Questions/Answers

Khon Kaen Province has had a unique Mudmee silk weaving for more than 200 years. There are 8,565 silkworm farmers and a planting area of 4,261 rai. The income from production and distribution is more than 1,000 million baht per year. Problems and limitations are the decreases of silkworm farmers, the weaving is not meet the need of the market demand, the elderly labor, the youth lack of interest in silk weaving, the quality of the Mudmee silk, The province's unique fabric patterns are not widely known, lack of active marketing, lack of product planning, lack of branding, lack of marketing information from entrepreneurs, and discrete support from government/institutional agencies. World Craft Council Announced to certify Khon Kaen Province as a World Craft City for Mudmee on December 4, 2018. The province has integrated cooperation with various sectors to enhance production to the processing of silk and cotton to the group of manufacturers and entrepreneurs in a systematic way from the beginning to the terminus. There is a driving mechanism comprising departments, organizations, and development partners in all sectors, and coordinating work in an integrated way to clearly define the framework/guidelines for driving. Therefore, the project is being had the purpose of developing and upgrading the production of Mudmee silk by farmers in Khon Kaen in order to create occupation and conserve the wisdom of local people by integrating various departments in Khon Kaen Province to support and advance the operation of silkworm farmers in Khon Kaen Province by using efficient production technology to help reduce the cost of silk production in each step, associating with marketing, tourism promotion, and production process that is environmentally friendly to improve the quality of life for farmers who produce Mudmee silk products in Khon Kaen Province and conserve local wisdom to remain sustainable.

KhonKaen province has cooperation with various sectors to enhance production, processing, and standardization of Mudmee silk for entrepreneurs. There is a driving mechanism that consists of institutes in all sectors of development to coordinate work to define the framework, for example, an MOU with the Community Development Department and the National Council of Women under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen under the project Inherit and Conserve Thai Fabrics Arts, and announced the provincial agenda concerning the drive of the project to sustain the modern Khon Kaen fabrics step to the world craft city of Mudmee.

Sustainable World Craft City for Mudmee project is in accordance with the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, Purpose 17, Strengthening the Implementation Mechanism and Rehabilitation Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development, the “Diversified Collaborative partners from various sectors” issue. 17.17 Support and promote cooperation between the government sector, the private sector and civil society by building on the partner's experience and resource strategies, and operational guidelines that support the achievement of the purpose as participating in Word Ikat Textiles Symposium 2019, Jakarta, Indonesia and “World Craft Cities Network an International Forum of WCC Craft cities”, 2019 at Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Operation of Collaboration including 1) MOU with the Department of Community Development and the National Council of Women under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen under the project "Inherit and Conserve Thai Fabrics Arts" and collaborating with Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau to organized a business matching activity between silk manufacturers and buyers on December 2, 2019 at the Khon Kaen City Hall and 2) the provincial agenda announcement on driving the project to continue the modern Khon Kaen fabric project forward to the world of craftsmanship of Mudmee fabric on January 30, 2020.

Guidelines to drive Sustainable World Craft City for Mudmee with operating under the Action Plan to drive the World Craft City of Mudmee cloth to the world 2020-2027 in 9 areas: 1)raw materials 2)research, development, technology transfer 3)Museums, and Mudmee Learning Center 4)Designer/fashion show exhibition 5) Marketing, Exhibition center/marketing network 6)Standard certification, creation and development of fabric experts to the national level /International level 7)Symposium/meetings, seminars, accommodation, and entrepreneurs 8)Logistic, Transportation, Communication, Public Relations and 9)Genetics concerning conservation, extension, and development towards sustainability with seeking cooperation from relevant parties in all sectors.

