BANGKOK, Thailand – Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya attended CNN’s Global Perspectives: In Bangkok at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, on October 14, at the invitation of CNN International President Ellana Lee. Held alongside the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings, the summit featured discussions on politics, business, art, and culture across the Asia-Pacific region.
Her Royal Highness attended two panel discussions, Fabric of the Nation and Cities That Win the Future. The first session honored her contributions to preserving traditional Thai textiles, supporting local craftsmanship, and connecting centuries-old weaving techniques with contemporary fashion. The discussion also focused on how traditional fabrics convey Thailand’s cultural identity and preserve knowledge passed down through generations.
The panel featured Assistant Professor Dr. Anucha Thirakanont, director of the Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand, and Vogue Thailand Editor-in-Chief Kullawit Loasukri, with CNN presenter Will Ripley moderating. Participants discussed Her Royal Highness’s efforts to advance Thai fine arts and traditional weaving, including her work toward securing UNESCO intangible cultural heritage recognition for Chut Thai, or traditional Thai dress.
The summit provided an international platform to showcase Thailand’s textile heritage and its place in contemporary fashion, while highlighting how traditional craftsmanship can preserve cultural knowledge and create new opportunities in the global creative industry. (NNT)
