Introducing Khun Nyen, an experienced seamstress who is behind TAAN THAI Pah Kao Ma tote bags and utensil bags. We partnered with Khun Nyen to design the perfect lunch bags and utensil bages for you. Ms. Neyn has worked as a seamstress since she was 18 years old. For more than 40 years, she has created a wide variety of dresses and other textile products. She used to own a small local dress shop in Suphanburi, a province to the north of Bangkok. However, after COVID-19 hit, she was forced to close down her shop. Now, she only produces made-to-order crafts and dresses. She and 3–4 of her retired neighbors team up to work on this project with us.
A bit more about Pah Khao Ma. Pah Khao Ma (ผ้าขาวม้า) is a common item in Thai households, especially in rural areas. It is very versatile in its utility. People use it to cover themselves during showers (outdoor showers are often the norm in rural areas), to make baby cradles, to cover their heads from the sun, to cover their tablecloths, and so on. In other words, it is involved in almost every stage of life and in Thais’ everyday lives. As fashion evolves, people have also used Pah Khao Ma in their handcrafted products. Below are examples of some products that use Pah Khao Ma as the main material.
Pah Khao Ma is defined by its checkered pattern and often a set of bright and contrasting colors such as red, blue, and white. Nowadays, there are so many color patterns available for Pah Khao Ma. Just like Thai food, Pah Kho Ma is a product of globalization in the past. It was bought to Thailand, or Siam at the time, from Iran. The word “Khao Ma” actually derives from “Kamar” Kamar Band now refers to a waistband worn in India as a decorative piece. In Cambodian, Pah Khao Ma is also very popular and it is called “Kan Ma.”
A recent policy championed by the Thai government uses Pah Khao Ma as a symbol representing Thai soft power. The government encourages the use of Pah Khao Ma in various form of craftsmanship. TAAN THAI also follows this trend. If you like Khun Nyen’s Pah Khao Ma products, let us know directly here. You can also suggest some other items that she can make for the US market.
Working with Ms. Nyen, we promise to take her work overseas and show the beauty of Pah Khao Ma. TAAN THAI offer a Pah Khao Ma tote bag and utensil bag, perfect for packing lunch to your work or any other occasion. You can check out our Pah Khao Ma products here!