The cabinet has approved a proposal to include the annual Thai Silk Fair, an international fashion design event, as part of the country's celebrations of National Father's Day on Dec 1-6.
Launched nine years ago, this year's event will be held to honour Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother, for her devotion to the development of Thai silk designs and production.
In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday that an event titled "10th Celebration of Silk: Thai Silk Road to the World 2020", is being organised in remembrance of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
National Father's Day falls on Dec 5, the birthday of King Rama IX.
For decades, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother has supported farming families nationwide to grow mulberry trees and raise silkworms to produce silk and other fabrics to supplement their income.
"The extra income proved to be handy as profits from farming are unsteady and depend on weather conditions," said Mr Wissanu.
Since its establishment in 1976, Queen Sirikit's SUPPORT Foundation has hired villagers to produce and supply silk cloth, Mr Wissanu said.
No international fashion designers are invited to showcase their designs in Thai silk this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, what makes this year's silk fashion design event special is that young fashion design students from 70 universities and vocational colleges across Thailand are invited to design clothes for 41 international diplomats and their spouses.
They will model the creations at the event as honorary models, said Mr Wissanu.