Crafty Parasols at the Bo Sang Umbrella Center, Chiang Mai Handicraft Village

Don’t the Thai women look like dolls with those colorful Thai umbrellas? I personally think it is the Umbrellas that enhance their looks. In fact, I think these Chiang Mai Umbrellas brighten up every corner they occupy. The pretty Parasols are actually heritage handicrafts made in the Bo Sang Umbrella Village in Chiang Mai, Thailand – one of the key Chiang Mai Attractions. Most travelers visit the Bo Sang village – not just to buy these but to participate in the traditional art of making them. I did too!

The Bo Sang Umbrella at the Chiang Mai Handicraft Center
The Bo Sang Umbrella at the Chiang Mai Handicraft Center

At the Bo Sang Umbrella Village in Chiang Mai, I not only got to interact with the villagers involved in the art but also, managed to get involved in making them. It was truly astounding to discover the labor that goes into making one umbrella. What is also, remarkable is how this art has been kept alive by the villagers for over centuries. It is this story of the Bo Sang Umbrellas – from its origin to current practice, that makes a visit to this village one of the key things to do in Chiang Mai.

History of Bo Sang Umbrellas

Long ago, a Buddhist Monk – Phra Inthaa who went to Burma to spread his religion. When he was there, he was given a lovely umbrella to shield himself from the Sun. He realized that his home had all the raw materials that one needed to make these umbrellas. He also, realized that teaching his village the method of making these would give his people another source of income. Phra Inthaa learned the art of making these handicraft umbrellas and returned back to Bo Sang (also, called Bor Sang), where he imparted this skill to the villagers.

The Bo Sang Umbrellas
The Bo Sang Umbrellas

Soon. it became a tradition among the villagers to make these colorful umbrellas after they had finished their farm chores. With Chiang Mai being a major trading hub, the umbrellas spread far and wide. Over time, this became a major part of the Bo Sang Village income. The heritage art of making these parasols was passed on over generations and even today, as you visit the Village, you will find the same families keeping the art alive.

About Bo Sang Umbrella

Entrance to Bo Sang Umbrella Factory
Entrance to Bo Sang Umbrella Factory

A riot of colors welcomed me to the Chiang Mai Handicraft Village. Following a canopy of these colorful umbrellas, I entered a large square bustling with activity. This was the Bo Sang Umbrella Making Center (also, referred to as Chiang Mai Handicrafts Village). Before we embarked on a journey of how the crafty parasol was made, my guide – Nicky – explained what made them so unique.

Close up of one of the Bo Sang Umbrellas
Close up of one of the Bo Sang Umbrellas

The Bo Sang Umbrellas were essentially made from Bamboo and Hand Made Paper – called Sa Paper. The exotic designs on the Umbrella were hand-painted. Earlier, natural colors were used for the same but these days, acrylic paints had replaced those. The Bo Sang Umbrellas were largely used for protection from the Sun. However, they were far from being dainty.

The Paper umbrellas could soak in some rain too. The Sa Paper was made with the Mulberry pulp that was treated such that it absorbed water. What was more is that the oil polish over it made it a little waterproof. And now, you know why I call them Crafty Parasols. 🙂

Creating the Sa Paper

Nicky showing me how the Mulberry pulp is beaten by hand to make Sa Paper
Nicky showing me how the Mulberry pulp is beaten by hand to make Sa Paper

Sa means Mulberry. The sail of the Thai Umbrellas is made out of Mulberry pulp. The bark is cut and boiled first. The pulp is then, washed and beaten by hand. After this, it is immersed in a tank of dye and solvent. A large sieve is used to pull it out and this is then dried under the sun.

The Wet Sa pulp being strained out using a Sieve
The Wet Sa pulp being strained out using a Sieve
The Sieve with Wet Sa Paper at the Bo Sang Umbrella Center
The Sieve with Wet Sa Paper at the Bo Sang Umbrella Center
Sa Paper used for Bo Sang umbrellas
Sa Paper used for Bo Sang umbrellas

The dried paper on the sieve becomes like a large parchment that can be peeled off. This is what becomes Sa Paper or the Thai art paper – which is then cut out for the Thai Umbrellas.

Building the Skeleton of the Bo Sang Umbrella

The making of Sa Paper is just one part of the whole Umbrella Making process. The other important part is making of the wooden skeleton. Bamboo wood is used to create this.

Spokes of the Bo Sang Umbrella at the Chiang Mai Handicraft Village
Spokes of the Bo Sang Umbrella at the Chiang Mai Handicraft Village

As I walked along the corridor of the Bo Sang Umbrella Center, I saw several Thai women cutting the Bamboo wood into pieces, chiseling them to the sizes required and sifting them into bundles of similar length.

The making of Thai Umbrellas, Chiang Mai
The making of Thai Umbrellas, Chiang Mai

While some ladies did the above, the others used the bundles to bind the spokes of  the umbrellla using threads. The thread work done around the spokes was not some random binding. It was done in a fashionable manner, such that they add a certain beauty to the whole Umbrella – especially when you see underneath it.

