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The art of weaving silk and cotton fibres into textiles has long been known to mankind. Archaeolodgical evidence
uncovered in Thailand shows
that the people of this region were weaving textiles more than 3,000 years ago. Ancient spindles used for spinning
cotton have been found in the province of Kanchanaburi
while other weaving apparatus has been discovered in in the province of Lop Buri
Uthai Thani and
Udon Thani.
Historical evidence taken from stone carvings, mural paintings and sacred manuscripts show a dress culture incorporating
woven textiles as a form of attire, as body accessories, and for houseshold purposes as well as for other purposes including rituals and ceremonies.
These textiles have long been established in the form of rectangular cloths wrapped around the lower past of the body to form a skirt or loincloth,
and for the upper part of the body in the form of a shawl. The rectangular
shape enabled them to be sewn together to form various shapes depending
on use. Ancient sculptures and mural paintings show that ankle-length skirts
were popularly worn by women. Occasionally they wore shoulder cloths
and bresst cloths or shawls and during evening hours and cool weather they
wrapped themselves in blankets. They did not wear shirts or blouses. Men
wore sshort or long pieces of cloths which they would wrap around their
body, tie at the waist and fold or roll the excess fabric to pass between
their legs and fold in at the waist at the back in the thok khamen or chong-
kraben style. They also wore shoulder cloths and shawls in the same manner
as women. There was no definite fashion style for children who generally
went naked or wrapped themselves in a piece of cloth similar to the adults.
High ranking people, such as royalty and nobility, wore large pieces of cloth
which were gathered, pleated and tucked to look exotic. The fabric was
mostly imported or woven with gold or silver to show status and wealth.
They also adorned their body with headdresses, bracelets and anklets. The
women's skirt was worn in na nang style.
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