Ceramic Fair in Thailand

Marvel at the massive array of export-standard
ceramic products supplied by over 300 quality manufac-
turers, with discounts ranging from 40% to 70% and price
starting from as low as one baht. 2,000 items made of local
herbs for swine flu treatment planted in exquisite ceramic
pots will also be provided as a souvenir at the fair with 200
pots given per day. In the Lanna cultural area local cuisine
will be served in the spacious garden of the traditional flea
market aka kad mua. Certain northern OTOP products will also
be avail-able for purchase at the fair, together with the Miss
 Ceramic Beauty Contest 2009, a singing contest and various
other performances.Free air-conditioned vans are to be provided
from Big C‘s parking lot to the fair, which is being organized by
the Lampang Ceramic Association. For further informa-
tion, please call 0-5422-6300.

In 1993, the Lampang Ceramic Association, chaired by
Mr. Phannop Rheanchaicharoen, joined forces with the newly-
opened Ceramic Development Center, Department of Indus-
trial Promotion in Koh Kah District, to organize the second
event in the same year at the Center's parking area. This sec-
ond event was held in December.

In 1994, the Ceramic Fair was still organized jointly with
the Ceramic Development Center. All of the 50 exhibitors con-
sisted exclusively of local ceramic manufacturers.

In 1995, it relocated to an area next to the Wiengthong
Hotel on the Lampang-Ngao Super-Highway and was
renamed the Ceramic Fair in honor of H.M. the King in 1995.
It was solely organized for the first time by the Lampang
Ceramic Association and showcased 80 companies, increasing
its local prestige and popularity still further.

In 1996, it moved again, to an area next to the Wienglakor
Hotel in 1996, attracting 20 more companies to its growing
catalogue of product manufacturers, as well as suppliers of
machinery and raw materials.

In 1997, the event again relocated, to Khelang Public
Park. It was the first time that the Association started promoting
the traditional Chicken Bowl by making the world's largest
chicken bowl, 76 cm in diameter. TAT gave the event its impor-
tant support by including it in its official tourism calendar.

From 1998 until 2001, the event was held at the Big C
Superstore, with 125 booths exhibiting 101 ceramics manu-
facturers and 24 provincial industrial associations, such as the
Federation of Thai Industries, the Lampang Chamber of
Commerce and the Entrepreneur Development Club. The
objective of the fair was to strengthen the local private sector,
with Lampang's famous chicken bowl as an emblem.

From 2002 until 2004, the Lampang Ceramic Association
decided to change the location again, to the Fourth Municipal Market
opposite the Big C Superstore, providing space for 240 exhibitors,
including the ceramic manufacturers, OTOP producers, ceramic in-
dustry suppliers and other local businesses.

The year 2002 marked a big step fonrvard as the fair estab-
lished its stronger presence on the nationwide exhibition scene
through live TV broadcasts of the opening ceremony, and a lively
public relations campaign that attracted people from every province
in Thailand. Lampang's Deputy Governor, Direk Konklib, suggested
renaming the event the Lampang Ceramic Fair, in order to direct the
spotlight on Lampang.

ln 2005, the association was allocated 20 million baht to help
finance the fair and, encouraged by this inflow of funds, it sought a
new venue to reflect its greater significance. The fair was renamed
the "Thailand Ceramic Fair" and moved to the Seventh Municipal
Stadium, where 400 exhibitors displayed their wares.

ln 2006, the fair was still held at the same location but had a
different title, the "Lampang Ceramic Fair in Honor of H.M. the King."
Apart from again reflecting the export competency of local enter-
prises it introduced a new attraction, an auction, with the proceeds
donated to the King for use in his special royal projects.

ln 2007, the Lampang Ceramic Association held the fair at the
same venue and called it "the 20th Lampang Ceramic Fair". Apart
from exhibiting many ceramic products, the Lampang Ceramic As-
sociation joined the global warming campaign by giving away bags
and plants to all participants.

In 2008, that year the Lampang Ceramic Association relocated
the fair to the Ceramics and Industrial Handicraft Center in Kho Kha
district and named the fair as "the 21st Lampang Lanna Ceramic
Fair". The events included a Ceramic Design Contest and for the first
time the Miss Ceramic Beauty Pageant.