Abstract

The Phu Tai minority group of Kalasin Province has a rich weaving culture that has been adopted as a provincial symbol in the name of tourism. This qualitative investigation traces the history of Phu Tai silk weaving in Ban Phon village and its relationship with the monarchy. Data gathered from documents and field study are used to analyze the nature of the Phu Tai weaving culture and evaluate whether its modern incarnation is authentic ethnic identity or an invented tradition. The results of the study acknowledge elements of the modern weaving culture that are inauthentic, but also show that the Phu Tai have significantly benefited from the external support they have been afforded.