Bo Sang umbrellas, a renowned Chiang Mai handicraft with a rich 200-year-old Lanna heritage, have evolved in design and patterns to keep up with modern trends while preserving their artisanal value. This has garnered worldwide attention, generating over 500 million baht in annual revenue. However, Bo Sang umbrellas are at risk of disappearing as the number of umbrella artisans dwindles with minimal interest from younger generations.
These beautiful umbrellas, made from bamboo frames, mulberry paper, and cotton or satin fabrics, have been passed down through generations for over 200 years. Originally made for offering to monks to protect them from the sun and rain, they have evolved into a popular souvenir and decorative item, admired for their intricate designs and vibrant colors.
Online sales boom:
Wipawan Jiwanarom, a third-generation heir of the local business, which has been producing and selling Bo Sang umbrellas for over 90 years, says that online marketplaces have become a major sales channel for the craft. She is now the managing director of the Luang Long Wong Umbrella Community Enterprise.
“Foreigners are more likely to buy products that are ‘made in Thailand’ because they know they are handmade and of high quality. Bo Sang umbrellas are one of those products,” she said.
“Made in Thailand” and the exquisite craftsmanship of Bo Sang umbrellas have made them stand out, attracting customers from around the world, especially from China, Europe, and America. Orders are pouring in from global fashion brands, hotel owners, and businesses, who are requesting custom-designed umbrellas for decoration and advertising.
Demand outpaces supply:
However, the increasing demand is outpacing the supply, as the number of skilled artisans is dwindling. The current generation of umbrella makers is aging, and there are not enough young people taking up the craft.
Chalerm Dipanyo a 70-year-old umbrella frame maker, recalls that five years ago, almost every household in the village was involved in making umbrella frames. Today, only he and about 10 other families remain. He fears that in another five years, there may be no one left to carry on the tradition.
GI registration and preservation efforts:
Bo Sang umbrellas were registered as a GI (Geographical Indication) product in recognition of their unique heritage and craftsmanship. However, the very knowledge and skills that make them so special are at risk of disappearing.
Unless urgent measures are taken to attract and train new artisans, Bo Sang umbrellas could become a thing of the past in the years to come. (TNA)
