By MR Pridiyathorn Devakula
Published on May 19, 2008
Last week while I was driving from Chiang Rai to Bangkok, I stopped in Sukhothai's Sawankhalok, a town with many cultural attractions.
I had a chance to visit Sri Satchanalai Historical Park, which was once a twin capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom. Siam Cement Group deserves praise for setting up a centre here for the conservation of ancient Sangkalok-ware kilns, the Chinese name for the kilns.
Those passing by Sri Satchanalai can travel along a short heritage trail to admire the ancient city. The remains of the city walls along the bank of Yom River display the glory of the city in olden times.
Today, I'm not going to discuss the history of Sri Satchanalai or the ancient remains in the area, but rather the modern-day craftsmanship inspired by exquisite and distinguished traditional Thai motifs. Not only can locals make a living by supporting this prestigious piece of heritage, but it also ensures that the city's unique legacy is preserved.
Elaborate and renewable handmade ornaments, called "Thai antique gold", are designed with a modern and luxurious look. There are a lot of local goldsmiths in Sri Satchanalai. The most famous and eye-catching site is in Tha Chai village, 18 kilometres from Sri Satchanalai district or 10km from Sawankhalok. On route 101 stand quite a few "gold houses" or goldsmiths. Not only is gold commonly sold and purchased there, but the site also produces a full range of gold ornaments. The site is involved in casting, perforating, granulating, enamelling and soldering to produce necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, pins, hairpins and belts to name a few items.
I was told that the local goldsmiths were inspired by the traditional designs found in vaults remaining in the area of Sri Satchanalai. I am personally fond of and familiar with jewellery products. I notice that the goldsmiths have refined traditional patterns while still maintaining their ancient character. They have also introduced some new designs. These new designs were not in the pattern on each item, but rather in the overall look of the product - the length and width of necklaces, the small beads knitted on necklaces, their flexibility for use in various styles, etc. The designers have cleverly blended modern designs and ancient gold patterns, resulting in a variety of products suitable for several occasions and women of all ages. The goldsmiths in that same area also offer silverware designed in the same way and using the same crafting techniques that are used to produce gold ornaments.
The "gold house" that most impressed me was Ban Thong Somsamai, where they still preserve the original Sukhothai-Si Satchanalai-style gold with eye-catching designs for different occasions.
The owner of this place, Somsamai, has won awards for her antique gold ornament designs. She explained that she inherited her fine craftsmanship skills from her father. Her affection for the craft at a young age led her to leave school after finishing her compulsory education and become a full-time apprentice to her father to thoroughly study the entirely handmade production process of creating these gold ornaments instead. She is a skilful and detail-oriented trainer of craftsmen working for Ban Thong Somsamai.
Although Somsamai was humble, saying that she only had a primary school education, I, on the other hand, considered her to be as highly professional in the world of goldsmiths as those who graduate with doctoral degrees in the field. Not only is she a craft person, she also designs products, capably blending modern designs with traditional patterns. Somsamai also said that whenever ancient gold is found in burial vaults, she tries to have her craftsmen imitate the ancient work. Moreover, when she sees ancient ornament patterns on murals, she tries to reproduce the designs. It is a very remarkable way of preserving Thai fine art. With an emphasis on novelty combined with ancient artistic patterns, the refinements emphasised completion and beauty. Ban Thong Somsamai gold ornaments are of a fine quality and should be qualified to be displayed among the world's top jewellery collections. If they have a chance to open booth at the Gems & Jewellery Fair organised by the Export Promotion Department, which is attended by top gem and jewellery professionals, I believe that Thai ancient gold ornaments would soon make their name worldwide.
Apart from her ability to conserve and modernise this valuable handicraft, Somsamai is an entrepreneur who takes good care of her employees. In addition to passing on skills of craftsmanship, she provides a fair compensation package and takes care of medical expenses. The working area that I strolled through was clean and well-ventilated. Somsamai told me that she also intends to assist her employees with housing. It was not a surprise to me when I saw smiles on their faces.
I consider Ban Thong Somsamai a decent medium-sized enterprise that looks after its employees well. I believe that small- and- medium-sized enterprises in Thailand in general are trying to take good care of their employees. Thais have been raised to appreciate the "pleasure of giving". Our tradition of offering food to monks, assisting and supporting kith and kin, and many other such activities, allow Thais to experience the pleasure of giving, which helps to develop a giving and caring attitude towards subordinates. Entrepreneurs, like Somsamai, who successfully put such attitudes into action, deserve praise.
