Talapat (Thai Monk's Palm-Leaf Fan) — Layered Palm Leaves about 30 cm Across, Stitched and Lacquered, on a 90 cm Turned Hardwood Handle that Clamps the Leaves

"Dried toddy-palm or lan leaves are pressed flat, laid overlapping in a circle and stitched together at intervals, then coated with lacquer to make them shine." (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, authors พยุง ใบแย้ม (Phayung Baiyaem) and ดอกรัก พยัคศรี (Dokrak Phayaksri), CC BY 4.0)

Dry toddy-palm or lan leaves and press them flat. Lay them overlapping in a circle, oval or egg-shaped, about 30 cm across, and stitch them together at intervals with needle and cord. Coat with lacquer to make them shine.

Sew lace and coloured cloth round the edge, and decorate with yarn tassels and silver and gold thread.

Use hardwood such as mok man, ching chan, pradu or mai daeng, turned into a cylinder that fits the hand, about 90 cm long, or long enough to screen the monk's face when seated chanting. Turn the end that clamps the leaves flat and wide so it grips them firmly; bind the split upper end tightly with yarn and finish it with a yarn tassel.

Photo of palm-leaf talapat in a ceremony, Ban Nong Khao, Kanchanaburi (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, authors พยุง ใบแย้ม (Phayung Baiyaem) and ดอกรัก พยัคศรี (Dokrak Phayaksri), CC BY 4.0).

A monk holds it before his face in rites, such as giving the precepts or chanting the Phra Malai; it is offered as one of the eight requisites to a newly ordained monk.

Most talapat today are cloth with plastic handles. In Ban Nong Khao the men make the talapat (ta-la-pat) for ordinations while the women knit pillows, handkerchiefs and alms-bowl covers. Phra Khru Sangharak Winai of Wat Intharam restored 19 old talapat for use at merit ceremonies. Take care at the lathe. Source: Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Traditional Objects of Everyday Use database, "ตาลปัตร", authors พยุง ใบแย้ม (Phayung Baiyaem) and ดอกรัก พยัคศรี (Dokrak Phayaksri), Ban Nong Khao Local Museum, Kanchanaburi (CC BY 4.0 licence). **Limits** The source gives no leaf count and no stitching method, and there is no listing for palm leaves, lacquer, lace or metallic thread, so they are named in the text.