from “Bridge of Spies”, T’Pau, 1987.
Or rather not in our hands unfortunately, as I’ll explain. We visited the Doy Din Dang pottery – which translates as Red Clay Hill pottery – located not far from the Black House outside central Chiang Rai. Set up by potter Somluk Pantiboon, Doy Din Dang produces a wide range of pots, vases, plates, cups, and other assorted ceramics in what is generally an Asian contemporary style.
You can wander around the pottery quite freely and there is no hassle or pressure from the staff, so you can browse both the pottery and the shop at your leisure. This was certainly welcome as despite the shady grounds it was still very hot, and that was without getting near the kilns!
The shop had many items for sale and unsurprisingly we found a few things that we’d have liked to buy, and at any other time we probably would have. But now that we’re on the road and that space is a premium in our luggage there was no real option to purchase any of the chic little objects we spotted to adorn either Hampstead or Bangkok.
But despite the shopping impairment Doy Din Dang was still very interesting to visit and see how a real pottery works, even if we couldn’t take away anything as a reminder other than memories and pictures, which perhaps are more important anyway.
International Vagabonds 
I love the glazing on some of their items – and the designs are superb. Did you ever go to a pottery factory in Kam Tin, Philip? I have to admit, it’s no where near as beautiful as these pieces! But maybe the vagabond life is good for you both – no room in your suitcases for purchases! Loving the photos.
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Yes – I did go to that factory it was quite high on the list for British people based there at the time. My parents bought quite a few pieces from there. However you had to search high and low to find pottery that matched western tastes. Much was just too over the top.
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