Thailand’s Ministry of Culture has showcased the knowledge, craftsmanship and traditions behind Chud Thai at the Tokyo National Museum in Japan, presenting the traditional dress as a living cultural heritage that can continue to evolve.
The “CHUD THAI: Knowledge, Craftsmanship and Practices of the Thai National Costume” event was held on 17–18 September at the Hyokeikan building of the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo.
The programme featured discussions by Assistant Professor Dr Anucha Teerakanont, director of the Institute for the Promotion of Thai Arts, and Piyawara Teekara Netnoy, director of the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles.
An exhibition presented all eight styles of Chud Thai known as the “royal” Thai dresses, designed and tailored by Tirapan and Pha fashion houses.
The exhibition also featured a kimono worn by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, made from mudmee silk produced under the SUPPORT Foundation.
Visitors could also see demonstrations of traditional Thai craftsmanship, including ancient jewellery making, gold-thread wrapping and embroidery, silver and gold craftsmanship, traditional gold-leaf textile techniques and auspicious-pattern silk weaving.
The organisers presented these crafts as contemporary forms of design rooted in artistic structures, rather than simply historical objects, highlighting Thai craftsmanship as living heritage that can be developed further.
One of the highlights was a Ruean Ton-style Chud Thai from Montratikarn Studio, one of the eight royal Chud Thai styles. The dress was modelled by Opal Suchata Chuangsri.
The pale-yellow outfit featured a sarong decorated with hand-embroidered Sailor Moon motifs across the fabric rather than printed designs, combining Thai and Japanese cultural elements.
The fashion house also prepared textiles featuring Hello Kitty and Shiba Inu patterns, incorporating symbols associated with Japanese culture into the exhibition.
