Bangkok: Promoting Thai silk for the global market: Government supports research and development of Thai silk to create added value. The government is extending its support towards the research and development of Thai silk production with an aim to create enhanced value throughout the supply chain and to elevate the "Royal Peacock Emblem" as an internationally recognized quality symbol.
According to Thai News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Patthadarasmi Thongsalooykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, highlighted the government's strategic approach to enhancing the Thai silk and mulberry silk industry, a significant national heritage. This initiative is aimed at making the industry competitive on a global scale and improving the livelihood of farmers, producers, and entrepreneurs across the entire production chain.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Mr. Yotsanun Wongsawat, conducted discussions with Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Watcharapol Khaokham, and the Department of Sericulture. They delineated a focused direction for research and development, with the Department of Sericulture taking a central role in developing silk varieties, processing, and managing raw materials. The overarching goal is to enhance the value of Thai silk products and provide stable income for farmers.
Four immediate guidelines have been established to achieve these objectives. Firstly, the establishment of a 'Silk Bank' will be supported through a 'borrow now, repay later' system, enabling communities and entrepreneurs to utilize silk threads for production and sales in advance, thus enhancing production liquidity. Secondly, there will be an upskilling of farmers and entrepreneurs by refreshing training curricula to align with modern market demands, covering areas such as production, design, and marketing.
Thirdly, efforts will be made to enhance the image and awareness of the "Royal Peacock Emblem" as a trusted quality certification mark, recognized by consumers both domestically and internationally, thereby increasing the value of Thai products. Lastly, a comprehensive knowledge base and standard manual for silk dyeing, including both hot and cold dyeing systems, will be developed to upgrade production quality and foster the development of high-quality products in the future.
The Deputy Spokesperson emphasized, "The government aims to promote the use of science, research, and innovation, alongside preserving local wisdom, to elevate the Thai silk industry. This will create added economic value, generate jobs and income for farmers and communities, and help Thai silk stand out on the world stage."