Khrueang Khwaen: Thai Hanging Ornament History, Types, Price
Khrueang khwaen (เครื่องแขวนไทย, Thai hanging ornaments), also spelled khruang kwaen, are pieces of small fresh flowers strung on thread into lines, patterns and nets.
Refined by women of the Bangkok royal court, they hang at doors, windows and in rooms for ceremonies, in flat (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) forms.
Our own three hanging pieces, made in cotton, sit in one collection with our phuang malai (พวงมาลัย, Thai flower garlands).
In this guide:
- What is khrueang khwaen?
- The history of khrueang khwaen
- How many types are there?
- The five classic types
- Anatomy and frame
- Flowers and materials
- How it is made
- Meaning and uses
- Prices today
- Challenges and the future of the craft
- Thai hanging ornaments in interior design
- Fresh flowers vs Macrame by Nicha cotton
- Macrame by Nicha's cotton Thai hanging ornaments
- Frequently asked questions
- References
Key takeaways
| Topic | In short |
|---|---|
| What it is | Small flowers strung on thread into lines, patterns or nets, hung to decorate buildings, rooms and places of worship |
| The name | เครื่อง (khrueang) means object or set; แขวน (khwaen) means to hang. Standard spelling khrueang khwaen, also spelled khruang kwaen |
| Craft family | Thai fresh-flower craft (งานดอกไม้สด, ngan dok mai sot), alongside garlands and flower cones |
| Where it was refined | By women of the inner court in Bangkok, from Rama I to Rama V; best documented under Rama V |
| Two classes | 2D pieces are flat and hang at windows; 3D pieces are seen from every side and hang inside rooms |
| Five classic flat forms | Crystal ladder, elephant-face net, fragrance pieces, Indra's palace and palace on a stand |
| Main flowers | Cape jasmine, crown flower, jasmine, globe amaranth, white champaka, champaca, rose and orchids |
| Heritage status | Fresh-flower craft is item 110 on Thailand's national intangible heritage list; hanging pieces have no separate entry |
| Lifespan | A fresh piece lasts a few days; jasmine turns brown by the second day |
| Price today | From about 190 THB for plastic to about 15,000 THB for a large fresh cascade; our cotton pieces are 1,990 to 14,490 THB |
Credit: moe.go.th
What Is Khrueang Khwaen (เครื่องแขวนไทย, Thai Hanging Ornament)?
Khrueang khwaen are small flowers strung on thread into lines, patterns or nets, then hung to decorate buildings, places and objects of worship. They come in flat and three-dimensional forms (sanook, 2016).
Thailand Foundation describes flowers "knitted into a net to be hung on the walls and windows", and calls the craft a fine art used in auspicious ceremonies (2021).
A Thai upper-secondary textbook gives the school definition: flower pieces hung to decorate doors, windows or the centre of a room during ceremonies (Wattanapanich, via TruePlookpanya).
What the Name Means
- เครื่อง (khrueang): an object, or a set of things.
- แขวน (khwaen): to hang.
- Spelling: the Royal Thai General System gives khrueang khwaen. You will also see khruang kwaen.
- Full name: เครื่องแขวนดอกไม้สด (khrueang khwaen dok mai sot, fresh-flower hanging pieces) is the name used for the traditional version.
Khrueang khwaen belong to Thai fresh-flower craft (งานดอกไม้สด, ngan dok mai sot), alongside garlands (มาลัย, malai) and flower cones on a tray (พานพุ่ม, phan phum). A Thai Grade 10 course teaches them in this group.
Their closest cousin is the garland: read our full guide to phuang malai, the Thai flower garland.
Fresh Flowers and Other Materials
The traditional material is fresh flowers. Pieces were hung at doors and windows so the breeze carries the scent indoors (Daily News, 2026; sanook, 2016; Anurak).
Modern makers also work in fabric, plastic, clay, crystal, paper, beads, seashells and rice-straw paper (Daily News, 2026; Anurak; RMUTP, 2020; RMUTT, 2019).
At Macrame by Nicha, we make ours in hand-knotted cotton macrame, so a piece can stay up for good. More on that in our cotton pieces.
Credit: Chatchai Choetchai (ฉัตรชัย เชิดชัย)
The History of Khrueang Khwaen (ประวัติเครื่องแขวนไทย, History of Thai Hanging Ornaments)
The documented history of khrueang khwaen starts at the Bangkok royal court. Women of the inner court refined the craft from Rama I to Rama V, and the best records date from Rama V's reign (Sorose and Kaewsrithong, 2023; Kulthamrong, 2014; Maneerat, 1985).
