BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Culture, through the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC), is presenting “Thai Dresses of Remembrance,” an exhibition honoring Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother and her lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting Thai textile heritage.
The initiative continues Her Majesty’s royal aspirations to safeguard, revitalize, and elevate Thai textiles and traditional craftsmanship to international recognition. The exhibition forms part of “Beautiful Memories,” which brings together creative works by distinguished designers, cultural networks, National Artists, Silpathorn Artists, and design faculty members from various universities.
Kesorn Kamnerdpetch, Director of the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, noted that OCAC is deeply honored to join the nation in paying tribute to the immeasurable benevolence of Her Majesty The Queen Mother. She emphasized that Her Majesty played a central role in promoting Thai textile craftsmanship, ensuring its legacy endures and becomes known worldwide. As part of these efforts, OCAC is showcasing the “Thai Dresses of Remembrance” collection under the Creative Entrepreneur Capacity Development Project in Rayong Province, conducted in collaboration with Associate Professor Dr. Danai Reabsakul of the Faculty of Decorative Arts, Silpakorn University, a specialist in creative design.
The collection draws inspiration from eight iconic Royal Thai Dress styles. These styles—traditionally worn for religious ceremonies, auspicious occasions, and significant cultural events—represent the distinctive and standardized forms of Thai women’s attire from the Rattanakosin period. The redesigned “Thai Dresses of Remembrance” blends the elegance of Royal Thai Dress styles with the traditional textile patterns of Rayong Province.
The project advances Thailand’s cultural soft power, particularly in the Thai fashion sector, by applying contemporary artistic knowledge, expanding cultural capital, and demonstrating innovative uses of printed textiles in traditional dressmaking. This approach supports sustainable careers and income generation for local communities by integrating creative design, cultural identity, and innovation. It also reflects how Thai culture can continue to flourish in modern society and gain wider international appreciation. (NNT)
