HANDICRAFTS AND LOCAL PRODUCTS

Nielloware is a famous craft of the province and is well known since the old days. There are two types; black surface with white designs and black surface with gold designs. The Nakhon Si Thammarat College of Arts and Handicrafts teaches this craft. Nielloware of this province is popular for its durability and intricate designs by hand. The finished product is a bright, shiny black object with beautiful patterns. Items include rings, necklaces, bracelets, bowls, pedestals, and trays. The best shopping area is Tha Chang Road, behind Sanam Na Muang in the area of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat Municipality, and the Tha Wang market area.

Brassware can be found at the Suan Maphrao Thai-Muslim village behind Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan. The only brassware product now available is a cylinder for making noodles.

Necklaces have long been the work of local silversmiths who can create gold, silver and mixed (gold, silver and an alloy) necklaces. The centre is at Tha Chang Road behind Sanam Na Mueang.

Shadow play making is an art that goes with the popular southern entertainment of shadow play. Thai shadow play figures have been transformed from those found in Java so that they are now very Thai. The hands and feet of the figures are fully movable during performances. The hide used can be either raw cow or goat hide. Designs are made by using chisels of various sizes to make small holes along drawn patterns. The price of each figure varies according to the delicateness and size of each one. Shadow play figures are now important products of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung. Nakhon Si Thammarat city, in particular, has plenty of shops selling this unique product.

Yan Liphao basketry is another famous product of the South, particularly in Nakhon Si Thammarat where people have been making it for over 100 years. Yan Liphao is a climbing plant that grows in damp places. It likes to exist among other plants. The trunk is very tough and durable, so locals found a way to make good use of it by making household goods such as handbags, tobacco boxes, tea utensils, etc. Some pieces are encased in silver alloy, gold alloy or gold. It takes around 10 days to a month to make one item, depending on the details of the design. The major Yan Liphao production spots are Ban Mon, Tambon Tha Rua and Ban Na Khian, Tambon Na Khian, both in Amphoe Muang, and families in Fort Vajiravudh.

Kapho fans are made from a kind of palm called Ton Pho by locals. The villagers of Ban Khok Yang in Ron Phibun use their spare time to make the fans. The leaves are dried and then woven into fans. Some are dyed into bright colors and sold at reasonable prices. Kapho fans are well known and sold throughout the country. Fans in Nakhon Si Thammarat can be bought at stores at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, souvenir shops on Tha Chang Road and in Bowon Bazaar in the Tha Wang market area.