| When | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The Buddha's time (traditional) | Garland making recorded in the Pali canon. This covers garlands only, with no record of hanging pieces | Kulthamrong 2014 |
| Before 1782 (claimed) | Some pages place the origin in Sukhothai or Ayutthaya. We found no primary evidence | See the note below |
| Rama I, 1782 to 1809 | Chao Chom Manda Tani, a royal consort, is recorded as skilled in flower craft | Thai Wikipedia citing Veerasilpchai 2003; Sorose and Kaewsrithong 2023 |
| 1791 to 1830 | Life of her son, Prince Krom Muen Surinrak; his household is said to have carried the craft on | sanook 2018; anowl |
| Rama V, 1868 to 1910 | Court flower work at its peak: Queen Saovabha, Phra Wimada Thoe and Princess Somawadi; wire frames and new forms; hanging pieces made for the royal birthday ceremony | Maneerat 1985; Kulthamrong 2014 (National Archives) |
| After 1932 | Court crafts move into vocational schools | Sorose and Kaewsrithong 2023 |
| 1985 | Maneerat Chanthanaphalin publishes the standard book on fresh-flower hanging pieces | KMUTT archive |
| 20 May 1986 | The Royal Women's Crafts School opens, with a fresh-flower department | Royal Office |
| 2009 | Naphat Thongyaem publishes a 64-page book on Thai flower hangings | TCDC library |
| Year not confirmed | Fresh-flower craft becomes item 110 on the national intangible heritage list | Department of Cultural Promotion |
| 2017 | Suan Sunandha Rajabhat study collects ten hanging-garland motifs for souvenir design | Chandhasa 2017 |
| 2019 | RMUTT rice-straw hanging pieces; a vocational college develops longer-lasting "applied" hangings | Siamrath 2019; Thailand Innovation Portal |
| 6 August 2021 | The National Identity Committee releases a 15-episode documentary series on hanging pieces | TruePlookpanya |
| 20 July 2026 | Daily News feature with an RMUTK home economics expert on the craft today | Daily News |
Before Bangkok: What the Evidence Shows
Flower offerings are ancient, and garland making already appears in the Pali Buddhist texts. For hanging pieces, the sources we checked show no such early record.
Some Thai articles place the first hanging pieces in the Sukhothai or Ayutthaya periods. They point to swag-and-tassel motifs (ลายเฟื่องอุบะ, lai fueang uba) in temple stucco, and say the craft was lost when Ayutthaya fell in 1767.
Those accounts name no monument and no date, and the two most repeated ones trace back to a single popular source. For a student essay, treat them as tradition and cite the Bangkok court as the documented start.
The Bangkok Court Under Rama I
Chao Chom Manda Tani (เจ้าจอมมารดาตานี, the royal consort and mother Tani) was a consort of King Rama I. She was the daughter of Chao Phraya Akkhamahasena of the Bunnag family (Thai Wikipedia, citing Veerasilpchai, 2003).
Sources describe her as skilled in flower craft, with a long prayer poem (เพลงยาวคำอธิษฐาน, phleng yao kham athithan) given as evidence (Thai Wikipedia; Sorose and Kaewsrithong, 2023).
She was the mother of Prince Chat, Krom Muen Surinrak (พระองค์เจ้าฉัตร กรมหมื่นสุรินทรรักษ์, 1791 to 1830). Two Thai magazine features say she taught the craft to his daughters and granddaughters, but both draw on the same source.
According to Anurak magazine, hanging pieces also decorated the ordination hall of Wat Phra Kaew (วัดพระแก้ว, Temple of the Emerald Buddha) under Rama I.
Before Rama V, pieces were nets and swags on wooden frames wrapped in white cloth. Maneerat (1985) lists the crystal ladder, the plume and the downturned, side-set and Chinese fragrance pieces among these older forms.
The Rama V Era and Queen Saovabha
Under King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), court flower work reached its peak. A National Archives file shows court flower makers and painters designing hanging flower pieces together for the royal birthday ceremony at Phaisan Thaksin Hall (Kulthamrong, 2014).
- Queen Saovabha (สมเด็จพระศรีพัชรินทรา, Queen Sri Bajrindra) was skilled at stringing flower nets and garlands (Journal of the Royal Society 40(3); Suan Sunandha Rajabhat).
- Anurak magazine and anowl add that she revived fresh and dried flower work, and that court staff made hanging pieces for Buddhist worship and for doors and windows in the Grand Palace and royal temples.
- Phra Wimada Thoe, Krom Phra Sutthasininat (พระวิมาดาเธอ กรมพระสุทธาสินีนาฏ, a royal consort of Rama V) created many net patterns. She made shaped trimmings (แบบ, baep) and ear flourishes (ทัดหู, that hu) by sewing petals onto cut banana leaf.
- Princess Somawadi, Krom Luang Somrat Siri Chet (กรมหลวงสมรรัตนศิริเชฐ, 1852 to 1931), a daughter of Rama IV who headed the inner palace under Rama V, devised white wire frames.
Maneerat (1985, p. 25) credits Princess Somawadi with new forms such as the reworked cascade (ระย้าแปลง, raya plaeng) and the crystal cluster (พวงแก้ว, phuang kaeo). She also reworked the crystal ladder into Indra's palace.
Chinese Lanterns and Western Chandeliers
According to Anurak magazine, Chinese-lantern pieces were modelled on Chinese lanterns. The Western lantern (โคมฝรั่ง, khom farang), the centre cluster (พวงกลาง, phuang klang) and the cascade (ระย้า, raya) were modelled on Western chandeliers.
anowl calls fresh-flower hangings a "Thai-style chandelier".
From the Palace to the Classroom
- After 1932: according to Sorose and Kaewsrithong (2023), former court attendant Yuen Phanuthat (อาจารย์เยื้อน ภาณุทัต, teacher Yuen Phanuthat) carried court crafts into vocational schools.
