Dan Kwian Pottery Village : Korat’s Famous Ceramics Destination
Dan Kwian: The Pottery Village of Korat
Dan Kwian is a village 15-20 km south of Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) on the road toward Chok Chai and the Do Home depot. If you live in Korat long enough, you end up here eventually, either because someone sends you to pick up a garden pot, or because you see the distinctive dark pottery in a Bangkok shop and trace it back to its source. The village has been producing ceramics for centuries, and the craft is still entirely local.
What Makes Dan Kwian Pottery Unique
The ceramics get their characteristic dark bronzed finish from the clay itself, which is dug from the banks of the Moun River. The iron-rich sediment fires to a deep metallic grey-brown, unlike the terracotta you see elsewhere. Pieces are typically unglazed or very lightly finished, which emphasises the texture of the clay rather than a glossy surface. The result looks good in both traditional and modern interiors, which is probably why you find Dan Kwian ware in design shops in Chiangmai and Silom.
The range runs from tiny figurines and incense holders up to enormous garden urns that require two people to lift. The most recognisable motifs are elephant figures, flame-shaped vases, and geometric relief patterns. Avoid the more mass-produced items near the main road entrance; the workshops set back from the highway often have more interesting pieces at lower prices.
Buying and Bargaining
The main road through the village is lined with shops on both sides, but the best way to buy is to walk into the side streets and the family workshops where pieces are still being made by hand. Prices on the main street are already reasonable by Bangkok standards, a medium vase might be 200-400 THB, but a smile and a direct conversation with the maker usually gets you 10-20% off without any drama.
One genuine piece of advice: don’t put a garden dwarf in your garden. Dan Kwian makes lovely versions of these but they will make your garden look like a 1990s housing estate in Essex. The plain architectural pieces age far better.
Getting There
From central Korat, take Highway 24 south toward Chok Chai. Dan Kwian is clearly signed around the 15 km mark. By car or motorbike: 25-30 minutes. No public songthaew goes directly, a taxi or rental bike is the practical option.
