When speaking of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, something that has beautifully accompanied her throughout is " "Thai fabric."
She has undertaken royal projects concerning silk and woven cloth, which are not merely about preserving an art form but constitute one of the nation's greatest creative achievements.
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, is known as "The Mother of Thai Silk." Lifestyle, Thairath Online Exploring the five main handicraft centers that revived Thailand’s economy and fashion on the international stage.
Her Majesty the Queen Mother's Handicraft Promotion Projects established handicraft centers and initiatives nationwide to support local craftspeople. Among these, silk and woven fabrics have been prioritized greatly.
The main weaving centers and important handicraft centers include:
This is one of the first main handicraft centers and served as the starting point for training in various Thai handicrafts, including weaving, for children from underprivileged families.
A large training center developed from Suan Chitlada to accommodate many students interested in Thai crafts, including weaving.
This region is the most important starting point for weaving, as Her Majesty recognized the beauty of mudmee silk when visiting locals after the 1970 flood.
Special handicraft centers and projects promote mudmee silk weaving and Praewa silk (Kalasin), in many provinces such as the Kud Nakham Handicraft Center in Sakon Nakhon (focusing on mudmee silk), the Yang Noi Center in Ubon Ratchathani, centers in Udon Thani, and many others.
This southern handicraft center promotes local crafts that reflect the culture of the south, including unique textiles and other handicrafts.
Although not a production site, this museum preserves, stores, and exhibits Thai fabrics, silks, and royal garments actually worn by Her Majesty to continue and share the legacy of Thai textiles with the public.
The Handicraft Promotion Foundation has expanded its work nationwide, with more than 140 handicraft centers and many projects, with the northeast being especially prominent for mudmee silk and weaving.