- 1985: Assoc. Prof. Maneerat Chanthanaphalin publishes เครื่องแขวนไทย: ดอกไม้สด (Thai Hanging Pieces: Fresh Flowers), volume 4 of the Thai Heritage series.
- 1986: the Royal Women's Crafts School (โรงเรียนช่างฝีมือในวัง (หญิง), Palace Crafts School for Women) opens on 20 May with a fresh-flower department.
- 2009: Naphat Thongyaem (ณภัทร ทองแย้ม) publishes เครื่องแขวนดอกไม้ไทย (Thai Flower Hangings).
- 2021: the National Identity Committee of the Office of the Prime Minister releases a 15-episode documentary series on hanging pieces.
A Listed National Heritage
Fresh-flower craft (งานช่างดอกไม้สด, ngan chang dok mai sot) is item 110 on the Department of Cultural Promotion's national intangible heritage list, under traditional craftsmanship.
There is no separate entry for khrueang khwaen: they are covered as part of fresh-flower craft. Thailand's UNESCO-listed elements do not include it.
Key People and Institutions
| Name | Role | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chao Chom Manda Tani (เจ้าจอมมารดาตานี) | Consort of Rama I, skilled in flower craft | Late 18th century | Thai Wikipedia; Sorose and Kaewsrithong 2023 |
| Household of Krom Muen Surinrak | Said to have carried the craft on | Early 19th century | sanook 2018 (single source) |
| Queen Saovabha (สมเด็จพระศรีพัชรินทรา) | Flower nets and garlands; revival under Rama V | 1864 to 1919 | Journal of the Royal Society 40(3); Suan Sunandha; Anurak |
| Phra Wimada Thoe (พระวิมาดาเธอ กรมพระสุทธาสินีนาฏ) | Net patterns, shaped trimmings, ear flourishes | Rama V | Anurak; Changpum 2016; Sorose 2023 |
| Princess Somawadi (กรมหลวงสมรรัตนศิริเชฐ) | White wire frames and new forms, including Indra's palace | 1852 to 1931 | Maneerat 1985; Thai Wikipedia |
| Yuen Phanuthat (อาจารย์เยื้อน ภาณุทัต) | Took court crafts into schools | After 1932 | Sorose and Kaewsrithong 2023 |
| Assoc. Prof. Maneerat Chanthanaphalin (มณีรัตน์ จันทนะผะลิน) | Author of the standard 1985 book | 1985 | KMUTT archive |
| Naphat Thongyaem (ณภัทร ทองแย้ม) | Author of a 2009 book on Thai flower hangings | 2009 | TCDC library |
| Royal Women's Crafts School | Teaches fresh-flower craft | 1986 to today | Royal Office |
| RMUTP, Home Economics | Teaching and research, including seashell hangings | Today | Anurak; RMUTP journal |
| RMUTK, Home Economics | Expert quoted on the craft today | 2026 | Daily News |
| RMUTT, creative craft technology | A course on Thai hanging pieces; rice-straw project with elders in Sam Khok | 2019 | Siamrath via Netpracharat |
| Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University | Ten hanging-garland motifs collected and applied to souvenirs | 2017 | Chandhasa 2017 |
| National Identity Committee | 15-episode documentary series | 2021 | TruePlookpanya |
How Many Types of Khrueang Khwaen Are There?
Khrueang khwaen fall into two classes: flat (2D) and three-dimensional (3D). Within them, the sources we checked name about fifteen forms, and no official body fixes a single count.
A 2D piece is flat and seen from two sides, so it hangs at a window. A 3D piece is seen from every side, so it hangs inside a room (sanook, 2016; anowl; Anurak; Daily News, 2026).
| Thai | Romanisation | English | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| บันไดแก้ว / บันไดเงิน / บันไดทอง | bandai kaeo / bandai ngoen / bandai thong | Crystal / silver / gold ladder | 2D |
| ตาข่ายหน้าช้าง | ta khai na chang | Elephant-face net | 2D |
| กลิ่นตะแคง | klin takhaeng | Side-set fragrance piece | 2D |
| กลิ่นจีน | klin chin | Chinese fragrance piece | 2D |
| กลิ่นจระเข้ | klin chorakhe | Crocodile fragrance piece | 2D |
| วิมานพระอินทร์ (วิมานอินทร์) | wiman phra in (wiman in) | Indra's palace | 2D |
| วิมานแท่น | wiman thaen | Palace on a stand | 2D |
| กลิ่นคว่ำ | klin khwam | Downturned fragrance piece | 2D or 3D (sources differ) |
| พู่กลิ่น | phu klin | Fragrant plume | 3D |
| ระย้า / ระย้าแปลง / ระย้าทรงเครื่อง | raya / raya plaeng / raya song khrueang | Cascade chandelier / reworked cascade / ornate cascade | 3D |
| พวงแก้ว / พวงแก้วโคมจีน | phuang kaeo / phuang kaeo khom chin | Crystal cluster / Chinese-lantern crystal cluster | 3D |
| โคมหวด | khom huat | Steamer-basket lantern | 3D |
| โคมฝรั่ง | khom farang | Western lantern | 3D |
| พวงกลาง | phuang klang | Centre cluster | 3D |
| มาลัยโซ่ | malai so | Chain garland, hung | Hanging piece |
2D Hanging Pieces (เครื่องแขวน 2 มิติ, Two-Dimensional Hanging Pieces)
Anurak magazine lists seven flat forms: the crystal ladder, the elephant-face net, the side-set, Chinese and crocodile fragrance pieces, Indra's palace and the palace on a stand.
