Thai Silk

History of Thai silk

We don't have sure evidence about history of Thai silk that explain when is the first time we made Thai silk, but we know to made silk or textile is one of most ancient handicraft in the world because it began until prehistoric times. In Thailand, fabric weaving has been practiced since prehistoric times and rural society has regarded it as a woman's duty during spare time after work in the fields. The development of both colors and designs of the finished products have been a result of the weavers' own imagination and a long heritage as well as some other factors. In the old days fabrics were a kind of status symbol; there were fabrics for the common people to be used either everyday or on special occasions like merit-making, traditional rituals or important festivities, fabrics for the upper class including the king and the royal family and finally those for the Buddhist monks.
Thai fabrics have a great number of designs, usually distinguished by region. Northern women have been considered very skillful weavers, especially of cotton fabrics. They started by weaving for domestic use and then produced for export as well. It is said that during the twentieth and twenty-first century BE the northern part of Thailand which was known as the Lan Na Kingdom produced many good fabrics for sale in neighbouring states, some of which were Pha Si Chan Khao, Pha Si Chan Daeng, Pha Si Dok Champa etc.. During the Sukhothai Period, about 700 years ago, besides the ordinary coloured ones, a five-colour fabric was produced, commonly known as Pha Benjarong. Different groups of people then produced their own fabrics; court people for example would make fabrics for themselves and ordered some fabrics from abroad. As history has it, silk began to be imported from China during that time. Besides clothing, people began to use fabrics for other purposes such as home decoration (long flags) and other household items (pillows, mattresses, curtains). Fabrics during the Ayudhya Kingdom which was about 400 years ago assumed another important role besides materials for clothing and decoration-they were used as money. They were sometimes given by the king instead of money for rewards and often for the annual remuneration, hence the term Pha Wad Raipee
Thai silk is the heritages of Thai dress cultural succeed for over 3,000 years until now. The art of making silk originated in northeastern Thailand, where cloth weaving is a traditional craft and expansion to upper North. After that Thai silk’s been spread to all of Thailand’s part. Now, Thai silk is called the most famous heritages of Thailand. Patterns and designs depend on each region and local unique.

Producing and selling places

Most of the silk products you'll find in stores, especially in the United States, most likely come from one of these three countries. There are basically two methods of producing the silk. One is by hand, which is mostly done in Thailand, and another is by machine, which is done in Japan and China. The cost of silk products from these countries is very high because of the technology involved. That is one of the reasons why silk is such a valued commodity, especially in the United States.

How Thai silk is made?
All the silk using a rather complicated process. Although there are now many enormous, automated factories making silk fabric all over the world, women weavers at their homes in Northeast Thailand using traditional methods and their own looms. This is why the cloths are unique.
What's the difference between machine woven and hand woven Thai silk?
Every piece of hand woven Thai silk is a timeless, unique work of textile art from the hands of a rural Thai woman. Since it is art work produced by a human, it forever carries thoughts, emotions, feelings, spirit and life of the weaver. Machine woven silk is a wider and sometime is more suitable than hand-woven silk.
Today, there are number of silk companies in and around Bangkok. However, northeast is still the major region of silk production. The company founded by Jim Thompson near the Northeastern town of Pak Thong Chai. There is the largest hand weaving facility in the world. Silk from Thailand can be purchased not just in local shops but throughout the world.
Thai silk products includes Thai silk scarves, Thai silk shawls, necktie, Thai silk handbags, purses , silk pillow, Thai silk table runners, and Thai silk cushion covers.

Method to maintain silk

1. Should clean silk by dry-clean solution in soft type, shouldn't clean silk by powdered detergent. It will be better if use dry-clean solution in especially silk.
2. Shouldn't clean silk by washing machine, because it's make silk crumpled that hard to iron.
3. Shouldn't dry silk in the strong sunlight, because that make silk's color to pale. Should dry in a place where open-air and soft sunlight.
4. Before iron silk should squirt the iron solution which especially silk, and iron in carefulness.
5. If silk is very crumpled, should take it in refrigerator and steep it about 10 -15 minutes. This way will make silk easy to iron.

references
http://www.tsquarewedding.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Id=538732251&Ntype=4
http://www.silkthailand.com/articles/mainarticle2.htm
http://www.panyathai.or.th/wiki/index.php/%E0%B8%9C%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2

By
Supunsa Meeboon HS. CHI 513081066-4
Narisa Kumsuwan HS.JP 513080700-1

Songkran Festival

“Songkran” is the Thai traditional New Year
and an occasion for family reunion. It starts April 13 and lasts between 3 and 10 days, depending on where you are in Thailand.It is the great opportunity for merit-making and a special time for Thai people to have fun,traditional music, dance, games, and other activities in the pastime. Thai people celebrate this festival with water. Everyone gets soaking wet and since it is the hottest season of the year, the custom is quite refreshing. Songkran is a Public Spring Cleaning Day, supported by the religious belief that anything old and useless must be thrown away or it will bring bad luck to the owner.









