“A living khit weaving village where visitors can watch traditional loom weaving under wooden houses. It is a well-known production site for handmade cotton hammocks, offering homestays and community-based tourism activities.”
Ban Non Salao is a traditional rural community located in Phu Khiao District, Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand, that strongly preserves authentic Isan ways of life across generations.Most villagers continue to rely on agriculture and handicrafts, especially mulberry cultivation, silkworm raising, silk reeling, and traditional handloom weaving under their houses, which serves as both daily livelihood and the cultural heart of the community.Nearly every household has a weaving loom, reflecting that textile production is not just a side occupation but a deeply rooted cultural heritage passed down through generations.
Ban Non Salao is well known for two main textile types: khit weaving, which features intricate and highly detailed patterns requiring advanced weaving skills, and mudmee silk, which is characterized by unique, naturally blended patterns that vary from piece to piece.In addition, the community has developed a distinctive local innovation: handmade cotton hammocks, which are durable, soft, and have become one of the village’s signature products.Visitors can closely learn the entire production process, from silk reeling and natural dyeing using local plants to traditional loom weaving, and can also join hands-on workshops to create small woven products.
For cultural tourism, the village offers homestays that allow visitors to experience a true slow-life lifestyle, including morning alms-giving with sticky rice, traditional local meals, and cycling through surrounding rice fields.The local economy is strengthened by community enterprises and OTOP product development, enabling woven textiles and handicrafts to generate sustainable income and reach broader markets.Overall, Ban Non Salao is an ideal destination for travelers seeking authentic Isan cultural experiences, traditional craftsmanship, and meaningful community-based tourism.
How to Get There
- By car: From Chaiyaphum city, take Highway 201 toward Phu Khiao District, then turn onto rural roads heading to Nong Tum Subdistrict. The distance is approximately 80 km.
- By public transport: Take a Chaiyaphum–Chum Phae bus or a Bangkok–Phu Khiao bus. Get off at Phu Khiao Bus Terminal, then continue by local “skylab” (motor tricycle) or shared songthaew to the village.
Travel Tips
- Stay overnight at a homestay to experience the real local lifestyle and join morning sticky rice alms-giving activities.
- Explore and learn traditional khit weaving, mudmee silk production, and local handicraft practices up close.
- Buy handmade khit hammocks or woven textiles as high-quality souvenirs from villagers.
- The best time to visit is late in the year when local festivals and weaving exhibitions are held.
- Ride a bicycle or walk around the village in the early morning or evening to enjoy the peaceful rural atmosphere.
Admission Fee:
- Free entry (additional charges may apply for homestay accommodation, meals, or workshop activities)
Opening Hours:
- Open daily from 08:00 AM – 05:00 PM for general visitors