Shopping at Nakorn Si Thammarat, as its province well known of the Nielloware, Brassware, Necklaces, Shadow play making and Yan Liphao basketry, which the amazing style, beautiful patterns, these stuff are always amazed tourist or visitor who came to Nakorn Si Thammarat.
Nielloware (เครื่องถมนคร) is a famous
craft of the province and is well known since the old days. There are two
types; black surface with white designs and black surface with gold designs.
The Nakhon Si Thammarat College of Arts and Handicrafts teaches this craft.
Nielloware of this province is popular for its durability and intricate designs
by hand. The finished product is a bright, shiny black object with beautiful
patterns. Items include rings, necklaces, bracelets, bowls, pedestals, and
trays. The best shopping area is Tha Chang Road, behind Sanam Na Mueang in the
area of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat Municipality, and
the Tha Wang market area.
Brassware (เครื่องทองเหลือง) can be found at
the Suan Maphrao Thai-Muslim village behind Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan.
The only brassware product now available is a cylinder for making noodles.
Necklaces (สร้อยนะโม สร้อยเงิน สร้อยสามกษัตริย์) have
long been the work of local silversmiths who can create gold, silver and mixed
(gold, silver and an alloy) necklaces. The centre is at Tha Chang Road behind
Sanam Na Mueang.
Shadow play
making (การแกะหนังตลุง) is an art
that goes with the popular southern entertainment of shadow play. Thai shadow
play figures have been transformed from those found in Java so that they are
now very Thai. The hands and feet of the figures are fully movable during
performances. The hide used can be either raw cow or goat hide. Designs are
made by using chisels of various sizes to make small holes along drawn
patterns. The price of each figure varies according to the delicateness and
size of each one. Shadow play figures are now important products of Nakhon Si
Thammarat and Phatthalung. Nakhon Si Thammarat city, in particular, has plenty
of shops selling this unique product.
Yan Liphao
basketry (จักสานย่านลิเภา) is
another famous product of the South, particularly in Nakhon Si Thammarat where
people have been making it for over 100 years. Yan Liphao is a climbing plant
that grows in damp places. It likes to exist among other plants. The trunk is
very tough and durable, so locals found a way to make good use of it by making
household goods such as handbags, tobacco boxes, tea utensils, etc. Some pieces
are encased in silver alloy, gold alloy or gold. It takes around 10 days to a
month to make one item, depending on the details of the design. The major Yan
Liphao production spots are Ban Mon, Tambon Tha Rua and Ban Na Khian, Tambon Na
Khian, both in Amphoe Mueang, and families in Fort Vajiravudh.
Kapho fans (พัดใบกระพ้อ) are made from a kind of palm
called Ton Pho by locals. The villagers of Ban Khok Yang in Ron Phibun use
their spare time to make the fans. The leaves are dried and then woven into
fans. Some are dyed into bright colors and sold at reasonable prices. Kapho
fans are well known and sold throughout the country. Fans in Nakhon Si
Thammarat can be bought at stores at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, souvenir
shops on Tha Chang Road and in Bowon Bazaar in the Tha Wang market area.
