Issue 57

Stimulated by projects sponsored by the DITP, lifestyle products by Thai designers are making a substantial contribution to the national economy.

“The lifestyle product sector is one of Thailand’s most vital industries,” declared Malee Choklumlerd, Director General of the DITP, at the opening ceremony of the Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair (BIG+BIH) on April 19.

Recognising this, the Thailand Institute of Design and Innovation Promotion, under the DITP continues to promote lifestyle products and designers and showcase its potential through many projects, including DEmark, which has received great exposure both domestically and internationally.

The Siam Piwat Group is one company that has supported Thai designers to demonstrate their potential. An example of this is the Object of Design Store (O.D.S), a collaboration between the DITP and the company to help promote Thai designers that have received the DEmark award at Siam Discovery Department Store.

“O.D.S gives huge benefits to Thai designers because they have more channels to showcase, distribute and build their brands to gain more awareness from customers,” says M.L. Kathathong Thongyai, Director of the Thailand Institute of Design and Innovation Promotion.

“In the store, we have a café called I+D Style Café x Brave Roaster. It’s a project initiated by the DITP. We would like to create an interactive atmosphere where customers can spend time in the store and interact with items longer,” he says. “We have more than 600 brands from DEmark, Talent Thai and Designers’ Room projects. Some products are showcased while some of them are used in the store such as lighting equipment, chairs, tables, furniture and decoration items to give customers the opportunity to experience products by themselves.”

Since O.D.S had its grand opening in July 2016, the store has received a great response from both domestic and international customers.

“O.D.S is just the beginning,” says Thongyai. “I have a vision to not only expand this kind of shop throughout Thailand, but also to expand into other countries. I would like to send the message to people around the world that Thailand has got a number of fine quality and creative design products that meet international standards.”

Thongyai has also given his promise to fully support young designers to maximise their potential.

“Now it is the golden time for Thai designers because you all have greater and better opportunities to showcase what you have, and the government and the private sector is ready to support your idea,” he says.

The director adds that by participating in projects organised by DITP designers benefit from the opportunity to show their potential, as well as strengthening the sustainable growth of Thai lifestyle products on international markets.

For more information, please visit: www.ditp.go.th.

Photo courtesy of O.D.S

Words by: Patcharee Taedangpetch