| istory of the export of Thai silk during the twentieth | | | | at Korat, improved worm strains and eradication of |
| century has been one of great ups and downs, and is | | | | disease do indeed point to a bright future for the |
| often clouded by inaccurate of nonexistent data. For | | | | export of Thai silk. As tourism is now the number two |
| instance, export figures for finished silk do no exist untill | | | | industry in Thailand, the "invisible export" of the |
| the post-war years, but earlier data concerning export | | | | approximately 180 million baht worth of Thai silk bought |
| of raw silk will suffice to illustrate the industry's plunges. | | | | annually by tourists must not be neglected either. All |
| While in 1990, raw silk worth 141,468 baht was | | | | these factors combined indicate a sound future for the |
| exported, in the 1930's this figure fell to less than 500 | | | | industry, increased earnings for the nation, the |
| baht. Similarly, the export of Thai silk has undergone | | | | enhancement of the Thai reputation world-wide, -- and |
| similar fluctuations since it began to figure prominently | | | | perhaps most important of all -- the economic |
| around 1950, when half a million baht was earned in | | | | development of the underprivileged Northern and |
| foreign export. | | | | improved standard of living for the tens of thousands |
| During the 1950's, Thai silk followed a rather steady | | | | involved in sericulture throughout the region. |
| upswing and then leapt in the early 1960's into the 20 | | | | Use of silk |
| to 30 million baht per year rang. This can be attributed | | | | Silk's durability, elasticity and versatility have inspired |
| to promotion of the fabric by Her Majesty the Queen, | | | | myriad uses that stretch fat beyond clothing.Since it |
| who included dresses fashioned of Thai silk in her | | | | resists rot, both the Chinese and Egyptians used it in |
| world tour wardrobe in 1961. By the following year, | | | | ancient times for wrapping bodies in preparation for |
| 1962, export of Thai silk was earning 26.6 million baht | | | | burial. The same attribute renders it practical for use in |
| per year. This figure further increased in 1963 to 34 | | | | closing sutures in surgery and even for realigning teeth. |
| million baht, a gigantic leap from the figures of the 50's | | | | Being both strong and light, silk is an ideal fabric for |
| - - all considerably below ten million baht. | | | | making parachutes, as it folds up compactly. Following |
| Apart from earning much-needed foreign exchange | | | | the Second World War when materials were scarce, |
| for the country and aiding in decreasing Thailand's | | | | enterprising Europeans turned silk parachutes into |
| overall trade deficit, the export of Thai silk figures | | | | underwear and other clothing items. When used as |
| prominently in other areas. It is, for instance, | | | | powder bag for a high-calibre gun, silk burns completely |
| instrumental in the development of the underdeveloged | | | | leaving no residue. |
| and underemployed Northern region, where very | | | | Silk is a protein and does not conduct heat. Thai |
| limited sericultural techniques and little marketing | | | | makes it an extremly effective insulator, and it is used |
| knowledge are gradually being eradicated by technical | | | | for insulating elecrtic wires. As a quilting liver in ski suits, |
| programs and instructional aid. The growing demand | | | | silk is warm to wear because it prevents body heat |
| for Thai silk throughout the world can not help but | | | | from dissipating. When used for light-weight clothing |
| improve the methods and lives of the individual | | | | such as stockings of lingerie, the fine yarn permits air |
| growers and weavers throughout Thailand. | | | | to pass through the material. Silk's elasticity makes it a |
| Undoubtedly one of the most stunning and unique | | | | perfect material for racing bicycly tyres; it cretes |
| textile products available in the world, it has been said | | | | smooth traction and endures well. Silk is also used un |
| the Thai silk is one of Thailand's most effective | | | | the production of carpets, astronaut's clothing, sewing |
| ambassadors of goodwill abroad. Carried by most of | | | | thread, fishing lines and typewriter ribbons. Nail wraps, |
| the leading department stores in America and Europe, | | | | which preserve the condition of varnished finger-nails, |
| and gaining acceptance in other areas of the world, | | | | are often made from silk. Macerated silk used in face |
| Thai silk implants the name Thailand in the minds of | | | | powder to enhance smoothness, and pupa oil from silk |
| those who choose to wear it and women in over 50 | | | | moth is added to face creams and anti-ageing lotions. |
| countries of the world corrently do. It also introduces | | | | In ancient China, silk was used for paper-making. |
| the country itself in the great fashion centers of the | | | | Silk is also wonderful medium for the visual arts. Paining |
| world, since leading designers -- including Pierre Balmain | | | | on silk is an art that has been practised for tens of |
| and Elizabeth Arden-- feature it in their collections. | | | | centuries. Its power of absorbency provides the artist |
| With the efforts of the Government, including the Silk | | | | with better control of the colours. This art inevitably led |
| Promotion Committee, and the great strides being | | | | to the modern-day craft of silk screen printing, which |
| made at sericultural research centers such as the one | | | | was developed in the early 1900s. |