Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother played a vital role in developing and promoting Thai silk, which is one of Thailand’s best-known handicrafts, found not only in numerous local shops but also throughout the world. Thai silk has also made a name for Thailand in the international market.

Her Majesty dressed in Thai fabric since she was still Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara. In 1960, ten years after the royal wedding, Her Majesty decided that it was time to create a traditional Thai dress for women that would be instantly recognizable the world over. Research on the attire that Thai women had worn throughout various historical periods was undertaken to come up with national costume designs.

Her Majesty had the dresses adapted to suit present-day use, and she wore them during her visits to foreign countries. Her Majesty also commissioned designs of national costumes for ladies and gentlemen, with an emphasis on the use of locally made fabric featuring traditional patterns. The world then came to appreciate Thai silk and designs through numerous creations.

Thanks to Her Majesty, the Thai national dress is now recognized internationally. In fact, the national costumes are particularly suited to hand-woven silk, as well as plain, brocade or patterned, and tie-dyed silk. 

Her Majesty advised local weavers on ways to improve their skills and the quality of their fabrics, in response to the market demand. 

With Her Majesty’s great efforts, Thai traditional textiles have become popular again. The Thai government declared the birthday of Queen Sirikit, 12 August, “National Thai Textile Day” to recognize and honor Her Majesty for her extensive work in promoting and preserving traditional Thai textiles. 

Her Majesty was also honored with the title “Mother of Thai Silk” by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Her great contribution earned her international acclaim, including the prestigious Louis Pasteur Award from the International Sericultural Commission in 2002.

Among the traditional crafts produced by the SUPPORT Foundation, established by Her Majesty, is Thai silk, especially a kind called mudmee, which is famous for its unique features. Silk brocade cloth from Lamphun Province in the North and phraewa silk from the northeastern province of Kalasin are recognized as creative items. The primary objective of the SUPPORT Foundation was to set up women’s groups and provide rural Thai women with equipment, materials, and training in cottage industries, such as Thai silk production.

With Thai silk and crafts foremost on her mind, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit used every occasion offered by her foreign trips to showcase the products, invariably with the remark, “These are the works of those who tend the land and grow rice for us!”