Khit cloth Networking and creative economy oriented product development based on Isan culture

The purposes of this research are to investigate the historical background, current circumstances and problems of Khit cloth products in Isan communities, making networks and orienting the creative economy based on Isan culture. The research population for this qualitative research was composed of 88 individuals. The research area was the three North-eastern Thai provinces of Kalasin, Yasothon and Amnat Charoen. Data were collected by means of basic survey, interviews, observations, focus-group discussions and workshops. The results show that Khit cloth weaving group members at Ban Sri Than, Ban Kham Phra and Ban Dan Nuea learned weaving skills from previous generations. Cloth weaving is considered valuable traditional knowledge and the inherited cultural responsibility of Isan women. They weave their Khit cloth along with other fabrics and designs. Silk and cotton cloth were the two types of Khit. Khit cloth using cotton thread is more popular than silk thread. Khit clothes are made for personal use and as community commercial products. The creation process includes thread formation, dying, cloth designing, weaving, processing and marketing. Weavers receive training supported by various government offices and also undertake field studies. There have been four stages of weaving development in the three communities: family consumption, variation, group integration and networking. The last development stage was the time of creativity and expansion of networks for product processing within the community and surrounding area with government support under the ‘One Tambon, One Product’ initiative. The problems encountered are high production costs, difficult production process, high number of production steps and inadequate profits. In light of these problems, young people choose higher paying jobs as careers and are not interested in Khit cloth weaving. The study found that each of the three communities sets up its own community business, encouraging members to share ideas, knowledge and develop their capacity for product improvement. Each group also has its own organizational and business management structure. By defining roles and responsibilities, each member and related local authority is allowed full participation in the running and maintenance of the community business network.

Keywords – creative economy, Isan culture, khit cloth, networking, product development, Thailand