This trip is organised for a learning experience on the hand-woven textiles of Northern Thailand, from the first steps of their making to their display as merchandise for retailing. The trip aims to engage participants in a cultural experience by discovering textiles traditions and its conservation in Thailand within the context of sustainable living and promoting environment awareness. Participants will learn the traditional techniques of fabric dyeing and textile weaving to create contemporary designs. This trip is of special interest to professionals and students of textiles, fashion, apparel design, visual merchandising and cultural anthropology, and participants who have a general interest in the the arts and crafts of Thailand.
Highlights
Visit weaving villages and textile studios, galleries and museums in Northern Thailand.
Work on fabric tie-dye using traditional techniques and learn textile weaving on looms.
Experience the visual and commercial buzz of traditional markets and bazaars of Northern Thailand, and up-market traditional and contemporary Thai crafts retailing.
Itinerary – 6 Days
Day 1
Highlight – Chiangmai Sunday Market Walking Street
Upon arrival in Chiangmai, transfer to hotel and we proceed to the Chiangmai Sunday Walking Street Market, also known as the Weekend or Sunday Market. The market starts at Thapae Gate and runs along the length of Ratchadamnoen Road through the heart of the old Chiangmai City, every Sunday from 4pm to midnight. This market is a real showcase of the art and craftsmanship of Northern Thailand – the stallholders personally made the items they sell. This street, which is closed to traffic, is where local people meet, socialise, browse, haggle and enjoy and it is the best place in Chiangmai to see genuine Thai style street entertainment which includes pavement artists, traditional musicians, Thai dancers, living statues, puppet shows and rock bands.
Day 2
Highlight – Visit the Hilltribe Research Institute, Doi Suthep, the Hmong Village and the Night Bazaar
We begin the day with an introductory tour of the historic city of Chiangmai. We will visit:
the Tribal Research Institute which has a hilltribe museum that provides a good introduction to the various hilltribe people, their lifestyles and cultures in Northern Thailand.
the most sacred temple and landmark of Chiangmai, Doi Suthep situated 15km from town on a hill 3,500 feet (1,073 metres) above sea level overlooking Chiangmai and the surrounding valley
the White Hmong village of Chiang Khien where the 800 inhabitants still wear traditional hilltribe clothes and observe cultural practices that date back 500 years
the popular Chiangmai Night Bazaar at Thanon Chang Khlan
Day 3
Highlight - Full day weaving village visit, picnic in the beautiful garden of a hundred year old textile house museum and visit a waterfall at the foot of the infamous Doi Inthanon mountain
Today, we head south for the district of Chomtong.
Located about 60km south of the city of Chiangmai (approx 40mins drive), Chomtong is well known for its weaving. We will visit:
the house of Master weaver of the Weavers for the Environment (WFE,) Viroy where students will be able to see the ikat process and weaving on traditional floor looms
the local women’s co-operative to see the local weaving produce and fly shuttle loom weaving
the hundred-year old textile house museum, Ban-Rai Pai Ngarm, the home of Pa Saeng Da who was given the title National Treasure when she was alive. Participants will view the house museum and watch weavers from the district of Chomtong gather here to weave under this old house.
Picnic lunch in the beautiful garden of the house museum next to the Ping River. Enroute back to Chiangmai, visit a waterfall at the foot of Doi Inthanon mountain.
Day 4
Highlight - Textiles Gallery visit and Fabric Tie-dye workshop
We start the day with a trip to a textile gallery at Changkhian to see the fine display of textile arts of South East Asia. Participants will learn from the textile experts the history of textiles in Thailand, natural and chemical dyes, and chemistry in the dyeing process. Participants will participate in a variety of activities covering the aspects of sustainable living and environment awareness. This includes:
A dye demonstration to introduce participants to the natural dyes of Thailand
Hands-on tie-dye workshop where students can make their own piece of tie-dye fabric using different techniques
Lunch will be served at a local Thai restaurant
Day 5
Highlight – Ban Thawai, Basong, Sankampaeng and Nimanhaemin Rd
Chiangmai is one of the most vibrant handicraft centres of Asia. Market traders and merchandisers from all over the world come to Chiangmai to source for silk, silver, clothing, rattans, ceramics, interior decors, antiques, Buddhist Art, lacquerware etc. Today, we will immerse in the environments in which these produce are made and retailed. We will visit:
Baan Thawai, a village renowned for the quality and uniqueness of its woodcarving and other decorative items produced by hand, such as wood-strips, gold leaf wood, antique wood, silverware, lacquerware, handwoven textile, basketry and earthernware.
the Chiangmai handicraft factories at Borsang and Sankampaeng Districts to observe craftsmen at work on silk weaving, lacquerware and celadon production and painting, the crafting and painting of paper and silk umbrellas, wood carving, and paper production.
Nimanhaemin Road, a hip district renowned for its upmarket studios and shops retailing homeware, fashion and jewellery designed by local designers. These include silk made in the old tradition and contemporary textiles inspired by traditionally weavings.
Note: All the products at the villages and factories are available for purchase
Day 6
Chiangmai - Singapore
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Singapore.
Please note that the itinerary is subject to change.