Bangkok: “Sabida” visits the Textile Museum and invites people to wear traditional Thai clothing to float krathongs. The Minister of Culture visited the Textile Museum and invited Thai people to “wear traditional Thai clothing to Loi Krathong” to continue the royal initiative of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, who is preparing to promote “traditional Thai clothing” as a world cultural heritage.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sabida Thaiset, Minister of Culture, visited the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles at the Ratsadakornphiphat Hall within the Grand Palace. Mr. Prasop Riangngen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, along with Ms. Sarinda Chamonman, an independent academic in knowledge management and educational communications, along with executives, civil servants, and Ministry of Culture officials, also attended the event.
On this occasion, the Minister of Culture and his delegation visited exhibitions within the Textile Museum, including the Thai Dress Exhibition: From the Royal Court to Royal Preferences, the Queen’s Siriraj Costume Exhibition, the Siamese Royal Attire Exhibition, and the Modern Siam Activity Room. They also visited the Textile Museum Shop, which sells products, books about textiles and clothing, and products linked to the exhibition.
Ms. Sabida commented on the visit, saying it serves as a way to preserve and disseminate knowledge about Thai textiles. It also serves as a campaign to encourage both Thai and international citizens and tourists to wear the royal Thai costume in the proper style on various occasions. Furthermore, the Ministry of Culture is preparing to promote “Thai Costume: Knowledge, Craftsmanship, and Practices in Wearing the National Thai Costume” for consideration for inclusion on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2026. This will be another important step in promoting Thai identity to the world.
The Minister of Culture also discussed the origins of the “Thai Royal Costume,” stating that Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, conceived the idea for a dress that reflected Thai identity during his visit to Europe and the United States in 1960. Initially, she collaborated with experts on five designs, which were later expanded to eight, known as the “Thai Royal Costume,” serving as the prototype for the national costume worn by Thai women today. The design reflects the beauty of Thai fabrics and seamlessly blends ancient Thai dress traditions with contemporary styles.
The Minister of Culture invited people and tourists to wear traditional Thai clothing for Loi Krathong this year, to proudly display their Thai identity. The appropriate traditional Thai clothing for Loi Krathong is the Chitralada Thai dress or the Amarin Thai dress for ladies. Men can choose a short-sleeved Thai dress, a long-sleeved Thai dress, or a long-sleeved Thai dress with a waistband, as appropriate.
The Minister of Culture concluded by saying that he invites everyone to join in promoting the wearing of Thai Royal Clothing, in preparation for the inclusion of “Thai Royal Clothing” as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2026.