Ranking as a royal temple, Wat Suthat Thepwararam is one of the most important religious sites in Bangkok, located in the heart of the city’s old quarter. The temple is widely known for its majestic architecture and the impressive Sukhothai bronze Buddha image in its chapel. Less than a year ago, the temple opened its private museum, named after Phae Tissadeva Mahathera who had served long as its abbot, and later as the 12th Supreme Patriarch during the reign of King Rama VIII (1935-1946). Founded during the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809), the temple has remained highly revered by the Chakri kings, the nobility and commoners alike. Hence, it has become a great repository of valuable objects donated to the clergy, and for its collection of important Buddhist manuscripts. Thai Textile Society committee member, Thweep (Ake) Rittinaphakorn, will lead the visit to this newly opened "Supreme Patriarch’s (Phae Tissadeva Mahathera) Residence Museum". He will take the participants into the two galleries of textile-related objects on display. These comprise ecclesiastical objects that include a rare collection of monks’ fans, as well as Buddhist manuscript wrappers. During the visit, Ake will discuss the tradition of donating these objects, their meanings and their significance from craftsmanship point of view. Important Notice: Please purchase your own tickets for both the temple and the museum. Price: Non-Thais -B100 temple entrance fee & B200 museum entrance fee. Thai citizens - free temple entrance & B50 museum entrance fee. Please purchase your tickets before the start of the tour. Meeting Point: In front of the "Museum Ticket Room" (as shown above). The museum is located inside the temple grounds near the ordination hall (ubosot) Proper dress code is observed within the temple grounds. Due to the narrow space within the museum, the tour is limited to 15 persons. For information and reservation contact bkk.tts@gmail.com

Making palm-leaf Buddhist manuscript covers is a cultural practice seen in many Tai ethnic groups. Offering such covers to the temple is believed for the donor to accrue great merit. These covers are wrapped around the fragile manuscripts to protect them from being damaged. They are crafted from a wide range of materials such as silk ikat, brocade, printed cotton, chintz and imported materials. In northern Thailand, bamboo strips are woven into the cloth to increase its stability as well as having Buddhist symbolism. As these are used only in temples, the manuscript covers are not very familiar objects. A number of artists keep the tradition of making them alive. Prang will teach us how to make small samples of these covers, doing it by hand (no looms). She will demonstrate the basic process and technique of how to tie and form patterns in making the manuscript covers.  Prang Rojanachotikul is a Chiang Mai-based textile artist, a weaving expert and master dyer. She is the founder of Artisan Square and other artistic groups, and exhibited her work locally and internationally. Reviving the old technique of making Buddhist manuscript wraps is one of her notable projects. Prang will provide all the materials, and at the end of the workshop you will be able to take your own creations home. Participants are asked to pay in advance. Please reserve bkk.tts@gmail.com

The Thai Textile Society invites you to join a very special visit to see the fine collection of Southeast Asian textiles at Tilleke & Gibbins. This law firm, founded in 1890, has a long history as a leader in the field of law in Thailand. In addition of providing excellent legal services, the law firm has developed two outstanding museums, the Museum of Counterfeit Goods, and the Textile Collection. The textile collection that began as office decoration in 1987, now showcases over 2,000 selected pieces from different regions and ethnic groups in Thailand and Southeast Asia, evidence of Tilleke & Gibbins’s support of local cultures by bringing together, preserving and displaying fine examples of these diverse Southeast Asian traditions. The program will include a tour of the office area where textiles from the collection are currently on display, and viewing selected pieces from various Tai groups from Thailand and Laos. The curator will discuss the distinctive characteristics of each group and its weaving techniques. The collection curator, Wipawee Tiyawes, has worked at this capacity at Tilleke and Gibbins for a number of years, and has also served on the committee of the Thai Textile Society. She will share her experience and knowledge on this upcoming visit.