Sitting under a portrait of his son graduating from University of North London, 74 year old Naphon transfers thread from a large spool to a small one in preparation for weaving silk fabric in his factory.One corner of the factory holds a case with silk for sale to tourists, as well as framed memories, including pictures of the American, Jim Thompson, who helped market Thai silk to the world. Thompson visited this factory daily when Naphon was a child.Naphon’s factory sits in an older neighborhood along the Saen Saep canal.The factory lies along a narrow alley, occupying the first floor of the building. Naphon was born 74 years ago on the second floor, where his family has lived.Through a gate on the alley, one can glimpse the single loom in this factory. Naphon owns two more looms, located in a home/factory in a different part of Bangkok.The weaving process is human-powered.The loom operator’s foot driving the weaving process.Silk on these small spools will ride the shuttlecocks to create fabric with various colors and patterns.Before COVID, Naphon’s three looms produced 2,000 yards of fabric a month, most of which was sold through the Jim Thomson company. Currently, Naphon is producing and selling about 500 yards a month.Finished fabrics. Naphon is particularly proud of the one on the right, which bears the pattern that has been his family’s specialty, which they taught Jim Thompson to make.Finished high end silk products in the window display of a Jim Thompson store in Bangkok.The high-end Jim Thompson company is where Naphon sells most of his fabric.
