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Nitwaree

"I am a Thai woman and I live according to Thai belief and customs. I give food offerings to Buddhist monks, pay respect to a Buddha images and carve my designs with Thai motifs. I want to show a 'Thai-ness' through my artwork.

"I chose this career because it is my family's vocation. I am assured that woodwork is always popular with shoppers.

"Sawasdee kha! My name is Nitwaree Manorueng, which means 'progression,' but people call me by my nickname, Nuch. It means 'a lovely person.' I was born on June 9, 1970 into a very big and warm family. We are very close, and everybody helps out and works together. The older brothers and sisters became involved in our workshop before the younger ones, and so it was step by step. But it is a family endeavor. We also happy, even though we no longer have our parents with us. Unfortunately, they passed away when I was young and I never had a chance to repay their kindness.

"After graduating from primary school, I worked with my elder half-brother. They have always crafted furniture. I started by creating my own designs to sell at my brother's shop, and helped them until 1996, when I was able to have my own workshop. That was the greatest change in my life.

"I used to live in poverty and never had anything electric, not even a television. My father loved to watch TV at our neighbor's house. I thought I'd work and use my income to buy one, and now it's possible. But, sadly, my father died before I could.

"Nowadays I am happy and satisfied with everything I have. I am married and have two sons. I have a career that I love even though sometimes it was very hard. I hope I can try my best with everything. I will manage my workshop the best way I can, despite the current economic crisis.

"I work hard to please with all my customers, and they like my work and always order my designs. That feels good. I was in contact with one client by phone for a year, but I'd never met him. One day he walked into my shop. I didn't know him, so I called him. But there he stood in front of me! That was funny.

I aim to do perfect work, delicate and of such high quality that you can feel my intentions. Thank you, Novica for showing Thai art to the world."