The Geographical Indication (GI) registration process for Ang Thong's traditional drum is being expedited to ensure that by year-end, all provinces of Thailand have their own GI product.
Thosapone Dunsuputra, director-general of the Department of Intellectual Property, said GI registration of the Ekkarat drum from Ang Thong is set to be completed this year.
Although people in tambon Ekkarat in Pa Mok district inherited their traditional singing skills, the Ekkarat drums require special crafting skills as well as a particular wood, rain trees, and special cow leather to make.
Being promoted as a living museum, the drum-making village was selected as a model for the creative economy by the Commerce Ministry in 2011.
The government last month added Thong Dee Ban Thaen pomelos, Pet Non Thai Manila tamarind, Bang Khla aromatic coconuts and Ratchaburi dragon jars to the country's GI list to generate income for local communities.
The addition raises the number of Thai indigenous products with GI registration from the Commerce Ministry to 124 products in 76 provinces, leaving only one province, Ang Thong, yet to register a GI product.
GI is a distinctive certificate used to identify a product as originating from a particular country, region or locality that has specific qualities, reputation or other unique characteristics.
The certification of unique characteristics and quality typically increases the market value in developed countries.
Thong Dee Ban Thaen pomelos are from Chaiyaphum, Pet Non Thai Manila tamarind are from Nakhon Ratchasima, Bang Khla aromatic coconuts are from Chachoengsao, and Ratchaburi dragon jars are from Ratchaburi province.
On Feb 18 last year, the cabinet ordered the Interior Ministry to promote each province to develop GI products to generate income.