Frank:	pâ thām àrāi yù khrâp	ป้าทำอะไรอยู่ครับ	Excuse me! What are you doing?
Ubon:	kāmlāng sǎo mǎi	กำลังสาวไหม	(I’m) drawing the silk (from cocoons).
Frank:	pâ sǎo mā nān thâorài láeo  jūeng dâi yóe thâo ní	ป้าสาวมานานเท่าไรแล้วจึงได้ เยอะเท่านี้	How long does it take to get this much silk?
Ubon:	kô nān yù	ก็นานอยู่	Quite long.
Frank:	pâ thām khōndīeo mâi mûai rǔe khrâp	ป้าทำคนเดียว ไม่เมื่อยหรือ ครับ	You’re doing it all by yourself. Isn’t your body feeling a little stiff?
Ubon:	chīn láeo  thām mā tângtàe dèk dèk  khōn ùen kô chûai thâ wâng chàk thāmrâi thāmnā	ชินแล้ว ทำมาตั้งแต่เด็กๆ คน อื่นก็ช่วยถ้าว่างจากทำไร่ทำนา	(I’m) used to it. I’ve done this since I was a child. Other people also help if they are free from farm work.
Frank:	mǎi thî dâi nî tông āo pāi thām àrāi tò khrâp pâ	ไหมที่ได้นี่ต้องเอาไปทำอะไร ต่อครับป้า	What are you going to do next with this silk?
Ubon:	tông  krō láeo kô pàn hâi nâen  pàn sèt láeo kô tông  āo pāi châe nám hâi nîm  fôk hâi khǎo  láeo tàk hâi hâeng	ต้องกรอแล้วก็ปั่นให้แน่น ปั่น เสร็จแล้วก็ต้องเอาไปแช่น้ำให้ นิ่มฟอกให้ขาว แล้วก็ตากให้ แห้ง	Reel it and spin it in order to tighten it. After spinning, I will soak the yarn in water to soften it, bleach it and put it out to dry.
Frank:	mǎi nî mī sǐlǔeang sǐ dīeo	ไหมนี้มีสีเหลืองสีเดียว	This silk is all yellow.
Ubon:	châ  yàk dâi lǎi sǐ kô tông  yóm āo	จ้ะ อยากได้หลายสีก็ต้องย้อม เอา	Right! (If you) want it in many colors, (you) have to dye it.
Frank:	yóm sǐ sèt láeo kô thō dâi lōei	ย้อมสีเสร็จแล้วก็ทอได้เลย	Once it’s dyed, it’s ready to be woven, right?
Ubon:	yāng chà  tông krō ìk khráng  āo mǎi khâo lòt láeo chūeng thō dâi	ยังจ้ะ ต้องกรออีกครั้ง เอาไหม เข้าหลอด แล้วจึงทอได้	Not quite. (We) have to reel it onto spools before the actual weaving begins.
Frank:	khrāi sǒn hâi pâ thōphâ khráp	ใครสอนให้ป้าทอผ้าครับ	Who taught you how to weave silk?
Ubon:	mâe sǒn hâi  tângtàe āyú dâi sìpsǎm sìpsì	แม่สอนให้ ตั้งแต่อายุได้สิบ สาม สิบสี่	My mother did, beginning when I was 13 or 14.
Frank:	mǎi thî dâi nî pâ chà chái thō àrāi khráp	ไหมที่ได้นี่ ป้าจะใช้ทออะไร ครับ	What are you going to weave the silk into?
Ubon:	wâ chà thō sînmátmì thàwǎi Sǒmdèt	ว่าจะทอซิ่นมัดหมี่ถวายสมเด็จ	(I) plan to weave a tie-dyed phasin to present to the Queen.

Vocabulary watch: How do you say these words and phrases in Thai? 1. to draw silk = 2. to reel = 3. to spin = 4. to soak = 5. to breach = 6. to dye = 7. to put out to dry = 8. to weave = 9. tie-dyed silk = 10. to present (to a member of the Royal Family) = Answer keys: 1. sǎo mǎi / สาวไหม 2. krō / กรอ 3. pàn / ปั่น 4. châe nám / แช่น้ำ 5. fôk hâi khǎo / ฟอกให้ขาว 6. yóm (sǐ) / ย้อม(สี) 7. tàk hâi hâeng / ตากให้แห้ง 8. thō / ทอ 9. mǎi mátmì / ไหมมัดหมี่ 10. thàwǎi / ถวาย

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This lesson was prepared by Acharn Sunee Siidao, Educational Specialist.

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Last modified: August 3, 2007 |

Welcome back to a new adaptation of Phût Phāsǎ Thāi after our transitional Songkran break. As per the valued suggestions of our readers, the transliterations now follow the Royal Institute's system (http://www.royin.go.th/th/profile/index.php), which includes tone markers. In terms of content, the column will continue to provide you with everyday language on specific topics.

๗ singhakhom ๒๕๕๐   (7 August 2007)

Phût phāsǎ Thai On Mother's Day / nûeang nāi wān mâe hàeng chât Accompanying His Majesty the King on innumerable visits to remote and poverty-stricken villages, Her Majesty the Queen was deeply impressed with the beauty of Thai silk clothing and sarongs worn by the villagers. A woman is boiling silk cocoons and drawing the silk from the cocoons. – Pattanapong Hirunard In the past, people living in small villages throughout the country wove silk solely for their personal use only. Each piece of silk represents the makers' beliefs and cultural heritage that are passed on from generation to generation in the form of intricate motifs. It was not until a few decades ago that these artistic fabrics were made available to consumers through the introduction and promotion of Her Majesty the Queen. Today's conversation illustrates how a villager weaves her silk tapestry in the traditional style. The expansion of Thai silk nationwide and internationally as objects of desire are tributes to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and her vision to make these masterpieces of craftsmanship available to the public. As the Mother of the nation, she has long kept the heritage of silk weaving alive and has promoted the use of Thai silk. Long Live Her Majesty the Queen!