Activities in Songkran

In the morning, people go to the temple to make merits by offering food to monks and novices, observing the precepts, Five or Eight precepts and listening to the Dhamma talk. During the afternoon of the 13th, Buddha images are bathed as part of the ceremony. Young people pour scented water into the hands of elders and parents as a mark of respect while seeking the blessing of the older people. In ancient days, old people were actually given a bath and clothed in new apparel presented by the young folks as a token of respect for the New Year.



After Buddha image and the monks bathing ceremony and asking blessing from elders, young people splash each other playfully. The waters that bring to splash have to be clean water and mixed with the aroma Ngmab. The place in playing splash is temple or square of the village mostly.






As part of the water sprinkling, water splashing and string tying rites, you may also encounter a person with a small silver bowl filled with a white powder or pasty substance. This is one of the oldest Songkran traditions. The white paste is a sign of protection and promises to ward off evil. The person with the paste is often older and he or she applies the paste to various parts of the face, neck and torso of others. One is expected to leave this paste on until it washes off of its own accord, and while there is a tendency to shy away from this paste because it looks like it might ruin the clothes, it is water soluble and will not harm materials.








There are other rituals and merit-making rites that people engage in at Songkran. In addition to the traditional cleaning of the home and bidding the old year adieu, these include making offerings to local temples and the monks. The offerings include preserved foods cooked dishes, fresh fruit and new robes for the monks. Also people build sand piles on the temple grounds and these sand piles represent personal pagodas built as part of the merit-making ritual.







The importance of Songkran Festival


1. It is annual holiday in Thailand and this has been a perfect time
to take break from the business of earning a living.
2. It is merit-making day and dedicated charity to the deceased relatives.
3. It’s a day to show gratitude parents and asking the blessing from the elders.
And Songkran Day is the day of the National Seniors.
4. It’s a family day. When Songkran arrived, all relative come to
participate philanthropy and create charity.
5. It’s conservation of Thai culture and tradition.




References:
http://gotoknow.org/file/su1958/141949795.jpg
http://agschool.rta.mi.th/images/stories/thai/sonkarn/sk1.jpg
http://www.voyagetravelmag.com/database/upload_files/photo_contest/aor.JPG
http://show.kapook.com/files/photo/07-09/24/medium_kapook-1248447492.jpg




By : Pattiporn Yoonui
Thanyaporn Sriseem
Khonkaen University, Thailand

Muay Thai

MAUY THAI (THAI BOXING)

                                                                                                           

History Of Muay Thai is the Thai traditional boxing. It use almost all parts of the body during the fight espectually the forehead, the fists, elbows, knees, and feet, these are often used as the weapons during the fight. In the past, Muay Thai was taught only in the nobles but now Muay Thai is popular for whoever interested. Muay Thai has been more than 2000 years Muay Thai was also once called the martial art of the kings because of the fact that in 1914 the sons of the King Sen Muajng Ma fought until their death for the throne of their father

Techniques 

The punching techniques, The straight punch is a power punch extended directly forwards towards the target, the fist palm down, aimed at the chin or solar plexus.

The elbow techniques, The elbows provide a dangerous form of attack, used to cut and sometimes to knock out. It is delivered in a hooking, uppercut or overhand motion. When first practicing the elbow, swing your elbow straight up in the narrowest possible angle. Do not hit the target bluntly but see if you can scrape the target lightly with your elbow.

The kicking techniques Muay Thai has many different kicking techniques like the nutcracker kick, straight kick, diagonal kick, roundhouse kick, spinning kick, axe hill kick, half spin half knee kick, jump kick, and step up kick. The most commonly used though are the kick and the foot jab.

