Thanawan Phumsaenkoth, a master’s degree student at Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Architecture, has won a prestigious national award for his creative and innovative approach to traditional Khon Kaen Mudmee silk. He secured the first runner-up prize in the “New Gen 2025” entrepreneur competition, organized by the Ministry of Interior’s Community Development Department.
The award ceremony was held on August 27, 2025, at the Aswin Grand Convention Hotel in Bangkok. Mr. Thanawan’s work was selected from a competitive field of over 120 entries, with only 40 finalists advancing to the national level. He received a certificate and a cash prize of 20,000 baht.
Mr. Thanawan’s brand, named “THONNAWAN Museum,” is inspired by his passion for art and museums. “I love visiting museums, looking at art, and discussing different perspectives on the works,” he explained. “I wanted to create a clothing and textile brand where each piece is crafted like a work of art you would find in a museum.”
His award-winning design is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Khon Kaen province, which is renowned for its hand-woven Mudmee silk. “I chose to use hand-woven Mudmee silk as the primary material and then built upon it with new innovations to create a unique identity,” Mr. Thanawan said.
To achieve a contemporary feel and address sustainability, he incorporated recycled plastic fibers (MONSILK) into the weaving process. He also utilized a heat transfer printing technique, with patterns reinterpreted from the wooden elements and architecture of “Baan Dam” (Black House), the famous work of National Artist Thawan Duchanee. This fusion of traditional craft with modern technology and artistic inspiration aims to elevate Khon Kaen’s Mudmee silk to an international level while preserving its cultural origins.
The success highlights the potential for a new generation of designers to drive Thailand’s cultural heritage forward on the global stage.
An exhibition featuring the prototype designs by Mr. Thanawan and other award winners will be held as a Pop-Up Exhibition from September 17-21, 2025, at Q Stadium in the EmQuartier shopping center in Bangkok.
Photo credits: Community Development Department Fanpage and Thanawan Phumsaenkoth
News by: Kannapat Sirikiat
