Umbrella-Making
In Thailand, umbrellas are an important
symbol of royalty. Thai monarchs sit on
thrones under nine-tiered umbrellas, with
the tiers representing the eight points of
the compass and the Buddhist concept of
protection from suffering and harm.
Thai umbrellas were said to have originated
from a monk called Phra Intha, who travelled
to Myanmar and discovered people making
oiled umbrellas using mulberry bark, which
kept people dry as well as cool. Impressed,
the monk took samples back to his home of
Bo Sang village and taught the villagers how
to make them. The people then added artistic
flourishes to the umbrellas – painting typical
Thai symbols like elephants and rice fields –
and the industry grew as umbrella-making
provided people with a source of income
during the rainy season.Bo Sang remains the centre of Chiang
Mai’s handmade umbrella production. Set up
in 1941 by the village craftsmen, the Bo Sang
Umbrella Making Cooperative is dedicated to
maintaining the traditions and craftsmanship
of the trade. These umbrellas are so vital to the
local economy, they’re celebrated in a three-
day umbrella festival every January: the Bo
Sang Umbrella and Sankampaeng Handicraft
Festival, which sees the streets strung with the
colourful sa umbrellas.Thai umbrellas were
said to have originated
from a monk called
Phra Intha, who
travelled to Myanmar
right Women paint
umbrellas with Thai
motifs in Chiang Mai
WHEN
8.30am–5pm dailyWHERE
Bo Sang village,
San Kamphaeng RoadHOW
From Chiang Mai
International Airport, it’s a
30-minute taxi rideEXPERIENCE
UMBRELLA-
MAKINGCHIANG MAI
Bo Sang