Cotton fabric with Pha Taem pattern, Ban Kum weaving group.

Ubon Ratchathani University, by the research team of the research project "..."Preserving and building upon the cultural heritage of Khong Chiam to develop the community economy."Research funding from the Regional Development Fund Management Unit (RDMU), led by..."Assistant Professor Dr. Nara HattasinThe Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty of Business Administration, Ubon Ratchathani University, and the research project manager, along with the research team, visited the area to make an invitation.Mother of Sanit SinthipThe chairperson of the Ban Kum weaving group, Huai Phai Subdistrict, Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, a cultural entrepreneur participating in the research project on preserving and developing Khong Chiam's cultural capital for community economic development, joined the project and was inspired by the Ubon Ratchathani University research team. They played a role in integrating academic knowledge with community wisdom through research and development of the "..." pattern.Taupe CottonInspired by prehistoric cave paintings, this project reflects the area's identity, history, and way of life in Khong Chiam community. This collaboration not only adds value to community textile products but also promotes cultural preservation, grassroots economic development, and sustainable resource utilization, aligning with the university's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach and its mission to foster participatory local development.The Pha Taem patterned cotton fabric from Ban Kum is more than just a 5-star community product; it is the result of a connection…Research – University – Community"For sustainable development based on culture."

Mother of Sanit SinthipA cultural entrepreneur participating in a research project on preserving and developing the cultural capital of Khong Chiam for community economic development, and the president of the Ban Kum weaving group, recounted the background.Taupe Cotton"The products of the Ban Kum weaving group, Huai Phai Subdistrict, Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, are from a community that has officially organized itself since 1998 and has developed into a community enterprise with the potential to produce textiles from local cotton using environmentally friendly production processes. This includes growing chemical-free cotton, hand-spinning yarn, and dyeing with natural dyes from local tree bark."

Ban Kum Weaving GroupThis is a prominent community enterprise group that produces naturally dyed cotton fabrics, rooted in the wisdom and traditions passed down from their ancestors.The ancestors of the group members have been growing cotton along the Mekong River since time immemorial. The men would fish while the women cultivated cotton. The cotton and fish they produced would be traded with other villages in those days when there were no roads.

Mae Sanit Sinthip (Group President) used the knowledge and wisdom of her parents to form the Ban Kum Weaving Group in 1998, starting with 21 members. The group registered as a community enterprise in 2005, following advice from the Community Development Department. It began with a share of 100 baht per person and distributes dividends to members every six months, initially through interest. The group received a loan from the "One Tambon One Product (OTOP)" community product development project and support from various agencies such as the Community Development Department.Ubon Ratchathani University, Rajamangala University and Provincial Industry In the areas of product development, design, and training.

Cotton SourceThe group will grow their own cotton along the Mekong River, which is where the name comes from. "Cotton from the Mekong River"The cotton used in the product packaging is an ancient, heirloom variety. It is grown without watering, fertilizing, or using any chemicals. Planting takes place when the water level in the Mekong River is low."
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in the harvest.Cotton is harvested during March-April (approximately 3-4 months after planting). It must be harvested when there is no rain, as humidity will cause the cotton to rot. The harvested cotton is then cleaned by separating out impurities such as wood chips, grass clippings, or cotton leaves.Cotton ginning (cotton spinning)The cotton is ginning (the process of separating the seeds from the fibers) using ancient tools that are rare today. Once the cotton is ginning,fluffThe ginninged cotton is then carded to form fluff.Cotton wheels and yarn wheelsTake the ejected cotton and wheel it and trolley it in yarn on the sting or yard. The group members will be responsible for trolleying the yarn and selling it to the group. The group will buy white cotton yarn from the members for 300 baht/kg. 

Yarn pre-dyeing The spun cotton yarn is soaked overnight to make it white.Natural dyeingIt has a unique characteristic: a group that dyes fabrics using a specific method.Only 100% natural colorThere is no chemical or synthetic color combination.
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Source of raw materialsThey use local tree bark and plants, such as the bark of the fig tree, the bark of the du tree, and the bark of the keng tree. They source their own produce from their own fields, eliminating the need to search elsewhere.Variety of colorsVarious colors can be produced from different tree barks; for example, the bark of the teak and ebony trees yields a dark brown color.Dyeing process Preparation of dyed waterBoil the tree bark in water overnight, then remove the bark to prevent any bark fragments from sticking to the cotton threads.Yarn dyeingSoak the prepared cotton yarn in the cooled dye solution overnight. Soaking for a longer time will help the color to be more durable.Increasing color durability.Choose to use older trees for dyeing to get a more durable color.Color adjustmentIt can be discolored by adding alum, mortar, or rust to it, such as dyeing it yellow and then soaking it in alum or mortar, the color will change.