Mr. Anucha Teerakanon, Director of the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Public Organization) or SACIT, told Thairath about the promotion and development of Thai arts and crafts. SACIT, under the Ministry of Commerce, acts like a “sculptor,” comprehensively supporting and developing Thai handicrafts. Its focus is on developing entrepreneurs from "upstream to downstream" to drive a creative economy by using cultural capital to create value and enhance the country’s image.
Preserving and Promoting "Thai Handicrafts"
The work focuses on three dimensions: preservation—transmitting traditional wisdom from master artisans to younger generations; creation—producing handicrafts using contemporary technology and innovation; and promotion—opening market opportunities domestically and internationally. The aim is to evolve handicrafts to fit modern lifestyles and reach consumers of all ages.
Therefore, SACIT promotes collaborative design with young designers to bring contemporary relevance, including cross-disciplinary collaborations among artisans to create new products that suit daily life and meet younger consumers’ needs. This helps embed Thai handicrafts in young people’s hearts and stimulates the grassroots economy among handicraft workers.
"The success of this approach is clear from the recent five-day Crafts Bangkok event, which drew 92,215 visitors, an increase of over 60% from the previous year. Visitors of all ages came to learn about, appreciate, and purchase contemporary Thai crafts for daily use. Sales grew by more than 80%, nearly 200 million baht. Best-selling items included clothing, handicrafts, and ceramics. This shows that despite economic slowdowns, interest and love for Thai handicrafts remain strong, offering hope for the future of Thai craftwork."
Promoting "Thai Textiles" to Meet Global Lifestyles
Mr. Anucha added that beyond promoting contemporary Thai handicrafts to young people, SACIT has expanded its creative economy success internationally. This includes the Thai textiles and royal Thai costumes exhibition "La Mode en Majesté" in Paris, France, under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya. SACIT also plans to host the SACIT Symposium 2026 to elevate Thailand’s role as a knowledge center for ASEAN and ASEAN Plus arts and crafts.
"The exhibition in France has been very successful, with visitors from all over the world lining up daily, including Thai people living across Europe. It has effectively raised global awareness of Thai costumes, textiles, and handicrafts. The exhibition runs continuously for six months until November."
At the same time, SACIT is pushing to make "Thai textiles" more suitable for global markets, following policies of the Ministry of Commerce and the government. Last year, in collaboration with the Department of International Trade Promotion, the Thai Trade Center in Tokyo, Japan, and OMIYA Co., Ltd., a renowned kimono manufacturer, SACIT launched the "Thai Kimono Project." This project transformed Thai woven fabrics from the "Have Fun Wearing Thai" initiative, inspired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari, into kimonos. The project was well received, boosting demand for Thai textiles in Japan. This year, SACIT plans to expand similar efforts to other countries.
Expanding Export Markets Targeting Niche Segments
Regarding promoting exports of Thai arts and crafts, Mr. Anucha said that since these products cannot be mass-produced like industrial goods, the focus is on limited-edition items and leveraging product stories as strengths to enter niche markets. This year, efforts will begin targeting the Middle Eastern market.
"SACIT has generated sales value from Thai arts and crafts products through various activities exceeding 295.92 million baht as of 15 June 2026. Exports in the first four months reached 303.5 million baht. Key export markets include India, the U.S., and China, with notable growth in the UAE, China, and the Netherlands. Precious metal jewelry grew by 894.08%, followed by umbrellas, artificial flowers, leaves, and trees."
Additionally, SACIT operates shops at Suvarnabhumi Airport (two locations), Phuket Airport (one location), and SACIT Bang Sai in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (one location), generating combined monthly sales exceeding three million baht. There are plans to open another Pop Up Store to increase product accessibility.
Mr. Kornit Nonjui, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, stated that SACIT plays a crucial role in preserving and advancing royal initiatives to promote Thai textiles and handicrafts for economic benefit, particularly generating income for artisans, entrepreneurs, and communities nationwide. The Ministry of Commerce will fully support SACIT’s efforts across all areas to create sustainable income for communities and the Thai economy.