They are covered one by one in the five classic types below.
What 3D Hanging Pieces Are There? (เครื่องแขวน 3 มิติ มีอะไรบ้าง, Which Three-Dimensional Pieces Exist)
Credit: moe.go.th
- Fragrant plume (พู่กลิ่น, phu klin): a tiered piece that hangs in a room. One maker describes it in 3 to 7 tiers, with odd numbers for auspicious occasions.
- Cascade chandelier (ระย้า, raya): the largest family, with the reworked cascade (ระย้าแปลง, raya plaeng) and the ornate cascade (ระย้าทรงเครื่อง, raya song khrueang). According to sanook (2018), the ornate cascade is built on an eight-point star frame.
- Crystal cluster (พวงแก้ว, phuang kaeo): including a four-tier version and a Chinese-lantern version (พวงแก้วโคมจีน, phuang kaeo khom chin).
- Lanterns: the steamer-basket lantern (โคมหวด, khom huat) and the Western lantern (โคมฝรั่ง, khom farang), plus the centre cluster (พวงกลาง, phuang klang), according to Anurak magazine.
Credit: Chatchai Choetchai (ฉัตรชัย เชิดชัย)
Where Sources Differ
The downturned fragrance piece (กลิ่นคว่ำ, klin khwam) is filed as 3D by sanook (2016), while Anurak lists the whole fragrance family as flat. If you write about it, say that sources differ.
A 2018 Praew Wedding feature also shows modern "applied" versions (ประยุกต์, prayuk), such as a Chinese fan (พัดจีน, phat chin) and Sita's basket (กระเช้าสีดา, krachao sida).
Credit: moe.go.th
The Five Classic Types of Khrueang Khwaen (เครื่องแขวนไทย 5 ชนิด มีอะไรบ้าง, the 5 Kinds of Thai Hanging Ornament)
This guide groups the flat pieces into five classic forms: the crystal ladder, the elephant-face net, the fragrance pieces, Indra's palace and the palace on a stand.
The grouping follows Anurak magazine's list of flat pieces, with the three fragrance pieces counted as one family. No Thai curriculum or government source we found defines an official five, so treat it as a teaching grouping.
1. Crystal Ladder (บันไดแก้ว, bandai kaeo)
The crystal ladder is one of the older forms: Maneerat (1985) lists it among the pieces built on cloth-wrapped wooden frames before Rama V. It has its own episode in the 2021 national documentary series.
Praew Wedding shows two variants, the silver ladder (บันไดเงิน, bandai ngoen) and the gold ladder (บันไดทอง, bandai thong). Under Rama V, the crystal ladder was reworked into Indra's palace (see below).
Credit: moe.go.th
Credit: moe.go.th
2. Elephant-Face Net (ตาข่ายหน้าช้าง, ta khai na chang)
Credit: moe.go.th
What is the ตาข่ายหน้าช้าง (elephant-face net)? It is a flat net of strung flowers, listed as a 2D piece by Anurak and sanook, and hung at windows like the other flat forms.
Its history is thinly documented. It does not appear in Maneerat's list of the older wooden-frame forms, and the 2021 national documentary series gives it its own episode.
Craft writers describe Indra's palace as built on the elephant-face net, which makes the net a good first piece to understand before the larger forms.
A fresh piece was sold in 12-inch and 16-inch versions in 2013, and plastic or fabric versions run from about 30 cm to 3 m today.
Our cotton version: The Elephant Net (1,990 THB, on pre-order), hand-knotted in cotton.
3. Fragrance Pieces (กลิ่น, klin)
The fragrance family has three flat members. Their names all start with กลิ่น (klin, fragrance), a reminder that these pieces were made to carry scent.
- Side-set fragrance piece (กลิ่นตะแคง, klin takhaeng): in Maneerat's list of older forms. Sources describe its shape differently, one as a star and another as a web-like net.
- Chinese fragrance piece (กลิ่นจีน, klin chin): also among the older forms in Maneerat (1985).
- Crocodile fragrance piece (กลิ่นจระเข้, klin chorakhe): described in one course summary as three overlapping diamond shapes, the middle one slightly larger, so the outline suggests a crocodile.
Credit: moe.go.th
Credit: Chatchai Choetchai (ฉัตรชัย เชิดชัย)
Credit: Chatchai Choetchai (ฉัตรชัย เชิดชัย)
Our cotton version: The Crocodile Fragrance (2,590 THB, on pre-order).
4. Indra's Palace (วิมานพระอินทร์, wiman phra in)
Credit: Chatchai Choetchai (ฉัตรชัย เชิดชัย)
Indra's palace is the crystal ladder reworked by Princess Somawadi under Rama V, according to Maneerat (1985, p. 25). The national documentary series calls it วิมานอินทร์ (wiman in, Indra's palace).
Craft writers describe a rectangular frame like a window between an upper and a lower gable, built on the elephant-face net. Some versions carry an Indra motif.
