Thai Lacquerwork
Chiang Mai is probably best known for its traditional Gold-Leaf Lacquerware. Patterns are traditional northern Thai art forms and are still made with great care at some of Chiang Mai's oldest Lacquerware centres. The process was originally brought to northern Thailand by the Tai Khern people of Chiang Toong, Burma, a few hundred years ago and is now one of Chiang Mai's leading crafts. Bamboo is used as the base wood for many of the high quality Lacquerware items while other woods like Mango are used for lower quality pieces.
Where to Find: Sankampaeng, or Hang Dong just south of Chiangmai on Highway 108, shows this special northern Thai cottage industry with all the various designs and styles of Lacquerware in factories on both sides of the road.