Princess Sirindhorn to be honoured for her creative works

The WIPO Award for Creative Excellence will be presented by Francis Gurry, director general of WIPO, who will be granted an audience with the Princess on August 27, said Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikalya.

Gurry said in a statement that the Princess has been a champion of creativity and intellectual property across a wide domain. 

“HRH is the author of 350 creative works, poetry, writings, prose and illustrations. HRH also has been a champion of the protection of traditional knowledge,” he said.

She created the trademark “Phu Fa”, which is very successfully displayed on products at Phu Fa shops, he said. 

“She also promotes the protection of geographical indications, having encouraged the registration of Mlabri kit bags, which work in favour of the nomadic tribe in the north of Thailand to earn extra income from their crafts,” he said.

Gurry said Princess Sirindhorn has been a champion of the preservation of genetic resources, having established in 1992 the Plant Genetic Conservation project. 

“So, we see HRH’s contribution across a very wide and diverse range of creative activities,” he said.

“Her Royal Highness is a very accomplished and gifted musician, a champion of traditional music, and traditional musical instruments. 

“Her Royal Highness, as I mentioned, is a gifted performer and true friend and champion of Thai musicians. It’s therefore entirely fitting and, indeed, an honour for WIPO to offer this award to Her Royal Highness.” 

This year is also a celebration of Princess Sirindhorn’s fifth-cycle birthday.

The Commerce Ministry’s Intellectual Property Department has registered 354 works of the Princess, including 199 paintings, such as an orchid painting, the “Phu Fa” elephant painting and 153 literary works including poems, children books, memoirs and songs.

The department also registered a geographical indication, which is a kit bag made from the Mlabri vine in Nan that provides jobs and income for local communities.

Chatchai said Thailand has been invited to organise an exhibition on the intellectual property of His Majesty the King and the Princess at the WIPO headquarters in Geneva between October 5-14. 

The exhibition will be open to the 188 WIPO member states and more than 1,000 representatives attending the 55th WIPO General Assemblies.