THAI SILK POPULAR

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31118, 22 July 1966, Page 2

THAI SILK POPULAR

Silk is thought to be one of the earliest fibres discovered by civilised man. Centuries before it appeared in the West it was worn by Oriental people.

In spite of the growing flood of man-made fibres made to look like silk, the popularity of the genuine fibre remains undiminished. One type in growing demand all over the world for its vibrant and exciting colours is Thai silk.

Yet it is only within the last 15 years that the Thai silk industry, dormant for many years, has experienced increasing popularity. Rare indeed is the New Zealand tourist to Thailand who does not bring some home. A Christchurch fabric retailer, Mr R. Macleod, has just returned from a two-week buy. fng trip in Thailand. Yesterday he described the manufacturing process of Thai silk.

“To me Thai silk is the most fascinating of fibres. It is the only cloth which is hand produced." he said. The thread is taken from the worm, spun, woven, dyed and screen-print-ed by hand. The finished cloth is then air-freighted all over the whold. Although mills had been established, the production of

Thai silk, especially in the north, was still largely a cottage industry. That meant a tremendous variance of colour and quality. At present there was a shortage of silk, caused by home consumption catching up with export demand. A yard of 40in cloth in Bangkok cost up to £2, depending on whether the purchaser wanted plain, printed or plaid

While in Bangkok, Mr Macleod visited several mills

where he placed orders for the three types of silk. He said a fully qualified, experienced weaver could produce about one yard of cloth an hour and eight to 10 yards a day.

“The feet and arms of the weavers are going flat out all the time,” he said. Although Thai silk was better dry-cleaned, it could be hand washed in tepid water with a light detergent and white vinegar, said Mr Macleod.