Look what Thailand made
Sansiri taps local skills and materials for a clever and lovely range of handy items
AFTER 30 YEARS in the property-development business, Sansiri has expanded its wings to offer lifestyle products in the belief that we need more than just a nice place to live. The firm last year collaborated with No 57 on a tea blend, with Panpuri on relaxing scents, with Pasaya on a bedding set and with an Akha hilltribe in Chiang Rai on a coffee blend. There were even five albums of song compilations produced with Universal Music.
This year it’s the Artisan collection, with every item limited to just 100 pieces. Materials from different regions of the country are transformed into conveniently transported goods to fit the modern on-the-go lifestyle.
From the North, acacia wood and teak veneer go into a teacup lid, wireless speakers and a power bank. From the South, pewter and panan pandan leaves are the main materials in a beach bag, a wine bucket and wine stoppers. A portable mattress features hand-woven fabric from Isaan, given a touch of luxury with leather from the Central region.
“We got the inspiration three years ago when Sansiri started branching out into Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Phuket and Songkhla,” says chief executive officer Apichart Chutrakul. “We got to experience the ways of life and the local wisdom of Thai artisans, which inspired us to seek out the charm of local materials and the meticulous craftsmanship to create this collection.”
The Artisan line appears in the Sansiri lounges at Siam Paragon and in Hua Hin and Phuket and at its Escape hotels in Hua Hin and Khao Yai.
“We selected the materials first and then worked with designers to come up with products that perfectly combine time-treasured craftsmanship with functionality and portability,” explains corporate-brand manager Paniti Chantayasakorn.
The acacia-porcelain tea and coffee set includes a pot, four cups and two plates. Chiang Mai artisans crafted the hardwood as a tray and lids for the cups that double as saucers. The Patra porcelain cups beautifully match the natural allure of the wood.
Acacia wood is also used in a wireless speaker that also functions as a radio and microphone when connected to a phone via Bluetooth. Northern carpenters had the classic shape of old-time gramophone players as their model meticulously shaping the wood on a lathe. Advanced Nakamichi wireless-audio technology ensures superb sound quality. Insert your SD card filled with favourite songs and you’re ready for a musical journey.
The power bank is an increasingly essential gadget in this sharing age when the capacity of a built-in battery is always a concern. Sansiri wrapped its Commo 3500mAH power bank in teak veneer and added a matching leather strap. It makes handling the cable convenient and is a smart backup battery for your gear.
Perfect for summer is the panan pandan beach bag , the leaves woven by skilled southern artisans and the sheets formed into a tube. Leather adds smartness, but the bag remains light and is spacious enough for plenty of belongings. Sedge
(krajood) was considered for the project but deemed too fragile. Pandan leaves from Phuket are strong and weave together tightly.
A tin-copper alloy, pewter from the South makes a great wine bucket and stopper for the bottles.
“Pewter utensils have a characteristic sheen and there are no
toxins, so it’s perfect for food and drink containers,” says Paniti. “Pewter is unique, durable and aesthetically pleasing, so it was ideal for the wine bucket, which is carried in a finely stitched strap of genuine leather. The bucket and stopper really have a sophisticated look.”
The foldable mattress crafted from hand-woven fabrics from Khon Kaen is designed to be portable. In place of the usual kapok stuffing there is lightweight foam, wrapped in the cotton fabric and quick-drying Sunbrella material. You can fold the mattress into a triangular pillow as well, and it too has a leather strap and handle, perfect when you’re on the go.
WHERE TO BUY
>>Check out the Sansiri collection at its Bangkok lounge on the third floor of Siam Paragon (02 610 9207-9) and Phuket lounge on the first floor of Central Festival (076 307 205). Both are open daily from 11 to 8.
>>All next month the products will be available at the Thailand Creative and Design Centre shop, the Selected at Siam Center and the Casa Lapin Cafe on Soi Aree.
>>Find out more at www.Sansiri.com/SansiriCollection.
