Abstract

Due to modernization and internationalization, houses in most regions of Indonesia have become similar. Most of them lack local architectural identity which relates to the lifestyle and regional culture. In Thailand, characteristic of houses in the different regions differ. This poses the question if there are any differences of identity of each region? If so, what are the factors? This presents a research that studied the famer houses in Hua Sai district, Nakhorn Si Thammarat, located in the Songkhla Lake basin and Pak Phanang River basin in Thailand. This is an important farming area connecting to the water transport from the Pak Phanan River to the Sogkhla Lake basin in the past. This research employed qualitative methods involving documentary studies and field studies, maps, photos, in-depth interviews, cadastral surveys, and architectural drawings. Content analysis, chronological analysis and comparative analysis were employed. Findings show that there were two identities of the famer houses in Hua Sai district, Nakhorn Si Thammarat which included the single house with an extension of utility space and the two-story house. Both types of houses had low platforms and low-slope roofs due to the climate, Buddhist beliefs and the influence of the Chinese culture on the southern part Thailand