THAI KITE CENTRE
During his career in the Civil Service, Mr.Kul Boonnok, a native of Nakorn Sawan Province, used to teach handicrafts. With a special fascination for kites, he began making them for sale after his retirement, and invented several new types and designs.
Kite-making begins with a journey to Nakorn Sawan, Lopburi or Ayutthaya to acquire some See-sook bamboo. Mr. Kul personally oversees the cutting of the bamboo, selecting trees which are more than three years old. Their skin will be black or dark green. After slicing the bamboo, it is soaked in water for a month to strengthen it and protect it from weevils. It is then dried in the sun and cut to size according to the types of kite to be built. The framework of the kite is bound together with good, strong cord to reinforce it, and the final step is to paste the paper onto the framework.
In addition to kites for general sale, there are several new kinds in the form of owls, butterflies, goldfish and dragons. The most difficult shape to make is the garuda kite, whose intricate frame requires a large amount of bamboo, as well as skill.
Mr. Kul teaches kite-making to small groups within the community. He is also pleased to talk on making kites to all those who are interested, especially to anyone who would like to take up kite- making as a living. In that way, this ancient folk craft will be conserved for future generations.