Golden Silk of Cambodia on Display

By Soy Sophea

Khmer Golden Silk is so called because of its natural yellow color as it is unraveled from the native Cambodian silk cocoon. The best of Khmer Golden Silk was on display at a two-day “Silkworm Social” on July 17-18, presented by Lotus Pond at Regent Park Hotel. One hundred visitors attended the show including Princess Norodom Bopha Devi, former Cultures and Fine Arts Minister.

Sompen Kutranon, Chief Executive Officer of Lotus Pond, told the Cambodia Weekly that the demonstration was to show how fine Cambodian Silk was made. Sompen, who has over 14 years experience in working with Khmer silk, said that she could think of no better type of material. “It is number one in world,” she said.

“We want all those who are interested in Khmer culture to use this material, hand made by Cambodian nationals.” she said. “If consumers use more Khmer silk, this will benefit workers in the handicraft sector of the economy, and will help to balance the scales with the mechanized textile industry.”

Sompen said that the golden silk thread is a single filament with a round cross section. It also boasts excellent light reflecting qualities that produce the fine luster of the Khmer silk textiles.

Bronwyn Blue, director of Beyond Interiors, made enthusiastic comments about both the quality of Cambodian silk and the “Silkworm Social” event.

Bronwyn, whose firm provides furnishing and décor solutions for the serviced apartment, hotel and residential market, gave an ‘A’ grade to Cambodian workers who toil to produce the golden silken thread.

“I have been to many countries in Asian which produce silk. None of these produces can match the quality and beauty of the Cambodian product.” she said. “I suspect the secret is that Cambodian silk is still produced lovingly by hand, not machinery as in other countries.”

Seng Kuysrorn, a consultant for Traidcraft Exchange UK, which provides advice for Small and Medium Enterprises in Cambodia, noticed that Cambodian Golden Silk is more expensive compared to silk produced in Vietnam and Thailand.

Kuysrorn stated, “Now everything is clear to me. I give my fullest support to my hardworking compatriots in their efforts to produce Golden Silk.”


Khun Samphet, 24, a student who attended the show, said that it was good to see the very best of Cambodian material on display. “It is a unique and visually stunning display. I have never seen anything like it before.”

Raising silk worms, known in Khmer ‘Neang’, takes special knowledge and care, and is predominately done by women. Knowledge of the process of raising worms, harvesting and processing the silk thread for weaving, is passed down from generation to generation.
Choung Van, 55, a handicraft worker in Kandal province, said that her business brings hope to her family. She appreciated the move towards promotion of Cambodian golden silk on the international market and was proud to think of her products decorating homes across the world.

The quality of all silk textiles woven in Cambodia is still high due to the weaving and designs. However, as with most other silk textile weaving countries such as India, Thailand, and Italy, Cambodian silk is a mix of domestically produced fibers and the best silk threads imported from China. These imports help to bulk out the 4 tons of top quality silk produced in Cambodia per year.