Mainly forgotten, the stories of heritage unfold at Siri Sala.
Siri Sala, a private villa along the banks of Bangkok Noi canal, is a space where craft, heritage, and local storytelling are preserved in every nook and corner. But this isn’t a Disneyland-style Thai house designed for tourists to admire only its exterior. Instead it invites visitors to feel the subtle, intimate details that make a home including textures, materials, and rhythms shaped by culture and history.
At the heart of Siri Sala is Irma Go, a Filipina entrepreneur with a love of tradition, hospitality, and communal living. She envisioned a space that could blend craftsmanship with personal storytelling. Through her journey, Siri Sala has become a crossroads of culture, warmth, and shared experiences, offering a glimpse into the soul of both the city and its people. We trace the story of Siri Sala through Irma Go, the hand that breathed life into the project.
The Beginning
“If I had to go back to the day I found Siri Sala, it wasn’t just one day, but it was a year in the making.”
It began with a boat ride. In 2015, just after New Year, Irma was showing her family from Manila the canals of Bangkok, a ritual she and her husband Kirati Thepsoparn cherished. As their long-tail boat turned into Bangkok Noi, Irma spotted three old wooden Thai houses with a for-sale sign. She pointed out to her husband that they should buy it. He laughed, calling her crazy.
He said
“It’s like buying air floating on water, and probably swarming with mosquitoes.”
Still she took a photo. Later when she tried to call the house owner, the phone number on the sign never connected but the three houses remained in her memory.
One year later, as her children grew, Irma began to notice how her family’s way of travelling had changed. No longer were they content with glossy hotels or the latest openings that promised sleek rooms and infinity pools. Instead they longed for places with character, spaces that felt lived in, with kitchens where they could cook together or gardens where her children could play. “I didn’t want to stay somewhere that was just pretty to the eye,” she recalls.
“I wanted a place with a purpose, a reason for being.” She told her husband, “Thailand is beautiful, but it still doesn’t have that kind of place, one that makes you feel why you’re actually there.”
A friend suggested a property by the river and Irma followed with curiosity but without expectation. Yet the moment she stepped inside, something stirred deep within her. As she looked around, the truth settled in–these were the very same structures she had once glimpsed from the boat years before, when a for-sale sign first caught her eye.
Courtesy of Siri Sala
The houses had returned, waiting, as though the river had been keeping them for her until the right moment. The owners had only just decided to sell again. It felt like more than coincidence.
Raising Walls and Reclaiming Wood
“My first thought was to fix it up just a little and give people the chance to live by the river. My first concept however looks nothing like what it is now.”
Because the houses stood so close to the river, the soil beneath was soft and unstable. At that time Bangkok was also facing serious flooding issues, which meant they could never truly be safe. The landscape had to be changed, and the old houses simply could not remain as they were. That’s why Irma and her husband had to rebuild.
“I didn’t want to create just a total replica of the house, but wanted to keep as much of the original as I could to preserve its Thai essence.”
They reused as much of the old wood of the house as possible to retain the memories there, like the columns, the doors, the windows, the stairs. Piece by piece. They also kept some of the furniture and every room in Siri Sala now boasts a part of the original house.
“Between a vision and its reality lies a vast gap, filled with surprises, hurdles, and hard work. None of us were architects or interior designers; we learned as we went, step by step. All I wanted was to keep pushing forward, to fight for a space that holds memories.”
A Space of Craft, Culture, and Connection
“I want Siri Sala to be the crossroads of that, creating a space that celebrates craftsmanship and storytelling, while also embodying the warmth, inclusivity, and sense of togetherness that I personally grew up with back home.”
Having lived in Thailand for almost 25 years, Filipina-born Irma has always been inspired by the country’s deep respect for heritage, hospitality, and communal life. Coming from a culture where family gatherings are central, she felt a connection with Thailand’s traditions of togetherness and celebration. The vision was transferred to Siri Sala.
Courtesy of Siri Sala
Opened in 2021, Siri Sala is a place where guests can gather, dine, and celebrate in an atmosphere that is both intimate and culturally immersive. By weaving Filipino and Thai values into the design and experience, Irma has created a destination that appeals to both locals and international visitors alike. Every detail speaks to shared joy, memory, and connection.
“I see Siri Sala as a space that continues to reveal the different facets of Bangkok. The city is busy and lively, but you can still feel its history around every corner. We want Siri Sala to serve as a bridge between these worlds.”
Siri Sala’s vision is also evolving. What started as a five-bedroom private villa for groups will eventually welcome individual guest room bookings later this year. Irma sees this as an opportunity for visitors from diverse backgrounds to connect, share experiences, and form a sense of family during their stay. Sharing meals together at the same dining table, this warmth and intimacy is at the heart of the Siri Sala experience, carrying the vision forward with every guest who steps through its doors.
Courtesy of Siri Sala
