Bangkok: The royal-approved Thai dress is not just about "dressing correctly," but has become a tool for driving the country's cultural economy. When the royal-approved Thai dress is designed and sewn correctly, it leads to increased use of Thai fabrics such as silk, cotton, brocade, and locally woven fabrics in the market, increasing demand for Thai fabrics and distributing income to weavers, farmers, entrepreneurs, and communities.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sabida Thaiseth, Minister of Culture, held a meeting to discuss and gather ideas for promoting royal-approved Thai dresses and Thai dresses bestowed by the monarch with leading Thai designers and fashion houses. Participants included Mr. Teeraphan Wannarat, National Artist in Visual Arts (Fashion Design) 2019; Teeraphan Fashion House; Theater Fashion House; Atelier Pichitra Fashion House; Pha Fashion House; Phet Boutique Fashion House; Glam Gold Label Fashion House; Forgetmenot Fashion House; Milan Fashion House; Napassorn Princess Shop; Pahurat.com; Chai Gold Label Brand; ASAVA Brand; ISSUE Brand; Surface Brand; Finale Wedding Studio Brand; Miss Saturday Brand; Khamkoon Gallery; Akara Gallery; and Wiset Aporn, among others. Also present was Ms. Chotika Akrakitsobhakul, Director-General of the Department of Cultural Promotion. The advisory committee for the Royal Thai Costume and Fabric Project, comprising Dr. Sarinda Jamornman, Mr. Thananrat Thanasetthakarn, Mr. Wicharawit Akrasantisuk, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anucha Teerakhanon, and Mr. Kulwit Laosukhsri, also attended the event at Lady L Bistro, Park Nai Lert Hotel, Ploenchit Road, Pathumwan District, Bangkok.
Ms. Sabida revealed that Thai dress is a unique national costume, characterized by its exquisite design and tailoring. It incorporates creative patterns on the fabric, a testament to the skillful craftsmanship of Thai artisans. The term "Royal Thai Dress" refers to traditional Thai women's attire, initiated by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, who commissioned research into various periods of Thai women's clothing and designed it for her to wear during official visits with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej to the United States and Europe in 1960. For men, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej granted "Royal Thai Shirts" or royal Thai attire in 1980 as a uniform for government officials and as an alternative to Western suits for men, due to their affordability and suitability to Thailand's climate, thus establishing a distinctive identity. Subsequently, the eight royally approved styles of Thai dress, along with the royally bestowed men's attire, became widely popular and eventually the national costume. Further deve lopment occurred in both style and materials, and knowledge of design, tailoring, and fabric pattern design spread throughout the country, stimulating the local economy extensively.
Given its value and significance, the Ministry of Culture, through the Department of Cultural Promotion, declared "Royal Thai Costume" as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2023, under the category of social practices, rituals, traditions, and festivals. Subsequently, on March 26, 2024, the Cabinet approved the proposal to register "Chud Thai: The Knowledge, Craftsmanship and Practices of The Thai National Costume" as a representative item of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity to UNESCO. UNESCO has confirmed that the item will be considered at the 21st session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, scheduled for December 2026.
Ms. Sabida further stated that today's discussions with leading Thai designers, fashion houses, and textile entrepreneurs were a great opportunity to explore ideas for collaborating to promote the royal-style Thai dresses and royal-granted Thai dresses, as well as to exchange experiences in tailoring that ensures accuracy and suitability for the wearer's body shape.
"The charm of the royal Thai dress and the royal bestowed Thai dress lies in their timeless beauty. This beauty is further enhanced when tailored to fit the wearer's figure and chosen for the appropriate occasion. Furthermore, wearing the royal Thai dress allows for adaptation to create beautiful and modern styles. For example, the Ruen Ton style dress can be paired with a variety of fabrics, including cotton, silk, locally patterned fabrics, or ethnic textiles. This opens up opportunities for designers, tailors, and seamstresses to express their creativity freely while maintaining the complete and perfect essence of Thai dress," Minister Sabida said.
Finally, Ms. Sabida emphasized that the Ministry of Culture continues to collaborate with all sectors to promote "Royal Thai Costume" through the "Thai Costume (CHUD THAI)" campaign, showcasing its elegance to the world. This initiative, under the royal patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, aims to preserve, develop, and disseminate Thai cultural heritage, rooted in the significant royal endeavors of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. In particular, it focuses on publicizing and raising awareness of the value of something that all Thais are proud of and are actively promoting, ahead of UNESCO's consideration of "Thai Costume: Knowledge, Craftsmanship, and Practices in Wearing National Thai Costume" for inscription as a Representative Item of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity this December.
Therefore, we invite all media outlets, all sectors of government agencies, and all citizens to participate and be a part of this pride by supporting Thai identity. This includes choosing to wear Thai traditional clothing and handicrafts in daily life, sharing stories through social media, and showcasing the prestige of Thai craftsmanship to the world. This will expand market opportunities and enhance the positive image of Thai products and culture sustainably.