Sa Laek (Rattan Carrying Sling) — a Paired-Rattan Square Base, Four 1 m Rattan Strands, One per Corner, Gathered into a Loop for the Carrying Pole; Carries a Basket with No Holes Drilled

"There is no need to drill holes in the containers to thread a rope; just set the container in the sa laek and it is ready to be carried anywhere." (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author พิชชา ทองขลิบ (Phitcha Thongkhlip), CC BY 4.0)

Tie two rattan strands together as a pair and join them into a square for strength.

Take four rattan strands, each about one metre long, tie one to each corner of the square, and bring them together at the head of the sling.

Bind the strands together with thin rattan into a loop for the carrying pole, then bend the sling into shape.

Photos of real sa laek from the Ancient Tai Dam Cultural Revival Centre (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author พิชชา ทองขลิบ (Phitcha Thongkhlip), CC BY 4.0)

Set a krabung or other container holding paddy, seed or household goods in the sling, slide the carrying pole through the head, check that the weight is balanced on both sides, and lift and carry.

The sa laek in the source comes from the Tai Dam, who use it to carry baskets or containers in pairs on a carrying pole. Source: Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Traditional Objects of Everyday Use database, "สาแหรก", author พิชชา ทองขลิบ (Phitcha Thongkhlip), Ancient Tai Dam Cultural Revival Centre, U Thong, Suphan Buri (CC BY 4.0 licence). **Limits** The source gives no size for the square base and names no tools. It says a sa laek may have 4 or 6 strands but describes only the four-strand method.