Ban Reng Khai

Home

Unique quality silk from Thailand

The aim was to make a high quality silk. And nowadays we have 13 Seal of Excellence awards from UNESCO and we are really recognised now because of the quality.
Lea Laarakker-Dingjan in conversation with Eric Beauchemin. Under Foreign Skies. Radio Netherlands

The knowledge and skill of preparing silk yarn and weaving fabric was a craft passed down through many generations. The dry soil of north-eastern Thailand is excellent for growing mulberry trees. Silk worms thrive on the leaves of these trees creating the strong Sen-Hua and Sen-Lue silk yarns essential to the durability and quality of the silk fabric produced by the craftsmen of Ban Reng Khai.

The village

Ban Reng Khai is a village in the north-eastern region of Thailand Known as “Isaan”. Formerly silk weaving was a means to supplement the meagre income from agriculture. The knowledge and skill of preparing silk yarn and weaving fabric is a craft passed down through many generations. However this has faded in modern times due to lack of direct markets and unscrupulous buyers.

The silk

The knowledge and skill of preparing silk yarn and weaving fabric is a craft passed down through many generations. No toxic chemicals or industrial machines are used. The dry soil of north-eastern Thailand is excellent for growing mulberry trees. Silk worms thrive on the leaves of these trees creating the strong Sen-Hua and Sen-Lue silk yarns essential to the durability and quality of the silk fabric produced.

The history

This is a silk production revival project in Thailand with a rich and long history.