Baan Dam Museum

Baan Dam Museum (also known as the Black Temple) is located in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It is a private museum created by Thailand's national artist Thawan Duchanee, who dedicated decades of effort to its development. Rather than calling it a museum, it is more fitting to describe it as a sprawling art estate, consisting of over 40 uniquely designed black-themed buildings scattered across lush gardens.

The museum showcases Thawan Duchanee's distinctive collection, including his paintings, wood carvings, and installation art created using animal bones, hides, horns, and other elements. These works are often seen as expressions of dark aesthetics exploring profound themes in Buddhist philosophy, such as life, death, and desire.

Due to its powerful artistic impact, the Black Temple is often compared to another famous Chiang Rai landmark—the pure white White Temple—and is celebrated as an artistic marvel that contrasts 'hell and heaven.'

Practical Information: The museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM). Admission is 80 THB. If you are interested in avant-garde art and philosophical reflections, this is a must-visit destination during your trip to Chiang Rai.

Post by Miles1114 | Sep 23, 2025