A Legacy of Elegance Rebloomed

Deeply rooted in Thai culture, the orchid symbolizes luxury, resilience, and warmth. Wearing one on a lapel serves as a hallmark of excellence, reflecting a golden standard of hospitality and grace. For many years, the orchid brooch has served as a mesmerizing symbol of the elevated experiences and refined hospitality travelers enjoy throughout their journey.

Travelers flying with THAI this year may notice a delicate new orchid adorning the uniforms of our cabin crew and ground service teams. The orchid – long a symbol of THAI – has been reimagined as the Panbuppha Brooch: a beautiful piece that embodies sustainability, collaboration, and world-class Thai design.

This project began when employees across the company joined hands to collect the Royal Orchid mineral water bottle caps used onboard and on the ground. These discarded caps were sent to the design studio PIPATCHARA, which is known for transforming non-recyclable waste into unique handbags and fashion pieces crafted by artisans in remote communities. The result is a meaningful orchid brooch now proudly worn as part of the THAI uniform.

SAWASDEE sat down with the three key people behind Panbuppha to explore the vision, craftsmanship, and inspiration behind this special collaboration.

“For THAI, ESG is not merely a policy – it is a mindset that guides the evolution of our airline. Every touchpoint, from cabin service to operations, offers opportunities to reduce waste and create new value. Panbuppha is a tangible example of this. What used to be waste – the bottle caps – is now transformed into a meaningful symbol worn by our staff. It showcases our commitment to sustainability and, importantly, the collective effort from employees across the company. This project sends a message to the world: THAI is advancing with creativity and responsibility. We want our passengers to feel that we are modern, thoughtful, and committed to a sustainable future”. Chai Eiamsiri, Chief Executive Officer, THAI

“A uniform is not just clothing, it represents pride and culture. Panbuppha allows us to introduce circular design into our employees’ daily lives in a meaningful way. Because the bottle caps come from our own staff, everyone feels connected to the brooch. Orchids have been a part of THAI’s identity for decades – from fresh orchids and Madame Pompadour varieties to artificial blossoms. Today, we reinterpret this heritage into something contemporary: a hand-crafted accessory made from recycled materials. Seeing our cabin crew and ground staff wear Panbuppha symbolizes our commitment to innovation and a sustainable future”. Chuntarica Jotikasthira, Chief Human Resources Officer, THAI

“For me, design is about giving every material a second life. Bottle caps are a form of ‘orphan waste’ that often ends up with no purpose, so I was truly excited when THAI invited me to create an orchid brooch. It felt like a rare chance to work with a national symbol, while blending local craftsmanship with contemporary design. The process begins with sorting and cleaning the bottle caps before they are ground, melted, and molded into organic forms inspired by the ocean – corals, stones, and natural textures. The three corners represent our core ideas: redone, re-produce, and recycle. After that, artisans in remote communities assemble and handshape each orchid petal. Every piece becomes more than just an accessory; it becomes a source of income and opportunity – a form of ‘fashion for community.’ It’s not only about fair compensation, but also about sharing knowledge and building pride in the craftsmanship of the makers. Seeing Panbuppha worn on the uniforms of THAI cabin crew is a reminder that Thai design can truly travel the world”. Pipatchara Kaeojinda, Designer and Co-founder of PIPATCHARA

Panbuppha is more than an accessory; it represents a blooming of collaboration, creativity, and commitment. It connects Thai heritage with sustainable innovation and brings the artistry of Thai design into the sky.