- PHU PHA PHUENG 
- PHRAE WA FABRIC WEAVIING GROUP 


This is the largest number of red palm paintings found in the Kingdom of Thailand. Such paintings are regarded as important historical evidences in making a search for the lost account of past events of a society. With respect to these palm paintings Mr. Pisit Charoenwong from the Fine Arts Department, explained that it would be impossible to tell the exact age of prehistoric paintings of palm types. Painting techniques might be sorted out into palm print type, spray type, lined pattern and solid painting. The age of Phu Pha Phueng should be around 2,000 years, taking into account that the paintings found are similar to the prehistoric paintings at Pha Taem at Khong Chiam district, Ubon Ratchathani province where paintings of other accounts, such as, man and animals, also exist. Currently, such palm paintings are gradually fading as time passes. Furthermore, some of them are being destroyed and some new paintings are being made by some people in the vicinity who are unable to sense the important of such invaluable paintings. 




Phu Pha Phueng is located on a mountain called Phu Pha Phueng (Pha Phueng mountain) at Ban Kut Wa (Kut Wa village), Kuchi Narai district, Kalasin province. Phu Pha Phueng is a cliff of approx. 400 meters in height. In the past, bees built their hives against the cliff, in almost all over the cliff face. The bees were vexed by villagers in the vicinity who hunted down hives for sale in such a manner of extirpation. In addition, deforestation in the area caused environmental degradation and change in ecological system, thereby destroying the rich flower source originally existed that the bees could depend on for survival and growth. As a result, the current Phu Pha Phueng is left with only its legend to be told to attract visitors to visit and see signs on the cliff where hives used to exist. 

The group is organized at Ban Phon, Amphoe Kham Muong,70 kilometers from Kalasin township. Phrae Wa fabric is woven from silk with fine pattern which are specific art and craftmanship of Phuthai tribal people. H.M. the Queen has initiated promoting this type of fabric until it is currently popular.