Story : Cattleya Romero  
images : courtesy of Baan Pai-Nam
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The Colonial Past

The classic beauty and rustic charm of colonial architecture and décor is one of the greatest influences imparted by the English, Dutch, Spanish, Swedish and French colonists from 1681 to the late 18th century in America, especially in the southern states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and all the way to New York, among others. Elegant with its simple, varied and symmetrical exteriors, the valuable interior furnishings and design of this era much more reflected the English and European settlers’ distinctive tastes, comforts and lifestyles.

Travel to these places today and be enamoured by the evident wealth of history found in well-preserved stately homes, artifacts, wooden furnishings, and antiques for sale such as glassware, ceramics ware, chandeliers, oriental rugs, wrought irons, etc. Even the uninitiated, upon discovery of such things could easily become an avid antique enthusiast such as PornSri Changrew, the sweet and charming landowner of Baan Pai-Nam.

“I envisioned of building a mixed Asian-European colonial mansion close to a river canal and decorating it with treasured items from my growing collection that displays the ancient and exquisite Asian craftsmanship,” she says.

The Manor at the End of the River

Baan Pai-Nam or ‘the manor at the end of the river’ is one true colonial-styled white mansion incorporating both European and Thai architectural styles.

In Thailand, the chance of finding and living in stately ultra-modern homes, with similar impressive blended architectural styles that uses state-of-the-art amenities may likely be slim; existing ones are limited to the monarchy’s grand royal palaces and countryside mansions.

Regal Exteriors

Completed in late 2007 and located in the idyllic Pathumthani, the mansion is 48 kilometers outside of Bangkok and conveniently linked to the Bang Phoon-Rangsit expressway route.  It takes a direct 30 minutes one-way drive to Bangkok’s CBD area and recreational centers. The total property area is 5 rai with one ngan or approximately 6,000 sqm and the house spans 1, 200 sqm.

The view outside the main gate alone is inspiring. The charming villa from afar with its symmetric blue shutters and traditional Thai kit-shaped tiles roofing looks regal facing the Chiang Raak Ya canal. Its well-manicured English garden and landscape designed with animal-shaped shrubs, flower plants, and uniformed hedges give a very smart impression. Even the big old tree in the middle of the driveway loop commonly found in the royal palaces, was bought and replanted to complement its surroundings. 

According to Jantanee Yingyad, the sole agent for this property, “the water way is connected and roughly 10 minutes to the Chao Praya river; the embankment has also been fully constructed. Also underground electric cables are in place counting the garden plot, in case a home expansion will be thought of. So, no dangling wires obstruct the sky view.  CCTV and sensor detection were installed for security measures.”

The River Canal

A definite advantage, new owners can enjoy the convenience of the river canal via their private boat. Exploring by boat is exciting, adventurous and a clear clever option to reach Bangkok, nearby provinces like Ayutthaya and several other embarkation points.

“Baan Pai-Nam is a secluded, well-secured, and a quiet holiday villa perfect for families who prefer privacy and wide spaces for their children; individuals who definitely appreciate living in an exceptional colonial-styled home and being surrounded by artistic priceless work, lovingly mixed and matched. Those who seek the simplicity and novelty of Thai provincial life will find this home very appealing,” PornSri explains.

Classic Interiors

Then, walking past the car parking space, stone path, a quaint fountain and some statues will guide visitors into the mansion’s large, airy and welcoming first floor. It has been divided into virtual spaces for the kitchen, the parlour, the living room, the main dining room and lastly, the sunny breakfast room located under the domed stained-glass ceiling with glass walls. The connected outer space includes parallel swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, a verandah and a covered passage leading to the domed-pavilion ideal for entertaining guests and spending quality time with the family.

Upstairs, four spacious bedrooms with personalized motifs from the door to the bathrooms with walk-in closets takes the entire vast floor. A communal area occupies the center space in accordance to the Thai design philosophy. Two spacious extra rooms could be converted into a work-out room and/or home office room.

It is fascinating to see and feel the ancient massive wooden doors from India; multi-hued stained glass in romantic shades in every room; authentic chandeliers and candelabras with Thomas Edison-styled bulbs; brass and glass lamp posts; louvered windows; and, countless matching colour-glazed ceramic tiles with patterns from various origins which were creatively scattered on the floors, walls and ceilings to create unique mosaics.

Priceless Personal Touches

“Ten years ago, my interest in collecting various items began in England, in New York and after discovering Pennsylvania’s trade markets. Each time I travel, I return with many beautiful things sourced everywhere. I love antique doors, ceramics and vintage laces best,” PornSri elaborates.

More striking fixtures fill the mansion such as tall folding doors and wall partitions from China, wrought irons from England, decorative tin ceilings from New York; custom-made delicately-perforated folding shutters and wood carvings by Ayuthaya artisans, and hand-made pink ceramic tiles from Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim district.

Beyond Value

Baan Pai-Nahm valued at 95 Million Baht is indeed a rare find and undeniably an artwork in itself. Prospective homeowners will revel at its realistic modernity, accessibility, beauty and simple elegance.

“Remember, this home has been designed in loving detail…from the driveway, to the pavilion with metal roofing patterned in a style similar to a hat used during 2470 (1927), to the intimate bathrooms with imported vintage sanitary ware. Hence, the offer is very special too,” PornSri concludes.

For detailed information please contact Jantanee Yingyuad (Jan),
sole agent contact details: mobile +66(0)81 482 1138
Telephone and fax: +66(0)2 679 8037    E-mail: propplusbangkok@yahoo.com