5. Palace on a Stand (วิมานแท่น, wiman thaen)
Credit: Chatchai Choetchai (ฉัตรชัย เชิดชัย)
The palace on a stand is listed as a flat piece by Anurak and sanook, and it has its own episode in the 2021 national series.
Maneerat (1985, p. 25) credits Princess Somawadi with reworking the crystal ladder into this form as well as Indra's palace.
A Thai course description gives its shape as a two-tier square frame with flowers hanging from the four corners. Published detail on this form is scarce, so check the national series if you need more.
Anatomy and Frame (โครงเครื่องแขวน, the Hanging-Piece Frame)
Every piece has a frame, a net of strung flowers, trimmings and tassels. The frame sets the shape, the net fills it, and the trimmings and tassels dress it.
The Frame
- Before Rama V: wood wrapped in white cloth.
- Under Rama V: white wire, introduced by Princess Somawadi.
- Today: small pieces use palm-leaf ribs (ก้านลาน, kan lan) or bamboo, and large pieces use net wire (ลวดร้อยตาข่าย, luat roi ta khai) (Maneerat, 1985; Anurak).
Techniques and Net Patterns
Makers layer (กรอง, krong), tie (มัด, mat), knit (ถัก, thak), string (ร้อย, roi) and sew (เย็บ, yep) flowers (Anurak; RMUTP).
Anurak and university studies name net patterns such as:
- Crystal-and-moon pattern (ลายแก้วชิงดวง, lai kaeo ching duang)
- Crescent moon (ลายพระจันทร์เสี้ยว, lai phra chan siao)
- Crystal wall (ลายกำแพงแก้ว, lai kamphaeng kaeo)
- Spider's chest (ลายอกแมงมุม, lai ok maengmum)
Trimmings
The trimmings (เครื่องแต่งตัว, khrueang taeng tua) dress the net. Shaped trimmings (แบบ, baep) are cut from layered banana leaf with petals sewn on, and strips (เส้น, sen) of tied or sewn flowers cover the edges.
Shaped trimmings include swags (เฟื่อง, fueang), flame motifs (กระหนก, kranok) and ear flourishes (ทัดหู, that hu) (Anurak; national documentary series, episode on sewing trimmings).
Tassels
A floral tassel (อุบะ, uba) has an end flower (ดอกตุ้ม, dok tum), a cap (ดอกครอบ, dok khrop) and threaded flowers (ดอกสวม, dok suam). A single-strand tassel (ตุ้งติ้ง, tung ting) is the simpler version (RMUTP, 2023).
Tassels are a whole craft in themselves: see what uba is and how a Thai floral tassel is built.
Champaca (จำปา, champa)
Flowers and Materials (ดอกไม้ที่ใช้ทำเครื่องแขวน, Flowers Used in Thai Hanging Ornaments)
The traditional flowers are cape jasmine, crown flower, globe amaranth, white champaka, champaca, jasmine and rose, with orchids also used (Anurak; anowl; Daily News, 2026).
| Flower | Colour | Role in a piece | Season or price note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape jasmine (ดอกพุด, dok phut) | White | Net body, main filler | About 4,500 flowers in one large cascade (RMUTT student report, 2017) |
| Crown flower (ดอกรัก, dok rak) | White, purple | Net and trimmings | About 240 THB a bag wholesale (undated) |
| Jasmine (มะลิ, mali) | White | Scent, net | 250 to 700 THB/kg; 700 to 1,500 in August and November to February (DOAE, 2024) |
| Globe amaranth (บานไม่รู้โรย, ban mai ru roi) | Purple, pink | Colour accents | No sourced figure |
| White champaka (จำปี, champi) and champaca (จำปา, champa) | White, golden | Tassel end flower | No sourced figure |
| Rose (กุหลาบ, kulap) | Red, pink, yellow | Tassel end flower | No sourced figure |
What the Flowers Stand For
- Jasmine: pure and lasting love, and the official Mother's Day flower since 1976 (Royal Park Rajapruek).
- Crown flower: according to Thai Wikipedia, it is used for love occasions such as wedding trays and the couple's garlands.
Other Materials
Makers now also use Thai clay (ดินไทย, din thai), fabric, plastic, crystal, paper, beads, seashells and rice-straw paper. RMUTP researchers built hangings from seashells, and RMUTT worked with elders in Sam Khok on rice-straw pieces (2019).
Fabric, plastic and clay keep far longer than fresh flowers, and makers are turning to them (Anurak; Daily News, 2026).
How Khrueang Khwaen Is Made (วิธีทำเครื่องแขวนไทย, How to Make Thai Hanging Ornaments)
A khrueang khwaen is made by choosing the flowers, stringing the net and trimmings, then sewing the shaped trimmings (the order taught in the 2021 national documentary series), before the piece is assembled on its frame.
Tools
The fresh-flower craft uses a garland needle (เข็มมาลัย, khem malai), a short needle, a tassel needle, scissors, a knife, pliers, wire, thread, cloth and a water spray (RMUTP, 2023).
Steps
- Choose and prepare the flowers.
- Build the frame. Some styles need the frame made before any flowers go on, one reason to order early (Praew Wedding, 2018).