Elaborate thread work of the Bo Sang Umbrellas
Elaborate thread work of the Bo Sang Umbrellas

The ladies made the whole process look effortless but trust me, it was not easy cutting those pieces by hand. And even more difficult doing so with a smile.

Assembly & Painting of Thai Umbrellas

Assembling the Bo Sang Umbrella
Assembling the Bo Sang Umbrella

With the Sa Paper ready and the Umbrella skeleton done, the next step involves assembling the two together. The spokes are covered with a cloth first and then with Sa paper. The umbrella made is left in the Sun for drying after which it is ready to be painted.

Chiang Mai umbrellas being dried
Chiang Mai umbrellas being dried
Acrylic Paints for Bo Sang Umbrellas
Acrylic Paints for Bo Sang Umbrellas

Watching the artists work on these umbrellas is quite a mesmerizing experience. The designs were largely floral but here and there, some people were painting an entire landscape onto the umbrellas. Some of these designs made these umbrellas so exotic. They are like a piece of art that needs to be kept under a spotlight.

Painting in progress at the Bo Sang Village
Painting in progress at the Bo Sang Village
Artist showing her work at Chiang Mai Handicraft Center
Artist showing her work at Chiang Mai Handicraft Center

The painting is not easy as the artists make out to be. I know so as I attempted painting one of those umbrellas. Or maybe it is my non-existent painting skill that made it difficult. 😉 Either way, at the Bo Sang Umbrella Center, you can be a part of the busy assembly line by signing up to paint your own umbrella. The activity is a paid one but quite a fun one. It  does make you realize the efforts that go into creating those masterpieces.

Me at Bo Sang Umbrella Center
Me at Bo Sang Umbrella Center

The Umbrella Collection at Chiang Mai Handicraft Center

Bo Sang Umbrella Exhibition at the Chiang Mai Handicraft Village
Bo Sang Umbrella Exhibition at the Chiang Mai Handicraft Village

Done with my painting stint, I had to wait for my Umbrella to dry. I took that time to wander around and see their little shopping center. It is here that I found a unique exhibition of Umbrellas from different parts of the World. You can see a double capped one from Taiwan, unusually shaped ones from Japan and pentagon shaped one from China. The dome-shaped one right in front reminded me of the royal umbrellas I saw at the Mehrangarh Fort in Rajasthan, India. It sure was fun comparing those to the ones in the Bo Sang Center.

Shopping for Bo Sang Umbrellas

Wall art Bo Sang Umbrella Center
Wall art at the entrance of Bo Sang Umbrella Center

The rest of the Umbrella Making Center is like a small mall that is decorated with the Bo Sang Umbrellas. Look up at the ceiling and you will see the lamps in those Umbrella shapes. From handheld fans to large beach umbrellas, there are enough of these beauties to pick from.

Ceiling of Bo Sang Umbrella Center
Ceiling of Bo Sang Umbrella Center

You can even get some lovely mobile covers with the same designs or picture frames with the Painted Sa papers. The one thing that I found admirable here was that from the scraps that were left over, the center made cute fan magnets. Something that I am sure even with your low budgets, you can afford to carry back home.

Elaborate landscape on a Thai Umbrella
Elaborate landscape on a Thai Umbrella

At the end of this visit, the one thing I realized is that the Bo Sang Umbrellas are just timeless art forms that these villagers are keeping alive with their labor. No doubt that the Umbrellas are pretty enough to entice you to buy them but this temptation doubles when you see how it is made literally from scratch. The natural materials used for each one of them makes them environment-friendly – making it another reason why this art needs to live on.

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This post is a part of my Art and People Section that focuses on encouraging traditional arts and crafts of a destination. 

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Bo Sang Umbrella Village

Getting Here

  • Chiang Mai is well connected by road and air to Bangkok. There are several low-cost flights into the city.
  • Bo Sang Village is just 30 minutes by road (10 km) from the City Center. You can hire a private cab or get into one of the local cabs called Red Songthaew (Red Truck) or the White Songthaew to Bo Sang. The Songthaews are generally available around 30 – 50 Thai Bahts.
  • The Red Songthaews can be flagged down anywhere – even close to your place of stay in Chiang Mai. However, the White ones will have to be caught at near the Flower market in Chiang Mai. For a return, you can just flag them down near the Bo Sang Village.
  • Click here to get the Bo Sang Umbrella Center on your phone.

Travel Tips

  • The Bo Sang Umbrella Village is open from 8:30 am to 5 pm every day.
  • There is no entry fee at the Chiang Mai Handicrafts Center. However, if you want to paint your own umbrella, you will be charged Thai Baht 1100
  • The shopping at the Chiang Mai Handicrafts Center is fairly reasonable. However, it is all fixed price and you cannot bargain here.
  • The villagers of Bo Sang Umbrella Center do not speak much of English. It is best to converse with them using a local guide. Also, if they are busy with work, it is best to not disturb them as they do not take kindly to it.
  • There is a fun-filled Bo Sang Umbrella festival that takes place in the third week of January. The festival showcases special umbrellas and while you watch those, you will be entertained by some lovely Thai dances. You can even try out the special food stalls during the fiesta.

