118 | Culture Ways of Life and Wisdom
Malai (garland) is a combination of flowers, petals,
and leaves, such as Mali (jasmine), Put (cape jasmine),
rose petals threaded together into a bunch of different
styles such as a Malai Chai Diao, a garland with one Uba
(flowers chained like a tassel to be stringed with garland);
Malai Song Chai, a garland with two Uba; and Malai Muea
(hand garland) for wearing on a hand, sometimes called
Riang Malai or Malai Pia.
Khrueang Khwaen is a fresh flower mobile arranged
as a decoration for doors, windows or ceremonies. There
are various types such as Phu Klin Dok Mai (fragrant flower
tassels), comprising Uba, Raya. It can be arranged in a shape
of Khom Chin (Chinese lantern), Khom Huat and Phuang
Kaeo. The method of making Khrueang Khwaen includes
net sewing, tassel making, and many different types of fresh
flowers. Fresh flower arrangement for other ceremonies
include floral wreath for covering monk’s robes, flower
decorations on the base of Buddha Images and for funeral
coffins, and flower arrangement in a vase.
The value of fresh flower craftsmanship is not only
in bringing flowers, petals, or leaves to arrange together in
magnificent forms, but fresh flower arrangements also have
psychological benefits and value of real-life application. Fresh
flower craftsmen needs to be detail oriented and long-term
expertise in order to produce a prefect masterpiece.
• Phan Phum, Malai and Khrueang Khwaen (fresh flower mobile) fresh flower
are Thailand’s magnificent craft works in terms of form, methods of using colours
and easy-to-find materials.
“ Fresh flower craftsmanship
represents creative flower
arrangement, such as flower
stitches, flower filtration, etc.
It produces a variety of
craftwork, such as Uba, Feuang,
Malai, to be used in ceremony
and beautiful decoration
of places. ”