- String the net and the trimming strips on needle and thread, in the chosen pattern.
- Sew the shaped trimmings, petals on banana-leaf shapes.
- Assemble the piece: net, trimmings and tassels come together on the frame.
Time and Labour
We found no published figure for the hours a piece takes. The scale gives an idea: one large fresh cascade used about 4,517 cape jasmine flowers (RMUTT student report, 2017).
Learning takes time too. One learner describes a temple community course of 40 hours over 8 weekend sessions, with more practice at home.
Credit: warintira.multiply
Meaning and Uses
These pieces were made for ceremonies, weddings and Buddhist worship, and hung at doors, windows, walls, entrances and the centre of rooms (Praew Wedding; Wattanapanich; sanook, 2016).
What Makes Khrueang Khwaen Beautiful? (เครื่องแขวนไทยมีความงดงามอย่างไร, What Makes Thai Hanging Ornaments Beautiful)
Khrueang khwaen are beautiful for four reasons: scent on the breeze, fine-art status, court-level workmanship and a wide range of net patterns.
- Scent: hung at doors and windows, a piece lets the breeze carry the flowers' scent into the room.
- A fine art: Thailand Foundation calls the craft a fine art, used in auspicious ceremonies.
- Court workmanship: forms such as Indra's palace and the crystal cluster were designed by women of the royal inner court.
- Pattern variety: nets, swags, trimmings and tassels combine in many named patterns.
Where They Hang
- Royal and Buddhist ceremonies: for worship in royal ceremonies (Anurak).
- Weddings: at doors, walls and entrances (Praew Wedding).
- Homes and halls: at windows, or in the centre of a room for a ceremony (Wattanapanich textbook).
Some pages attach luck or feng-shui meanings to each type. We found no reliable source for those, so we leave them out.
Khrueang Khwaen Prices Today (ราคาเครื่องแขวนไทย, Thai Hanging Ornament Prices)
A khrueang khwaen costs from about 190 THB for plastic to about 15,000 THB for a large fresh cascade. Price depends on material, size and how many flowers go in. Each figure below is dated, and we name no shops.
| Piece | Material | Price (THB) | Date and source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant-face net, 12 in / 16 in | Fresh flowers | 950 / 1,600 | 2013, a maker's price list |
| Large cascade chandelier | Fresh flowers | About 15,000 (flowers alone 6,364) | 2017, RMUTT student report |
| Wedding sets | Fresh flowers | Quoted per event | 2018, Praew Wedding |
| Longer-lasting "applied" hanging | Mixed | 1,499 (cost 910) | 2019, vocational college project |
| Elephant-face net, about 30 cm to 3 m | Plastic or fabric | 190 to 1,190, typically 400 to 500; high end up to 3,900 | September 2026, online price comparison |
| Plume, ladders, elephant-face net, lanterns | Thai clay | 850 (3-tier plume) to 8,500 (20 in lantern); elephant-face net 1,800 | September 2026, one clay maker's catalogue |
| The Elephant Net / The Crocodile Fragrance / Kom Raya | Cotton, Macrame by Nicha | 1,990 / 2,590 / 14,490 (all on pre-order) | 22 September 2026, our website |
Reading These Prices
The fresh-flower figures are several years old, so ask for a current quote. A fresh piece lasts a few days, so its price covers a single occasion.
Clay pieces from one maker range from 850 THB for a 3-tier plume to 4,500 THB for a 14-inch lantern. Their larger lanterns (โคมตรา, khom tra, a lantern style) cost 6,500 and 8,500 THB at 18 and 20 inches.
Challenges and the Future of the Craft
The craft faces three pressures: short-lived flowers, high cost and fewer trainees. At the same time, teaching continues at several institutions, and new materials are keeping the forms in use.
Fresh Flowers Fade Fast
A fresh piece lasts a few days. Jasmine turns brown by the second day after picking (KMITL, 2025), and a clay-hangings report notes the limited life of fresh flowers.
Cost
Thai fresh-flower work is costly. Sorose and Kaewsrithong (2023) report that experts suggest Thai elements make up at least 30% of a contemporary design, a practical way to keep the craft in modern projects.
Fewer Trainees, New Materials
According to Anurak magazine (2021), fewer people are training in the craft. Makers are moving to fabric, plastic and clay flowers (Anurak; Daily News, 2026).
Nobody we found has counted how many makers are active today, so treat any figure you see online with care.
Where the Craft Is Taught
Teaching continues at the Royal Women's Crafts School, at RMUTP, RMUTK and RMUTT, at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University and in vocational colleges.
The 2021 national documentary series, 15 episodes on meaning, history, flower choice, techniques and eight individual pieces, is a free starting point for anyone learning the craft.
Thai Hanging Ornaments in Interior Design
For interior designers, khrueang khwaen bring a Thai court form into a room at chandelier scale. The placement rules come straight from tradition: flat pieces for openings, 3D pieces for the centre of a space.
Where They Are Used Today
- Hospitality and wellness: according to Daily News (2026), in Thai restaurants, spas, temples and wellness centres.
- Weddings, hotels and resorts: anowl reports growing use in these settings.
- Product design: a Suan Sunandha study turned ten hanging-garland motifs into souvenir patterns, and coffee mugs rated most popular (Chandhasa, 2017).
