Development of Phanan Pandanus Handicraft Design for the Furniture Industry in Promotion of Creative-Based Economy

This research study is a qualitative research which aims to (1) study the background of Phanan pandanus weaving handicraft, (2) study the problems encountered in development of Phanan pandanus weaving handicraft for the furniture industry, and (3) determine appropriate ways to develop suitable pandanus handicraft designs to promote the creative economy. The target area of this research was composed of three Thai provinces; Trang, Krabi and Satun. The research methods were study of books and printed matters, observation, interviews, group discussions and a workshop. The research findings revealed that the background and current status of Phanan pandanus weaving in each target group was similarly initiated as an ancestral legacy. Learning skill was acquired through observation without any particular textbooks. The learning activity was first started with small groups, which were extended into large groups with 20-30 members. The average age of group members is 40 years and older, with educational levels between Prathom 6 (upper primary) to Mathayom 6 (upper secondary). The products made by each group are similar. In terms of the marketplace, each group aims at the domestic market. Each member earns approximately 2,500-6,000 baht per month. In terms of the problems of Phanan pandanus weaving, handicraft production mainly suffers from a lack of designers, lack of support from the government sector, unaffordable costs of hiring designers, lack of creativity in producing new products and inability to produce large quantities of products due to time consumption. According to the research findings, there are 3 guideline areas for development of Phanan pandanus handicraft design for the furniture industry in promotion of creative-based economy: (1) Guidelines for development of pandanus handicraft design; (2) Guidelines for management; (3) Guidelines for the incorporation of other equipment and materials.

Keywords – Phanan pandanus weaving handicraft, furniture industry.