Bo Sang, Paper umbrella crafting village in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Bo Sang is a crafting village near Chiang Mai that specializes in the production of traditional hand-painted paper umbrellas. These umbrellas feature bamboo frames and mulberry paper, with artisans applying decorative patterns through manual painting techniques that vary in complexity and style.
A Buddhist monk named Phra Inthaa brought umbrella-making techniques to Bo Sang in the early 1900s after learning the craft during travels in Myanmar. The locals adopted this skill and transformed it into a village-wide practice that developed into the primary craft still passed down through families today.
The village earned its name from the Buddhist monk who introduced this craft, and today it is defined by its connection to handmade parasols with intricate painted designs. Artisans work openly in their workshops, allowing visitors to witness the painting process and the decorative patterns that reflect local artistic traditions.
The village is located about 10 kilometers east of Chiang Mai and is accessible by shared minibus from Warorot Market. You can walk through the open workshops to watch artisans at work and request custom paintings on items if you wish to purchase them.
A crafting center established in 1977 offers visitors a complete view of the production process from start to finish. You can place orders for custom umbrellas and watch as artisans paint your own personal designs onto the items.
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