Scale and Placement
- 2D pieces read from two sides: windows, doorways, walls, entrances.
- 3D pieces read from every side: the centre of a lobby, dining room or hall.
- Sizes: plastic or fabric elephant-face nets run from about 30 cm to 3 m, and clay lanterns from 14 to 20 inches.
- Proportion: Sorose and Kaewsrithong (2023) cite experts who suggest Thai elements make up at least 30% of a contemporary scheme.
When a space needs dividing rather than decorating, the same knotting works as a screen. Our guide shows how to partition a space with knotted rope instead of a wall.
Dimensions, Weight, Care and Lead Time
Fresh pieces need replacing every few days, which suits a single event. For a permanent installation, a lasting material such as our cotton keeps the same form in place.
Our pieces measure 80 cm (The Elephant Net), 81 cm long (The Crocodile Fragrance) and 71 x 25 cm (Kom Raya). Ask us for the weight before you plan fixings. All three are sold on pre-order, and custom pieces are quoted per project, lead time included.
For commissions in your own colours or sizes, start with our commission page, or talk to us on LINE or by email.
Fresh Flowers vs Macrame by Nicha Cotton
Fresh flowers are the traditional material, and the right choice for a ceremony and for natural scent. Our cotton pieces keep the classic forms for a home, hotel or office where the piece stays up.
| Aspect | Traditional fresh khrueang khwaen | Macrame by Nicha cotton |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Cape jasmine, crown flower, jasmine and other fresh flowers on a wire or palm-rib frame | Cotton cord |
| Technique | Stringing, tying, knitting, sewing and layering flowers | Knotting, macrame and crochet |
| Lifespan | A few days | Made to be kept |
| Scent | Natural flower scent | You add the scent you love, such as a Thai fragrance or jasmine |
| Forms | About fifteen named 2D and 3D forms | Elephant-face net, crocodile fragrance piece, cascade chandelier; other forms on commission |
| Best for | Ceremonies, weddings, worship | Homes, hotels, restaurants and offices where the piece stays up |
| Price | 950 THB for a small net (2013) to about 15,000 THB for a large cascade (2017) | 1,990 to 14,490 THB (September 2026) |
| How to get one | A florist's quote for your event | Pre-order on our website; custom pieces by quotation |
For scent ideas that suit a cotton piece, see our guide to traditional Thai fragrance.
Macrame by Nicha's Cotton Thai Hanging Ornaments
Our pieces are designed by Nicha and made with Akha women in Asha village, Mae Yao district, Chiang Rai, through our social program Akha Ma-De. Each one takes a classic court form and knots it in cotton.
The Elephant Net
Our take on the elephant-face net (ตาข่ายหน้าช้าง, ta khai na chang), one of the five classic flat forms, hand-knotted in cotton. 1,990 THB, on pre-order.
The Crocodile Fragrance
Our crocodile fragrance piece (กลิ่นจระเข้, klin chorakhe), knotted in cotton. 2,590 THB, on pre-order.
Kom Raya, Our Thai Chandelier
Kom Raya (โคมระย้าไทย, Thai cascade chandelier) is our 3D piece, in the family of the cascade chandelier (ระย้า, raya). 14,490 THB, on pre-order.
How We Make Them
- Choose the cord: its thickness and colour follow the design.
- Cut and mount: the cords are cut to length and tied onto the frame.
- Knot the pattern: square knots, spiral knots and clove hitches build the net, mixed with crochet where the form needs it.
- Finish: the ends are trimmed and brushed out.
You add the scent you love. Spray the cotton with a traditional Thai fragrance or jasmine, and the piece carries scent like the fresh originals.
Want to see our three hanging pieces next to our garlands?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is khrueang khwaen in English?
Thai hanging ornaments: pieces of small fresh flowers strung into lines, patterns and nets and hung for ceremonies. The Thai word is also spelled khruang kwaen.
How many types of khrueang khwaen are there?
Two classes, flat (2D) and three-dimensional (3D), with about fifteen named forms between them. No official body sets a single count.
What are the five classic types (เครื่องแขวนไทย 5 ชนิด, the 5 kinds of Thai hanging ornament)?
The crystal ladder, the elephant-face net, the fragrance pieces, Indra's palace and the palace on a stand. This guide groups the flat forms this way; no official standard defines the five.
Where did khrueang khwaen come from?
The documented record starts at the Bangkok royal court, where inner-court women refined the craft from Rama I to Rama V. Earlier Sukhothai or Ayutthaya origins are claimed but unproven.
What is the elephant-face net (ตาข่ายหน้าช้าง, ta khai na chang)?
A flat net of strung flowers, one of the five classic forms, hung at windows. Indra's palace is described as built on it.
Which flowers are used?
Mainly cape jasmine, crown flower, jasmine, globe amaranth, white champaka, champaca and rose, with orchids too.
How long does a fresh piece last?
A few days. Jasmine turns brown by the second day after picking (KMITL, 2025).
How much does a khrueang khwaen cost?
Plastic elephant-face nets run about 190 to 1,190 THB (September 2026). A large fresh cascade cost about 15,000 THB in 2017. Our cotton pieces are 1,990 to 14,490 THB.
Is khrueang khwaen a listed heritage?
