The traditional Thai house is ideally adapted to its environment. There are many features common to traditional houses up and down the country. Entire living areas are often raised on stilts to protect against flooding and to allow life to flourish alongside river and flood plain areas. Roofs are normally steeply slanted to quickly carry rainwater away from the house. Many are often decorated to reflect religious and local historical influences. The use of hardwoods, bamboo and dried leaves in the construction process helps to keep the buildings dry and cool.

Over many centuries the Thai house has acquired its own unique style. The distinguishing marks are an elegantly tapering roof and various finials and decorations that differ regionally. While architectural features vary throughout the four cultural regions; Central Thailand, the North (Lanna), the North-East (Isaan), and the South, the method of raising a platform on poles is common to all parts of the country. It offers protection from dirt, hostile wildlife, thieves and most importantly from the monsoon floods which affect all of Thailand. There are regional differences in style though. Northern houses have smaller windows because of the cooler weather. Houses in the Kingdom's Central Plains have a much larger central veranda which often serves as a communal area for many different houses. Traditional Thai houses are still the design of choice in rural areas but less so in urban areas.