The unique identity ofThai cultural tradition can be seen in the people’s
local crafts, such as textiles, silverworks, ornaments, wood carving, and
basketry.Thai art, architecture, and design is characterized by subtlety of
design and form with considerable use of symbols, amulets, mystical
drawings, and both public and private statuary.
TraditionalThai art is primarily composed of Buddhist art with Hindu
element and iconography in it. Similarly, traditionalThai paintings usually
consist of book illustrations, and painted ornamentation of buildings such as
palaces and temples.

Ancient Thai, Khmer, and Burmese temples are
often decorated with nagas (snakes), garudas
(birds), and nats (spirits). A Buddha image in
Thailand refers to three-dimensional stone, wood,
clay or metal cast images of the Buddha.
Most Buddha figures display gestures called
mudra. The most prevalent in Thailand is the
bhumispharsa mudra (earth-touching mudra), which
shows the Buddha seated in meditation with one
hand touching the ground. It symbolizes his
enlightenment under the Bodhi tree when he
summoned the earth goddess to bear witness to his
enlightenment.

Thai Silk
Traditional Thai silk is handwoven in Khorat and cannot be reproduced
commercially.The natural fiber comes from the silkworm. The designs are bright
and earthy color.

Loi Krathong
Thailand also celebrates the Loi Krathong. It is a colorful festival held
annually on the full moon of the twelfth month in the Thai Lunar Calendar. It
is believed to have been created by Tao Sri Chulalak or Nang Noppamas in
Sukothai to pay respect to the goddess of water showing their gratitude for
water and asking forgiveness for the pollution.
The major activity done during this festival is floating the beautiful
krathong. These flower-covered mini-floats, complete the candles and
incense sticks, often resembling lotus flowers, are an essential part in
promoting good fortune during festival.

There are two main types of Cambodian weaving. The first type is the ikat
technique or chong kiet, which is complex technique that produces pattern fabrics
where tie-dye portions of weft yarn before weaving begins. Motifs include lattice,
stars, and spots.

The second type is the uneven twill technique which is unique to Cambodia
and produces single or two-color fabrics.

Cambodian textiles are natural dyes. The red dye comes from the insect nests,
blue dye from indigo, yellow and green dye from the phorut bark, and black dye
from ebony bark.
Silk weaving which has recently been revived provides employment for many
rural women.
Cambodian silk which has been purchased locally is used in sampot (wrap
skirts), furnishings, and pidan (pictorial tapestries)
Rural women also weave homemade cotton fabrics like the traditional check
scarves called krama which also used as garments and for other household
purposes.

Cambodian farmers weave baskets from thinly cut bamboo called tbanh
kantrak for household use or additional income.

Cambodian houses are rectangular in shape and vary in sizes. They were
constructed from a wooden frame with steep, gabled thatch roof and walls of
woven bamboo and raised from the ground on stilts for protection from annual
floods. Two ladders or wooden staircase provide access to the house. The front
room serves as a room used to receive visitors, the next room is the parents’
bedroom, and the third is for unmarried daughters. Food is prepared I a separate
kitchen built behind the house. Any livestock is kept below the house.

Angkor Wat
Between the 19th and 14th century, Angkorian architects and sculptors created
temples with walls decorated with mythical creatures from Hinduism and
Buddhism.
The Angkor Wat (Temple City) was built in the first half of the 12th century and
is included in UNESCO Seven Wonders of the World. It is surrounded by four
smaller towers and a series of enclosure walls.

Angkor Wat