The knee techniques In muay Thai punches are rarely thrown to the stomach area, as the knee is a much more effective weapon.You can do the knee techniques by stand up on your toes. Lift yourself up with a straight leg. Step forward into the attack always keeping your hand high in guard. Fold your leg as tightly as possible and point the toes. Or the toes can point up, ready for a thrust kick. Send power from the hips in the same way you send power to the punch from the shoulder. This will make the strike more powerful.

Foot techniques Foot-thrust will be mainly used as offensive technique to block the opponent's attack. The foot-thrust also use for make the opponent off balance and take a chance to attack. It is quite rare to see boxers use the foot-thrust aggressively as a deadlyy weapon to knock out, but using foot-thrust first then follow by kick or other weapon quickly maybe the good practice to learn

 

Accessories

Boxing gloves : You can find it in the sport shop.  To choose the best gloves, the first  thing is you need to know the importance they are. Boxing gloves are very  important in boxing. They  are used  to protect your hands and wrists. They also safe your opponent’s life.Moreover The most importantly, they must be made of great quality materials.They depend on the price, too. If you buy  them in cheap price, their qualities are not good. However it is better if you spend more money, you will get a  good one

Bag glovesYou can also choose the  size that perfectly fit your hands with the weight you want. General sizes are S, M, L and XL  depended on each manufacturer.A pro fighter normally uses 8 – 10 oz. gloves with the size that absolutely fits his hands. In addition, you can find 10 oz. gloves in S, M, and L. Before trying the bag gloves, you must  wrap your hand You don’t want to feel too tight or too loose because that could hurt your hands and wrists instead of keeping them safe.

Hand wrap : It is strip cloth. It is used to protect your hand, the palm, the wrist and the thumb where it serves to both maintain the alignment of the joints

Boxing shorts : . You can choose from normal sport shorts when you want to practice. The are many differences are of the  material used to cut the shorts. For example, Nylon, Cotton, Polyester Blend and Satin. It’s up to you to decide buying. But the important thing is that you should feel comfortable and have a free movement. 

The Famous Thai Boxing Places

Rajadumnern Stadium : It is located in Rajadumnern nork Road, Bangkok. It was built by the thinking of Field Marshal Piboonsongkram (Jompon Por Piboonsongkram) It was built before  world war II and finished in 2488 by The Crown Property Bureau

Rajadumnern Stadium is the first standard stadium in Thailand. The famous boxers fight here like  Phon Kingpet , Chartchai Chiawnoi , Venis BKS, Khaosai Galaxy , Chana Por Paoin.Now this stadium has an air-conditioner so that people usually call Vig Air. It hasthe fight every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 18.00 – 21.00. And on Sunday  from 17.00-21.00. It is close in the religious  day.

Lumpini Stadium : It is a nearly standard of Rajadumnern Stadium. Located on Rama IV  Road, Klongtoei,Bangkok. It was founded in 2499 by Major General Prapat Jarusatien. Now it is controlled by Thai Army. It has a fight every Tuesday and Friday from 18.00-22.00 and Saturday from 17.00-24.30

 

Proud of Khon Kaen University

The "Spirit of Fighting" won best national costume

 

Miss Thailand Universe 2008 Gavintra Photijak wears national costume, which the costume was inspired by traditional muaythai style and called the "Spirit of Fighting" by Thai student Sathapat Moonma, a senior-year architecture student from Khon Kaen Univerisity. Thailand's Gavina came out stage perform in Wai-Kru , Cherng, Kon andMae-Mai muaythai, which won the best national costume award at the 57th Miss Universe pageant at Crown Convention Center, Nha Trang, Vietnam, with 80 of the world's most beautiful women competing to win one of the pageant world's most coveted crowns. Despite final Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza, 22, won the title.

BY Mr.Nanthapong / Miss Ratinad

 

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muay_Thai

http://thai-boxing.org

 

 

Thai Silk

About Thai silk

Thai silk is weaved from the fiber that is the strongest, it’s glossy and different from the other fiber. Thai silk is the important identity of Thailand and it’s important for the Thai economy nowadays. Thailand export silk about five hundred million baht each year, about 40% of silk is produced and 60% of silk is sold to the tourists and also Thai people. The total of value is about 800-1,000 million baht. There are more than 500 Thai silk’s shops in Thailand. Thai silk describe to an identity of each region and there are various ways in weaving, pattern, and style.

