Embroidery is one of Mike Vancoillie’s enduring passions. He often works on several long-term projects at a time. This craft has become his daily meditation-like practice that emphasizes the process and its end result. His main subjects are trousers on which he embellishes with many types of stitches such as simple, chain, whip, satin or running stitches in a limited and controlled color palette. The patterns created are usually on a large scale, covering great parts of the trousers. It can take anywhere between three to six months to complete each pair. Mike draws his inspiration from his surroundings, as well as from textures and color combinations spotted in art exhibitions. For this presentation, he has selected seven pairs of trousers that represent the scope of his work. He will explain the techniques that he applied and the inspiration of the stories that are reflected in his works, which give tribute to Henri Rousseau, Bangkok’s tangled electric wires, tropical foliage, and more. Mike Vancoillie, a Belgian, holds a Master’s Degree in Textile Design from St Lucas in Ghent, Belgium. He has worked in Bangkok since 2008, teaching fashion design at Raffles International College. Since 2024, he has served as Program Director, heading its Fashion Marketing and Management Department. His work experience has always involved in various textile companies such as running his own firm; consulting for leather product development with Tuareg artisans in Mali, Africa; and advising to a fashion-tech company. Yet, first of all, he calls himself a “maker” of the physical process, trying his hand in weaving, dyeing, quilting, upcycling kimonos as well as creating his own clothes, all of which he considers as an antidote to the fast pace of modern life.

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