Artisan crafts have been falling out of favour for years, with many morphing into exhibits and even finding their final resting place at museums.
But one organisation is helping to keep them alive by giving those who invented them recognition and bringing them under the spotlight.
In Thailand, precious traditional crafts include woven fabrics bearing unique, elaborate patterns from the Songkhla community of Koh Yor, palm leaf engravings, and elegant khon costume embroideries. Khon ranks among the nation's oldest narrative dance forms.
This year's Sacict master artisans and craftsmen awardees are, from left: Kusol Raenunan Na Ayutthaya (palm leaf engraving), Somkid Laothong (khon costume embroidery), and Sombat Chidthit (wood carvings).
Despite taking centuries to perfect, however, many aspects of this rich cultural heritage are at risk of falling by the wayside as many young people consider them irrelevant to their fast-paced lives.
To keep such traditions "in the conversation" by spreading awareness, the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Sacict) is devising a series of campaigns to boost recognition of these arts and the artisans who masterminded them.
The Sacict's flagship activity is to annually award artisans who show expertise in a particular craft so at to fuel their drive to continue. This gives them a stage on which to shine -- with all the attendant media coverage, public attention and, hopefully, sales.
The body, pronounced Sak-Sith (sacred), is a non-profit governmental agency that is managed and overseen by the Executive Board under the supervision of the commerce minister.
It debuted in 2003 to promote and support the integration of vocations essential for the creation of folk arts and crafts in line with projects initiated by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit as well as to promote their marketing domestically and internationally.
This year, 10 people were awarded by the centre as master artisans of Thailand.
They are: Greem Sinthurat, for his expertise with Koh Yor woven fabric; Kusol Raenunan Na Ayutthaya (palm leaf engraving); Jampee Thamsiri (Lao Khrang woven fabric); Jaikham Tapanyo (traditional Lanna toys); SM 1 Thawee Buranakate (Buddha image casting); Praneet Worawongsanon (Thai-Yuan woven fabric); Wae-hami Wani (Beramas kites); Suna Sributkot (Silk Khid woven fabric); Sudin Dolah (Bano drums); and Somkid Laothong (khon costume embroidery).
Nine others were awarded as master craftsmen.
Kit Kotcharat was bestowed the accolade for his Nang Talung carvings; Preecha Petsuk (Nora headdress); Samak Suksri (metal carvings); Piya Suwannapreuk (Palanging fabric); Sombat Chidthit (wood carvings); Sujane-jit Thongsaepi (Yan Lipao handicrafts); Suwan Samsi (small elephant carvings); Sawang Thepchai (Nora costumes); and Earm Yabdee (southern Isan woven fabric).
Caption caption. reuters
The term "master artisan" refers to nationally recognised teachers of the arts whose works contain much wisdom, according to Amparwon Pichalai, CEO of the Sacict.
Master craftsmen tend to be younger and less experienced but are still skilled creators of handicrafts who may not yet have reached the pinnacle of their careers, Ms Amparwon said.
Still they demonstrate a strong potential to develop their products by taking an innovative approach as well as through knowledge exchanges with younger people and in their local communities, she added.
They are often invited to attend, visit and open booths at arts fairs in Thailand and other countries, which displays their products and lets them travel overseas to build up and expand their knowledge, said Ms Amparwon.
She said the Sacict supports artwork innovation as long as the piece possesses a unique artistic identity.
"The centre will find ways to enhance product development, re-brand [products], streamline the accounting system and improve the skills [of the artisans] to lift productivity," said Ms Amparwon.
Sacict also organises meetings and forums where people can learn from handicraft experts.
Ms Amparwon said marketing campaigns must be ramped up to spur sales of these handicrafts to generate more revenue for the creators and their communities.
She said getting them properly registered helps protect their rights, adding the Sacict is working closely with the Department of Intellectual Property on this matter.
Mr Kit, who was named a master craftsmen for his carving skills, said he produced some of his best artwork for the Nang Talung shadow puppet show.
Other proud awardees are: left, Kit Kotcharat who was bestowed the accolade for his 'nang talung' carvings and, right, Sawang Thepchai for the elaborate 'nora' costumes. photos by Nauvarat Suksamran
"Malaysians like to buy Nang Talung puppet hides and Hanuman figures as souvenirs," he said.
"I want younger people to appreciate the value of local traditional arts," Mr Kit added. "What I am doing now is trying to get kids accustomed to Nang Talung."
Once they get to grips with the stories contained in this traditional cultural show from the South of Thailand they will be inspired to help conserve it, he said.
Mr Kusol, named a master artisan for his palm-leaf-engraving skills, learned the art when he was eight from his grandfather, MR Samneang Renunan, who worked for the Bureau of the Royal Household, he said.
"This particular art requires perseverance, elaboration and much patience. It takes more than a year to complete each piece of work," said Mr Kusol. "If the work is complicated, it could take two or three years."
He said he is most proud of the verisimilitude achieved when carving the visages of King Rama IX, the Lord Buddha and prominent monks, as well as popular characters from famous Thai literature.
But few young people are willing to serve as torch bearers for this meticulous engraving art nowadays.
Mr Kusol said he has made efforts to visit many educational institutes in the northeastern province of Amnat Charoen to teach the art to students.
Mr Jaikham, who was named a master artisan for his traditional Lanna toys, said art imitates life. With no one to carry it on, it is destined to die, said the 88-year-old.
"I don't want to keep this knowledge to myself," Mr Jaikham said. "I do not want it to be lost."
He credits his grandfather with teaching him about woven handicrafts and traditional toy making.
Traditional toys are safer than modern plastic toys, which can be chemically tainted and are more expensive, he said. He produces a range of toys including spinners, wind turbines, woven animal figures, bamboo whistles, bowls and piggy banks made from coconut shells.
Now his daughter is following in his footsteps by organising campaigns to train the local community to make traditional toys.
The clock is ticking for Mr Greem, who won the master artisan award for his Koh Yor woven fabrics. He is now 93, but his memories of producing the handicraft are fresh and vivid.
He said the handwoven Kor Yor cloths used to have the whole of Koh Yor -- a pristine island in Songkhla that is popular with tourists -- bustling with the tapping sound of the looms. However, the industry is now desperately short of weavers, he added.
One of the few young weavers left on the island is Mr Greem's daughter, Yomna. He decided to train her as no one else seemed interested in throwing the cloth-making art a lifeline, Mr Greem said.
Yomna said her father set up his fabric business in 1973 and has been teaching locals how to weave ever since.
The koh yor fabrics feature fine-quality threads and typical southern designs. The small patterns require producers focus for long periods, testing their perseverance.
"I want the younger generations to see the intrinsic value of woven Thai clothes," Mr Greem said.
"I want anyone who sees koh yor fabric or other kinds of woven cloth to purchase them so these arts will survive," he said.
Ms Somkid, named a master artisan for her embroidered Khon costumes, said she picked up the skills while working for a fine arts department's wardrobe and attire unit.
"Making embroidered performance outfits demands highly sophisticated techniques," she said. "The patterns are very beautiful and delicate."
She said few artisans still make these elaborate khon costumes as the craft is painstaking to learn and requires immense patience to perfect.
"It's easier and less demanding to be a jack of all trades," she said.
Named a master craftsman for his wood carvings, Mr Sombat has been tasked recently with fixing temple chapels with the aid of volunteers. He said he always uses local wood for these projects.
His skills have helped repair several chapels that are over 400 years old in Loei province, he said, adding that his carvings are an expression of Buddhist art and are antique in appearance.
