During 31 March – 2 April 2024, the Royal Thai Embassy in Copenhagen hosted a series of lecture on “Chud Thai : The Knowledge, Craftsmanship and Practices of the Thai National Costume” by Assistant Professor Anucha Thirakanont, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at Thammasat University, a renowned specialist in textiles, Thai arts and culture in various fields. The lectures were held in three sessions, where the first presentation was held for the Thai community at the Royal Thai Embassy in Copenhagen on 31 March 2024. The second session was held at the Thai Ambassador’s Residence on 1 April 2024 for Danish and foreign Friends of Thailand. The last session was held at the Asia House on 2 April 2024, where representatives of Danish fashion industry, and Design Museum, members of International Women’s Club as well as members of diplomatic corps attended.
Dr. Anucha explored the historical significance of Thai textiles dating back to the early seventh century and how Thai clothing mirrors the nation's diverse history, various ethnicities, and distinct regional cultures. The lecture showcased the local wisdom in creating elaborate designs and the unique characteristics of Thai dress, particularly the use of a shoulder cloth “Hom Sabai” and tube skirt “Pah Nung”, that share a close link with cultural value and natural surroundings of the Thai society.
Dr. Anucha further delved into the origin of modern Thai Royal costumes which began in the late 1950s when Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, an icon of Thai fashion, teamed up with leading scholars to conduct historical research on Thai dresses and came up with a series of modernized Thai dresses made from Thai textiles for every occasion varying in formality and complexity of the ensembles. Under Her Majesty’s royal initiative, eight Thai Royal costumes, often referred as “Chud Thai Phra Rajaniyom” were meticulously designed which embody Thailand’s rich cultural heritage and legacy of fine craftsmanship. Her Majesty the Queen Mother donned these royal costumes for her state visits alongside H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej to European countries and the United States, including the state visit in Denmark in 1960. Dr. Anucha highlighted that, among the designers, Erik Mortensen, a Danish designer who worked with the House of Balmain, played a significant role in designing many iconic dresses in silk ikat (or Mat Mii) for Her Majesty the Queen Mother.
The presentation also included the fashion show and demonstration of how to wear Chud Thai in which many Thai women today wear them extensively for various occasions. The show received close attention from the audience who viewed that Chud Thai is an impressive cultural heritage.
H.E. Mrs. Sirilak Niyom, Ambassador of Thailand to Denmark, highlighted the objective of the event in order to promote Thailand’ s proposal to nominate “Chud Thai Phra Rajaniyom” to be inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO as well as to emphasize the significance of Chud Thai, the national attire with a history of constant evolution for more than 1,400 years, which remains the unique identity of the Thais today.