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Raunkaew

"For eight years, I worked at wood carving and coloring, then I worked in quality control for an export company. There, I helped create new design collections. In 1997, I decided to venture out on my own. That was a major change in my life. I design and craft our works while my wife looks after marketing and management. I have 17 years experience and this career is a part of my life. I love art and designing.

"Sawasdee krab! My name is Raunkaew Suwanmongkol, but everyone calls me by my nickname, Kaew. Raunkaew describes the house of a Buddha image, which is like the arch made of glass. And Kaew means 'glass.' I was born on May 29, 1967 in Lamphun, the seventh of eight children. When I was eight, my father passed away and my mother died in 2005. Today I am married and have two sons, born in 1995 and 2006. We live in northern Thailand in a town known for its wood carvings. My brother and sister live nearby, and we are often together.

"I love painting in watercolors. Each year I enter the painting contest in Lamphun province and have won first place almost every year. I'm known as a joke maker and show my jokes in our annual village festival and most other celebrations. Everyone enjoys them.

"My dream has been to expand Thai decorative items in wood, to incorporate elements from our culture like painting and mythical animals. I am proud of my creations. Because I design our artwork myself, my works are colorful and lively. They are a bit like me – I am a good humored and cheerful. I'd like my designs to become a symbol of my village.

"According to a Thai saying, sufficient money means sufficiency in life, and I do agree with this. I live in a normal way, not fancy. I always help other people and take care of mine. If others can live, I can live too.

"Wood is a valuable resource and hard to find – every detail has its value. I am very happy with my work. Continuously creating new designs is very hard to do, but I believe the high quality and value of my works will bring me success."