Issue 31

Traditional Thai craftsmanship allied to innovative design is the way to meet the requirements of the global market place, according to the country’s leading international crafts centre.

While traditional designs and crafts are valuable for preserving a Thai identity, a project run by the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT) aims to give Thai handicrafts greater international recognition.

“Craftsmanship is local knowledge that has been passed down through generations,” says Pimpapaan Chansilpa, Director of SACICT. “This knowledge helps to inspire young designers to add creativity to their delicate works that require highly skilled craftsmanship.”

A state agency under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce, SACICT’s main responsibility is to promote Thailand’s arts and crafts internationally. The organisation aims to enhance the quality of Thai handicrafts and enable both artisans and entrepreneurs to have a good career and income, while preserving craftsmanship for future generations.

“How we work is to keep society, economy and culture as the three important elements of projects,” she says. “We not only develop the products, but also our Thai artisans. They have valuable knowledge but sometimes they need an opportunity to share and show their intellect.”

LUX by SACICT is one project launched in 2014 with the aim to promote and expand Thailand’s quality craftsmanship into luxury markets.

“This year, we have continued to promote the project by enhancing the capability of designers, skilled technicians and instructors scheduled to present our Thai craftsmanship at ILLUM, the leading shopping mall in Copenhagen, Denmark under the theme ‘A Touch of Nature’ from October 19 to November 1,” says Chansilpa.“We are pleased to have seven instructors who have fine skills and experience to support the project.”

According to Chansilpa, Danes are interested in the arts and have a high purchasing power due to the comparatively high incomes.

“The nature of Scandinavian people is that they value arts and crafts,” she says. “However, apart from adding art, wisdom and creativity in the production, handicrafts must meet market requirements. Our traditional Thai products should be adapted to fit their lifestyle.”

Chansilpa adds that in the future SACICT will help develop a community of Thai designers and artisans “to learn and develop new forms of creative contemporary works with functionality” that will conform to market demands.

For more information, please visit www.sacict.net

Words by Natthinee Ratanaprasidhi