Ban Khok Mo Local Weaving Center

Ban Khok Mo, in the Khok Mo subdistrict of Thap Than, is home to Lao Khrang settlers whose ancestors migrated from Vientiane in the early Rattanakosin period — over two centuries ago. Their weaving tradition has passed from mother to daughter ever since: when the rice harvest ends, women of the village take to their looms and produce some of Uthai Thani’s most distinctive handwoven textiles.

Experience

The village has two weaving centres. Near Wat Khok Mo, a group of weavers specialise in silk cloth, producing Pha Mudmi Thin Chok (mudmee with raised supplementary weft) and Pha Yok Dok (flower-brocade) alongside ancient Lao Khrang designs — Lai Dan Mueang Lao, Lai Nak, and Lai Dan Yai. A second centre, behind the Khok Mo Subdistrict Administration Organization office, focuses on cotton cloth coloured with natural dyes. Visitors can watch weavers at work on traditional floor looms and buy fabric directly from the artisans.

Insider Tip: buy directly from the weavers here rather than at a shop in Uthai Thani town — the price is lower and the money goes straight to the family that made the cloth.

Atmosphere & Timing

This is a working village, not a museum, so the number of active looms varies with the farming calendar. Watch out: during planting or harvest months, weavers may be occupied in the fields rather than at the loom — call ahead to check whether anyone’s working that day before making the trip.

Practical Information

Ban Khok Mo is one of several weaving villages around Uthai Thani — Ban Pha Thung Ancient Pattern Weaving Centre is a similar Lao-heritage textile stop nearby.