Deputy PM Backs Isan Textile Innovation for Global Standards
Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Yotschanan Wongsawat visited Udon Thani Rajabhat University to promote the development of Isan textiles into globally competitive fashion products. The initiative focuses on combining cultural heritage, natural dyes, and scientific innovation to elevate Thai fabric to international standards while supporting local communities.
On November 2, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Dr. Yotschanan Wongsawat, accompanied by Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Watsarapol Khaokham, executives of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), and administrators and faculty of Udon Thani Rajabhat University, visited the Creative Fabric and Textile Design Center (FTCDC) at the university.
Dr. Yotschanan stated that the ministry has been promoting community groups in the area, such as the Ban Tha Kwai community in Mueang District, in producing indigo-dyed fabric. The resulting fabric is of very high quality and integrates Udon Thani's identity as a 'khit' (supplementary weft) city through handcrafted processes. Discussions with faculty also covered upstream development, leveraging cultural value alongside natural dyes and international cooperation to modernize products and drive them as a 'New Growth Engine,' particularly by utilizing the cultural capital of Udon Thani and surrounding areas. Joint research and development from upstream to downstream aims to ensure product functions meet international standards and make Thai fabric truly wearable in daily life.
The exhibition features four zones: 1. Isan Woven Fabric: Highland Ethnicities – showcasing stories of various ethnic weaving traditions, displays of ethnic textiles, dressed mannequins representing ethnic groups in Isan, and textiles used in local customs and ceremonies. 2. Lowland Isan Household Weaving Culture – displaying the largest collection of 1,775 'ki' (traditional looms), illustrating the Isan weaving way of life from cotton spinning, silkworm raising, silk reeling, loom setup, and weaving, along with equipment displays for weaving, silk reeling, cotton spinning, loom setup, etc. 3. Udon Thani Mudmee Khit – featuring the cultural way of khit weaving, the world's longest mudmee khit fabric roll at 1,199 meters, 600 woven pattern communication designs, displays of iconic Isan khit fabrics, and multimedia (Wall Movies) on Isan weaving stories. 4. Auspicious Fabric Treasury, Isan Wisdom – exhibiting valuable fabrics embodying Isan wisdom, award-winning fabrics, groups of Lao, Phu Tai, Phrae Wa, Khit, Sin, Tum, Saew fabrics, Khmer fabric groups, Pum, Hol, and Amporn fabrics.
All four exhibition zones are housed within the Isan Textile Museum under the FTCDC, which received royal patronage from Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, who officially opened it on February 9, 2025. On that occasion, Her Royal Highness viewed works from 30 community groups that had applied the royal initiative 'Thai Fabric, Wear with Fun' using natural dyes and environmental innovation, and granted advice to artisans and students along with the Siriraj Pustarabhorn fabric pattern for contemporary development. This serves as a key inspiration and foundation for the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation's policy to apply science and innovation to promote fiber production and dyeing, elevating Thai fabric to current international standards.
