Naraya is a Thai lifestyle and accessories brand operated by Narai Intertrade Co., Ltd. It is best known for its fabric handbags, pouches, cosmetic cases, travel bags, and other textile-based products. The brand has become particularly associated with affordable, colorful Thai-designed fabric goods and the distinctive “Bangkok Bag” or “Stewardess Bag” style.

Name Origin

The name Naraya was officially registered as a trademark in 1996. According to the company, Naraya derives from a Hindi word referring to Phra Narai, commonly identified with Vishnu. The name was selected for its positive meaning and ease of pronunciation across different languages.1

1989–1992: Narai Intertrade

The company’s origins lie with Narai Intertrade Co., Ltd., established on 6 October 1989 by Thai entrepreneur Wasna Roongsaenthong and her Greek husband Vassilios Lathouras. Initially, the business focused on trading electronic apparatus and mechanical products, leveraging Vassilios’ prior experience in that field. Difficulties in sourcing sufficient products eventually prompted the couple to pivot toward textiles and accessories, laying the foundation for what would become Naraya.

1993: First Production Operation

In 1993, Narai Intertrade set up a small factory equipped with 15 sewing machines and staffed by 15 employees. This facility began producing textiles and accessories, supported by a tiny retail outlet of approximately 2 square meters at Narai Phand. Through this operation, the company discovered that Thai textile craftsmanship could be transformed into commercially successful and internationally appealing products.

1996: Trademark Registration

The Naraya trademark was registered in 1996, marking a significant step in transforming the company’s textile operations into a recognizable consumer brand.

2000s: International Recognition

During the 2000s, Naraya expanded beyond Thailand, gaining a reputation among international visitors seeking Thai-made gifts and accessories. The brand’s popularity with travelers and airline cabin crew was driven by its combination of lightweight construction, colorful fabrics, decorative patterns, practical designs, and relatively accessible prices.

The Thai government’s Prime Minister’s Export Award directory lists Narai Intertrade under the NARAYA brand, noting a 2002 Design award for its variety of fabric products. Additionally, founder Wasna Lathouras has received multiple business and export-related awards. A Japanese government biography describes Naraya as a leading Asian brand for fabric bags and accessories, highlighting several Prime Minister’s Awards and Superbrands recognition.

Wasna Roongsaenthong Lathouras

Wasna Roongsaenthong Lathouras is a principal founder who played a key role in shaping the product philosophy. Her approach focused on utilizing Thai materials and Thai sewing and craft skills to create products capable of competing internationally. The Thai National Innovation Agency highlights her belief that Thailand already possessed the necessary materials, workers, and craftsmanship to produce goods for the global market.

Vassilios Lathouras

Vassilios Lathouras, Wasna’s husband and business partner, co-founded the original Narai Intertrade business. His background in trading helped establish the initial operations before the couple shifted focus toward textiles and consumer products.2

Fabric Bags

Naraya’s identity is built around textiles rather than luxury leather. The brand specializes in lightweight fabrics sewn into practical everyday items. Current product categories include:

• Handbags
• Shoulder bags
• Crossbody bags
• Tote bags
• Backpacks
• Travel bags
• Foldable shopping bags
• Laptop bags
• Coin purses
• Wallets
• Cosmetic bags
• Pouches
• Accessories3

Iconic Bow Detail

A visually distinctive feature historically associated with Naraya is the large gathered/bow detail found on certain handbag designs. This element helps distinguish the brand’s products from generic fabric bags, combining functional construction with a decorative, feminine aesthetic inspired by Thai textile styling.

“Bangkok Bag” / “Stewardess Bag”

Certain Naraya models gained international fame as “Bangkok Bags” or “Stewardess Bags.” Their popularity among airline crew stemmed from their light weight, affordability, practicality for travel, and visual distinctiveness. This association became a core component of Naraya’s international identity.

Naraya summarizes its philosophy as “Thai craftsmanship adapted to everyday modern life.” The company uses the phrase “Crafted By Heart” to describe its products, stating that its bags tell stories inspired by Thailand’s unique way of life.4

Rather than treating Thai identity solely as traditional ornamentation, Naraya integrates it into useful contemporary products. This results in three overlapping characteristics:

• Thai: Materials, craftsmanship, and cultural inspiration.
• Practical: Bags and accessories designed for everyday use.
• Accessible: Products intended to bring Thai design to a broad customer base.

