Silk, one of the world’s most luxurious fabrics, has captivated humanity for over 6,000 years.

According to Chinese legend, Empress Si Ling Chi discovered silk while sipping tea beneath a mulberry tree. When a cocoon fell into her cup, a fine thread unraveled, revealing the precious fabric.

For centuries, silk remained a closely guarded secret of China, serving as a highly prized export. Even as silk production began locally in Europe, the allure of Chinese silk remained unmatched.

In Thailand, the story of silk is equally captivating. Archaeological evidence from Northeast Thailand suggests that silk production may have begun here even before the first batch was delivered from China. However, for centuries, locally produced Thai silk was the choice of commoners, while the country’s royalty favored imported Chinese silk.

Efforts to develop a thriving silk industry in Thailand met with limited success until the mid-20th century, when two remarkable figures changed the course of Thai silk forever: Jim Thompson and Queen Sirikit.

Jim Thompson, an American intelligence officer who settled in Thailand after World War II, stumbled upon a community of silk weavers in the Ban Krua neighborhood of Bangkok. In 1947, he sent samples of their hand-woven silk to New York, envisioning the potential for a business.

Thompson’s silk gained international fame when the fabric was used in the costumes for the Broadway musical The King and I in 1951. Thai silk became synonymous with elegance and luxury worldwide, and Jim Thompson’s name became a global trademark.

While Thompson built an international market, Queen Sirikit focused on rekindling domestic appreciation for Thai silk and promoting its production to support rural economies. Through her efforts, Thai silk became an integral part of the elegant new Thai attire she was designing in the 1950s.

What makes Thai silk truly unique is the tradition of hand weaving, a method still practiced in Thailand today. Each piece of silk is crafted with individual care, offering a texture and beauty that machines simply cannot replicate.

When you touch Thai silk, you experience the softness of a centuries-old tradition. Handcrafted, timeless, and elegant, it’s a fabric that carries the spirit of Thailand in every thread.