The
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is organizing a special event “The
Passage of Thai Fabric, Thailand’s Pride and Prestige: A Tribute to Her
Majesty the Queen” to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty
the Queen’s 84th birthday, with an aim to promote cultural
tourism through the display of unique textile designs that tell of their
different stories.
Polpat Asavaprapha from ASAVA
Phisit Jongnarangsin from Tube Gallery
Saksit Pisalasupongs from Tube Gallery
Saksit Pisalasupongs and Phisit Jongnarangsin from Tube Gallery
Chai Jiamkittikul from Chai Gold Label
Prapakas Angsusingh from Hook’s
Pupawit Kritpolnara from ISSUE
“Thai
fabric” is a local handicraft product that tells of the history,
belief, religion, culture, tradition and way of life of the people in
each region – through textile designs such as Thai pattern, geometric
pattern, local animal pattern, and local flower pattern, as well as
pattern with symbols of communities. Weaving is, therefore, an essential
part of the culture and way of life of the people across the country
that has been passed down from generation to generation, and thus has
become a cultural inheritance and a part of the Thai identity. TAT is
organizing an event “The Passage of Thai Fabric, Thailand’s Pride and
Prestige: A Tribute to Her Majesty the Queen” in recognition to Her
Majesty Queen Sirikit’s continuous contributions to the conservation,
development, and promotion of Thai fabrics to make them widely known and
accepted in the international community. TAT also aims to encourage
cultural tourism and travels to weaving communities in each region –
where different cultures and ways of life are woven into beautiful
designs – for tourists to enjoy the beauty of local cultures and
attractions.
Highlights of the event include fashion shows from five renowned
brands, whose people are committed to conserving and developing the
beauty of Thai silk, including Polpat Asavaprapha from ASAVA, Saksit
Pisalasupongs and Phisit Jongnarangsin from Tube Gallery, Chai
Jiamkittikul from Chai Gold Label, Prapakas Angsusingh from Hook’s, and
Pupawit Kritpolnara from ISSUE. In addition, the event also features
fashion shows from 15 new designers selected from reputable institutions
in fashion design across the country who have been inspired by the
elegance of Thai fabrics. The Thai fabrics that will be showcased at the
event are local silks with exceptional characteristics and patterns
such as the Lai Nam Lai (‘water-flowing’) pattern from Nan province,
Mudmee pattern from Lopburi province, the indigo-dyed pattern from Sakon
Nakhon province, the Hole pattern and the Um Prom pattern from Surin
province, and the Pumriang textile pattern from Surat Thani. The entire
stunning fashion show will take place on August 20, from 18.30 to 20.30 hours at Parc Paragon on the second floor of Siam Paragon.
Following
is an exhibition that showcases silks from five leading silk production
centers in Thailand, a demonstration of silk-weaving techniques, and
suggested tourist routes to the silk production centers in each region
and nearby tourist attractions. The routes are suggested in order to
encourage more travels to visit and explore much more about silk
production techniques and the local way of life. Local handicraft
products and representatives of the production centers will be available
at the exhibition for visitors to buy products and/or have a business
talk as well. The exhibition will take place on August 20 – 21, on the second floor of Siam Paragon.
In addition, TAT will further organize an exhibition of Thai silks from
the five production centers for any persons interested in such
handicraft products to have another chance to enjoy them. This
exhibition will be held on the first floor of Plearnary Mall on August 23 – 28.
In organizing these events, TAT has received sponsorship from Siam Paragon and Plearnary Mall.