Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pak Thong Chai
Amphoe Pak Thong Chai became one of Thailand's most famous silk-weaving centres
when Jim Thompson started buying silk here. Today there are almost a dozen large silk
factories in the district and thousands of families still work hand looms at home in every
village. Pak Thong Chai is known for following the latest trends, but some shops stock
traditional styles such as mát·mèe , most of which are woven in other provinces.
Because Pak Thong Chai is a fairly large town, it's not nearly as fun a place to visit as
other Isan silk centres such as Chonnabot or Ban Tha Sawang, but Macchada ( 8am-5pm) , a
shop at the city's southern end, where you can watch weavers working, is worth seeking
out if you do come. There are highway signs directing you to a Silk Cultural Center, but
it's been closed for years.
Pak Thong Chai is 30km south of Khorat on Rte 304. Buses (21B, one hour, frequent,
leaves from Terminal 1.
Ban Prasat
About 3000 years ago, a primitive agricultural culture, closely related to Ban Chiang, put
down roots at Ban Prasat, near the banks of the Than Prasat River. It survived some 1500
years, planting rice, domesticating animals, fashioning coloured pottery, weaving cloth
and, in later years, forging tools out of bronze. The secrets of this early civilisation were
revealed during extensive archaeological digs completed in 1991.
Three excavation pits with skeletons (most are replicas) and pottery left in situ are
on display in the village, and a small but good museum ( 8am-4.30pm) houses some
of the discoveries. It also explains what life was like in those days and in the village today.
South of the museum, one family still does silk weaving , including raising their own worms
and spinning their own thread. They welcome visitors to come by for a look.
Many families (some speak a little English) are part of an award-winning homestay pro-
gram ( 08 1725 0791; per person incl 2 meals 400B) where villagers put up visitors in their homes
and show them daily activities including basketry and farming. Reservations should be
made at least a day in advance.
Ban Prasat is 45km northeast of Khorat, off Hwy 2, and buses (35B, one hour) heading
to Phimai will drop you off at the highway. A motorcycle taxi will zip you around to all
the sites for 50B per person, but note that sometimes only one driver is working.
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search