Each year on 12 August, Thailand unites to honour the maternal heart of the nation. Mother’s Day, celebrated on the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, is more than a celebration of motherhood—it is a tribute to cultural preservation, creative resilience, and the women who quietly shape identity through artistry and tradition.
Her Majesty, long revered for her regal elegance, is also the visionary behind a cultural revival that continues to inspire. Through decades of advocacy, Queen Sirikit became the custodian of Thai craftsmanship—rescuing endangered traditions and reinstating them as national treasures.
The SUPPORT Foundation: Weaving Dignity Into Design
In 1976, Her Majesty launched the SUPPORT Foundation—an initiative born from compassion and vision. Its purpose was clear: empower rural women through craft. What began as a modest effort to provide supplementary income soon blossomed into a nationwide movement, breathing new life into ancient skills.
From the luminous silks of Isaan to the delicate Yan Lipao basketry of the South, these crafts were not simply preserved—they were elevated. They graced royal events, international exhibitions, and even the ateliers of global fashion houses.
But the Queen’s vision extended far beyond preservation. SUPPORT was never just about reviving old techniques—it was about reinstating artistic and economic agency. About giving women the tools to thrive, and ensuring Thai culture had a rightful place on the world stage.
Pictured Above: Contemporary textile wall installation, part of the museum’s “Woven Dialects” exhibition, featuring SUPPORT Foundation–woven, dyed, and embroidered textiles from various Thai regions.
Preserving Legacy in Thread: The Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, A Platform for the Future
In 2003, Queen Sirikit extended her patronage further, founding The Queen’s Gallery in Bangkok. Dedicated to nurturing emerging Thai talent, the Gallery became a cultural sanctuary—a space where contemporary artistry could flourish, grounded in heritage yet alive with innovation.
Nestled within the regal grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles stands as a testament to Her Majesty’s unwavering dedication to cultural preservation. It is not merely a museum—it is a living archive, an educational center, and a public gift from the Queen to the people of Thailand.
Above Left: Yan Lipao, South of Thailand Basket, Pattanee, Narathiwas (M Basket)
Above Right: Handwoven Waist Loom Doi Tao Pillow - Pink
Officially opened in 2012, the museum was the culmination of decades of Her Majesty’s work through the SUPPORT Foundation. From silk weaving in Isaan to basketry in the South, the Foundation has helped thousands reconnect with ancestral skills while supporting themselves with dignity and pride.
The Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles acts as both a showcase and sanctuary for this work. Inside, visitors find meticulously curated exhibitions of rare handwoven silks, court dress inspired by traditional Thai forms, and rotating displays highlighting regional textile identities. Each piece tells a story—not just of artistry, but of survival, adaptation, and national pride.
What distinguishes the museum is its role in ensuring these ancient arts are not frozen in time, but carried forward. Through conservation workshops, educational programs, and support for contemporary textile designers, the museum bridges past and future. It also provides inspiration and technical resources to SUPPORT artisans across the country, aligning innovation with tradition.
This Mother’s Day, her legacy is a poignant reminder: to nurture is a deeply maternal act. And just like family, culture must be protected, supported, and celebrated.
Pictures Above: “Mixed-media ‘Woven Dialects’ installation featuring SUPPORT woven silks and brocades.”
Surround Living: Heritage, Reimagined
Above Left: The Buri Vase - Pink
Above Right: Scallop Shell Canape Plate 
Above Left: Handwoven Khla Small Tall Basket
Above Right: Red Tapestry Woven Waist Loom
At Surround Living, we celebrate Mothers day as a reminder that craftsmanship is not just about beauty—it is about preserving memory, lineage, and love. Our platform celebrates Asia’s finest artisans and design visionaries, curating timeless pieces that speak to both heritage and home.
Each object is more than décor—it is a story. A story of hands that carve, weave, dye, and stitch. A story of mothers who pass down skills through generations. A story of identity, kept alive through design.
This August, in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s enduring artistic legacy, we present our Mother’s Day Edit—a curated collection of objects inspired by her, echoing the spirit of Thai craft, elegance, and femininity. Find a unique, one-of-a-kind gift for your mother. Celebrate the makers. Celebrate our mothers.
Shop Mothers Day Edit
