During 1976, Her Majesty
Queen Sirikit established the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary
Occupations and Related Techniques, popularly known as SUPPORT, with
the object of giving rural Thais alternative sources of income and
also of reviving some of the kingdom's traditional crafts. The result
has been a variety of beautiful items available in Thailand through
a chain of outlets called Chitrlada Shops.
Five Chitrlada Shops are located in Bangkok.on the ground floor
of the Decorations Pavilion in the Grand Palace; in the Oriental
Plaza shopping centre,- in the shopping arcade of the Hilton International
Bangkok Hotel; in the compound of Vimanmek Mansion; and at Don Muang
International Airport. Others can be found at the Rose Garden in
Nakhon Pathom province, in South Pattaya,and at the Chiang Mai Airport.
Among the SUPPORT products to be found in these shops are handwoven
silks from the Northeast, particularly in subtle designs known in
Thai as mat-mi; elegant yan liphao handbags, made from a vine that
grows in southern Thailand and often adorned with gold fittings;
jewellery in distinctive designs; supple Thai cotton in classic
patterns;. T-shirts with motifs designed by Her Royal Highness Princess
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn; and numerous moderately-priced souvenirs.
All funds raised from the sale of these crafts go to the SUPPORT
project.
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