Liam Lee Even though there is no official Thai national dress, people of all different ethnic backgrounds often wear traditional Thai clothing to festivals and other gatherings. Everyone, including men, women, and children, has a special outfit for each event. During the reign of Dvaravati, in the 6th through the 13th centuries, the clothing of Thailand was heavily influenced by India. During the 7th century, it also came from the Khmer people, with styles of clothing such as shorter dresses. India continued to have a significant impact on Thai clothing well into the 14th century. Regional variations in the traditional clothing of Thailand Since the time of Ayutthaya, clothing in central Thailand has been heavily affected by the region’s fashion. The pencil skirt that falls just above the ankle is currently the most popular style among women. The traditional jong krabane, which is a form of hand-woven cotton skirt that is gathered, rolled, and threaded between the legs, is worn by women of older generations.
The ethnic communities of Thai-Lue, Thai Kern, and Thai Yai continue to make significant contributions to the fashion of Northern Thailand. Some of the styles include indigo-dyed tops with a side zipper closure and pencil skirts that are ankle length. Formal situations call for skirts that are more tastefully made, such as pencil skirts, which feature colored fabrics in the center and decorated hems. Both men and women in the southern area of Thailand wear sarongs that include batik patterns in a variety of vivid colors and patterns. Women often wear their sarongs over top of loose-fitting lace blouses, leaving the front of the blouses open and exposing their midriffs. The Yaya style of Malaysia heavily influences this trend. In accordance with Islamic tradition, Muslim women are required to wrap a shawl across their heads and shoulders at all times.
Different styles of traditional clothing from Thailand
Thailand Traditional Dresses: Chong Ken
The Chong Kben is a garment that originated in Cambodia and is made of silk. It wraps around the lower half of the body and is worn by both men and women. This piece of clothing, which looks a lot like baggy pants, is tucked in between the legs. A bare chest and bare feet were considered appropriate for men to wear when wearing the Chong Kben from the years 1350 through 1767. This was an accepted formal dress code.
Thailand Traditional Dresses: Sinh
A full-length pha sinh, which is a tubular skirt that wraps around the waist and is commonly made of Thai silk, is the traditional garment worn by Thai ladies. Pha sinh are traditionally worn with silk blouses that have long sleeves and are available in a variety of colors with contrasting bands around the hem. Sabai Elegant in appearance, the Sabai is a garment that resembles a shawl and wraps around the upper body till it touches the ground. It only covers one shoulder. This piece of clothing can be worn on its own according to tradition; but, in modern times, it is more common to wear another piece of clothing underneath. Prior to the 1960s, Thailand did not have a national dress for use in ceremonial or other formal contexts.
Chut Thai, which literally translates to “Thai costume,” is a traditional Thai garment that was designed in 1964 by Queen Sirikit. Her Majesty had the idea to develop a contemporary version of the traditional national costume for use at ceremonial events and gatherings. This lovely traditional dress is light and airy, yet demure, and is reserved for the most joyous celebrations, such as weddings, festivals, and other important events. There is a wide variety of Chut Thai dresses, each of which is beautifully crafted and distinctive in terms of its style, pattern, fabric, and accessories.
Different Styles of Chut Thai Dresses
Thailand Traditional Dresses: Ruean Ton
To begin, the Ruean Ton is the most laid-back form of dress, and it is typically worn to events that are not considered formal, such as religious rituals. The garment consists of a silk tube skirt with either a striped or plain design and embroidery on the bottom hem of the garment. The skirt is matched with a blouse that does not have a collar and has elbow-length sleeves and a row of buttons down the front of the top. The bodice and skirt of the Ruean Ton dress are each a distinct component because it is a two-piece dress. Chakri The Chakkri, which is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful and iconic traditional costumes in Thailand, exudes an air of sophistication that is befitting of any important event. In addition to a Sabai, the outfit consists of a long pencil skirt that has two front pleats. The Sabai is a type of top made of silk that drapes over the shoulders and falls to the ground on one side. In order to create a material that is more substantial, a traditional weaving method known as yok is used to make sinh. By utilizing this one-of-a-kind method, additional thickness is achieved without the need of any additional threads in the cloth. In rare instances, skilled artisans would embellish the fabric with fine threads of gold or silver to give it a more refined look and feel.
