🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Phrae was once one of northern Thailand's major teak trading cities, and wealthy nobles of the era built grand teak houses to match their status. Ban Wongburi is one of the finest and best-preserved examples still standing. The two-storey teak house is painted soft pink and white, with carved wooden fretwork decorating the gables, eaves, and window frames throughout — which is why locals simply call it 'the pink house'.
Brief History — A Nobleman's Residence
Ban Wongburi was built between 1897 and 1907 (during the reign of King Rama V) by the ruler of Phrae as a home for his daughter. Chinese craftsmen worked alongside local woodworkers to construct the house entirely from teak — a fitting choice during Phrae's prosperous timber trade era. The craftsmanship and scale of the house reflect both the skill of the artisans and the standing of the noble family. Today, descendants of the family still live in one part of the house, while another section is open to the public as a museum.
Thanks to careful preservation, Ban Wongburi received an Outstanding Conservation Award from the Association of Siamese Architects in 1993. It has since appeared regularly as a backdrop in Thai films, TV dramas, and photo shoots.
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What Is a Gingerbread House?
'Gingerbread house' refers to a style of architecture popular in Thailand during the Rama V era, characterized by intricate open-work timber carvings along the eaves, verandas, ventilation panels, and window frames — resembling the icing patterns on a gingerbread cake. Ban Wongburi is one of the best surviving examples, with its fretwork still intact and sharp. Walk slowly around the house and you'll notice each panel has a different pattern.
Look Closely
Check the fretwork above the upper-floor windows and the ventilation panels under the roofline — the level of craftsmanship there is the kind you rarely see in modern construction.
What's Inside
The interior is arranged as a museum displaying original family heirlooms across several rooms: antique wooden furniture, beds, reception tables, black-and-white family portraits, old documents, silverware, blue-and-white porcelain, and collectibles from the period. Walking through gives you a real sense of what life looked like for a noble family in Phrae a century ago.
- Ground floor — reception room, altar table, household items, and an exhibit telling the history of the family and the city of Phrae
- Upper floor — original bedrooms with period furniture, an old safe, family photographs, and documents
- Around the house — the teak veranda and staircase are among the most photographed spots on the property
Opening Hours, Entry Fee & Getting There
Ban Wongburi is on Kham Lue Road, Nai Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District — inside the old town, close to Wat Phra Non. You can easily walk or cycle between here and other temples and heritage houses in the neighbourhood.
- Opening hours — Open most days, roughly 9am–5pm (may close Sundays or as early as 4pm in some periods — call ahead to confirm)
- Entry fee — Adults approximately 20–30 THB; reduced rate for children
- Location — Kham Lue Road, Phrae old town, near Wat Phra Non
- Time needed — About 30–45 min is plenty to see everything comfortably
Before You Visit
Family members still live in part of the house. Walk quietly, respect any private areas, and ask before photographing inside certain display rooms — it keeps the visit comfortable for everyone.
What Else Is Nearby
Khum Chao Luang Phrae
The large residence of Phrae's former lord, right in the old town. Same architectural era as Ban Wongburi — an easy walk from here.
Teak MansionBan Prathapjai (Hundred-Pillar House)
A grand teak house supported by over a hundred teak columns — another standout piece of Phrae's teak heritage.
Coffee BreakPhrae Old Town Cafes
The old town has several cafes tucked into restored timber buildings — a good place to rest after the walking tour.
Plan a full day in Phrae's old town without missing a thing
See the Phrae Travel Guide →