1)In terms of promotion mechanisms, cooperation among various sectors in promoting and supporting to upgrade production, processing of product for the group of entrepreneurs, and continually connecting to community tourism 5 committees and working committees were appointed at the provincial level. 2)Integration of cooperation: (1) MOU under the project "Inherit and Conserve Thai Fabrics Arts in the Land" with the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, Community Development Department, Khon Kaen Province, Provincial Administrative Organization, Khon Kaen University, Provincial Women's Development Committee, Provincial Chamber of Commerce and the provincial community development office, and campaign for Thai people all over the country to join hands in wearing Thai fabrics at Khon Kaen City Hall. (2) the provincial agenda announcement on driving the project to continue the modern Khon Kaen silk forward to the world of Mudmee. 3)Public relations: There is awareness among all departments/parties for development at the provincial level. by importing to the meeting of the heads of government agencies at the provincial/district level public relations through various communication channels, such as creating an E-book, promoting and supporting the use and wearing of Thai fabrics, published online such as social media and new generation marketers.

A Driven Project: Sustainable World Craft City for Mudmee is helping to promote the creation of occupation for all silkworm farmers and silk product entrepreneurs, everyone regardless of gender or age can help their families, and can generate income from silk production equally since it is an occupation that everyone in the family can help each other from planting, silkworm cultivation, dyeing, and silk weaving. All that said, it causes reduces immigration to urban communities, and promotes good health because the silk production process is a process that reduces the use of chemicals in the production process.

Provincial Community Development Office of Khon Kaen has been supported the development potential for entrepreneurs, namely: 1) Training to increase the efficiency of silk product amount 80 cases 2) Promote the cultivation of silkworms and silk products processing amount 100 cases 3) Training on GAP standard courses for silk product 4) Training for creating and managing local Thai silk manufacturers, geographical indication standard amount 40 cases. 5) silk manufacturers' development and furtherance to receive certification for the royal Thai silk standards. 6) Training applied silk patterns design amount 100 cases. 7) Promote Mudmee weaving professions in 114 OTOP tourism community villages and enhance the quality of silk and cotton amount 373 products; 8) To enhance products and processing fabrics as souvenirs in 114 villages of OTOP tourism community and 244 products 9) To improve the quality of silk products of 70 products and 10) To enhance the development of silk products by the OTOP School amount 18 products.

In 2019, the reseach found an identity of the province's Mudmee silk, called "Khan Kaen Koon silk motif", preparation of archives in Khon Kaen Province, deal with world craft city. There is a process to create awareness both inside and outside area. In addition, the MOU signing ceremony was held with the Department of Community Development and the National Council of Women under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King under the project "Inherit and Conserve Thai Fabrics Arts in the Land" and participate with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau to organizes business matching activities. In 2020, the provincial agenda on A Driven Conserving Khon Kaen silk for step to World Craft City for Mudmee was announced and utilized the civil state mechanism to drive the movement. Moreover, participate in the International Conference on Silk Road to the MICE Industry 2020, “Silk MICE, The SILK ROAD OF ISAN MICE” on the topic of “Celebrating the 2nd Anniversary of Isan World Craft Cities Biennale: Reviving the craft, Lesson from Khon Kaen and SakonNakhon, and formulate an action plan to drive the world craft city of Mudmee to the international arena (in 2020-2022) for seeking cooperation with educational institutions to drive together in all dimensions. In 2021, the conference for developing a World Craft City plan for tourism under the situation of the epidemic of COVID-19. There was coordinating with the Thai Handicraft Promotion Trade Association, ASEAN Handicraft Promotion, and Development Association of Thailand, and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau to continue and organize the 3rd-anniversary event "Mudmee Biennale 2021: Weaving Isan textile forward to the World bond", the result has benefited people in 26 districts, 722 groups, and 41,015 people. In 2021, revenue from selling fabric types amounted to 4,737 million baht.

The project was driven under the COVID-19, the provincial driving committee and the Local Organizing Committee were consulted to discuss with the relevant organization, by taking part in process and coordinating with Thai Handicraft Promotion Trade Association, ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association of Thailand, and Convention and Exhibition Bureau. And summarize guidelines for organizing the 2nd-anniversary event, namely 1) organizing an academic seminar conference 2) organizing achievement exhibitions 3) organizing learning exchange activities and fashion shows 4) displaying and selling Mudmee fabric products and processing products, and 5) follow up on product development results of target groups.

