Kuai Loei (Chinese-Thai Bamboo-Leaf Hat) — a Wide, Pointed Hat, Two Woven Phai Si Suk Shells Pressing Cured Phai Tong Leaves, Coated with Yang Oil

"Curing builds up heat; the bamboo leaves turn yellow and fall from the branches, and are laid flat and kept, usable for as long as a year." (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, authors ประพีร์ภัทร พิเสฎฐศลาศัย (Praphiphat Phisetthasalasai) and นวลพรรณ บุญธรรม (Nuanphan Boontham), CC BY 4.0)

Cut branches of phai tong bamboo; old leaves last longer than young. Lay other leaves as a bed, put the bamboo leaves on, wrap them in leaves and weigh them down with a heavy log; cure until the leaves yellow and drop from the branches, then lay them flat to keep. Split phai si suk bamboo into thin, long strips with a thin knife, and soak them in water to soften before weaving.

Weave the frame over a bo (mould) in an open check like a chalom's mesh, rising to a pointed crown on a round base. Weave the outer shell the same way with wider strips.

Lay wet paper overlapping all round the frame (Pa Chaluai now uses a plastic bag instead, to keep water out better), then lay soaked bamboo leaves over it, and press the outer shell on top. Bind the rim with strips. Fit the peak: two bamboo pieces bent and crossed into four legs and pushed in (or braid it from rattan or khla). Coat the outside with yang oil or wood finish, dry thoroughly, and add a chin strap.

Photos of real kuai loei and of Pa Chaluai Chaichuangchot weaving one (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, authors ประพีร์ภัทร พิเสฎฐศลาศัย (Praphiphat Phisetthasalasai) and นวลพรรณ บุญธรรม (Nuanphan Boontham), CC BY 4.0).

Wear it against sun and rain when gardening, trading or travelling, with the chin strap fastened so it does not blow off. Small ones can cover fruit, such as watermelons, against boring insects.

Pa Chaluai learned the kuai loei from her father, whose father came from China to grow vegetables in Nakhon Pathom; they once supplied Suphan Buri watermelon growers. Amphawa gardeners still favour it because it is light and lets heat out. The 24-mesh size is hard to weave and hardly anyone makes it now. Take care with the knife when splitting strips. Source: Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Traditional Objects of Everyday Use database, "ก่วยเล้ย", authors ประพีร์ภัทร พิเสฎฐศลาศัย (Praphiphat Phisetthasalasai) and นวลพรรณ บุญธรรม (Nuanphan Boontham), Tang Siam Ha Museum, Samut Songkhram (CC BY 4.0 licence). **Limits** The source gives no diameter for each size and no shape for the mould, and there is no listing for bamboo leaves or yang oil, so they are named in the text.