Participants to the Symposium with Ms. Pimpapaan Chansilpa, Chief Executive Officer of SACICT at the Exhibition of the Thai Royal Family collection of ASEAN traditional costumes presented to them during their official trips in the different ASEAN countries.

The Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT) recently organized a Symposium on “Cultural Identity in ASEAN Handicraft Products”.  The symposium served as a platform for discussing the sustainability of the existence of ASEAN traditional textiles, and venue to network, enhance capacities and share information on traditional textiles among the ASEAN countries.  Weavers, artisans, scientists, scholars/experts, researchers, entrepreneurs, students, and decision-makers presented papers on new innovation in traditional textile and basketry productions and shared results of research and practical experiences in protecting and preserving traditional textile and basketry arts in Southeast Asia.  Ms. Sylvia M. Reyes, Cultural Officer of the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand attended the symposium, together with three (3) other participants from Philippines, namely: Dr. Norma A. Respicio, Professor of Art Studies, College of Arts and Letters (CAL), University of the Philippines (UP), Ms. Czarina Caye R. Lopez, graduating student from CAL, UP, and Ms. Anabelle Mendoza, embroiderer from Taal, Batangas.