Praewa Silk of Kalasin: The Queen of Thai Silk and a Handwoven Heritage

The Department of Cooperative Promotion is actively supporting the Cooperative Art and Craft Center for Praewa Silk Weaving in Ban Phon, Kalasin, by enhancing product development, packaging, and marketing. This initiative aims to strengthen cooperative management, create employment, and boost local incomes while improving the quality of life for its members under the principles of the sufficiency economy philosophy. Additionally, the center serves as a cultural learning destination, offering visitors insights into the Phu Thai heritage and traditional weaving techniques.

As part of the government’s campaign to promote Thai textiles, Praewa silk has been highlighted for its distinctive craftsmanship. This traditional handwoven fabric, originating from the Phu Thai people of Kam Muang District, Kalasin Province, is renowned for its intricate patterns created by combining multiple silk threads. Its seamless texture and elaborate designs have earned it the title of the “Queen of Thai Silk.” The Praewa silk produced in Ban Phon, in particular, has become an emblem of Kalasin Province due to its unique identity and exceptional quality.

The Cooperative Art and Craft Center for Praewa Silk Weaving in Ban Phon operates under the Royal Initiative Projects of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. It is part of the Ban Phon Praewa Silk Promotion Project under the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques. The cooperative oversees silk production and distribution across four districts in Kalasin. Officially registered as a service cooperative on June 13, 2008, it currently has 197 members. The cooperative focuses on three key business areas: sourcing raw materials, collecting and distributing woven products, and adding value through processing. Members benefit economically through earnings from rice, sugarcane, cassava cultivation, and Praewa silk weaving, generating between 65,000 to 150,000 baht per household annually. Additionally, the cooperative has expanded its market reach by participating in the Promotion and Development of Local Agricultural Identity Products Project, selling Praewa silk at OTOP fairs, provincial Red Cross fairs, and online platforms. In 2024, it recorded sales of 733,269 baht.

Mr. Wisit Srisuwan, Director-General of the Department of Cooperative Promotion, emphasized that the preservation and promotion of Praewa silk were inspired by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. During her visit to Kam Muang District in 1977, she admired the traditional silk garments worn by the Phu Thai people, who draped themselves in intricately woven shoulder cloths. Recognizing the artistic and cultural value of this textile, Her Majesty initiated support through special craft promotion centers. Traditionally, Praewa silk was woven for use as shoulder cloths or shawls worn over local attire, with patterns reflecting the daily lives and cultural identity of the Phu Thai people. This exceptional weaving tradition has since been awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) status, ensuring its authenticity and heritage.

“The Department of Cooperative Promotion has provided financial assistance to support cooperative staff, allowing for improved financial and accounting management. Additional funding has been allocated for product development, packaging, and marketing enhancements. The department has also implemented initiatives to refine cooperative management systems, improve product quality, and expand marketing channels to boost overall business operations. These efforts align with the ‘Seven-Step Cooperative Development Model,’ which follows King Rama IX’s sufficiency economy philosophy as a framework for sustainable cooperative growth. Furthermore, collaboration with the Department of Community Development and the Department of Business Development has been established to enhance marketing opportunities for cooperative products. As a result, the Cooperative Art and Craft Center for Praewa Silk Weaving in Ban Phon, Kalasin, has become a model cooperative that fosters employment, generates income, and improves the well-being of its members. It also serves as a cultural hub, showcasing live demonstrations of Praewa silk weaving and attracting visitors as a heritage tourism site,” Mr. Wisit stated.