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Published on December 24, 2007

Supornphen has worked for the Queen for the past 35 years.

" Her Majesty is determined to increase the wellbeing of all Thai people," says Supornphen, "especially the underprivileged. I'm just one person, part of a working team that is undertaking Her Majesty's initiatives. And there are a lot of us working under her guidance so as to help as many people as possible."

Last week, HM Queen Sirikit presided over the opening ceremony of the fifth "Arts of the Kingdom" exhibition, which showcased 10 new meticulous masterpieces.

The masterpieces are on display so that they can be appreciated by a larger number of Thais. The pieces created especially for this year's event include the Busabok Chaturamook Bhiman Throne; a model of the Sri Suphannahongse Royal Barge; a Sivikakarn covered palanquin, a wooden screen carved with mythical scenes, an octagonal vessel with ornamental beetle-wing decorations, a screen of silver and gold embroidered in colourful silk with a forest scene from the Himava of Jataka legend, the gold niello Pudthan Throne, a gold damascene royal palanquin, and a half-dragon-half-horse woodcarving inlaid with precious stones.

The royal artisans handcraft each artwork, which can take up to three years to complete.

"We have around 700 artisans, most from humble farming backgrounds with little material wealth or education. Ordinarily, they would spend their lives with a hoe in their hands in the fields. But Her Majesty believes that these people are natural artists, and that artistry flows in their blood. It's a faith that is borne out by this exhibition," says Supornphen.

The Support Foundation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit was established in the 1970s in an effort to promote traditional Thai handicrafts and enable farmers and low-income Thais to benefit from their creation.

"Certainly, I am very proud to be working for others at this deeper level," says Supornphen. "What impresses me most is the unique love that exists between Their Majesties and the Thai people. There is nothing that could ever break this bond."

The exhibition is open until January 13, from 10am to 6pm. Entrance fee is Bt100 (Bt50 for students in uniform). Visitors are requested to dress with appropriate respect. The Support's products from around the country will also be available for sale, among them mudmee and praewa silk, hilltribe and hand-woven fabrics, lipao handbags, handicrafts and much more. All proceeds will be donated to the Support Foundation.

Kupluthai Pungkanon

The Nation