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LIVING IT UP:
Living As a Wise Angel at Puri Piman Apartment

While approaching the “Puri Piman Apartment” building - its frontside-roof peaked with a central-Thai kalae towering over tin-roofed, wooden Thai houses - one may experience a latent sense of inner-ease.

Although the Puri Piman - located near Chang Phuek Road and Chiang Mai Rajabhat University - is as freshly built as a three month-old infant clad in soft pink and white-colored clothing, the ambience of this palace-like building - placed alongside village shops and a Buddhist temple offering a unique, silvery pagoda - gives you the feeling of being in the presence of something ancient and timeless.

“Maybe when people enter (or see) an old building, they may feel more relaxed, like returning to ancient times, unlike the experience of entering a mall,” says Khun Lek Pornpong, manager of these family-owned apartments. “I want people who stay here to have a sense of calm and peace.”

Although the Puri Piman’s construction comprises a delicate melding of Thai-Western architecture, turning it into being a “modernized building” was never a consideration, says Khun Lek. Rather, a “classic Thai look and feel” particularly replicating the palaces of the former King Rama V, was what was sought for.

“We want to capture the feeling of that time period,” using a building design that is unfazed by transient fads, says Lek. “And for it to have a classic feeling all of the time,” by establishing an environment that is “airy...breathes” and is embellished by royal-like, pastel colors.

“This doesn’t really give a sense of luxury, but it will give you the feeling of being calm and peaceful,” of being in a living space that’s practical and clean.

A jewel of Puri Piman - which has five floors and a total of 55 rooms, ranging in size from 25 - 37 sq. meters - is that each room is part of a different color scheme, making prudent use of two hues and a white accent wall.

Orange, with a large window placed over the bed - provides a country-feeling; bluish-green - a vacation by the sea; red - energy; green - ease; yellowish-green - ancient, organic, earthy and non-chemical; violet - sweet, feminine and heart-opening; gray - baseline, calming.

“I didn’t like the gray one at first, but I really like it now. It makes me feel peaceful,” said Lek, adding how these color schemes remain the most compelling component for tenants. And with seven different room-layout designs - ranging in price from 4,800 - 11,000 baht per month, plus electricity and water; 690 baht for daily rentals - a plentiful array of options is available.

A kitchen or an entry-way is incorporated into some of these abodes. Others contain a living room or separate bedroom. It varies. However, all of these living spaces have air-conditioning and tile floors supporting a comfy bed, closet, working desk, shelf, refrigerator, microwave, couch, three chairs and a dining table.

Also, an LCD-TV, sink, modern internet service and a bathroom equipped with separate wet/dry areas are standard. A restaurant serving hydroponically-grown vegetables, coffee and baked goods is on the way. And access to an on-site washer and dryer is available, along with maid service for an additional fee.

“We want the function of the room to be almost complete. You can just pack your bags, come here and enjoy your life,” says Lek.

And with Puri meaning “wisdom” in Thai, and Piman denoting “a place for an angel,” this may be something (and someplace) worth considering...

Puri Piman Apartment
27 Kutao Rd., T. Sripoom, A. Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200
Tel: 084-687 5127, 053-231 212
Fax: 053-231 212 ext. 8
E-mail: puripiman@gmail.com
Website: www.puripiman.com

Text : Jeffrey Warner
Images: S.P