Tao Hong Tai Ceramics Factory

I was put off ceramics for life after a trip to China more than 20 years ago. Every tour on that visit seemed to end up at a ceramics shop (or factory) full of stuff I had no interest in buying - hence my indifference.

Last weekend however, my attitude was adjusted thanks to a visit to the Tao Hong Tai ceramics factory in Ratchaburi district about 120 kilometres south of Bangkok.

Managed and run by a family of famous ceramicists, the factory is set in a garden filled with cool, kooky and colourful ceramic objects of all shapes and sizes. We especially liked the piglet tables and bright mini-pagodas. There were also many traditional items such as large water jars decorated with quirky features and touches.

To keep things fresh and exciting, artists from other parts of Thailand are regularly invited as in-residence artists to learn new skills and showcase their talents.

Given the quality of the objects for sale, they are very reasonably priced and if you spend more than 6,000 baht they will deliver to your home in Bangkok free of charge.

We really wanted to visit their new, and award-winning, Tao Hong Tai: d Kunst gallery down the road but ran out of time and now have an excuse for a return visit soon. But we'll have to find a pickup truck somewhere as there are plenty of great pieces that we'd like to bring back.

A visit to the factory and gallery is a great way to break up the fairly boring drive to Cha Am or Hua Hin beach. The surrounding town also has a nice laid back charm and we look forward to returning soon.

Here is a good Bangkok Post article about the new gallery and the factory.