TRADITIONAL TEXTILES AND COSTUMES OF THE ‘TAI’ ETHNIC TRIBES

NORTHERN THAILAND

• TAI LUE
  In the provinces of Nan, Phayao, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phrae in northern Thailand
  
  
  
  The Tai Lue who migrated to the mountainous highlands of the ancient northern Thai kingdom of Lanna, and Laos, in several waves are a sub-group of the ethnic Tai who settled in Sipsongpanna (Xishuangbanna) in Southern China. In the cooler climate of the mountainous north, the head-cloth is a prominent element of the Tai Lue costume. The Tai Lue blouse, known as ‘sua pat’, is in black or indigo and has long sleeves. The front of the blouse has a cross-breast fastening.
  
  
• TAI YAI
  In Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand
  
  
  
  
• TAI YUAN
  In the provinces of Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phrae, Ratchaburi, Sara Buri
  
  
  
  The Thai Yuan people are an ethnic Tai sub-group living in the provinces of Northern Thailand which were once part of the ancient northern Thai kingdom of Lanna. Tai Yuan villages comprise agricultural-based ethnic communities whose culture and traditions are very well preserved. The village women weave while the men engage in basketry.
  
  The pha sin (tube-skirt) of the Tai Yuan features distinctive design elements and bright colours, and is woven in cotton. The Thai Yuan believe that it is sinful to use silk. The Teen Jok (hem pieces) of the Thai Yuan are difficult to weave and are only woven for special occasions. Pha sin pa or sin ta, as it is popularly known, is a tube-skirt with horizontal stripes when wrapped around the body. Patterns are oriented in the warp. ‘Hong’ or Hamsa – the mythical goose that is Brahma’s steed, or swan motif, is symbolic of the Tai tribes.
  
  Men wear ‘mo hom’ farmer’s shirts with round collars that are dyed in indigo (khram) or ebony fruit (maklua).
  
  
• TAI PHUAN OR LAO PHUAN
  In Hat Sieow sub-district, Si Satchanalai district in Sukhothai province in northern Thailand
  
  
  
  A sub-group of ethnic Tais, Thai Phuan ethnic communities in Thailand are known as Lao Puan.

CENTRAL THAILAND

• TAI DAM (Also known as ‘Lao Song’)
  In the provinces of Petchburi, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri and Nakhon Pathom
  
  
  
  Tai Dam, the Black Thai ethnic group, originally settled in Vietnam. Woven predominantly in indigo, this is a key characteristic of Tai Dam costume, hence the origins of the tribe’s name. Animal motifs are often featured in the Teen Chok (hem borders). Silver buttons are status symbols; a larger number of buttons denotes higher ranking or social status.
  
  
• PHU TAI DAENG OR LAO KRUNG
  In Ban Rai in Uthai Thani province and the provinces of Chainat and Suphan Buri in central Thailand
  
  
  
  Mudmee (tie-dyed weft ikat), Jok and Khit weaving techniques are combined into a single pha sin (tube-skirt). Naga motif in alternating black and red ikat. The sabai (shoulder cloth) and pha sin are in red hence the origins of the tribe’s name – Phu Tai Daeng (which means red).
  
  
• TAI SIAM
  
  

NORTHEASTERN THAILAND

• PHU TAI DAM
  In the Ban Pone district of Kalasin province in I-san or northeastern Thailand
  
  Naga motifs are woven into black mudmee. The costume is worn with a ‘Prae Wa’ sabai or shoulder cloth one ‘wa’ (approximately 2 metres) in length.
  
  
• TAI I-SAN AND TAI KAMEN
  In the southern part of I-San
  
  

SOUTHERN THAILAND

• TAI TIN TAI, SOUTHERN THAILAND
  The pha sin tube-skirt features the famous 'Ratchawat' pattern from the island of Koh Yor in southern Thailand.
  
  

MAP Please click to expand

Contact information:
The Office of Agricultural Museum and Culture,
Kasetsart University, Bangkok
Tel: +66 (0) 2942 8711 – 2 Ext. 108

Acknowledgements
News Room sincerely thanks Professor Orathai Pholdee - Deputy Director, Office of Agricultural Museum and Culture at Kasetsart University in Bangkok for the enthusiastic support and kind assistance in providing either information and/or images for this feature.

