Three organisations are collaborating to promote Chiang Mai as a centre of design and creativity in the North. The trio are using Chiang Mai Design Week 2016 to attract both Thai and foreign customers.
The three groups are the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). Their aim is to promote design and creativity in Chiang Mai and boost tourism in the province and beyond.
The groups are working closely with the private sector to organise Chiang Mai Design Week 2016, which will be held from Dec 3-11 at several arts and lifestyle centres across the city.
Chiang Mai deputy governor Krit Thanawanit said the resource-rich province has its own art and culture illustrating the people's unique craftsmanship, which has been passed down from generation to generation. This has influenced small and medium-sized enterprises in Chiang Mai to show their identities through design products.
"We want to gather artists and creative people to present their works in one place," said Mr Krit. "This will make a big impact on the business sector and encourage people to pay attention to Chiang Mai's arts and crafts."
The deputy governor hopes the arts, crafts and designs from Chiang Mai can be developed to attract interest from the international community.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the promotion of design and creative works can help attract tourists to northern Thailand. If the arrivals of both Thai and foreign tourists rise, it will translate into economic growth for the region, where Chiang Mai is the hub.
"A lot of foreign tourists are interested in local wisdom and design works, especially those rooted in Lanna heritage. Art and design can boost income for communities as well," he said.
TCDC managing director Apisit Laistrooglai said that Chiang Mai Design Week 2016 will be a place where designers, craftsmen, artists and producers can show off their art and designs while also exchanging knowledge.
TCDC believes such opportunities to network will help bring the art and design industry in Chiang Mai to the next level and draw attention from foreign investors and customers.
TCEB president Nopparat Maythaveekulchai said the bureau expected to see several business matching deals take shape during the design week in December.
"If Chiang Mai Design Week 2016 is popular, it can be developed as a key Mice event in Chiang Mai, drawing related visitors and tourists to the province," he said.
Chiang Mai Design Week 2016 will have three main parts including Design & Business, Event & Dialogue and Creative District. The event was held in 2014 for the first time, drawing 69,000 visitors and generating 169 million baht.