THE DEVELOPMENT OF TEXTILES PRODUCTS BY ART AND WISDOM OF THAI SONG DAM IN NAKORNPATHOM PROVINCE

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to 1) study folk wisdom about local art related to Thai fabric belonging to Thai Song Dam in Nakon Pathom province; 2) develop Thai fabric products based on an art concept obtained through participation among people in Thai Song Dam, Nakon Pathom; and 3) develop the community itself to gain knowledge about Thai folk wisdom of Thai Song Dam, Nakon Pathom. This study used participatory action research and qualitative methods in order to investigate Thai folk wisdom by applying an art concept as a tool to help develop products and exchange knowledge between groups in the Thai Song Dam community in Nakon Pathom province and exterior communities. The study was conducted during a period from 2010 to 2011 by using purposive samples identified in areas involving the production of Thai fabric belonging to the Thai Song Dam in Nakon Pathom province. The result revealed that Thai folk wisdom for producing Thai fabric in the Thai Song Dam communities of Nakon Pathom was inherited from their ancestors. When governmental agencies became involved in decisions about fabric shapes and patterns, the designs created a style that was not based on the involvement of people in the community. In terms of fabric development, the researcher applied knowledge sharing among networks so as to make a difference of development based on folk wisdom and applied an art concept to create new styles. They will be evaluated by a specialist and will finally be deduced to only 10 styles. After that, the market test will be performed so as to acquire the most modern products that can meet the needs of customers which can make huge amounts of profits for the community. Overall, the study enhanced the body of knowledge relevant to knowledge management through the community's participatory involvement.