NATIONAL MUSEUMS WITH TEXTILE EXHIBITIONS

BANGKOK

National Museum Bangkok
Na Phra That Road, Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok 10200
Tel: +66 (0) 2224 1370, (0) 2224 1396, (0) 2224 1333
Open Wednesday – Sunday 09.00 – 16.00
(Closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays)

NORTHERN THAILAND

Chiang Mai National Musuem
Chiang Mai – Lampang Super Highway, Amphoe Muang Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai 50300
Tel: +66 (0) 5322 1308, (0) 5340 8568
Open daily 09.00 – 16.00

Chiang Saen National Museum
702 Phaholyothin Road, Wiang sub-district, Chiang Saen district, Chiang Rai 57150
Tel: +66 (0) 5377 7102
Fax: + 66 (0) 5377 7102 Ext 28
Open Wednesday – Sunday 09.00 – 16.00
(Closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays)

Nan National Museum
Pha Klong Road, Nai Wiang sub-district, Muang Nan district, Nan 55000
Tel: +66 (0) 5471 0561
Fax: +66 (0) 5477 2777
Open daily 09.00 – 16.00

NORTHEASTERN THAILAND

Ubon Ratchathani National Museum
Uparaj Road, Nai Muang sub-district, Ubon Ratchathani 35000
Tel: +66 (0) 4522 5071
Open Wednesday – Sunday 09.00 – 16.00
(Closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays)

Roi Et National Museum
Ploenchit Road, Muang Roi Et district, Roi Et 45000
Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 4351 4456
Open Wednesday – Sunday 09.00 – 16.00
(Closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays)

CENTRAL THAILAND

Somdej Phra Narai National Museum
Muang Lop Buri district, Lop Buri 15000
Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 3641 1458, (0) 3641 2510
Open daily 09.00 – 16.00

Suphan Buri National Museum
Office of the Fine Arts Department, Suphan Buri Province
Suphan Buri-Chainat Road, Sanamchai sub-district, Suphan Buri 72000
Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 3553 5330
Open Wednesday – Sunday 09.00 – 16.00
(Closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays)

U-Thong National Museum
Malaiman Road, U-Thong district, Suphan Buri 72110
Tel: +66 (0) 3555 1040
Open Wednesday – Sunday 09.00 – 16.00
(Closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays)

Ratchaburi National Museum
Voradej Road, Na Muang sub-district, Muang district, Ratchaburi 70000
Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 3232 1513
Open Wednesday – Sunday 09.00 – 16.00
(Closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays)

SOUTHERN THAILAND

Chaiya National Museum
Raksnorakit Road, Wiang sub-district, Chaiya district, Surat Thani 84110
Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 7143 1066
Open Wednesday – Sunday 09.00 – 16.00
(Closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays)

Nakhon Si Thammarat National Museum
Ratchadamnoen Road, Muang Nakhon Si Thammarat sub-district,
Nakhon Si Thammarat province 40000
Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 7534 1075
Nakhon Si Thammarat

Satun National Museum
Satun Thani Road Soi 5, Pimarn sub-district, Muang Satun district
Satun province 91000
Tel: +66 (0) 7572 3140

Web site:
http://www.thailandmuseum.com/en_map.htm#centre

PRIVATE COLLECTIONS OPEN FOR PUBLIC VIEWING

• Pa-Da Cotton Textile Museum
  Saeng-da Bunsiddhi Foundation, Baan Rai Pai Ngam
  Home of National Folkcraft Artist, Mrs Saeng-da Bansiddhi
  105 Chiang Mai-Hod Road, Sop Tiea sub-district, Chom Thong district,
  Chiang Mai 50160
  Tel: +66 (0) 5336 1231
  Fax: +66 (0) 5336 1230
  
  
• Sbun-Nga Textile Museum, Chiang Mai
  At the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre
  Tel: +66 (0) 5320 0655
  Mobile phone: +66 (0) 1883 6713
  
  
• Komol Museum of Antique Textiles (Piphitpan Komol Pa Boran)
  Home of Komol Panichapan
  Huay Aw sub-district, Long district, Phrae province
  
  
• Ban Sathorn
  Home of Sathorn Soratprasopsanti
  Hat Sieow, Si Satchanalai district, Sukhothai province
  
  
• Gold Textile Museum (Piphitpan Pha Thong Kham)
  Hat Sieow, Si Satchanalai district, Sukhothai province