paper is made in Thailand both by hand and by machine. Handmade papers.


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Paper

Currently, paper is made in Thailand both by hand and by machine. Handmade papers include mulberry paper which has been fashioned into many kinds of handicraft for example artificial flowers and plants, files, packing material, notebooks, cards. Used paper, whether writing paper or any discarded paper, can be recycled and made into papier mache.

Khoi paper is not made much now due to it's limited use but the making of Sa paper has been widely promoted by both the government and private organizations because of their greater popularity. Not only have there been active marketing campaigns at home abroad but there has also been encouragement and support for mulberry growing in many regions especially the northern provinces of ChiangMai, Chiangrai, Lampang, Phrae, Mae Hongsorn and Sukhothai. This has resulted in more business for local people.

Product from papers, both from Sa paper and other varieties, can be divided into two groups as follows :

1. Product from paper sheets : Product made from paper sheet from like Sa paper are of many kinds; foe example, various utensils, playthings and decorations. The most popular are Samud-thai, umbrellas and kites.

Samud-thai
This is name given to a kind of book made from Khoi or Sa paper sheets which are pleated horizontally into a volume. In the old days books inscribing religious teaching were made this way and they varied in size. Also, in the past different kinds of writing instruments were used on them, each one producing different colors. Nowadays, books made using mulberry papers are becoming increasingly popular, especially in the form of notebooks as they are not only attractive but durable.

Umbrellas
Umbrellas have long been produced in Thailand, especially in the northern region. Basically, the folding frames are made from bamboo and either mulberry papers or cloths are used for the covers which are usually painted over lacquered for strength as well as to make them waterproof. Development and improvements have been affected to make them more beautiful and as a result, umbrellas nowadays are being used not only as 'shields" against rain or sun outside the house but also as interior decoration articles : they are now seen decorating ceiling in modern building or they serve as lampshades.

Kites
History has it that Thai people have been flying kites for more than 700 years. It is so popular everywhere that many rules and regulations have been made to regularize the sport. During the Ayudhya Period, kite players would be punished if they played too near the palace ; and during the Ratanakosin Period, King Chulalongkorn allowed his entourage to fly kited only at Suan Dusit Palace or at the Royal Scout Club. Well-known kites which are flown in Thailand include Eloom (a square-shaped kite known as the male kite), Chula (pentagon-shaped kite, another male kite), Pakpao (the female kite) and Touitui (the singing kite fitted with a strung bow which make a sound in the wind).

2. Products from papier mache : Paper mache is material made of paper pulp or scraps of discarded paper glued together to from any desirable shape. It is believed that the Chinese were the first people who produced articles using the kind of paper and the technique later spread to other counties including France where it became known as papier mache which has since been recognized all over the world. In Thailand the headdresses of masked dancer have been made been this way and also children' s animal-shaped money-banks. Papier mache products have been in existence for at least 40 years.

Production has been on the increase and more models and designs have been developed for greater variety and a more beautiful finish. Existing products can be grouped according to functions as follows :
1. Wall decorations : Product in this group include pictures and masks in both a high and bars relief sculptures.
2. Other decorations : These are sculptures of humans, animals and other things.
3. Containers like trays, baskets, boxes etc.
4. Artificial fruit and vegetables