Article and photos by Irene Butler

Published in Transitions Abroad Magazine

My hand grazed the elaborate design of miniscule leaves, winding vines, swirling spirals in ruby red and glittering gold, as soft as an angel’s wing, as strong as tinsel steel, as regal as an ancient Khmer ruler. I behold a fabric so fine; it is rightfully destined to be fashioned into ceremonial garments for Thailand’s King Rama IX and the royal family who were instrumental in resurrecting cottage industry silk weaving.

After the East Asian economic crisis of 1997-98 which greatly affected Thailand, many unemployed city workers moved back to their villages. (The crux of this collapse was imprudent lending by financial institutions, which we North Americans can now readily relate to.)

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