Thailand Traditional Dresses: Siwalai
The siwalai is typically seen being worn during events such as royal ceremonies or festivities, where a more formal evening clothing is required. A long tube skirt that has two front pleats and a blouse that has buttons at the front and elbow-length sleeves have been sewed together to create this dress, which appears to be one piece but is actually composed of two separate items. A sabai thrown over the shoulder serves as the finishing touch to the traditional outfit. Clothing worn by men in Thailand’s traditional culture
Men can choose from a variety of attire options in Thailand. However, the Suea Phraratchathan is the only acceptable form of formal clothing. It wasn’t until 1979 that someone came up with the concept for this traditional Thai garment, which features a tall collar, buttons that fasten down the front, and sleeves of varied lengths. Long sleeves and a cummerbund are expected of males while attending formal events. In most cases, western-style suit pants are recommended to wear with the Phraratchathan. Dresses Made in Thailand Today With the opening of the Queen Sirikit Textile Museum in Bangkok in 2003, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, also known as the Queen Mother, gave a new lease of life to Thailand’s fashion sector. The museum can be found on the grounds of the Grand Palace and features an excellent collection of Her Majesty’s most prestigious fabrics as well as handcrafted works by Thais. It is not difficult to find Thai apparel everywhere in Thailand; however, some of the best places to do so are the weekend markets, such as Chatuchak, and the pedestrian street on Sundays in Phuket and Chiang Mai. You may also get Thai clothing in other parts of Thailand. The Old Siam Shopping Plaza is the ideal place to shop in Bangkok for Thai apparel if you are searching for a broader selection or something of a higher quality than the typical options.
What are Thai traditional dresses called?
Thai traditional dresses are called “Chut Thai” in Thai. They are elaborate and colorful garments that are worn for special occasions, festivals, and ceremonies. The most famous Chut Thai is the “Sinh,” a long, wide-legged skirt that is often paired with a tight-fitting blouse. Other common Chut Thai include the “Sabai,” a loose, long-sleeved shirt that is worn with pants, and the “Pha-Khao Ma,” a long, flowing scarf that is draped over the shoulder.
Chut Thai is typically made of silk or cotton and is decorated with intricate designs, embroidery, and beadwork. The colors used in Chut Thai are also significant, as each color is believed to have its own special meaning. Red, for example, symbolizes prosperity and good luck, while blue represents peace and tranquility.
Chut Thai is an important part of Thai culture and is worn with pride by Thai women. It is a symbol of their heritage and reflects the country’s rich history and traditions. Today, Chut Thai is often seen in Thai dance performances and traditional festivals, where it is worn by dancers to showcase the beauty of Thai culture to the world.
What is the traditional Thai dress for men called?
The traditional Thai dress for men is called “Pha Yung” or “Mong Kol.” It consists of a long, flowing fabric that is wrapped around the waist and draped over the shoulder. The Pha Yung is often made of silk or cotton and is decorated with intricate designs and patterns. It is typically worn during formal occasions and religious ceremonies. The Mong Kol, on the other hand, is a smaller version of the Pha Yung and is often worn on a daily basis. It is a simple piece of cloth that is wrapped around the waist and tied at the front. Both the Pha Yung and Mong Kol are considered important elements of traditional Thai dress and are still worn by Thai men today.
How do you wear a Thai traditional dress?
Wearing a Thai traditional dress, or “Chut Thai,” is a simple process. The most common Chut Thai garment, the “Sinh,” is worn by pulling it up over the hips and fastening it at the waist. The blouse is then tucked into the skirt and fastened at the back or front. The “Sabai” shirt is worn by pulling it over the head and fastening it at the front with buttons or ties. The pants are then worn, and the shirt is tucked into the waistband. The “Pha-Khao Ma” scarf is worn by draping it over one shoulder and allowing it to hang down the back or front. It is important to note that Chut Thai is typically worn with bare feet or sandals, as shoes are often considered inappropriate for formal occasions.