P.S: I visited the Bo Sang Village as a part of my Thailand Trip organized by Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai and Lonely Planet Magazine India. 

    Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links. This means that at no cost to you, I will receive a small commission if you purchase through my link. Thank you for supporting me with this.
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55 thoughts on “Crafty Parasols at the Bo Sang Umbrella Center, Chiang Mai Handicraft Village”

  1. The Post is filled with riot of colours and all the love from Bo Sang umbrella making center. I love visiting craft villages so much.You have provided all the information about such traditional art form of thailand.I The painting on umbrellas are such eye soothing and they are just colourful!! would love to visit it.

    Reply
  2. This is fascinating! I’ve always wondered how they make the umbrellas look so beautiful, and thanks to your post I now know 😉 I went to Chiang Mai a few years ago but completely missed this place. I really want to go back anyway, but will definitely visit the Bo Sang village when I do. You’ve inspired me!

    Reply
  3. I love the way you told this story, especially the care with which you crafted the photographs and connected them to the text. Our daughter is running through Thailand right now and I think she might matriculate in Chiang Mai in about a week. She loves parallels and would be enthralled with the handicraft village. We’ll be sharing this article with her for sure.

    Reply
  4. I would love to check this place out but what has really caught my eyes are the decorations of the umbrellas. Beautifully written post and I am hoping to do Chiang Mai next year, if so, i am there!

    Reply
  5. I have seen them making mulberry paper in Thailand, but had no idea that it was used to make these colourful umbrellas. Great story about the monk teaching the villagers the skill. The umbrellas are gorgeous!

    Reply
  6. It is looking such a creative post and you are explained your post in details, which is very easy to understand. Thanks for sharing this attractive pictures and this post.

    Reply
  7. I have always admired the artistry of parasols, but didn’t know much about them. I really enjoyed reading your post! It’s wonderful to get to see the whole process, from creating the mulberry paper, through building the skeleton, and finally the decoration. Great pictures!

    Reply
  8. Oh I loved reading this! Love to hear the history behind these umbrellas – how Buddhism and Myanmar were part of it – and how Bo Sang made it their own industry. What care and attention that goes into these! So beautiful! Thanks for taking us through a unique story- their craft – their culture.

    Reply
  9. I am now familiar with Chang Mai umbrellas – so colorful, spectacular actually. It’s amazing how a town can latch onto a craft and have it be their livelihood for centuries!

    Umbrella making in Bo Sang sounds like an intricate process. What a great souvenir – a Chang Mai Umbrella that you make yourself!

    Reply
  10. I don’t recall seeing any Thai women with umbrellas like this when we traveled around Thailand. Maybe it’s just in Chang Mai, which we didn’t go to. The umbrellas look like giant versions of those little colorful paper umbrellas that come in tropical drinks.

    Reply
    • Ha ha – you don’t always see them but am sure you spotted these umbrellas in the curio shops around Thailand. They definitely catch your attention – the umbrellas.

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  11. They sure are a riot of colours! The Bo Sang umbrellas are the prettiest ones I have ever seen. They have a fascinating history too. Quite a meticulous process to make them, but the results are mind-boggling. Did you bet one for yourself? You are sure to create a sensation on the Bangalore roads, if you step out with one of these colourful umbrellas.

    Reply
    • I did buy one and in fact painted it myself. So definitely a keepsake that I have but not sure of taking it out on the streets. Don’t want anything to happen to it 😀

      Reply
  12. I’ve always find these parasols cute and very attractive too! So cool to finally know where it originated! 😀 Interesting to know that they can be used on rainy days too. I’ve always thought of them to be used only for dry season and for decoration purposes.. The umbrella surely is a work of art!

    Reply
  13. What a comprehensive post on Bo Sang Umbrellas. I have heard about these famous umbrellas. Interesting to note that it can save you from a mild drizzles because of the oil based coating. Would sure love to own one.

    Reply
  14. The umbrellas are beautiful! It’s always nice to learn about a culture from their handicrafts. I had no idea you could make an umbrella out of mulberries! The artwork is stunningly gorgeous! I can’t wait to get back to Chiang Mai and visit! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  15. Those umbrellas are really gorgeous! I’m glad that these kind of handicraft centers are open to the public so that visitors know the amount of effort being put into creating them – which is not easy! It also creates awareness on environmental sustainability like the need to preserve and farm mulberries that is used to make the pulp.

    Reply
  16. I love stories like these where you can trace out the history of a local craft. It is lovely that the parasol craft is flourishing in this little village. We need to pick up a few pointers from them and revive some of our traditional crafts which are dying away.

    Reply
  17. Those umbrellas are so colorful and beautiful! I had no idea they’re made from bamboo and handmade paper but I guess it makes sense considering their texture. I saw many of these umbrellas in Japan as well and now it makes sense because like you said, it came from a Buddhist Monk. Women do look like dolls carrying them 🙂

    Reply
    • If you get to Chiang Mai, make sure you get here. Am sure you will love each one of them, especially after seeing the labour that goes into it.

      Reply

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