Every small town in the US has a studio where women do crafts.

I live around three medium sized Thai industrial towns and I have not seen any studios where lessons are available. I have noticed a couple of ceramic shops in Bangkok and Chiang Mai but nowhere else. Am I missing something? There are many stay at home women here as the Lotus is packed with well dressed women shopping during the daytime.

The Thai women I know are all decent at drawing and help their kids with school projects but I have seen little home wall art made by the ladies. The talent is there and I am wondering why they don't refine it.

Do you ladies have any ideas on the subject?

Chiang Mai has quite a lot of art and craft lessons and workshops around. Im sure Thai ladies likely do attend. Those that dont are likely not that interested i would think.

It seems like hobbies in general are not popular with Thais. I've talked with some Thai friends and they don't seem to have the same concept in the culture as we do. It seems to be just starting, but at the few needlepoint/knitting shops I've seen, the prices are outrageous... not really something many could afford. The closest thing I've seen is the mas aerobics in parks or gym memberships.

My husband has done a number of drawing, painting and photograph classes with Thai teachers at the Alliance Francais in Bangkok. The majority of students in all his classes have been Thai women. The classes are expensive so they tend to be more hi-so than usual.

We also frequent a temple in Bangkok which has a large 2-floor education building and holds reasonably priced classes in a whole bunch of subjects from computers to hairdressing. Students in almost all their classes are predominantly women, including in the art classes. I think there are places around, but I would never have found the classes at the temple without hubby leading me there.

I think this is largely due to a lack of leisure time. Leisure time is a very western, developed nation concept. Most Thai women have neither the time nor the money to indulge in such a luxury.

There are vocational colleges in most Thai towns, but these are all focused on teaching subjects that will generate an income.

Leisure time is a very western, developed nation concept.

I don't know where you are getting that from at all

I'm looking for a class to teach me traditional Thai art so if anyone knows, please feel free...

My MIL weaves baskets, makes sweets, makes thatched roof panels. She does not consider these hobbies, she considers it work. In her spare time, when she is not doing these things, or doing coconuts, she prefers to spend her leisure time chatting with her sisters or friends.

I don't know many local people with "hobbies". My husband is an avid fisherman, but he fishes to sell his fish, not just because he likes fishing. Same with the basket weaving etc etc