A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BATIK MAKING IN THREE COMMUNITIES WITH DIFFERENT CULTURAL BACKGROUND IN BANGKOK AND ITS SUBURB AREAS

Abstract

The purposes of this research are 1) to investigate the identity of batik making in three communities with different cultural background in Bangkok and its suburb areas, and 2) to compare the pattern and cultural identity expressed through batik making of these three communities; Sensailaitien Community in Bang Sue district of Bangkok, Arts and Handicraft Profession Cooperative Community in Koh Kret district, Amphur Pakkred of Nonthaburi province, and Maenong Batik Community Enterprise in Bangsrimueang district, Amphoe Mueang of Nonthaburi province. The results of the study showed that the batik making of these three communities were obviously different in terms of in both patterns and identities. That is Sensailaitien community mostly created batik with soft-colored floral patterns. The patterns were delicately drawn with an emphasis on the artistic process of composition. For the batik created by Arts and Handicraft Professional Artistic Cooperative Community, the patterns were related to marine animals because the fishery was the locals’ main occupation in the past. They also drew the scenery of Koh Kret with bright colors on their batik. In terms of the batik of Maenong Batik Community Enterprise, they emphasized Thai identities in their batik making by creating the images of traditional Thai children’s games, scenery, traditional Thai and Mon patterns, and Nonthaburi pottery. The colors of their batik were vibrant with the integration of unique techniques of batik and the art composition. Two communities in Nonthaburi also provided a training course for those who were interested in using batik as their hobbies and careers.