DIPROM Launches CRAFT EXCELLENCE 2026 for Thai Handicrafts

MGR Online•General•17d ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Industrial Promotion is implementing the CRAFT EXCELLENCE 2026 activity to elevate Thai handicrafts into the premium international market.

•The Department of Industrial Promotion (DIPROM) is organizing CRAFT EXCELLENCE 2026 to select 3 top works from 35 participants.
•Selected winners will receive product development funds and a chance to be nominated for the WCC Award of Excellence for Handicrafts (WCC-AOE).
•The event will take place from September 1–3, 2026, at SOOKSIAM, ICONSIAM, Bangkok.
•The Ministry of Commerce reported Thai handicraft exports valued at over 303,496.75 million baht in the first 4 months of 2026.

Overview

•The Department of Industrial Promotion (DIPROM) aims to move Thai handicrafts from selling products to selling value to enter high-value premium markets.
•The Ministry of Commerce reported that Thai handicraft exports reached 303,496.75 million baht during the first 4 months of 2026.
•The Department of Industrial Promotion (DIPROM) selected 35 entrepreneurs from community enterprises and OTOP to participate in CRAFT EXCELLENCE 2026.
•The winners are the Siwadon Nakkarat product from Nakkaratpura, the ARU product from Kith Creft (1st runner-up), and the Rakchat product from Yanetthai Design (2nd runner-up).
•CRAFT EXCELLENCE 2026 is scheduled for September 1–3, 2026, at SOOKSIAM, ICONSIAM, Bangkok.
•Surapol Pluemjai stated that the Department of Industrial Promotion (DIPROM) will focus on 5 key directions, including maintaining identity and elevating products through innovation.
•Top selected works will receive funding and a chance for nomination to the WCC Award of Excellence for Handicrafts (WCC-AOE) to gain international recognition.

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Key Quotes

Surapol Pluemjai

"Thailand has the assets to compete in this arena, including the diversity of local wisdom, craftsman skills, raw materials, local identities, and cultural stories."

ประเทศไทยเองมีต้นทุนที่สามารถแข่งขันในสนามนี้ได้ ทั้งความหลากหลายของภูมิปัญญาท้องถิ่น ทักษะของช่างฝีมือ วัตถุดิบ อัตลักษณ์ของแต่ละพื้นที่ และเรื่องราวทางวัฒนธรรม

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Industrial Promotion(กรมส่งเสริมอุตสาหกรรม)

The agency also known as DIPROM that is promoting and elevating Thai handicrafts to the premium market.

Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️

The organization that reported the export value of Thai handicraft products.

Nakkaratpura(ร้านนาคราชปุระ)

The store that won the first prize with the Siwadon Nakkarat product.

Kith Creft(ร้าน Kith Creft)

The store that won the first runner-up prize with the ARU product.

Yanetthai Design(ร้าน Yanetthai Design)

The store that won the second runner-up prize with the Rakchat product.

Person

Surapol Pluemjai(สุรพล ปลื้มใจ)

The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Industrial Promotion.

Place

SOOKSIAM(เมืองสุขสยาม)ℹ️

The venue located within ICONSIAM in Bangkok where CRAFT EXCELLENCE 2026 will be held.

ICONSIAMℹ️

The location in Bangkok housing the SOOKSIAM venue.

Bangkok(กรุงเทพฯ)ℹ️

The city where the CRAFT EXCELLENCE 2026 event is held.