Baan Dam, also called the Black House or the Baan Dam Museum, is one of the most unusual sights in northern Thailand. It is the life's work of Thawan Duchanee, a National Artist of Thailand: a site of more than 40 structures in Nang Lae, about 20 minutes' drive north of central Chiang Rai. Entry costs about 80 THB for an adult, and the site is open from 09:00 to 17:00 with a lunch break from 12:00 to 13:00, when the ticket desk closes.
Discover Baan Dam: Chiang Rai's Black House
Chiang Rai is known for temples such as the White Temple and the Blue Temple. Baan Dam is different: it is not a temple. It is an artist's estate and open-air museum, with more than 40 structures spread over one site in Nang Lae. In English it is usually called the Black House.
You walk from one structure to the next in the open air, so plan for sun, heat and some walking.
History and Background
The Vision of Thawan Duchanee
Thawan Duchanee began work on Baan Dam in 1975 and kept adding to it until he died in 2014. The result is not a museum with one collection in one building. It is closer to a large artwork that you walk through.
Key Facts
- Artist: Thawan Duchanee, National Artist of Thailand
- Work began: 1975
- The artist died: 2014
- Size: more than 40 structures
- Location: Nang Lae, about 20 minutes' drive north of central Chiang Rai
What You Will See
- Dark wood and Lanna roofs: most structures are made of dark wood and have the steep roofs of northern Thai (Lanna) architecture.
- The great hall: a very long table runs the length of the hall. It is set with horns, bones and shells instead of plates, and the chairs are made from antlers.
- Animal remains inside: many interiors are furnished with the bones, skins and horns of animals. Some visitors find this disturbing, so prepare children before you go in.
Each structure is different, so allow enough time to walk around the whole site.
Practical Information
Location
Baan Dam is in Nang Lae, about 20 minutes by car north of central Chiang Rai. Save the name "Baan Dam" in your map app before you set off, and show it to your driver if they do not speak English.
Opening Hours and the Lunch Break
Baan Dam is open from 09:00 to 17:00. Between 12:00 and 13:00 the ticket desk closes for lunch, so you cannot buy a ticket during that hour.
Plan to arrive either in the morning or after 13:00. If you arrive just after 12:00, you will have to wait until 13:00 to buy a ticket.
Sources in 2026 do not agree on whether Baan Dam closes one day a week. If your plans depend on a particular day, check the opening days shortly before your visit.
Entrance Fees at Baan Dam and Nearby Sites
The table below shows the entry fees and opening hours for Baan Dam and three other Chiang Rai sights that are easy to combine with it. Prices and hours were checked in September 2026 and can change, so confirm them with each site before you go.
| Site | Entry | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| Baan Dam (Black House) | about 80 THB per adult | 09:00–17:00, ticket desk closed 12:00–13:00 |
| Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) | about 200 THB for foreigners, cash | opens 08:00; check the closing time with the temple |
| Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) | free | about 07:00–20:00 |
| Singha Park | free entry; the farm tram costs extra | not confirmed; check before you go |
We could not confirm prices for children or students at Baan Dam, so ask at the ticket desk. Carry enough Thai baht in cash for all the tickets on your list.
Getting There
From Central Chiang Rai
The simplest way to reach Baan Dam is by car: a taxi, a hired car with a driver, or your own rental car. Agree on the price and any waiting time before you set off.
If you want a car for a full day around Chiang Rai, message Smile Taxi Service on WhatsApp or LINE with your plan and ask for a quote. There is no fixed fare for this trip.
From Chiang Mai
Many travellers visit Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai. Smile Taxi Service has a fixed fare between the two cities, per vehicle and one way, with tolls included:
| Vehicle | Passengers / bags | Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan (Toyota Camry or similar) | up to 3 / 2 | 2,500 THB |
| SUV (Toyota Fortuner or similar) | up to 5 / 4 | 3,000 THB |
| Van (Toyota Commuter or similar) | up to 7 / 5 | 3,800 THB |
The fare is the same for one passenger or a full car, and the return trip from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai costs the same. You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message the team and they will send you a PayPal payment link; a 5% fee is added. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details).
Extra stops on a transfer cost +250 THB per hour. If you want to stop at the White Temple or Baan Dam, tell the team when you book. A child seat costs +100 THB on request. Not every driver speaks English, but you can request an English-speaking driver when you book, subject to availability.
- Book a sedan from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
- Book an SUV from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
- Book a van from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
- Book a sedan from Chiang Rai back to Chiang Mai
From Bangkok
Our guide How to Get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai compares the options. If you are travelling via Chiang Mai, see How to Get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. All fixed Smile fares are on the routes and prices page.
Tips for Visitors
Best Time of Day
- Arrive in the morning, soon after the 09:00 opening, or after 13:00, when the ticket desk reopens.
- Do outdoor sightseeing early or late in the day. The middle of the day is the hottest time to walk between the structures.
What to Bring and Wear
- Cash in Thai baht for tickets. The White Temple takes cash at the gate.
- Water, a hat and sunscreen, because most of the visit is outdoors.
- Comfortable shoes that are easy to take off.
- Clothes that cover your shoulders and knees if you will also visit the White Temple or the Blue Temple.
Respect at Religious Sites
At the temples, keep your shoulders and knees covered and take off your shoes before you enter a building. When you take photos, keep your head lower than any Buddha image.
Combining Baan Dam with Other Attractions
Nearby Sites
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple): about 200 THB for foreigners in 2026, paid in cash at the gate. It opens at 08:00 (as of September 2026); check the closing time with the temple.
- Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple): free entry.
- Singha Park: free entry; you pay only if you ride the farm tram.
A Suggested Order for One Day
With a car, you can fit these four sights into one day if you plan around the opening hours:
- Start at the White Temple, which opens at 08:00, before the day gets hot.
- Go on to Baan Dam and arrive before 12:00, or have lunch first and arrive after 13:00.
- Visit Singha Park in the afternoon. Check its opening hours before you go.
- Finish at the Blue Temple, which stays open until about 20:00.
Travel times depend on where you stay, so ask your driver to confirm the best order.
Emergency Contacts
These numbers work anywhere in Thailand:
- Police: 191
- Tourist Police: 1155
- Ambulance: 1669
- Fire: 199
Visitor Checklist
- Cash in Thai baht for all entry tickets
- Plan around the 12:00–13:00 lunch break at Baan Dam
- Check the opening days before you go
- Water, a hat and sunscreen
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for the temples
- A car or driver booked for the day
FAQ
How much is Baan Dam and when is it open? About 80 THB for an adult. It is open from 09:00 to 17:00, but the ticket desk closes from 12:00 to 13:00.
Who created Baan Dam? Thawan Duchanee, a National Artist of Thailand. He began work on it in 1975 and died in 2014.
Is Baan Dam the same as the White Temple? No. Baan Dam (the Black House) is an artist's estate and open-air museum in Nang Lae, not a temple. The White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, is a separate place with its own ticket of about 200 THB for foreigners.
How far is Baan Dam from Chiang Rai? It is about 20 minutes' drive north of central Chiang Rai.
How much does the Blue Temple cost? Entry to the Blue Temple, Wat Rong Suea Ten, is free. It is open from about 07:00 to 20:00.
Can I visit Baan Dam on a transfer from Chiang Mai? You can ask for it. Book the fixed-fare transfer from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai and tell the team you want a stop at Baan Dam. Extra stops on a transfer cost +250 THB per hour.
To book your Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai transfer or ask for a quote for a day around Chiang Rai, message us on WhatsApp or LINE.