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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat

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    A Visit to Ban Pa-Ngat - A Silk Village in Korat

    A couple of weeks ago the Bangkok Post had a story of a group of villages in northern Korat that were trying to buck the trend of using imported silk thread in "Thai" silk products. These villages are part of Silk Net, an organization that is encouraging villagers to grow Mulberry trees, raise their own silkworms and produce completely indigenous silk thread and fabric.

    We decided we'd like to visit one of these villages so headed out on a day trip.

    We went to Ban Pa-Ngad, which is about 75K north of Korat just off Highway 2, a few K past the turnoff to Phimai. This is Tambon Kam Sombun, Ampu Khong.


    Here's Ms. B asking for directions as we'd stopped for the hay wagon.


    Unoccupied wooden loom.


    This woman is spooling died thread.


    Examining some of the products on offer. The bright fabric uses commercial chemically produced dyes. The more muted fabric is dyed with natural materials.


    Weaving the fabric.


    Note the nice pattern.


    Getting thread ready for the loom.


    Another happy weaver.


    Silk worms. The told us they were "sleeping" and, indeed, they seemed to be dormant: not eating and barely moving. They become active when the rainy season starts and produce cocoons in the summer months.


    Locally grown Mulberry leaves.



    Second floor spinner.


    Nice old house.


    Some of the fabric we bought.

  2. #2
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    Marmite the Dog's Avatar
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    08-09-2014 @ 10:43 AM
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    What a refreshing thread. Thanks.

  3. #3
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    Tao's Avatar
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    Good thread, how much were they asking for the silk?

  4. #4
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    ^What I'd call a shawl was 300 baht. A piece about 50 cm wide and two meters long was about 400 baht. The brightly colored sarongs were 800 baht. Enough fabric to make a Thai-style woman's outfit (long skirt and long sleeved blouse) was 1800 baht.

    We bought one shawl for my sister (birthday coming up) and two of the wider, longer pieces for wall hangings.

    I wanted one of the nice bright sarongs for myself, but Ms. B widely vetoed that idea.

  5. #5
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    MeMock's Avatar
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    I second what Marmers said. Refreshing and interesting. Thanks.

  6. #6
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    klongmaster's Avatar
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    Cheers BH: I'm might go through there next month and it would be nice to stop and have a look...my wife wants to go home and I'm on holiday in March - and April...and May - so will have some time...

    was it difficult to find this place?..

  7. #7
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    klongmaster's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by buad hai
    Ban Pa-Ngad, which is about 75K north of Korat just off Highway 2, a few K past the turnoff to Phimai.
    sorry BH: just looked on my map and can't see the village you mention...is it on highway 2160?..

  8. #8
    Northern Hermit
    friscofrankie's Avatar
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    I love Thai Silk and wandering the villages is a great way to spend a weekend or week. There is one family of weavers in KK that insist I stay in their home whenever I go. Good bunch of people, beautiful fabrics.

    Fascinating watching the ladies tie the patterns into the threads, send them out to be dyed then tie the next stage of a pattern in. You can see the pattern begin to take shape before the weaver ever gets the yarns.

    Good stuff.
    When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty -- T. Jefferson


  9. #9
    Hifaluten Member
    Wayne Kerr's Avatar
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    Great thread BH. Brought back fond memories of looking after silk worms for my mother as a young boy, collecting the mulberry leaves etc. Jeez I could just about smell your pic of the worms eating the leaves. Thanks .

  10. #10

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    dirtydog's Avatar
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    ^ It really wouldn't suprise me if you ate them as well

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by klongmaster
    sorry BH: just looked on my map and can't see the village you mention...is it on highway 2160?..
    Yes, it's just off Highway 2160. Turn off Highway 2 at Baan Wat. It's then only a few K down the road on the left side. There are some signs in Thai about the silk association. If you don't read Thai you can ask at the police box at the junction of 2 and 2160.

  12. #12
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    LSNEED's Avatar
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    Great pics, was not too far away in Chaiyaphum couple of weeks ago, but area was flooded with water. After seeing your pics, I will definitely make it there next trip. Thanks for all the great info.

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