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137 Pillars House
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137 Pillars House

Where Anna Leonowens' son ran Siam's teak trade since 1889

🇹🇭 Chiang Mai, Thailand·Est. 1889·Lanna / British Colonial Teak·$$
83 HHI Distinguished
Heritage Distinguished

About the Property

Built in 1889 as the headquarters of the East Borneo Company, this teak house served as home to Louis Leonowens — son of Anna Leonowens of "The King and I" fame — during his years managing the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation's teak concession. The original raised teak structure, supported by its namesake 137 pillars, has been meticulously preserved while 30 suites were added in a sympathetic contemporary Lanna style.

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Original Purpose

East Borneo Company trading house

Highlights

Original 1889 teak house preservedHome of Louis Leonowens (son of Anna)137 original teak pillarsBombay Burmah Trading Corporation heritageLanna-colonial architectural fusionJack Bain's Bar in the original house

History Timeline

1889

Built as East Borneo Company headquarters on the Mae Ping River

1895

Louis Leonowens takes residence while managing Bombay Burmah teak operations

1920

Teak concession era ends; house passes to local families

2011

Restored and opened as a luxury heritage hotel

2015

Named Southeast Asia's Leading Boutique Hotel by World Travel Awards