The Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand (SACIT) is advancing Thai arts and crafts to become a key national image and a driver of the creative economy. Operating under the mission to preserve, innovate, and promote Thai craftsmanship, SACIT works to elevate the sector across all dimensions sustainably.
As an organization committed to innovation and sustainability in Thai handicrafts, SACIT develops its work across three key dimensions: cultural, socio-environmental, and economic. This integrated approach ensures balanced, sustainable growth in line with the national creative economy strategy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SACIT also promotes the Royal Thai Costume and related crafts internationally, reinforcing Thai craftsmanship as a living cultural heritage that connects Thailand to the world through creativity and national identity.
“Thai craftsmanship not only reflects ancestral wisdom and cultural foundations but also serves as a vital resource that generates economic value, creates jobs, and provides opportunities for local communities. It is a cultural force that links Thailand to the global stage through creativity and Thai identity,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anucha Thirakanont, Director of the Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand (SACIT).
SACIT also drives design and creative research to propel Thai handicrafts into the future through initiatives like the SACIT Craft Collection, which selects and develops contemporary handicrafts that balance aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability. The institute further supports knowledge creation through research grants and international competitions such as the International Craft Creation Concept Award 2026 (I.CCA.2026), inviting designers and creatives worldwide to reinterpret Thai crafts with a focus on social, environmental, and cultural identity.
SACIT’s approach not only preserves and evolves Thai traditional knowledge in contemporary society but also positions handicrafts as a catalyst for economic opportunity, social value, and the international image of Thailand. Through its efforts, SACIT ensures Thai craftsmanship grows sustainably and proudly as a living cultural heritage and a defining element of the nation’s identity.
