Page 46 - Experience Thailand and More

WHAT TO DO

AND SEE

Soieries du Mekong Silk Center
Road 56, Sraschrey village, Banteay Chhmar Commune, Thmor puok, Banteay Meanchey
contact@soieriesdumekong.com
http://www.soieriesdumekong.com
Open Monday-Friday from 8.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Once pulled by water buffalos, but now powered by a long-handled
rototiller, a quick Go Yon Carriage ride can be quite fun plodding through
the peaceful town. Like most places in Cambodia, you’ll be greeted with
big smiles when you arrive at Soieries du Mekong Silk Center. Soieries
can be translated from French as silk factories, and it is here that local
women are trained in the art of preparing and weaving silk fabrics as
well as making clothes. At the center, silk is cleaned, dyed, warped,
knotted and woven, mostly into scarves after which the ends are fringed.
While some stay to do the prepping and finishing, after completing the
training, most of the women are given looms so they can work at home.
Established by two NGOs – Enfants du Mekong and Espoir en Soie in
2001, this enterprise has provided a means to supplement the income of
hundreds of families.

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