Makruk set

Several years ago, I created a set for Makruk (Thai chess), but, other than the line-up of the pieces, there wasn't anything 'Thai' about either the board or the pieces. So I decided to try again, and make a more authentic Makruk set.

Looking for ideas, I quickly stumbled across a set of original plastic Thai Makruk pieces.

With the pieces sorted, the plan was to create a board similar to boards used in Thailand, with space on the side for captured pieces.











But I wanted to it to be unique, so it would have some changes and an extra flourish!

The playing area was going to be raised a wee bit, on top of the base of the board.

The plywood received three coats of mahogany wood stain, and the lines between the squares were chiselled into the wood, creating light lines in the process
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The base of the board received two coats of mahogany wood stain, making it slightly lighter than the playing area itself.

And then the extra flourish! Eight small wooden figurines of elephants, a well-known Thai icon. These elephants will carry the board in a rather discworld-esque way.

The base of the board is screwed on to the backs of the elephants, ...












... and then the playing area is glued to the base of the board.

Finally, the board is finished off with several wooden strips, which are mahogany-stained as well.

Time to add the pieces!

I'm really pleased with how my second attempt at a Makruk set came out!