The project coordinated with the GISTDA to focus on sustainable production and eco-friendly production. The production process is aiming to reduce the use of natural resources and production costs. As well as research studies in the production of Mudmee silk for reducing the carbon footprint of the silk production in every process, which currently working on research process, which the provincial working team has planned to improve every single production process to reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions. In addition, the production of Mudmee silk would conform with Thailand's carbon dioxide reduction plan outlined in 2037.

The concept of sharing information systems in cooperation with the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency is a concept that has been developing from the management of agricultural information systems such as rice, sugarcane, cassava, etc. Therefore, in implementing the World Craft City for Mudmee, the provincial committee has to compile data on silkworm production from the beginning to the terminus in order to monitor, support, and resolve obstacles, and adheres to form of The Queen Sirikit Department of Sericulture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and The Federation of Thai Industries as an ideal for further development.

A Driven Project: Sustainable World Craft City for Mudmee has coordinated with the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency to bring modern technology (G-Rice) to be used to manage the integrated silkworm information system from information related to Mudmee silk production since the beginning to the terminus by all relevant departments/organizations to be systematically managed to be able to plan, tracking and support effectively, as well as provide opportunities for people, including all sectors to continuously participate in project drives and associate to the development of Khon Kaen Province in other dimensions as well.

1)Organizing the signing ceremony of the MOU with NCWT under the project " Inherit and Conserve Thai Fabrics Arts" in cooperation with TCEB to organize business matching activities between silk production manufacturers and community entrepreneurs. 2)Announced the provincial agenda “Inheriting the modern local fabrics of Thai Khon Kaen step forward to the World Craft for Mudmee” 3)There are provided products to show in World Ikat Textiles Symposium 2019, at Jakarta, Indonesia and attend to “World Craft Cities Network an International Forum Of WCC-Craft cities” at Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. 4)There are organized and public relations exhibitions, “Khon Kaen, the World Craft City of Mudmee and Kan Kaen Koon silk motif at 2019, Annual Meeting of the NESDC on "Developing Thai Areas: Going Beyond Connecting the World. 5)Promote the KBO silk Erie contest, Mancha Khiri District to receive the first runner-up award at the national level. And 6)To participate in the International Conference on Silk Road to MICE Industry 2020, “Silk MICE, The SILK ROAD OF ISAN MICE” on the topic of “Celebrating the 2nd-Anniversary of the World Handicraft Cities in Isan region: Reviving the Handicraft Way. Lessons from Khon Kaen and Sakon Nakhon".

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The project has received the budget according to the action plan of the Department of Community Development, in fiscal year 2020 which is a project to support equipment for Khon Kaen Thai Cloth Arts Center, budget 8.45 million baht. The budget was approved according to the government action plan of Khon Kaen Province and provincial groups, in fiscal Year 2020-2022. This project is under the project of developing and upgrading community products to meet the standards: Development of cotton products, OTOP, and a multi-channel provincial marketing system of 4 projects, 13 activities, total budget of 45.35 million baht.

1)The mechanism for promotion. There is cooperation with various sectors to promote and support for upgrading production, silk or cotton processing for producer groups. All of the reasons for upgrading the quality and standard of Mudmee silk. They continuously connect to community tourism by authorizing the syndicate and working group at provincial level about 5 people.2) integration of cooperation: (1) MOU has been established the project of “Inherit and Conserve Thai Fabrics Arts” between NCWT, Community Development Department with Governor Of Khon Kaen Province, and associate sector. And participation in the campaign “wear Thai cloth all over the country”. and (2) Provincial Announcement Agenda with “Inheriting the modern local Khon Kaen silk step forward to the World Craft City for Mudmee”.3)Public relations: There are public relations with all departments or various sectors at the provincial level by the meeting of the province and district executives. There are public relations in various channels such as creating an E-book about promoting people to wear Thai cloth by online channels such as social media and new generation marketers.

Yes

The project has been officially evaluated by the internal department by the project committee. There are assigned to the Local Organizing Committee by the deputy governor and responsible organization to evaluate with indicators of the project in 4 dimensions including, 1) Silk products has a quality and approve of the standard, 2) increasing of income from the production and selling of Mudmee in national and international, 3) the cooperative and communicate with agencies and various organization in the province, region, national, and international, and 4) Support to building and increase knowledge or wisdom to new innovation.

