A Revival for Thailand’s Textile Traditions: New Value for Local Materials (Eri Silk) through Art Practice

Abstract

This article is aimed at presenting information about Thai textiles as well as proposing practical guidelines on preservation and revival of Thailand’s artistic tradition of textiles knowledge in order to enhance the value of local material Eri silk. With employed research methods, the researcher conducted literature review from various sources of book and online material as well as field observation from a case study to summarize and analyze the data. This research purposes to understand material knowledge in textiles context and to highlight the significance of local material value. This article presents the current status of Eri silk in Thailand and important aspects of Eri silk fiber. It is a local material used by weavers in the Northeast of Thailand with its unique fibrous properties such as sustainable material, performance qualities, and ethical merit status. This study will point out the importance of the development of textile in Thailand base on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy 1 . It is anticipated that the findings may help raise the material knowledge and contribution to the sustainable development in textile and fashion cultures in Asia, as well as in our contemporary world.