Thailand has long been synonymous with culture, arts, and crafts.  Much depends on exactly where your interests lie, but it’s safe to say that you can find, see, make, or learn virtually everything arts and crafts-related in Thailand.

Outside of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is probably Thailand’s leading art center, with dozens of galleries, museums, handicraft villages, hilltribe markets, and classes to learn to make most anything, from pottery to tung, northern Thai style temple flags.

Ayuttaya is often overlooked in this regard, but is a wonderful place to explore and learn about the handicraft traditions of the local people, including such novelties as “jingle fish bells”, candy floss bread, artificial flowers, and dolls.  Many items are also sold in Thailand’s many OTOP (One Tambon (district), One Product) shops.