A driven project: Sustainable World Craft City for Mudmee, Khon Kaen province evaluated the performance with below indicators to suggest of agreement from the Local Organizing Committee. After that advisory and working team will assemble, operate, follow by various sectors, and group discussion (Focus Group) in 4 dimensions to scope area of evaluation such as finding purposes, searching, creating a group discussion guideline, offering the executive summary, and giving suggestion.

Advisory and working groups define indicators of the project in 4 perspectives including 1) increasing production and selling Mudmee silk in national or international. 2) Mudmee silk and related products have been developing in quality and meet world standards. 3) seeking cooperation from various agencies and organizations in many fields: province, region, national, and also international, and 4) extending knowledge and wisdom to new innovations.

1)Raw materials, namely QSDS of Khon Kaen, Community Development Department of Khon Kaen, Office of Commercial Affairs Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen industrial Office, Department of Agriculture. 2)Researching, namely CEMBEI, Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy, faculty of agriculture, faculty of engineering, faculty of science, Khon Kaen University, Khonkaen Industrial and Community Education College. 3)Museums or knowledge centers, namely, QSDS of Khon Kaen, KKU Art & Culture Center. 4)Designer or fashion, namely Provincial Community Development Office of Khon Kaen 5)Marketing and exhibition, namely Provincial Community Development Office of Khon Kaen, Office of Commercial Affairs Khon Kaen, CEMBEI, Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy/ MICE TCEB/Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen university /City Municipality Local of Khon Kaen 6)Knowledge domestic, namely QSDS of Khon Kaen/Seed Research & Development Center. 7)Symposium, namely MICE TCEB/ CEMBEI, Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy/Ministry of Tourism & Sport. 8) Logistics, tourism, namely Provincial Public Relations/Ministry of Tourism & Sports /City Municipality Local of Khon Kaen/Tourism Authority of Thailand. 9)Genetics and Conservation, namely QSDS of Khon Kaen/Seed Research and Development Division/office of agriculture research and develop region 3/Khon Kaen Provincial Cultural Office/ Khon Kaen university /KKU Art&Culture Center /SACICT.

A driven project: Sustainable World Craft City for Mudmee, Khon Kaen province was integrated with: (1)MOU has been established, There are ”Inheriting and conserving the arts of Thai traditional cloth in the land” project between The National Council of Women of Thailand under The Royal Patronage of Her Majesty The Queen, Department of Community Development with Khon Kaen province by Dr.Somsuk Changtragul, Governor of Khon Kaen Province, Provincial Administrative Organization, Khon Kaen university, Thai Women Empowerment Funds, The Khon Kaen Chamber of Commerce, Provincial Community Development Office of Khon Kaen jointly sign the contract with various sectors to campaign for Thai people all over the country to wear Thai silk at Khan Muang meeting room, 1st floors, Khon Kaen city hall. There is the preparation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Inheriting and conserving the arts of Thai traditional silk in the district level, amount 26 districts. And (2) Khon Kaen agenda, driving the project to continue the modern Khon Kaen silk “A step forward into the World Craft City of the world of Mudmee silk. by using the Pracharat mechanism to drive the continuation of Thai Khon Kaen silk” amount 5 activities.

Throughout 3 years, Khon Kaen province has had to work with a Coronavirus pandemic. Provincial Community Development Office of Khon Kaen as a Mudmee Cloth World Craft City Driving Committee, Khon Kaen Province hardly to setting the goal of the world of Mudmee Handicraft City during COVID-19 situation, orienting to modern market system by operating with new technology. According to 1) Create a “Farm to Shelf” plan. 2) Organizing an event to attract tourism. 3) Create Platform E-Commerce Web, Application 4) Create a Platform E-Commerce Mini App on Wechat 5) Connect an E-Commerce in Thailand to China and around the world with (1) an online system providing market value increased at least not less than 365 million baht, (2) event and activities in the community, (3) building Premium Club and others, (4) proactive to the world's leading handicraft market, and (5) wish to be a Mudmee center in both regions and international arena in 2027.