The 8 formal Thai national costumes
The formal Thai national costume, known in Thai as ชุดไทยพระราชนิยม Chut Thai phra ratcha niyom, literally Thai dress of royal endorsement), includes several sets of clothing designed for use as national costume in formal occasions.
Although described and intended for use as national costume, they are of relatively modern origins, having been conceived in the second half of the twentieth century. There are 8 styles of as below :
- Thai Chakkri
- Thai Boromphiman
- Thai Siwalai
- Thai Chakkraphat
- Thai Chitlada
- Thai Ruean Ton
- Thai Ammarin
- Thai Dusit
1.Thai Chakkri Styleชุดไทย จักรี
Thai Chakkri is a formal and elegant wear, normally produced using the Yok weaving technique (Yok creates additional thickness within the fabrics without adding supplementary threads. Often gold and silver threads will be used as the weft, making silk produced this way particularly expensive.) The Pha-Sin ( Pha-Noong or skirt) is a full lenght wraparound skirt with 2 pleated folds in the front called 'Na-Nang'. |
2. Thai Borompimanชุดไทย บรมพิมาน
Thai Borrompiman also a formal evening attire, comprises a long sleeved blouse witch is either buttoned a the front or the back. The blouse is tucked beneath the Pha-Noong with its front pleats (Na-Nang). The fabrics is brocaded to create a highly luxurious look and feel. The blouse is roung necked. The skirt is ankle length The skirt and blouse are sown together like a one piece dress of with style is suitable for a tall and slender wearer. It can be worn in formal or half formal ceremonies such as the League Ceremony, or royal functions. Royal Decorations are also worn. |
4. Thai Chakraphatชุดไทย จักรพรรดิ์
Chakkraphat means emperor in Thai. Thai Chakraphat is a Thai dress with a shawl like Thai Chakkri. However, it is more conservative and official. The upper part has a pleated shawl cover a thicker shawl with full embroider on the upper shawl and decorated with beautiful ornaments. It can be used in royal or national ceremonies. |
5. Thai Chitladaไทยจิตรลดา
Thai Chitlada, with its brocaded band at the hem of the Pha-Noong, is a daytime ceremonial dress. It can be worn with a long sleeved silk blouse with its the front opening attached with five ornamental, silver or gold buttons. The Pha-Noong is a casual wraparound. It can be worn to a ceremony that is a not too informal such as, welcoming the official royal quests at airport. Wearer do not need to wear Royal Decorations but the color and style should be appropriate. |
6. Thai Ruean Tonไทยเรือนต้น
The Ruean-Ton the most casual wear of all eight styles- comprises a horizontally or vertically striped silk or plain-colored Pha-Noong with a patterned band at the hem, sometimes folded to one side. The collarless blouse has a front opening. It is suitable for casual and non-official functions such as Khthin Ton, the religious ceremony of the conferring of royal offerings to monks. |
7. Thai Ammarintraชุดไทยอมรินทร์
Thai Amarintra is an evening attire, made of brocaded fabric. With this style, the wearer does not have to wear belt. The blouse can be wide and round necked. And the sleeves cover the elbow. The beauty of this dress is its textile and ornaments. It can be used for an evening dinner or at the Royal Birthday Procession. The Royal Decorations are worn. |
See Photos Gallery of Thai Actresses in Thai Traditional Dresses
See Photos Gallery of Thai Pageants in Thai Costume