Thai silk is most popular because it’s durable and beautiful. On the other hand, Thai silk can describe to the statue in the social. Today Thai silk is developed into industry, there are many factories that produce Thai silk in every region of Thailand and many of the best quality Thai silk are exported. The important market are USA, European Union and also in Japan. Thai silk can be designed in various styles for modernization.

Quality of Thai silk.

There are two attribute of Thai silk.

1. Silk appearance: When you are looking at Thai silk, you will be glitter and spellbound. In the meantime if you are wearing Thai silk, it will present your taste too.

2. Silk arrayal or touching: When Thai people are wearing silk, they will be proud of themselves because it is one of symbol of Thailand. And If you are foreigner who want to touch this sensation, you must wear silk by yourself. Then it will give you an impression.

Pattern and Tone.

1.Loincloth : it likes checkered. Red, black and white are popular color now.
2.Breast cloth :manufacturer love to weave it in tint color or sometime the same as loincloth.
3.Sarong : its style likes huge checkered and sometime it does not have any decoration. At this moment Sarong become britches such as in photos below.
1.Panung*: there are eight design of Panung: homespun, Pahole, Pakon, Pakaneaw, Paaumpun, Pasamor,Pakan and Pamudmee . The most famous Panung is Mudmee silk or everyone know that is kind of Thai silk woven in northeastern Thailand. Mudmee has lined figures from bring floss that were bind by plastic rope dye in enamelware.

*Panung is word described one kind of cloth. When you change its position, we call Nungpa. Nungpa is a verb to describe how to wear the cloth.

Thai silk in the world market.

In the past, Thai silk was not emerged in the world market. Even in Thailand, Thai silk was not popular because everyone thought silk is suitable for adults and elderly people. After the World War 2, many people are more interested in Thai silk.
And another important reason is that the Queen Sirikit has a Royal Project about constitution office of silk to encourage this. Mudmee silk is initiated one important type of Thai silk, Her Majestry assists in manufacturing and exportation.

Not only Mudmee silk has beautiful design, it also has durability. If you know how to save it in a correct way. Right now leading designers bring silk for dressmaking. Thai silk can also be everything on your demand. It is not only cloth but it has more attraction by fragrance of bark. And a lot more of Thai silk attraction that can’t described by letter. You must touch it by yourself. Thai silk will make you fascinated. Touch it by yourself.

Thai herb in Thai beverage.

In the first article we talked about Thai herb in Thai cuisine, but not only used in cuisine. Herb is used as composition in various products such as medicine desserts and drinks. Thai drinks may not be as famous as Thai food, so not many people around the world know about its properties and tastes.
In Thailand herbs have been using as one of ingredients for a long time.
At former time, herbal beverage was used only in order to cure patients. It was cooked simply by boiling. But at present, when technology and evolution is getting better, the method to make a good beverage is increasing, too. There are many worth drinking herbal beverage in Thailand. Here are some examples.

Centella asiafic (Linn) Urban juice
Taste: This one might be too better, if it was not cook properly.
Medical properties: restraining some types of cancer cell such as Ehnlich
ascites and Dalton's Lymyhoma ascites. Curing internal bruised wound. Maintain tiredness. And recreasing inflaming.

Lemon grass juice
Taste: quite spicy, pungent taste and pungent smell. But delicious.
Medical properties: decreasing internal heat. Restraining some king of bacteria’s progress. Curing flatulence.

Pandanus Odorus juice
Taste: good taste with refreshing feel.
Medical properties: enriching heart. Refreshing from tiredness.

Aegle Marmelos juice
Taste: guarantee that must be loved by people who like sweet.
Medical properties: curing flatulence. Decreasing phlegm. Adding food requirement.

Ginger juice
Taste: quite spicy, pungent taste and pungent smell. But delicious.
Medical properties: Curing flatulence. Relieving coughing.

Star gooseberry juice
Taste: sour and sweet.
Medical properties: full with vitamin C. good to when thirsty.


If you are interested in these herbal beverage, you can buy to make it simply by yourself from Thai convenience store.

Here are some of the instant and readymade products.

Instant Centella asiafic (Linn) Urban juice

Inatant Ginger juice

Instant Aegle Marmelos juice

Instant Lemon grass juice

Instant Pandanus Odorus juice

Beliefs about “Each day in Thailand” (Do not thing)

Belief is ingrained with all men. Beliefs arising from a sense of understanding the person. Which may be required to believe the main reason or the wrong time of the main reasons. Beliefs of many Thai people are very traditional. Treasured Eastern belief that the cause of many different traditions and practices. Of Thai society today.

