Princess Sirivannavari showcases Thai national dress in Tokyo
HRH Princess Sirivannavari presided over the exhibition of 8 royal Thai national dress styles at the Tokyo National Museum in Japan.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Princess Sirivannavari presided over the Thai cultural exhibition in Tokyo
- The event takes place on September 17-18, 2026, at Tokyo National Museum
- Features 8 royal Thai dress styles and 3 men's royal shirts with craftsmanship
- Thailand moves to nominate the traditional attire for UNESCO intangible heritage in 2026
The Ministry of Culture, through the Department of Cultural Promotion, is advancing Thai national costume knowledge onto the global stage by organizing the event titled "CHUD THAI KNOWLEDGE, CRAFTSMANSHIP AND PRACTICES OF THE THAI NATIONAL COSTUME." Held from September 17–18, 2026, at the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo, Japan, Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya graciously presided over the showcase featuring eight styles of royal Thai national dresses and three styles of men's royal shirts to international audiences.
The exhibition showcases the eight royal Thai dress styles meticulously tailored by the Tirapan and Phra House fashion studios, alongside an exhibition of traditional kimono garments worn by HRH Princess Sirivannavari, crafted from Mudmee silk provided by the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques (SUPPORT). Additionally, live demonstrations of high-level traditional Thai craftsmanship are presented, including gold-thread embroidery, silver and gold smithing, ancient gold-beating fabric bags, and auspicious woven silk. These displays reflect how Thai cultural heritage transcends historical artifacts to become a living legacy adaptable to modern eras.
Bringing the royal Thai costumes to an international audience marks a crucial step in transforming cultural capital into creative economy drivers. Blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design allows younger generations and foreign audiences to appreciate the value of Thai textiles, aligning with Thailand's global soft power strategy.
The fundamental foundation for promoting Thai traditional costumes globally stems from the royal vision of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother, who dedicated her efforts to preserving and promoting national heritage. Through systematic research into historical attire of Thai court ladies alongside historians and designers, she established the standard "Royal Thai Dresses" suitable for both cultural contexts and modern society. These designs are appropriate for royal duties both domestically and internationally.
Historically, Queen Sirikit wore these royal Thai dresses on numerous official state visits to the United States and European countries in 1960, leaving a lasting impression globally. This paved the way for historic collaborations with renowned French haute couture designer Pierre Balmain to tailor Thai silk into international silhouettes.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
To sustainably preserve this precious heritage, the Thai Cabinet approved a proposal in 2024 to nominate "Chud Thai: Knowledge, Craftsmanship and Practices of the Thai National Costume" to UNESCO for consideration as an intangible cultural heritage during the 21st session of the Intergovernmental Committee in December 2026 in Xiamen, China.
"The royal Thai national dress is not only a precious cultural heritage bestowed upon Thai people, but also the starting point for developing Thai identity in a global context."
Thairath Lifestyle Special Report
This movement highlights the dynamic nature of Thai culture ready to step forward. Reinterpreting traditional craftsmanship in contemporary dimensions turns local arts into a living cultural capital, earning recognition and pride on the global stage.
Source: Thairath Lifestyle
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