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Bangkok Travelbug January 12 Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village January 09, 2012 |
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Benjarong porcelain Benjarong is the colourful Thai porcelain with the five primary colours of black, green, yellow, red and white. Primary colours are colours that can be mixed to produce different shades or secondary colours. 
The term "benja" (five) is used to prefix several other Thai words involving the number five, for example "benjatham", the five Buddhist precepts of morality; abstinence from stealing, killing, fornicating, lying and intoxication. Benjarong porcelain is made from bone china. Its attractiveness is not only in the high quality porcelain and fine shapes but also in the delicate colour patterns that are hand-painted on the surfaces. The porcelain is then glazed to give it that special glow that doesn’t fade over time. The wares are heated in electric kilns for 10 hours at 800 degrees Celsius. 
The origin of painted designs on white porcelain is from China during the Ming dynasty (1368 – 1664). In the early days, Benjarong porcelain was made only for the royal court and the aristocracy. In recent years however Benjarong porcelain has become widely used in homes and hotels as decoration pieces. 
Table of contents Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village Samut Sakhon has three administrative districts; city district, Ban Phaeo and Krathum Baen. Don Kai Dee is a sub-district in Krathum Baen and the Benjarong Village is in Tambon (sub-district) Don Kai Dee. In 1982, a small community in Tambon Don Kai Dee that specialises in making Benjarong porcelain, got together to establish the Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village. The village consists of a group of five Benjarong shops in the area participating in the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) project which was started in 2001. The OTOP project is aimed at promoting the indigenous products in the various sub-districts in Thailand to boost the local economies and incomes of the communities. The OTOP project was based on the One Village One Product (OVOP) Movement in Japan which started in 1979, the brainchild of Dr Morihiko Hiramatsu, Governor of Oita Prefecture. 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. I visited Urai Benjarong the shop started by Khun Urai who is also the chairperson of the Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village. Urai Benjarong is in a small lane just off the main road and consists of a cluster of traditional Thai buildings. The place has a very friendly and homely air. Visitors are really made to feel welcome. 
There are two buildings with Benjarong porcelain for sale; a single storey building and double storey building. The third building is for homestays. 
The trees and greenery all around gives the place a peaceful country charm. 
Let’s take a good look at some of the Benjarong porcelain available there. Table of contents Benjarong display These are some of the beautiful Benjarong porcelain on display in Urai Benjarong. The wares include vases, tea pots, tea cups and saucers, candle holders and other decorative containers. 
The porcelain is so attractive; I just couldn’t leave without buying something back. So here are the souvenirs I bought from the trip. 
Table of contents Homestay at Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village doesn’t just sell Benjarong porcelain. Visitors are welcome to tour the facilities and to try making and painting the Benjarong porcelain. 
Entrance to the homestay lodging There are comfortable lodgings for homestay with a beautiful garden all-round providing a green and pleasant atmosphere. 
The rates for homestay are:
Garden outside the lodging Table of contents Map of Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village View Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village in a larger map Getting to Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village By public transport Take a train from Wong Wian Yai in Bangkok to Mahachai in Samut Sakhon. Please see taking the Maeklong Line to Mahachai From Mahachai take a tuk tuk or taxi to the Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village. There are metered taxis in Samut Sakhon city. You may need to walk from Mahachai train station and market to the main road to get one. Tell the tuk tuk or taxi driver you wish to go to "Mu Ban Benjarong Don Kai Dee". The fare for the tuk tuk was 150 baht for a single trip. It is advisable to charter the tuk tuk or taxi as there is hardly any public transport at Don Kai Dee. For the round trip and for the waiting time while I toured the area, I paid 400 baht. By car Go south along Phetkasem Road and turn left at the Om Noi junction into Highway 3091. Turn right at Settakit 1 Road (Highway 3190), then turn left into Sukhonthawit Road. Turn left again into Thesaban 4 Road. Continue on till you see the sign for the Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village on the right. Table of contents My thanks Thank you to Khun Pong, the younger sister of Khun Urai, for her hospitality in showing me around her shops and homestay facilities. I am grateful for her kind permission to photograph her Benjarong porcelain and for the information she has provided. 
Thank you Khun Pong Table of contents In the next few months we will be exploring the history and handicraft of the north-eastern or Issarn region of Thailand. Next month Khon Kaen – the Issarn heritage Book hotels in Bangkok 
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