Phuket presents new royal fabric designs to 50 local recipients

Phuket officials this week presented new royal fabric designs to 50 recipients, including weavers, weaving groups, OTOP entrepreneurs and textile development networks, at a ceremony at the Phuket Merlin Hotel in Phuket Town.

Governor Nirat attended the event with Phuket Provincial Red Cross President Kusumal Pongsitthaworn, Deputy Governor Theerapong Chuaychu, Phuket Provincial Development Officer Chaiwut Krutmas and heads of government agencies.

During the ceremony, officials expressed loyalty and gratitude for the royal textile initiative led by Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, who has promoted Thai textiles and traditional handicrafts through visits to regional exhibitions and community craft displays across the country.

Officials said that on Jan 21 at Khon Kaen University, the Princess bestowed the “Royal Princess’s Knot Pattern”, developed from historical designs associated with Queen Sirikit and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. They added that during a visit to Surat Thani Rajabhat University on Feb 20, the Princess also granted the “Queen Sirikit’s Flower Pattern” batik design to southern Thai weavers and handicraft artisans to support the development of higher-value textile products.

Phuket officials said the initiative is part of the Ministry of Interior’s nationwide “Wear Thai Fabric for Fun” campaign, overseen by the Department of Community Development. The campaign aims to create jobs and stable incomes for weavers, artisans and textile entrepreneurs while preserving Thai cultural identity.

The province said it has continued promoting the use of Thai fabrics and royal textile designs to increase the value of local handicrafts and support international recognition of Thai textiles.

The ceremony also highlighted royal fabric patterns bestowed since 2020, including the Princess Sirivannavari ikat pattern, southern batik designs granted in 2021, the “Nareerat Rajakanya” Khid fabric in 2022, the “Dok Rak Rajakanya” pattern in 2023 and commemorative patterns created in honour of His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday in 2024.

For 2026, officials said the latest designs include two main collections: the Princess Sirivannavari royal pattern series and the “Queen Sirikit Floral Pattern” collection, featuring motifs inspired by flowers associated with Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother.

Provincial officials said the continued development of Thai textiles under the royal initiative is intended to strengthen sustainable community livelihoods while preserving Thai heritage for future generations.