Until next Monday
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Published on May 19, 2008
Last week while I was driving from Chiang Rai to Bangkok, I stopped in Sukhothai's Sawankhalok, a town with many cultural attractions.
I had a chance to visit Sri Satchanalai Historical Park, which was once a twin capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom. Siam Cement Group deserves praise for setting up a centre here for the conservation of ancient Sangkalok-ware kilns, the Chinese name for the kilns.
Those passing by Sri Satchanalai can travel along a short heritage trail to admire the ancient city. The remains of the city walls along the bank of Yom River display the glory of the city in olden times.
Today, I'm not going to discuss the history of Sri Satchanalai or the ancient remains in the area, but rather the modern-day craftsmanship inspired by exquisite and distinguished traditional Thai motifs. Not only can locals make a living by supporting this prestigious piece of heritage, but it also ensures that the city's unique legacy is preserved.
Elaborate and renewable handmade ornaments, called "Thai antique gold", are designed with a modern and luxurious look. There are a lot of local goldsmiths in Sri Satchanalai. The most famous and eye-catching site is in Tha Chai village, 18 kilometres from Sri Satchanalai district or 10km from Sawankhalok. On route 101 stand quite a few "gold houses" or goldsmiths. Not only is gold commonly sold and purchased there, but the site also produces a full range of gold ornaments. The site is involved in casting, perforating, granulating, enamelling and soldering to produce necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, pins, hairpins and belts to name a few items.
I was told that the local goldsmiths were inspired by the traditional designs found in vaults remaining in the area of Sri Satchanalai. I am personally fond of and familiar with jewellery products. I notice that the goldsmiths have refined traditional patterns while still maintaining their ancient character. They have also introduced some new designs. These new designs were not in the pattern on each item, but rather in the overall look of the product - the length and width of necklaces, the small beads knitted on necklaces, their flexibility for use in various styles, etc. The designers have cleverly blended modern designs and ancient gold patterns, resulting in a variety of products suitable for several occasions and women of all ages. The goldsmiths in that same area also offer silverware designed in the same way and using the same crafting techniques that are used to produce gold ornaments.
The "gold house" that most impressed me was Ban Thong Somsamai, where they still preserve the original Sukhothai-Si Satchanalai-style gold with eye-catching designs for different occasions.
The owner of this place, Somsamai, has won awards for her antique gold ornament designs. She explained that she inherited her fine craftsmanship skills from her father. Her affection for the craft at a young age led her to leave school after finishing her compulsory education and become a full-time apprentice to her father to thoroughly study the entirely handmade production process of creating these gold ornaments instead. She is a skilful and detail-oriented trainer of craftsmen working for Ban Thong Somsamai.
Although Somsamai was humble, saying that she only had a primary school education, I, on the other hand, considered her to be as highly professional in the world of goldsmiths as those who graduate with doctoral degrees in the field. Not only is she a craft person, she also designs products, capably blending modern designs with traditional patterns. Somsamai also said that whenever ancient gold is found in burial vaults, she tries to have her craftsmen imitate the ancient work. Moreover, when she sees ancient ornament patterns on murals, she tries to reproduce the designs. It is a very remarkable way of preserving Thai fine art. With an emphasis on novelty combined with ancient artistic patterns, the refinements emphasised completion and beauty. Ban Thong Somsamai gold ornaments are of a fine quality and should be qualified to be displayed among the world's top jewellery collections. If they have a chance to open booth at the Gems & Jewellery Fair organised by the Export Promotion Department, which is attended by top gem and jewellery professionals, I believe that Thai ancient gold ornaments would soon make their name worldwide.
Apart from her ability to conserve and modernise this valuable handicraft, Somsamai is an entrepreneur who takes good care of her employees. In addition to passing on skills of craftsmanship, she provides a fair compensation package and takes care of medical expenses. The working area that I strolled through was clean and well-ventilated. Somsamai told me that she also intends to assist her employees with housing. It was not a surprise to me when I saw smiles on their faces.
I consider Ban Thong Somsamai a decent medium-sized enterprise that looks after its employees well. I believe that small- and- medium-sized enterprises in Thailand in general are trying to take good care of their employees. Thais have been raised to appreciate the "pleasure of giving". Our tradition of offering food to monks, assisting and supporting kith and kin, and many other such activities, allow Thais to experience the pleasure of giving, which helps to develop a giving and caring attitude towards subordinates. Entrepreneurs, like Somsamai, who successfully put such attitudes into action, deserve praise.
Until next Monday
Discuss
Add this link to...
Tell a friend
Bury
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