The Existence of Chang Sa-na or Sewing Work in Thai Society in the Rattanakosin Era

Abstract

Chang Sa-na (sewing work) in Thai society in the Rattanakosin Era is one category of handcraft in the traditional Ten Thai Crafts encompassed in the culture and court inspired craftsmanship of the king for royal ceremonies. This article aims to search the tradition of Chang Sa-na and to analyze the existence and performance of the practices of Chang Sa-na by an historical analytical approach and documentary research. The research results reveal that Chang Sa-na craft in the Rattanakosin Era has inherited the traditional cultural craft practices from the Ayutthaya period. Chang Sa-na had been craftsmanship under the royal patronage of the Grand Palace and the Front Palace in the reign of King Rama I onward to the reign of King Rama VI. Then, during the reign of King Rama VII to the reign of King Rama IX, or the contemporary King, Chang Sa-na has disappeared because of the changing context of political administration, society and culture. However, the existence of the craft of Chang Sa-na has continued to be practiced in royal dress (Khrueang Song), royal regalia (Khruang Sung), ornamentation of ceremonial vehicles, ceremonial palanquins, and royal barges decorated with cloth and embroidery for the King in important royal ceremonies. This reflects the cultural inheritance existing in the contemporary time with respect to valuable art and cultural heritage in the Rattanakosin Era.