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Positioning Lampang as ceramic centre

Everyday, people the world over gather round glorious feasts of food. Carefully prepared delectable choices from the simplest to complex cuisine make their presentation on stunning tableware. Looking around, you may notice the napkin rings, decorative vases, miniature figurines and lamps. Collectively they share the same origin - they are skilfully crafted ceramic treasures.

Thailand stands alone for its quality, distinctive ceramics. With a long history of making functional and decorative stoneware and proven track records for small to mass production, most corners of the world enhance their daily lives through the use of ceramics produced from talented Thai hands.

Even though the majority of the ceramic industry is located in the northern region, be assured that wonderful, age-old traditional work and contemporary items can be found in pockets throughout most regions of the Kingdom. From the river bank clay that is hand collected, hand sieved and hand thrown, people in remote parts of Isan region continue their ancestral way of life producing basic, functional water and storage jars in trade for food products. In contrast, in Phuket, Ceramics of Phuket creates contemporary pieces reflecting the hues of the nearby Andaman Sea incorporating tin, reminiscent of the local, bygone mines as texture.

So determined to heighten the Thai traditional skills of ceramic making beyond the 21st century, Lampang has been proactive in having studies and plans produced, ensuring its place on global tables for years to come. It's a serious business that employs masses of workers designing, forming the clay, hand painting and decorating each item before gently packing the pride of Thailand and shipping to points across the seas.

Their focus is concise. "Under a strategic plan to develop the province to be the nation's ceramic centre, the ceramic sector of the province aims to generate seven billion baht in revenue by the year 2012. At the same time, local government and private organisations are joining hands to push Lampang to be the regional ceramic centre." Lampang governor Amorntat Niratsayasul said, adding, "The best kaolin ore resources of Thailand are mostly found in Lampang. Nowadays, there are more than 200 ceramic-related factories in the province. Moreover, the industry has the potential expand considerably in the future."

With a plan to create a 60-million-baht distribution centre and exhibition hall in the province, Lampang is leading the development of Thai industrial clusters. To improve the productivity and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, the Industrial Finance Corporation of Thailand (IFCT) initiated the first cluster project in Thailand for Lampang's tableware and decorative ceramic industries.

"After spending almost one year on research, training and knowledge transfer, the project is presenting a rosier picture and has brought some tangible benefits to Lampang's ceramics community," said Vim Tayaputch, the IFCT's executive vice-president.

"The corporation had a three-year plan for the industry, with a mission to see Lampang become a production hub for world-class ceramic tableware by 2012 and a prototype for development of cluster industries in Thailand. Increasing marketing and designs, raising the profiles of the province's ceramics, increasing value, adding value and boosting productivity will be our key objectives."

From household tiles to tableware, domestic ceramics production in Lampang, valued at 3.5 billion baht per year, represents nearly 10 percent of the country's output. Accounting for one to two percent of the global ceramics trade, the province exports some 2.2 billion baht worth of ceramics every year.

It's time for celebrations. It's time for learning about this exceptional, time-honoured craft and the experienced hands and minds that form the foundation.

Fulfilling its objective, Lampang is organising the 1st "Thailand Ceramic Fair" and the "Lampang Ceramic Fair" concurrently between December 2-12, showcasing and selling a vast variety of ceramic products. In addition to demonstrations of new production technologies and conferences, participants will have a chance to conduct business and come face-to-face with manufacturers. With over 300 producers coming together, expect to see various ceramic companies from Chiang Mai and other parts of Thailand with unique products.

Unlike Chiang Mai's famed celadon and specialised glazed ceramics, Lampang, distinguished for its abundance of white clay, produces a larger range of items. Blue and white glazed ceramics are as much a trademark of this province as is their renowned emblem - the rooster. Rice soup dishes known as Chicken Bowls for their colourful rooster motifs have been a familiar household item in Thailand since before World War II. Lampang's own five-colour Bencharong is another distinctive and attractive product. Everyday dishes, cups, tea-sets, pots, vases, household amenities to miniature chili and fruits make up the greater part of its production.

A visit to Lampang must include a gaze at some of the kilns. Lampang's kilns are situated on the road leading out of the city to the north. In sub-district Hangchat, bordering the main road you will find over 20 ceramic kilns in a distance of about three kilometres.

Enjoy the charms of Lampang, or Khelang Nakorn, as per its old name, one of eight Lanna provinces. Muang Rot Mah (Horse Cart City) - the only Thai town boasting horse carts are used for everyday public transportation. Distinctive architecture in Lanna and Burmese styling, cotton and saa (mulberry) paper production, and the Elephant Conservation Centre add to Lampang's long history of settlements along the Wang River basin, some of which date back more than 1000 years. Located an easy drive - 93 kilometres south of Chiang Mai (look for the 3.5-metre-wide chicken bowl sculpture), it is Thailand's fourth largest city and manages a serene lifestyle incorporating its past traditions and culture.

Scheduled to take place at Lampang's municipality sports complex, the 11-day fair is expected to attract more than 300,000 people with sales targetted around 130 million baht.

Next time you reach for your rice bowl or platter of turkey and the trimmings, think about the skill and time not just in the food preparation, but in the foundation supporting it.
Bangkok Post November 2005 www.bangkokpost.com