Mother of Thai Silk: The Title Reflecting the Queen Mother’s Wide Vision

For more than half a century, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother traveled throughout the country, accompanying His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great (Rama IX), to visit rural people and help solve their problems. Her Majesty observed that beautiful hand-woven silk worn by local villagers in their daily life was simple, yet reflected local wisdom and Thai identity.

Realizing that cloth weaving was a national asset, the Queen encouraged villagers to engage in mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, and weaving as supplementary occupations during the off-season of farming. Her Majesty also purchased those woven fabrics using her personal funds. One of her royal initiatives was the establishment of the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques (SUPPORT Foundation) in 1967 to preserve Thai arts and crafts and provide an additional source of family income for rural people. The SUPPORT Foundation has also helped preserve ancient designs of Thai fabrics in each region of the country, such as mudmee, phraewa, and brocaded Thai silk. 

Recognized as a “fashion leader,” Queen Sirikit dressed in Thai silk when welcoming foreign guests and during her foreign trips, showcasing Thai silk to the eyes of the international community, which made Thai culture and traditions even better known on the global stage. The Cabinet on 14 August 2012 honored Queen Sirikit with the title “Mother of Thai Silk” on the occasion of Her Majesty’s 80th birthday anniversary, 12 August 2012, in recognition of Her Majesty’s extensive work in promoting and preserving traditional Thai textiles, especially silk.

Thai silk is the pride of the nation and remains one of Thailand’s best-known handicrafts, found not only in numerous local shops but also throughout the world. 

Source: PR Thai Government
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