Silk and cotton wall hanging, "Gold Elephant Guard"

"Sawasdee ka! [hello!]. My name is Thanyarat Sananpanich, and I was born in northern Thailand. I went to school and lived my life just like any other Thai teenager growing up in a city. I was lucky, I was always chosen to join in all the traditional Thai dance recitals at school. I love my traditional Thai culture, so I joined a dance group when I was at school. I once had the chance to perform our traditional dances at the Festival Mondial Folklore de Drummondville in Quebec, Canada in 1989.

"My first contact with Thai silk came after I graduated from the university in dentistry. I began to work as a dentist at a community hospital. I met a group of silk weavers during one of my dental assistance trips. The beautiful patterns and the people's kind manners made a big impression on me. So much so, that I decided to buy all 30 pieces of phrae wa silk before returning home.

"Right now, I am trying to weave wall hangings from phrae wa silk as well as replicate the hill tribe's embroidered work. I know I still need to learn more about product design. I'm interested in traditional patterns, embroidered on Thai fabrics, such as silk and cotton.

"I had always dreamed of having my own crafts shop, besides working as a dentist. The day I found you was the day my dream came true. I love to read many decorative magazines and to surf through décor websites. My ideas are mostly from my own imagination combined with the substance of tradition.

"I really hope that you all will love my work, just as I and my weaver friends do. Khoup – kun – ka [thank you]."