Suriya Wongchai

Beguiling Tai Lue Textiles

In the Tai Lue village of Baan Sri Don Chai, Chiang Khong, Thailand, artisans have been creating radiantly colored, intricately woven textiles for generations. Maintaining this tradition is artisan Suriya Wongchai, whose exceptional creative vision, combined with a longtime dedication to traditional techniques, results in truly one-of-a-kind textiles designed for a range of uses. Suriya Wongchai is also the founder of the Lue Lai Kham Museum, where around 200 artisans exhibit and sell their textiles and tapestries.

One of Wongchai’s specialties is the creation of tube skirts, traditionally worn by Tai Lue women and most commonly rendered in bright arrangements of pink, red, and orange. Suriya’s innovative eye has amended these garments into larger tapestries that can be worn as shawls, wide scarves, or even as eye-catching wall decor. New patterns and colors such as blues and black were also introduced by the artisan, as well as the implementation of silk, instead of more traditional cotton. Most of the patterns and motifs used are traditional to Tai Lue people, extending upon generations of weavers who’ve maintained the highest possible standards of design and quality.

Comprising hand-spun yarn, Wongchai’s textiles have significant meaning for Thailand’s Tai Lue ethnic group. Originally from Yunnan in southern China, they are relatively new to Thailand, having first entered the country a little over a hundred years ago. Tai Lue textiles feature motifs such as water chestnuts, flowers, vines, birds, animals, geometric patterns, and water ripples—visually beautiful elements that also have symbolic meaning. Suriya Wongchai is highly skilled in design as well as construction, so it’s no wonder his textiles feature such a beguiling combination of motif and color.