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Bangsai Arts and Crafts Training Centre
of H.M. Queen Sirikit of Thailand
Activities of the Bangsai Arts and Crafts Training Center
POINTS OF INTERREST

Bangsai Kitchen Restaurant in a traditional Thai-style structure

Some outstanding works of art from
SUPPORT Foundation
On the left bank of Chao Phraya River, in tambon Charng Yai, Bangsai district, is the site of Correctional Institution for Young Offenders of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. The Bangsai Arts and Crafts Training Centre is a accessible either by car through the Highway 37 to the north of Bangkok or by bus from the Northern Terminal (Mohchit 2). Visitors can also take a boat to Chaiyuth Pier. But nowadays, this place has become the Arts and Crafts Training Centre of Her Majesty the Queen.
Through the activities of Her Majesty the Queen Sirikit of Thailand such as accompanying His Majesty the King on visits to the people in all parts of the kingdom, seeing the conditions in which they live, Her Majesty decided to extend her gracious assistance to relieve their poverty by encouraging new types of employment caplable of providing them sufficient income by today's standards. Because of her interest in Thai handicrafts using local materials, Her Majesty arranged for instructors to be sent out and help the villagers improve the quality of their products. This project continued to expand until it was formally established as the Arts and Crafts Support Foundation under Her Majesty's Royal Patronage.
The Bangsai Arts and Crafts Training Centre is one of Her Majesty's projects, established on 3 June 1980. Its objective is to provide training of handicrafts and supplementary occupations to those who are in poor conditions. Numerous buildings are standing orderly in line in the middle of this Centre. Each of them is arranged to be a training place for farmers and other interested persons which are 23 distinctive sections such as sewing and machine embroidery, leather projects, water hyacinth products, glass sculpture, Thai marks making, silk weaving and reproduction arts. Each section will spend different periods of time for training but its course will be an intermediate curriculum for every level of people who get a different educational background.
After the harvest season, farmers can make their time useful by training at their Centre. Participants are given instruction and lodging free of charge and stipend for personal expenses during their training. Their training course will be held everyday except on Mondays. Tourists can pay a close visit while there are training courses in order to get a comprehensive understanding on producing procedures of these valuable products will be sent for distributing at every branch of Chitrldda shop over the country including at Elephant Pavilion of this Centre. In addition, in the Centre area, there is the royal lodge which is built in a central Thai-style structure made of easily obtainable local materials. The form and details reflect the simple beauty of traditional Thai dwellings. This is where their Majesties the king and Queen and other members of the Royal Family come to stay during their visits to the Centre.
The other interesting place is the bird sanctuary. It is designed to simulate nature and consists of many species of rare birds. The bridge also permits visitors to view the birds at close range. In the near future, the Centre and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will jointly construct the "Four-Region Village" which gathers arts, culture and way of life of all parts of Thailand. Another upcoming project is to build a freshwater fish aquarium. This "First Palace" will be another attraction for tourists to learn more deeply about the wealth of beauty of aquatic lives.
Visiting the Bangsai Arts and Crafts Training Centre is not only to touch the nature but it is also a chance to see the creative work of arts and crafts at the same time. We still believe that if you have a chance to view these producing procedures of valuable products, you will fell pround and care about the preservation of these Thai handicrafts.

The Bangsai Arts and Crafts Training Centre is a accessible either by car through the Highway 37 to the north of Bangkok

Activities of the Bangsai Arts and Crafts Training Center
POINTS OF INTERREST
Information
: Bangsai Arts and Crafts Training Centre of H.M. Queen Sirikit of Thailand.
Bangsai District, Ayutthaya Province, 13290, THAILAND
Telephone : (66 35) 366666-7, 366252-3, Fax : 66-35-3666092
: Tourism Authority of Thailand Tourist Service Center
: Hotel & Resorts in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
: Hotel & Resorts in Thailand : SIAM SMILE MAGAZINE, Thailand,August 1998, P.52-55.