Weekend picks

Published on January 25, 2008

Traditional rural Siamese lifestyles are on display in miniature at the Minithai store at CentralWorld. Here, a group of artisans takes customers back to a time and place where you can appreciate and learn about beautiful Thai culture.

The owner, Chindanee Duangchitdamrong, has long been in love with miniature toys, while her husband, Chupan Banjongchat, is a glass blower. Around 10 years ago they set up a shop in MBK Centre to sell a line of Thai-style handmade miniature toys, as well as blown-glass animal figurines. They recently branched out with a new store in CentralWorld, where they are offering more colourful miniature items.

"I love miniature toys, and so I began learning about how to produce them. Finally my husband and I opened a store to offer creative handmade miniature toys of our own designs," says Chindanee.

To protect their products from weevils, Minithai uses Japanese clay to make a line of handmade miniatures. Their designs are inspired by Thai culture; for example, a big set of models depicts a Thai traditional temple fair featuring many fun activities and shows.

Some collections reflect Thai rustic life of bygone days such as a brick building model portraying stores in Chinatown around five decades ago. Another large models depicts the Floating Market in Ratchaburi Province. You'll see familiar things, like Guey Tiew Ruea stall, fruit stands and gold ornament shops.

Apart from a line of miniatures, Minithai encourages shoppers to show off their ideas with a range of accessories such as Thai dishes, fruits, ceramic kitchenware, aluminium pushcarts, teakwood tables, chairs others.

Minithai also displayed its creations at the Otop City fairs and it has a branch on the third floor of MBK Centre. The store accepts custom orders. 

Accessories

A collection of colourful accessories including Thai food, fruits, kitchenware, glistening glass showcases and other items. Prices range from Bt10 to Bt1,200.

Fruit stand

The wooden boat model contains a range of fruit such as grapes, mangoes, lychees, pomelos, bananas, rose apples, longans, mangosteens and apples (Bt5,500).

Noodle stall

Anoodle boat comes complete with a glass cabinet filled with noodles and kitchenware, crates of soft drinks and other items. Cost is Bt 4,000.

Pushcart

This pushcart model is made from aluminium (Bt1,200), and comes with a brown miniature table made from teakwood (Bt150).

Food stall

This stall serves the Thai dish khao yam nam (Bt5,000).

Temple fair

Turn back to the beautiful period of bygone days with a set of lovely miniatures, inspired by a temple fair. They present many fun activities like an open-air theatre, shooting gallery and wall-of-death ride. Priced at Bt150,000.

Chinatown

A set of miniature brick-row buildings, inspired by stores on Yaowarat Road, such as a noodle store, coffee stall, gold jewellery store and grilled duck store (Bt150,000).

Pattarawadee Saengmanee