Science and Art Thai Craftsmanship |119
Fresh Flower
Craftsmanship
There are three important methods in
arranging fresh flowers.
Malai can be made in different patterns by using
petals such as petals of damask rose and lolls; by using
leaves such as leaves of orange jessamine and Krabuea;
using whole flowers such as flowers of jasmine, Put (cape
jasmine) and calotropis, stringed them together into a Malai
Khor Phrakon and Malai Song Chai.
Due to the fragile nature of
Thai flowers, and tropical weather,
Thai flowers have a shorter life than
that of other regions. The application
of fresh flowers to various works
is considered as artistic wisdom
and help extend the flowers’ life
and keep the beauty last longer.
Screening. Flowers will be screened
and selected to be in the same size before
being stringed together such as Dok Khachon
(cowslip creeper), Dok Phikun (bullet wood),
Dok Lamduan (white cheesewood), or being
chopped into thin slices before being composed
together such as Dok Ban Mai Ru Roi (globe
amaranth).
Knitting. Net can be knitted by fresh
flower such as Dok Put, Dok Mali making
alternate motifs of fabrics and flowers such as
Lai Klet Tao, Lai Si Kan Si Dok, Lai Sam Kan
Sam Dok, Lai Ok Mangmum, Lai Dao Lom
Duean, Lai Phra Athit Ching Duang, Lai Kaeo
Ching Duang and Lai Phum Khao Bin. This
technique is normally used for knitting nets or
decorating flower mobiles or Phan Phum.