Beliefs quoted following the beliefs of the ancient Thai people. About the evil nature of the lucky people. The interpretation of events that will occur in the future. Enough to explain that to understand by looking or objects taken k mouth environment that resembles a body that indicate events that will occur to comply with resolutions that belief.


Beliefs is ideas or direction opinion of people should be in the same way. Beliefs of the Thai people have many such. Specifically, the form of the beliefs that are transmitted from the past to future generation such as belief in the each day. Thai people have a belief in the each day.



Example; on Saturday do not housewarming because it believed that Saturday is the strong day. If it will make family life is not happy.





On Friday do not funeral because Friday is day of fortune and conviviality.If a funeral was held on terrorism will cause more. In the words of that. “Undertaking on Friday are suftering for the people living there”


On Tuesday do not sharing stick because it believes that Tuesday is a hard day, If sharing stick then it may be serious accident.



On Wednesday do not wedding and hair cut because it believes that Wednesday is the day of the exuberance. Things are not cut in on this day such as tree cutting and Barber are also stop service on Wednesday.

Reference
oldforum.serithai.net/index.php?topic=38352.0
www.vcharkarn.com/.../showarticle.php?aid=33599
nco919.com

Kamonmarn Sirichokmongkolchai
Chutima Tangkheunkhan

Animation in Thailand

ANIMATION OF THAILAND

In addition to the animation of western and Japanese will be available and many more. Now Thailand has the cartoon animation of variety. Development of the Thai animation started when 60 years ago. The character animation can be found in TV ads. Example; Ad balm created by a teacher Subpasiri Vichaisiri who created the animation, the first person in Thai also. And little bear from bear Brand milk ad.

Afterward the Thai movie industry is a plan to create the animation movie about the first. But canceled because the media control laws in the day. But again 10 years later Buddhist era is the 2498 animation film consists of Soarsanajinda. And then Thai has the project about the animation on the Cartoon Hanuman anti-Communist that is baked by America. But had to cancel because of country’ leading satirical edge that caused the year of the Monkey.

Buddhist era in 2522. Thai movie industry sent on the first animated movie called Sudsakorn that folk tales of the Thai people are known to ancients to the present. It’s considered fairly successful in that era. Later in the Buddhist era.2526 have the first animation on TV called lovely butterflies. Afterwards it had come to many. However, the animation that requires relatively high cost makes. Thai’s animation must be close.

But when the Buddhist era 2542 animation Thai likely dead is returned from the resurgent efforts from Broadcast company. Bring the body has been adapted from Thai literature become the cartoon animation which has been considered as well. Until Buddhist era in 2545 known that gold is the year of the animation industry, Thailand has sent the cartoon animation to cinema especially Pang Pond and Sudsakorn. Both of them have created a phenomenon in term of sales character devices using combined sales. Further more there are also soundtrack haunt too.

1. KANKUAY

This is the story of the growth of the elephant that playful calf independent living amidst deep forest, but then with curiosity about the missing father. His departure has led to a great adventure through a variety of events to learn new lessons that changed him into the brave elephant filled with vitality

as a gentle soul.

2. THE BUDDHA

The animated movie animation 2D this is aimed to prepare to celebrate on the occasion that the King completed 80 years of age on December 5, 2550. In addition the cartoon animation takes longer to create 4 years. The body of the film combines some principle teachings of the Buddha. All of Buddhist can be realized easily through avatars that people enjoy it.

3. NARK

Nark has models and ideas from the Mea Nark- Prakanong. Young ghost the most famous legend in Thailand. But in this movie, Nark that looks lovely, good shape, big eyes, more modern look innocuous like another movie’s version Nark in the cartoon is woman that has higher leadership. Love friends, love children (especially good children) and love justice. Hate most people who prefer to browbeat others. She ready to protect people who are always ill-treated. She is agility as much demand.

References:

www.cityvariety.com/files/movie/kankluay_00.jpg

www.siamzone.com/.../2007/thebuddha/poster1.jpg

www.yenta4.com/.../1231106_5696377.jpg

Kamonmarn Sirichokmongkolchai

Chutima Tangkheunkhan

Khon Kean University , Thailand