Min of Industry pushes forward Thai Silk as exported brand

[webfact]

Min of Industry pushes forward Thai Silk as exported brand



BANGKOK, 9 December 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Industry will begin a campaign to enhance the quality of Thai Silk to be able to rival Italy's products, and as a promotion of Thai brand exports, an official says.

The Permanent-Secretary of Industry Ministry Arthit Wuthikaro has revealed that the ministry is aiming to develop the manufacturing of Thai Silk and silk products in a clustered format, in order to improve the product quality to be on par with Italian Silk, renowned for its quality and high price.

He has said that the ministry is positive that the Thai Silk industry will penetrate international markets in 2017, especially the use of Thai Silk in haute couture fashion, as well as usage in products such as clothes, bags, furniture, and decoration. Mr. Arthit hopes to see Thai Silk elevated to an international status, with reference to Jim Thompson, a leading global brand.

The Industry Ministry's permanent-secretary has further stated that the quality of Thai Silk's fiber is currently not up to the manufacturing demand standards, as the high temperature climate affects the raising of silk worms. The fiber itself may need to be imported, while the ministry is now working with the Department of Sericulture to implement innovation and technology to improve fiber quality and enhance product identity.


-- NNT 2015-12-09

[jalansanitwong]

The Thai silk industry is the same as everything else here. Jim Thompson employees left and started up their own businesses and copied his ideas and unique colours.

If you buy silk in Thailand youve got to know what youre doing. Silk in the tourist towns is mostly garbage. Bangkok is where you get the real deal or even better go to the villages..

Its expensive.

The Indians can copy Jim Thompson linen prints for a fraction of the price.

Jim Thompson did more for this country than any Thai ever has yet he was treated with contempt (jealousy) for many years before disappearing in Malaysia.

Messy industry.

[jaywalker]

VERY, VERY true.

I did a LOT of research into the industry (as a potential exporter) in 2003, which included visits to hand weaving silk factories all over Issan.

Anyhow, I walked into a BKK silk shop and asked some specific questions about the quality of their silk and the lady, who was sweet as pie when I walked in, immediately became a pouty sour-puss & didn't want to talk to me, most likely because most of her stock was made by machines in China and was 75% nylon, and/or she didn't have any idea about the quality of her stock.

There's a real nice (and large) silk shop near Korat on the east side of 331 just south of 24 that has their own hand weaving factory nearby.

I haven't been there in years though.

Edited December 9, 2015 by jaywalker

[BigBadGeordie]

Min of Industry pushes forward Thai Silk as exported brand

BANGKOK, 9 December 2015 (NNT)

The Industry Ministry's permanent-secretary has further stated that the quality of Thai Silk's fiber is currently not up to the manufacturing demand standards, as the high temperature climate affects the raising of silk worms. The fiber itself may need to be imported, while the ministry is now working with the Department of Sericulture to implement innovation and technology to improve fiber quality and enhance product identity.

-- NNT 2015-12-09

So it will not be "Thai" silk will it! It will be imported fibers, woven in Thailand!

That will definately "enhance product identity", NOT!!!

[jacky54]

whats all this clap trap about 'clusters' these days? what is a clustered format?

Edited December 9, 2015 by jacky54

[jaywalker]

whats all this clap trap about 'clusters' these days? what is a clustered format?

Maybe (one can only hope) they are getting tired of the word "hub"?

Glory be the day when they get tired of "crackdown".

[TravelerEastWest]

Promoting Thai silk is a good thing.

The finishing of Italian silk is something special and will be difficult to equal everything else can be done here in Thailand.

Silk shops that are well run exist but prices are very high in Bangkok and I don't think anyone actually shops there except those who buy very small amounts of silk.

Shinawatra and Jim Thompson for example have very beautiful silk - but it is expensive.

Knowing what is real silk and good quality silk is not difficult when you work with silk.

Weaving silk by hand is not as popular now compared to 30 years ago but talented weavers are still in Thailand