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Textile in Southern Thailand
In southern Thailand textiles
show influences from India and
Malayasia, being of the Srivijaya and central Thai style with gold and
silver brocade as the principal decorative technique.
Brocade silks were made since the 18th century in Nakhon Si Thamarat
province, using Malay looms and designs. In Ban Na Mun Si,
Trang province, a two-tone twisted silk fabric was made for men's and
women's chong kaben which became fashionable in the reign of Rama V
(reg, 1868- 1910).
Also, a burial cloth was made incorporating supplementary weft. At Koh
Yor, Songkhla province all purpose checks, stripes and simple
supplementary wefts are still made today. In Phum Liang, Amphur
Chaiya, Surathani province the muslim community is weaving brocades
for modern use. Examples of antique southen textiles are very rare and
can be seen in museums at Chaiya and Nakon Si Thammarat.
Thai textiles today have a long
history from which they have
evolved still maintaining many of the ancient patterns and
technical intricacy. However, the distinguishing elements of
each area and ethnic group are fast being replaced by the demands
of the market for more standard products.
Earliest evidence of textiles woven in Thailand
are fragments of
plain weave cotton, silk and hemp of the Ban Chiang culture
dating to 700 BC. The development of the loom from back-strap to
standing frame looms has not been recorded, but today three major
loom types are used in the village and a fly shuttle loom in
industry, which was introduced in the late 19th century.
The major raw materials used are still silk, cotton and hemp as
discovered over two thousand years ago in Ban Chiang.
02. December 2004