Bamboo Fabric: A Study of Using Thick Bamboo Fiber for Producing and Developing Thai Textiles

Abstract

Problem statement: The way of life of Thai people has involved utensils or things which made of bamboo since the ancient time. Rural Thai people use bamboo for building houses, making handicrafts, basketwork and household utensils. At present, thick bamboo is used and developed to many new products especially the textile products. Three purposes of this research were these: (1) to investigate the background of Thai textile production, (2) to investigate current situations and difficulties of Thai textile production and (3) to investigate the use of thick bamboo fiber for producing and developing Thai textiles. Approach: Research processes divided into 2 phases were these: the first phase was a quantitative experimental research type of bamboo fibers, the second phase was an application of the results of the first phase research to the phase was a qualitative research. The instruments for collecting data for the second phase research were a survey, an interview, a focus group interview and a workshop. Research areas were Ban Lung Pra Du, Amphoe Huay Talang, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Amphoe Chonnaabot, Khon Kaen Province and Ban Tha Khon Yang, Amphoe Kantharawichai, Maha Sarakham Province. A sample of 200 people consisted of 20 key informants, 100 casual informants and 100 general informants. Quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean and standard deviation. Qualitative data were analyzed by means of an interpretation within the concepts and theories involved. Research results were presented by means of a descriptive analysis. Results: (1) in terms of the background of Thai textile production, it revealed that there were human beings lived in Thailand about 7,000-8,000 years ago and they could use natural fiber from plants and animals for weaving. The evidence which confirmed this truth was the excavation of historical objects in prehistorically sites in Thailand and there were remnants clung to or filled in them. (2) In terms of current situations and the difficulties of Thai textile production, it reveals that an economic and a political change at both local and international levels is the indirect factor but the direct factor which affects Thai textile production is the pollutants resulted from all processes of a supply chain such as a process of fiber production, a process of fiber spinning, a process of fiber weaving, a process of fabric dyeing, a process of fabric completion and a process of making clothes for wearing or decorating. (3) In terms of the use of thick bamboo fiber for producing and developing Thai textiles, it revealed that using thick bamboo fiber gave us a lot of benefits; for example reducing pollutants were harmful to environment, reducing the importation of weaving materials and encouraging economic and income growth of community. Conclusion/Recommendation: The persons involved should apply these research results to develop their textile production and to search for the ways to use thick bamboo fiber for other advanced purposes.