Thai Silk

According to understanding, Silk fabric is made from Bombyx mori's cocoons. Bombyx mori  called silkworm eats plenty of mulberry leaves before reform to caterpillar on a steady diet. 

Why is Thai silk popular?

Generally, fabric made ​​of silk is soft light, not heat and slippery smooth. Nevertheless, Thai silk has the special properties differing from others. The texture of Thai silk is glossily sequins, naturally spongy, soft and weighty. It is also weaved with exquisite Thai painting in various pattern; therefore, Thai silk is very popular and needed in the global market.

How to identify authentic Thai silk?

However, there are some people make the artificial Thai silk by using other silk or other thread marketed in the brand of Thai silk. To identify genuine Thai silk, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand designates "peacock" symbol for Agriculture Ministry of Thailand use in order to authenticate Thai silk and prevent the imitation.

Thai silk quality guarantee

"Peacock" symbol is used for Thai silk quality guarantee. The symbol is categorized into 4 types by production process as follows :

1. Gold peacock (Royal Thai Silk)    A traditional hand-made Thai silk. All materials and production are processed by Thai folk wisdom. The threads are created from native Thai silkworm.
2. Silver peacock (Classic Thai Silk)    The production is processed by Thai folk wisdom and application tools. The threads are created from improved breed of Thai silkworm. 
3. Blue peacock  (Thai Silk)    Thai folk wisdom is applied with the technology in the production process to modernize and support commercial purpose. All threads are authentic Thai silk dyed by natural material or non-poisonous environmental chemical. 
4. Green peacock (Thai Silk Blend)    Thai silk is blended with other fabrics as the customer purpose. The mixing proportion must be labeled clearly.

The first Thai silk shop

At present, there are many shop where you can find good Thai silk. By the way, the first Thai silk shop is "Jim Thompson", established in 1948 by Mr. James Harrison Wilson Thompson, american man who initialized trading system for Thai silk production successfully.

Jim Thompson House Museum

Jim Thompson's house now becomes the museum, you can visit the house at the address below :

Address

Jim Thompson House
6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: (662) 216-7368 Fax: (662) 612-3744

The Jim Thompson House is located on Soi Kasemsan (2) Song, opposite the National Stadium on Rama I Road

Reference site : Jim Thompson House, Wikipedia : Thai silk (Thai, English), Jim Thompson

Image : Wikipedia : Thai silk, Jim Thompson