Ironware

Iron is divided into cast iron and steel, and as stated above, they are processed differently: cast iron is melted first then poured into shaped moulds while steel is heated, then beaten into strip before shape making.

Between the two, steel products are more popular, being more durable, and these include knives, axes, hoes, spades, scythes, chisels, pruning scissors, and fruit-picking tools.

Discarded steel items like car shafts and railway tracks are good materials for this craft. The most popular steel product found in almost every part of Thailand is the knife and the most well-known knives come from Tambon Tachang in Ayudhya Province and are called Aranyik knives.

Thai Metalcraft

Many artifacts have been made using metals as raw material since olden days, not only because they are more durable but because they have other facilitating features not found in products made from plant materials. Compared to other handicrafts, artisans resort more to technology in making metalware. Consequently, the stages of technological progress illustrate the development of metalware.

The oldest artifacts found in Thailand are bronze and were discovered in 1956 at Baan Nadeenonokea, Tambon Baan Koke, Pooviang District in Khon Kaen Province. They are about 5,000 years old; the oldest archeological evidence found in this part of the world. Those prehistoric articles found at Baan Chiang, Nongharn District in Udon Thani Province such as knives, axes, spears, fish hooks, metal weapon moulds, iron tools and bronze bracelets are of a later period.

Those wares discovered in many caves along Kwaenoi and Wangpo in Kanchanaburi Province come next, dating about three thousand years ago, belonging to the Bronze Age. They include weapons, cooking utensils, ornaments like rings, bracelets, and various objects used in ceremonies related to supernatural beliefs like drums for soul calling and sending. These are now treasured as valuable specimens of ancient works of art as well as important archaeological evidence of Thai early history.

Classified according to the type of metal used, Thai metalware falls into seven groups:

1. Ironware

2. Bronzeware

3. Brassware

4. Goldware

5. Silverware including nielloware

6. Pewterware

7. Aluminumware

Textiles: Cotton and Silk

 Silk

Sericulture is said to have originated in China some 5,000 years ago; its popularity has spread the world over and has not ceased to this day. The silkworm is a caterpillar which feeds on the foliage of trees and shrubs. Its favourite is mulberry, so it is quite common for mulberry plantation to go side by side with silkworm cultivation. 

The silkworm's life cycle comprises of three stages egg,
larva and chrysalis. During the last stage the insect stops teeding and begins its spinning process which is first to make an outer network called the floss, then to wind the silk continuously around its body into a cocoon. The glossy strong silk thread from this cocoon is the raw material for human silk
weaving. 

Three types of silkworm are raised in Thailand:
1. Local species
This kind of silkworm makes a rather small cocoon with pointed tips like a shuttle, yielding short but strong thread, generally of yellowish or off-white colour. Rural people prefer it for their home weaving.

2.Thai hybrid
This is a cross between the local and foreign species giving a large cocoon of yellow thread which is commercially speaking better than the local species.

3. Foreign hybrid
A cross between the Japanese and Chinese species, this type of silkworm produces very large oval shaped cocoon, yielding long white silk. It is the favourite among reeling factories and naturally the best commercially.

Bamboo and Rattan Basketry

 Bamboo

Bamboo is a natural plant in Thailand and has had a special place in Thai daily life from time immemorial. Many rural people in Thailand have, since the old days, built their houses and made their household utensils from bamboo.

This "wonder" plant can grow anywhere, weather any kind of climate and has many good qualities: all of its parts are useful: root, shoot, leaves and stem. As regards its stem, it can be split into strips which can be bent or twisted, yet do not break very easily; besides, when made into any shape it is pressure-resistent, i.e. able to retain its original form after hard handling; hence an ideal material for basket making.

There are many species of bamboo in Thailand that are good for basket making; for example Pai Seesuk, Pai Saang, Pai Liang, Pai Seenual, Pai Ruag, Pai Hea etc (Pai is the Thai word for bamboo). The most popular is the first which is of the BAMBUSA BLUMEANA family, growing in every part of Thailand not in forests but on low plains, preferably in sunny areas near water. Country people also like to grow this kind of bamboo as fences around their houses.

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Rattan
Unlike bamboo, this plant of the PALMAE family grows naturally in forest areas where the climate is both hot and damp with heavy rainfall. In Thailand it is mostly found in the south, for example in Surat Thani, Songkha, Ranong, Krabi and Pattani provinces. 

Although its stem is pliant like bamboo's and very suitable for basket making, rattan is considerably tougher, stronger and more durable, hence very precious to this craft and very important regarding its economic value in Thailand.

As many as 40 species grow in this country but the most abundant is of the CALAMUS family whose sub-species which are very popular for basket making include red rattan, Omad, Kalong, Hom and Chumporn.