Naraya emphasizes Thai manufacturing, stating that its products are 100% made in Thailand using local resources where possible. The company operates its own factories while collaborating with producers in rural communities.5

According to company records, the production network includes more than 3,000 employees and cooperation with more than 4,000 makers in rural areas.6 This supply chain structure is integral to the brand’s story, linking Thai textile production, rural artisans, factory manufacturing, and international consumers.

The brand places considerable emphasis on rural employment. Naraya states that it involves Thai local communities in production, providing income and training aimed at improving skills and livelihoods. This model positions Naraya not just as a fashion label, but as a vehicle for promoting Thai manufacturing and craftsmanship.

Today, Naraya’s assortment extends well beyond classic handbags. Official collections include lines such as:

• Sunkissed
• Lyra
• Arie
• De Bijoux
• Chang
• Be Simple
• Bubble Up
• Mom & Kids
• Nimbus
• Satu
• Vivid
• Chinese New Year
• Iconic Satin
• Blue Club Stripe

The current range covers both the traditional Naraya aesthetic and newer, contemporary designs, including laptop totes, crossbody bags, and foldable shopping bags.

Materials

Fabric is central to the brand. Naraya historically works with materials including cotton, satin, and Thai silk, depending on the product line. The focus is on turning textiles into attractive, functional products through construction, sewing, pattern, and finishing, differentiating it from brands based primarily on leather goods.

Naraya Silk

The business has developed a separate direction called Naraya Silk. Described as a Thai silk brand focused on ready-to-wear clothing and accessories, it utilizes skilled artisans from rural Thai provinces. The aim is to make Thai silk accessible for everyday use rather than restricting it to formal traditional clothing.

Naraya evolved from a small Thai textile operation into an internationally recognized brand. The company exports to numerous countries and currently operates 18 retail shops in Thailand.

Its international reputation is closely tied to tourism; for many visitors, purchasing a Naraya bag became part of the experience of visiting Bangkok and Thailand. Consequently, the brand occupies a unique position as a domestic Thai brand, a tourist souvenir, and an internationally recognized lifestyle brand. Its current collections reflect an effort to operate as a contemporary fashion and accessories company with continuously updated designs.

Brand Positioning

Naraya is best understood as a mid-market Thai lifestyle/accessories brand, distinct from luxury fashion houses. Key competitive strengths include:

Naraya is significant for demonstrating that Thai textile craftsmanship could become a scalable consumer brand. While traditional Thai craftsmanship is often associated with silk and handicrafts, Naraya incorporated these skills into products for ordinary daily use. This allowed the company to occupy a niche between traditional Thai handicraft, mass-market accessories, and international lifestyle branding. Its success lies in creating a recognizable Thai-made consumer brand with international appeal.

• 1989: Narai Intertrade Co., Ltd. established by Vassilios Lathouras and Wasna Roongsaenthong.
• 1993: Textile production begins at a small factory with 15 employees and 15 sewing machines.
• 1996: Naraya trademark registered.
• 2002: Narai Intertrade/NARAYA receives the Thai Prime Minister’s Export Award in the Design category for its fabric products.7
• 2006: Registered capital increased to 90 million baht; new head office established on Chaengwattana Road, Nonthaburi.
• 2008: Two factories established in Buriram Province.
• 2011: Additional factory established in Khon Kaen Province.
• 2016: Distribution center established in Pathum Thani.
• Today: Naraya operates as a broad Thai lifestyle/accessories brand with multiple contemporary collections, maintaining Thai manufacturing and community production relationships.

1. NaRaYa_Official Website
2. NaRaYa
3. About Us – NaRaYa Silk
4. เปิดตำนาน “นารายา” กระเป๋าผ้าพันล้าน จากธุรกิจขายอะไหล่ยนต์ จนเป็นแบรนด์ขวัญใจคนจีน
5. NaRaYa Silk “The Leader in Thai Silk
6. PBA – Naraya
7. About us