sculptures, animal bones, skins, horns and many other unique items from around the world. There are nearly 40 buildings of varying shapes and sizes, a mix of traditional Thai art and unconventional pieces. Some of the exhibitions may be considered controversial, but this is what makes the museum all the more interesting.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 31 March 2023
  • fhoffmannb
    Düsseldorf, Germany395 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Definitely worth a visit
    After visiting the great White Temple south of Chiang Rai we were not expecting more highlights … At least I was very much impressed by not only the one house I expected to see but by all the different buildings on the compound and the collection showcased. For me one of the highlights we have seen in Thailand. As we were visiting in the low season it was not packed and therefore we could enjoy even more.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 8 July 2023
  • rickrover
    Newlyn, United Kingdom129 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We loved it
    We loved it. The architecture is stunning, the art interesting and the grounds are beautiful. Also, down the road from the museum, there is an amazing restaurant called Give Green Farm House. Go there.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 September 2023
  • oblongdisorder
    London, United Kingdom7 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a visit if in Chiangrai but what is with the buffalo?
    A gallery complex storing the artist's work -animal skins, bones, carvings and woodwork. Some of it very phallic, comically so, it doesn't seem like the artist took himself too seriously so maybe his work can be appreciated in the same vein. The architecture reminded me of film and game horror houses, it was interesting and unique. I didn't find information on the procurement of the animal bodies so I hope it was done humanely after their natural death. I saw the buffalo that others have mentioned but not closely and don't know it's purpose or treatment. If anyone can shed any light on the animal treatment aspect that would be appreciated. Impossible to get a taxi to come pick you up (Oct) and there were no tuktuks there, although getting there by taxi is fine. You need to organise a driver or pay for a taxi to wait.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 6 October 2023
  • ClunkNebbermorth
    Cardiff, United Kingdom476 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    relaxing
    Goes with the white temple and blue temple as a trio, but this is by far the most authentic, and also by far the most peaceful. Traditional timber buildings in a wooded location. The buildings are impressive for sure, but maybe some of the art exhibits housed here won't be to your liking, but i didn't see anything provocative or troubling the day i visited.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 18 January 2024
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4.0
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kathy y
Lisbon, Portugal4 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
Not worth the time or effort to go there. The displays are the collection of a dark, eccentric collector..buffalo horn furniture, crocodile skins, etc
Written 11 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AndyIsobel
Birmingham, UK340 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Went here as part of a multi stop tour and would go back independently as there is a lot to see.
To benefit more fully read up on the history before you go and sign up to instagram if you want to benefit from the artwork as it comes to life..don’t know how the artist managed the 3d effect in his artwork
Written 27 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yann Renaud
Switzerland811 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
This house, which is pretty impressive from its architecture, is a museum. The art collection is made of some interactive paintings and a lot of crocodiles and other animals' skins or heads.
I would not recommend this place.
Written 26 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ClunkNebbermorth
Cardiff, UK476 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Solo
Goes with the white temple and blue temple as a trio, but this is by far the most authentic, and also by far the most peaceful. Traditional timber buildings in a wooded location. The buildings are impressive for sure, but maybe some of the art exhibits housed here won't be to your liking, but i didn't see anything provocative or troubling the day i visited.
Written 18 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

VeganMadeEasy
Glen Ellyn, IL1,573 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
This house built by an artist is quite impressive. You can get lost with the interactive graphics. Follow the page on Instagram and play away! Not sure about the cats in the cages though! I’m concerned about the potential abuse. Doesn’t seem like the appropriate environment for them. Too much dead animal inside for our taste.
Written 6 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andra
Budapest, Hungary8 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
I liked the architecture of the buildings and was excited at first, but then when I stepped inside. as if I wasn't even in Thailand. this exhibition didn't fit the atmosphere of Thailand at all.. there were also a lot of dead animals. for a while I thought that maybe it wasn't real, but when I saw the building with the skulls later, I realized that the skins would probably be real too. then I was struck by a cage with cats. WHY DO THEY HAVE CATS IN CAGES?? yes it is explained there that they are homeless cats, but a cat is a hunter and can take care of itself..! the cat can't be locked in a cage! And can't wear f$!?& bell on collars!! 😡😡 there is a sign asking for a donation for cat food so it looks like they are just using these animals to get money!! plus one cat was wearing a cat sweatshirt, it was about 32 degrees. Terrible. I hope I can find some contact to get this canceled. there was also a buffalo that didn't look the best either.
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

oblongdisorder
London, UK7 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
A gallery complex storing the artist's work -animal skins, bones, carvings and woodwork. Some of it very phallic, comically so, it doesn't seem like the artist took himself too seriously so maybe his work can be appreciated in the same vein. The architecture reminded me of film and game horror houses, it was interesting and unique. I didn't find information on the procurement of the animal bodies so I hope it was done humanely after their natural death. I saw the buffalo that others have mentioned but not closely and don't know it's purpose or treatment. If anyone can shed any light on the animal treatment aspect that would be appreciated. Impossible to get a taxi to come pick you up (Oct) and there were no tuktuks there, although getting there by taxi is fine. You need to organise a driver or pay for a taxi to wait.
Written 6 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rickrover
Newlyn, UK129 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2023 • Couples
We loved it. The architecture is stunning, the art interesting and the grounds are beautiful. Also, down the road from the museum, there is an amazing restaurant called Give Green Farm House. Go there.
Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sightseer27070828894
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
Horrible place! Don’t go there if you love animals. They have a poor bufal inmovilized with a lot of strings, in the sun, without water and without food, and they say this is art. This is an animal mistreatment!
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JAVIER M
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
It's a horrible place. To our surprise, we found two buffaloes tied up with the rope through their noses. It was difficult for him to move and he had no protection from the sun. And it was terribly hot. It is incredible that in the 21st century animal cruelty is used as a spectacle in a museum. And even more so in a country that in 2014 enacted an animal welfare law. I'm not going to recommend it to anyone.
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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