The kite maker by Neng

From enthusiasm to become a career .Uncle Kul Boonnok, a 70 years old kite maker , told us his story that he makes kites for a living more than 50 years. When he was young, his grandfather did many kinds of kites for him because in that time there weren’t many choices of toys, kites used to be a great entertainment for kids in Thailand. He loved kite and wish to know how it was made, he decided to learn from his grandfather.The way to learn is observe and assist. When he grew up, he became a teacher in Nakornsawan and taught in a creation class, later he taught kids how to make kites.In that era, nobody taught how to make kite. Kids made their own way. Whose kite was good or bad, it depended on detail and creativity.Thai kites are different from foreigner’s kites in materials. Thai kites are made of paper and bamboos but foreigner’s kites are made of plastics and fabrics. There are many kinds of kites but the popular are Pakpao and animals type.Main materials for simple kites are paper, cables and latex. But if you want to make it more special, you will need more experience and creativity. Uncle Kul uses mulberry paper to make kites because of its durability and high tension. When kites are wet, they can dry easily and can play it again while others plain paper kites cannot.We can purchase mulberry paper from Sukhothai area. The kite’s frame have to be made from “Seesuk” bamboo only because its high strength and aerodynamic but expensive and very rare. Mostly have to buy from Nakhonsawan area.Kite making process is begun from a design in your mind, then you will sharpen bamboos and straight it with small flame. Finishing surfaces for smooth handle and waxing for decoration.Bring two bamboo sticks crossing each other and slide horizontal stick upper half for divide to body and wing. Then wiring a cable along the top of each side of sticks, you will get the four sides frame.When you tie a cable on a frame, you have to leave cable end in wing and tail for decoration.Tension cable, which for attach to main cable, making process is bring a cable along your arm for its length and bind knot. Let kite’s frame graft on mulberry paper for cutting and latex it into a frame.Another secret thing of uncle Kul is glue. Glue drying slower than latex. You can re-adjusting many times until it dry and decorating until you are satisfy.Uncle Kul said “Kite is a Thai’s antique toy. I hope all of Thai people who can support kite maker as much as they can. So we can carry on this traditional skill along”.