Black House Museum (Baan Dam)

Built by the internationally renowned artist Thawan Duchanee, Baan Dam is one of the most significant draws to Chiang Rai. The property, which is comprised of 15 temples, was designed as both the artists’ residence and a museum to host his series of captivating exhibits: intricate displays of animal remains, such as crocodile skins, buffalo horns and an entire elephant skeleton. These detailed arrangements have a sinister, spooky quality and have earned great recognition for their ties to Buddhist philosophy.

Beyond these exhibits, the structures dotting the property of Ban Daam are artworks in their own right. Several temples are built with black teakwood and dramatic stacked roof designs, and there is even a submarine-shaped building on site.