ICONSIAM Celebrates the Princess Mother's Legacy Through Art and Lanna Heritage

ICONSIAM's 29th “In Remembrance of the Princess Mother” exhibition explores the history of Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, alongside Northern Thai craftsmanship, contemporary design and cultural workshops

The legacy of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother, takes center stage at ICONSIAM in Bangkok, with a cultural exhibition tracing how her commitment to education, community development and self-reliance helped transform lives in Thailand's northern highlands.

The 29th “In Remembrance of the Princess Mother” exhibition, held at Charoen Nakhon Hall on the M Floor of ICONSIAM through Sunday 18 October 2026, takes visitors through the history of Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park in Chiang Rai, a place that evolved from an educational initiative for hill tribe youths into an important center for preserving Northern Thailand's artistic and cultural heritage.

Presented by ICONSIAM in collaboration with the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage, Thai Beverage and Frasers Property Thailand, the exhibition commemorates the Princess Mother's birth anniversary on 21 October and highlights how her initiatives continue to influence communities today.

From a Home for Young People to a Cultural Landmark

One of the exhibition's central stories is the transformation of Rai Mae Fah Luang, or Mae Fah Luang Farm, into the present-day Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park. The Princess Mother, affectionately known to Thai people as Somdet Ya and Mae Fah Luang, devoted much of her life to improving opportunities for people living in remote areas, particularly communities in Northern Thailand.

Her approach went beyond providing immediate assistance. She believed in creating opportunities for individuals to develop skills, earn livelihoods and eventually become self-reliant.

The exhibition traces these efforts through a timeline beginning in 1972, showing how an initiative initially focused on supporting livelihoods and handicrafts among hill tribe communities gradually developed into an educational environment.

Rai Mae Fah Luang became a home for young people from mountainous regions, providing opportunities to study in the city while learning to live together as a community.

Thanphuying Putrie Viravaidya, Chairperson of the Board of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation, described the site as a place dedicated to “cultivating people,” reflecting the belief that lasting development begins with individuals.

When its educational mission came to an end, the site entered another chapter.

With the 84th Birthday Anniversary Commemorative Hall, known as Hor Kham, at its center, the former farm became a destination dedicated to conserving and sharing the cultural heritage of the Lanna region.

Today, Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park is recognized for its role in preserving Northern Thai art, architecture and traditional craftsmanship.

The exhibition illustrates how the Princess Mother's vision extended beyond the development of a single location, continuing through the people and communities shaped by her initiatives.

Lanna Craftsmanship Meets Contemporary Design

Alongside its historical narrative, the ICONSIAM exhibition introduces visitors to the creative work of DoiTung Lifestyle, which combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.

A selection of products includes marine animal-themed carpets, floral-patterned rugs and bags made from upcycled plastic fibers, reflecting the use of circular economy principles in modern craft production.

Visitors can also discover one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces and exclusive creations available only at the exhibition.

Another highlight is DoiTung Everyday, a collection that adapts traditional handicrafts for contemporary living. With practical forms, vibrant colors and designs intended for everyday use, the collection demonstrates how artisanal skills can remain relevant to modern lifestyles while supporting the continuation of local craftsmanship.

Try a Traditional Lanna Handicraft

For visitors interested in a more hands-on experience, ICONSIAM offers a complimentary workshop introducing Tung Yai, also known as Tung Dok Khem, a traditional Lanna decorative craft.

In the Northern Thai dialect, tung refers to a flag or hanging ornament. Participants create geometric patterns by winding colorful cotton or silk threads around crossed bamboo frames, producing intricate designs resembling spider webs.

The workshop also introduces a sustainable element by using loom-end yarn, surplus thread left over from Doi Tung's textile production.

Rather than discarding these materials, participants give them a second life as decorative handmade objects.

The activity offers an accessible introduction to Northern Thai craft traditions while demonstrating how older techniques can be adapted to reduce waste. Workshops are available free of charge daily from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

DoiTung Café and Live Music

Visitors to ICONSIAM can take a break at DoiTung Café, which offers a selection of specialty drinks.

Highlights include the Kokuto Latte, combining coffee with Japanese-style brown sugar syrup, and Espresso Honey Lime & Ginger Ale, a sparkling drink made with honey-fermented espresso, lime juice and ginger ale.

Live performances by musicians from the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music add another cultural dimension to the exhibition.

The performances are designed to evoke the atmosphere of Mae Fah Luang Farm and take place twice daily, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Preserving a Legacy Through People and Culture

While the ICONSIAM exhibition commemorates the Princess Mother's contributions to Thailand, its central message extends beyond remembrance.

The evolution of Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park demonstrates how initiatives originally created to improve education and livelihoods can continue to serve communities through cultural preservation, creative industries and the passing down of traditional knowledge.

By combining historical storytelling with contemporary crafts, sustainable design and participatory activities, ICONSIAM offers visitors an opportunity to understand the connection between the Princess Mother's development work and the cultural heritage that continues to thrive in Northern Thailand.

Event: 29th “In Remembrance of the Princess Mother” Exhibition

Venue: Charoen Nakhon Hall, M Floor, ICONSIAM, Bangkok

Dates: Through Sunday 18 October 2026

Traditional Lanna Craft Workshop: Daily, 11:00 AM–6:00 PM (Free admission)

Live Music: Daily, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM and 5:00 PM–6:00 PM

Website: www.iconsiam.com

[PHOTO: Courtesy of ICONSIAM]