Lacquerware is a craft special to Chiang Mai and the northern region, but its history in Thailand dates back from the Ayutthaya period. Three layers of lacquer from the Sumac tree are brushed onto a wood or wicker based and each layer is polished with charcoal. Then a fourth layer is added, and once more highly polished with charcoal. For a finishing touch, it is inscribed and then soaked in red dye for a couple of days

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Thailand's high-quality bronzeware has long been a favorite item for visitors.

Produced by traditional techniques with a number of modern innovations like a silicon coat to prevent tarnishing, this craft is used to make bowls and high quality cutlery, guaranteed to provoke admiration at a dinner party back home
 

A specialty of northern Thailand, neighbouring Burma, and now Vietnam, a wide range of contemporary and antique Lacquerware can be bought in shops and markets in Bangkok.

You can find the distinctive gold and black household objects such as trinket boxes, trays and chopsticks etc. that originate from Chiang Mai More recently, the creatively coloured and decorated trays, bowls and homeware originating from Vietnam have also become available - all of these item constituting the ideally lightweight collector's item or gift