WEAVING COTTON FIBERS INTO MERIT THREADS “CHULAKATHIN: A CASE STUDY OF WAT THAPKHLAI, UTHAI THANI PROVINCE”

Abstract

The Chulakathin tradition of Wat Thapkhlai at Ban Rai District, Uthai Thani Province is a local tradition that the  process has been still passed on since the ancient time. In 2563 BE., the Thapkhlai village community organized the ceremony of weaving only one piece of kathina cloth, i.e. sabong cloth (a loincloth worn over a lower part of body) , while a robe and sangkhati were woven prior to the ceremony. The Chulakathin tradition of Wat Thapkhlai played a role in encouraging and supporting the community’s identities as follows: 1) social aspect; making pride of the community, 2) economic aspect; making money during the festiva,l  3) educational aspect; becoming a source for learning local culture and tradition including learning the Chulakathin tradition, 4) tradition restoration aspect; continuing local tradition and  5) cultural tourism aspect; becoming a cultural attraction for experiencing Thainess and local tradition.