Get Your Hands Dirty: Learn Thai Pottery

About this activity

Ceramics
Properties of Clay
Clay, particularly earthen clay, has excellent water retention. When mixed with water, it becomes malleable and can be shaped or molded into three-dimensional forms without requiring additional materials. The term “Earthenware” (ceramics) is self-explanatory—shaping clay and firing it.

When fired, clay—composed of alumino-silicate crystals—undergoes chemical transformations. Alkaline compounds react with the clay crystals at high temperatures, generating thermal energy that alters their structure. This process forms a glass-like substance, which binds the remaining clay particles, creating a durable, hardened material. Firing at temperatures of at least 800°C (depending on the clay’s chemical composition) results in a robust structure, making ceramics humanity’s earliest synthetic containers.

Ancient Thai Pottery

“เครื่องถ้วย” (Khrueng Thoey) corresponds to the English term “Ceramic”, referring to all types of pottery, both glazed and unglazed. It is synonymous with the term “Pottery”. However, “Ceramic” is used more broadly, encompassing enameled metals (e.g., spoons, zinc-coated items), bricks, and all types of glass. In contrast, “Pottery” is often understood to primarily mean unglazed items fired at lower temperatures, insufficient to produce a porcelain body (Porcelain). In reality, “Pottery” includes both glazed and unglazed types, fired at either high or low temperatures.

Thai pottery can be categorized by prominent historical and regional production sources, such as: Prehistoric pottery from Ban Chiang and Ban Prasat, Buriram pottery, Sukhothai ware (เครื่องถ้วยสุโขทัย), Lanna ware (เครื่องถ้วยล้านนา),
among others.

The History of Thai Pottery
Pottery has been deeply intertwined with human life since prehistoric times, serving as essential tools for daily use, food storage, and transportation. Over time, humans continuously innovated and refined pottery-making technologies. Archaeological surveys in Thailand reveal that from around the 15th–16th centuries B.E. , kiln sites were widely scattered across the region of the Thai Kingdom. Numerous types of pottery have been discovered, including both locally produced items from Thai kilns and imported pieces from foreign sources, which were used domestically or traded among specific communities.

These ceramics were crafted and decorated using diverse techniques and patterns, reflecting the skills of artisans in each locality and the geographical conditions of their communities. Some areas benefited from rich clay deposits, ideal for pottery production. Additionally, proximity or trade relations between communities facilitated the exchange of artistic styles and technological influences, leading to cross-cultural adaptations.

Over time, distinct regional developments emerged. Some communities cultivated unique production methods independent of external influences. Initially created for local use, these pottery traditions gradually evolved into large-scale industries, eventually expanding to supply neighboring regions as export commodities.

What you’ll gain from participating in this activity:

1. Learned the history of Thai pottery.
2. Learned pottery-making techniques and gained hands-on experience in crafting ceramics.