Metal used in handicraft making can be put into two groups as follows :

1. Iron : This group is subdivided into cast iron and steel. The latter is very strong and can be drawn into strips before being turned into shapes while cast iron has to be liquid first, then poured into shaped moulds. Iron is found in abundance in Central Thailand especially in Saraburi Province and also in a few southern provinces like Nakorn Si Thammarat

2. Other metals : Non-iron metals used in handicraft making are categorized into three groups as follows :
2.1 Base metals comprising copper, lead, tin, zinc, aluminum etc.
2.2 Alloys such as brass, bronze, pewter
2.3 Precious metal like gold, silver and platinum

Classified according to the type of metal used, Thai metalware falls into seven groups :

1. Ironware : Iron is divided into iron and steel, and as stated above. They are processed differently : cast iron is melted first then poured into shaped moulds while steel is heated, then beaten into strip before shaped making

2. Bronzeware : Bronze, an alloy of 80% copper and 20% tin, is called thong-samrid in Thai. Articles made from bronze are often called kraeung thong-lonfhin which is a combined description of these wares, in appearance as well as process(kra-eung = assemblage, thong = gold, golden and longin = stone polished)

3. Brassware : This alloy has many components-copper, zinc, aluminum and lead. The last two, especially lead, are harmful to human health. Consequently, unlike bronze, it is not made into articles that are related to food. To be made into any shape, brass must first be melted and poured into a mould.

4. Goldware : Gold articles of the present time are usually made from 95-97% gold, not pure gold , and are used to make ornaments like earrings, bracelets and chains. Otherwise, it is made into thin foil for use in fulfilling religious functions and in gilding buddha images.