Bangkok--15 Nov--TAT
The southern part of Northeastern Thailand, or I-San, is well known for the annual elephant round-up in Surin and the finest silks in the land. This region is home to Cambodian speaking peoples surrounding Surin and Lao peoples in the Buriram area, whose culture and textiles reflect their historical and ethnic backgrounds.
Thailand is famous for its handwoven silks, but why do locals say that none are as fine as those from Lower I-San? The answer lies in the silk thread itself. Traditional Thai silk comes from the yellow cocoons of the bombyx mori silk worm and transforms into a sensual, textured fabric, distinguishing it from flat, shiny Chinese silk that is fast replacing real Thai silk in Thailand. The textured outer part of the Thai cocoon is carefully separated from the inner smoother, lustrous silk. The ancestors wove with these fine inner threads, discarding the outer parts of the cocoon, which today are popular for interiors and textured fashion goods. While each Thai silk cocoon renders approximately 900 meters of silk yarn, silk from several cocoons must be reeled together to make a workable yarn, because each individual filament is so fine. The fewer the number of cocoons reeled together, the finer the yarns. Past-masters of durability and elegance, the weavers of lower I-san still choose to work with these tiny, hair-fine silk yarns that are so very time-consuming to process, giving them the reputation for the finest handwoven silks in Thailand.
To maintain silk’s lustre and softness, it can be washed by hand in cold water with any soft soap or shampoo but gently squeeze the water out without wringing. Dry in the shade and iron with a hot iron on the back of the fabric to prevent sheen. Your silk purchases will look fresh for decades and continue to receive compliments.
Surin Elephant Round-up and Elephant Show
November 18 — 19, 2006
08.30 — 11.00 hrs
Srinarong Stadium, Surin
Contact information:
TAT Northeastern Office — Region 1
Areas of responsibility: Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin and Chaiyaphum
Tel: (0) 4421 3666, 4421 3030
Fax: (0) 4421 3667
E-mail: tatsima@tat.or.th