It is covered under fresh-flower craft, item 110 on Thailand's national intangible heritage list. It has no separate entry and no UNESCO listing.
Can I commission one for an interior project?
Yes. We make custom cotton pieces on quotation: send us the space, size and colours through our commission page, LINE or email.
References
- Chanthanaphalin, M. (1985). เครื่องแขวนไทย: ดอกไม้สด (Thai hanging pieces: fresh flowers). Thai Heritage series, vol. 4. Bangkok: Amarin Printing, p. 25. Quoted in the KMUTT archive. Link
- Thongyaem, N. (2009). เครื่องแขวนดอกไม้ไทย (Thai flower hangings). Bangkok: Wadsilp. 64 pp. ISBN 9786165120067. TCDC library record. Link
- National Identity Committee, Office of the Prime Minister (2021). สารคดีเอกลักษณ์ไทย ชุด เครื่องแขวน (Thai identity documentary series: hanging pieces), 15 episodes. TruePlookpanya. Link
- Kulthamrong, R. (2014). ดอกไม้วิจิตร (Exquisite flowers). วารสารไทยศึกษา (Journal of Thai Studies) 10(1). Chulalongkorn University. Cites National Archives file ศธ 0701.1/77 (Ministry of Education series). Link
- Sorose, A. and Kaewsrithong, J. (2023). Journal of Arts Management 7(4). Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University. Link
- Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand 40(3), on Queen Saovabha. Office of the Royal Society. Link
- Changpum, C. and Pittungnapoo, W. (2016). Naresuan University architecture journal 7(1). Link
- Department of Cultural Promotion and UNESCO-ICHCAP (2014). Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory, Thailand, item 110. Link
- Owajariyapitak, D. et al. (2020). การประดิษฐ์เครื่องแขวนไทยจากเปลือกหอย (Making Thai hanging pieces from seashells). RMUTP Home Economics journal 2(2). Link
- Chandhasa, R. (2017). Thai Traditional Hanging Garland Decoration to the Pattern Design Adapted on Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University Souvenir. Asian Social Science 13(7), 131. doi:10.5539/ass.v13n7p131. Link
- Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University. Thai Wisdom in Blooming Flowers. Google Arts and Culture. Link
- Wattanapanich upper-secondary textbook, careers and technology. TruePlookpanya. Link
- Thailand Foundation (2 July 2021). Thai-style Offerings. Link
- SJN LMS (2021). Grade 10 course ง31101 (Grade 10 careers course), week 1. Link
- Daily News (20 July 2026). สืบศิลปะจัดดอกไม้ เครื่องแขวนไทย (Carrying on the art of Thai hanging pieces). Link
- Ratphanich, S. (2021). เครื่องแขวน แห่งศรัทธา (Hanging pieces of faith), pp. 1 to 4. Anurak Magazine. Link
- sanook (28 November 2016). รู้จัก เครื่องแขวนดอกไม้สด (Getting to know fresh-flower hanging pieces). Link
- sanook (28 March 2018). Feature on fresh-flower hanging pieces. Link
- anowl. เครื่องแขวนดอกไม้สด แชนเดอเลียร์สไตล์ไทย (Fresh-flower hangings, the Thai-style chandelier). Link
- Praew Wedding. เครื่องแขวนงานไทย (Hanging pieces for Thai ceremonies). Link
- Praew Wedding (May 2018). Ordering hanging pieces for a Thai wedding. Link
- Siamrath via Netpracharat (10 June 2019). เครื่องแขวนไทยจากฟางข้าว (Thai hanging pieces from rice straw), RMUTT. Link
- Thailand Innovation Portal, item 26357 (2019). Applied Thai hanging pieces, Phitsanulok Vocational College. Link
- Thai Wikipedia. เจ้าจอมมารดาตานี (Chao Chom Manda Tani), citing Veerasilpchai, S. (2003), Matichon. Link
- Thai Wikipedia. พระเจ้าบรมวงศ์เธอ กรมหลวงสมรรัตนศิริเชฐ (Princess Somawadi, Krom Luang Somrat Siri Chet).
- Royal Office (2021). โรงเรียนช่างฝีมือในวัง (หญิง) (The Royal Women's Crafts School). Link
- Hongrattanavorakit, S. and Aitsarasuchip, K. (2023). มาลัยคล้องมือ (Hand garlands). กระแสวัฒนธรรม (Cultural Approach), RMUTP. Link
- Yeamsuriyotai et al. (2025). Frontiers in Plant Science. King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). Link
- Royal Park Rajapruek (2020). Jasmine. Link
- Department of Agricultural Extension (2024). Jasmine prices.
- RMUTT student report (2017). A fresh-flower cascade chandelier: flower count and cost.
- Lemon8 learner post. A temple community course in small cascade pieces. Link
Further reading, cited through Sorose and Kaewsrithong (2023): Bunnag (2017), on Chao Chom Manda Tani's flower craft.
A Note on This Article
This article is for information only. We built it from the sources listed above, and some points of this history are still debated or undocumented.
We would be very happy to receive your feedback, corrections and research, whether you are a student, a teacher, a maker or a family who keeps this craft alive.
Every contribution helps us understand this part of our heritage better, share it as faithfully as we can, and keep it alive for the next generations.