The Lanna Folk Museum
In the late 1970, the owners of the Old Chiangmai Cultural Center became alarmed when they realised that traditional Lanna--style houses and household utensils, especially antique lacquerware and pottery items like those of the Wualai and Nunthararm villages, were disappearing fast. The smaller (and not so small) items had found their way in to the souvenir and curio shops and many were sold to foreigners. If efforts were not made to preserve and protect these original pieces, they would soon disappear forever.

Therefore, and original Lanna-style building, the Saw-Hong House, was acquired and reconstructed on the centre’s premises to be used as the Lanna Folk Museum. This over 110-year-old teak building is a typical example of a northern dwelling called a “Kalae house”. Originally, this building stood near the east side of the Nakhornping Bridge in downtown Chiangmai and was owned by Nang Ping, the granddaughter of Nai Saw and Nang Hong Tae. The house was named the “Saw-Hong House” in honour of Nang Piang’s grandparents.


Today the building houses many rare and valuable examples of northern Thai implements and tools. Among the exhibits are:
1. Antuque pottery from the ancient kilns of Sankampaeng, Chiangmai, and Wiangpapao and Paan in Chiangrai Province, dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.
2. Lacquerware pieces more than 100 years old, made by Thai-Kern craftsmen of the Wualai and Nunthararm villages in Chiangmai.
3. Lanna-style household items and commonly used utensils.
4. Traditional weaving looms are on display and weaving demonstrations are presented.
5. Ox carts and traditional fishing implements.

The museum was opened on March 27, 1982 and has since become very popular with visitors. It is opened to the public every day except Thursdays.