Bangkok: Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana delivered a keynote address, sharing knowledge on the royal Thai dress style, "The Evolution of Thai Dress and Thai Fabrics," in The Hague, Kingdom of the Netherlands.
According to Thai News Agency, on April 9th, at the Hotel Des Indes in The Hague, Netherlands, Princess Sirivannavari delivered a keynote address at an academic seminar and knowledge dissemination event on royal-style Thai costumes. She also gave a lecture on 'The Evolution of Thai Costumes and Thai Fabrics,' complemented by a fashion show featuring eight styles of royal-style Thai costumes and three styles of royal-granted garments. This event marked the first international roadshow promoting royal-style Thai costumes, under a project organized by the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture, to promote and disseminate Thai costumes, Thai fabric heritage, and Thai handicrafts on the international stage.
The event included demonstrations of traditional Thai jewelry making techniques, such as weaving, rattan weaving, and silver and gold embroidery, by the Science, Technology and Innovation Institute of Thailand (SACIT). An exhibition of royally-approved Thai costumes, in collaboration with the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, was also on display. These activities were presented as contemporary designs, reflecting artistic structures and serving as a living heritage capable of development, emphasizing the royal aspirations of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. Her vision has been pivotal in preserving and perpetuating Thailand's artistic and cultural heritage, particularly through clothing, which plays a key role in Thailand's identity. She commissioned experts to develop the "Royally Approved Thai Costume" as a cultural and contemporary standard for Thai women.
The royal Thai dress comprises eight styles: Ruean Ton, Chitralada, Amarin, Borom Phiman, Dusit, Chakri, Sivalai, and Chakraphat, named after royal residences and palaces within the Grand Palace and Dusit Palace. Additionally, three styles of royal-granted men's attire reflect the honor and pride of the wearer and the evolution of Thailand's traditional clothing heritage.
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, has historically used traditional Thai dresses as a "cultural medium" to represent Thailand internationally, especially during official visits to the United States and European countries, including the Netherlands in 1960. The collaboration with French designer Pierre Balmain significantly contributed to showcasing Thai silk through haute couture.
In 2024, the Cabinet approved the submission of "Thai Traditional Dress: Craftsmanship Knowledge and Practices in Wearing National Thai Costume" to UNESCO as a Representative Item of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This submission will be considered at the 21st Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, scheduled for November 30 to December 5, 2026, in Xiamen, People's Republic of China.
The "Royal Thai Dress" is a cultural heritage valued by the Thai people, symbolizing the development of Thai identity in a global context. Its continuous preservation and development reflect the adaptability and essence of Thai culture, presenting a contemporary reinterpretation where craftsmanship becomes cultural capital. This initiative aims for sustainable recognition on the global stage, showcasing Thai identity as a living value.