Traditionally, Benjarong is a kind of Thai porcelain since the Rattanakosin period. The original Benjarong, based on three-colored ceramics, would throw back to the Ayutthaya period which ordered Chinese ceramics for use only in the Royal court and aristocracy before developed to be five-colored porcelain as Thai patterns in the Rattanakosin period which had become widely used in wealthy merchant.
The name ‘Benjarong’ is ‘five-colored’ meaning, literally compounded of Benja for ‘five’ and Rong for color, derived from Bali and Sanskrit language. Five primary colors are painted on the white base ceramic, that is red, blue, yellow, black, and white with very elaborately detailed of Thai patterns; pum khaw bin, kanok bin, norasing, thepphanom, etc., including various kinds of flora patterns and use gold as distinctive. In recent days, Benjarong is such a valuable handicraft for premium souvenirs and gifts or decorated pieces in homes, offices, or hotels, as designed in any shape and various patterns of Thai cultures
From pictures, Ban Don Kai Dee or Don Kai Dee Village, a small village, is reputable of Thai 5-colored porcelain or Benjarong (called in Thai words). Don Kai Dee Villagers specialize in making this kind of porcelain so far. Benjarong shops which are in the OTOP project (The One Tambon One Product, started in 2001, was set to promote the local products of each sub-district in Thailand).
Don Kai Dee village today welcomes visitors with various kinds of Benjarong porcelain ware. Since 2001, Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village has won several national awards; best handicraft village, best community product, 1st prize for OTOP in Samut Sakhon province, best community award by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and OTOP Village Champion (Info: http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com).
Location: Don Kai Dee Village (Benjarong community), Don Kai Dee sub-district, Krathum Baen district, Samut Sakhorn province.
Open: every day
From photos: NuLek Thai porcelain ware
Contact: Khun Prapasri Phongmetha (Nu Lek), Mobile 08 1995 9196, Tel. 034 843 371, E-mail the_aiy@hotmail.com
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