San Kamphaeng, a district east of Chiang Mai, sits at the heart of the "Handicraft Highway" — Route 1006, lined with silk workshops, ceramic showrooms, lacquerware, and silverware factories. But what the area is best known for is a weaving tradition passed down since the Lanna era.
From Khwaeng Mae Om to the Birthplace of "Sin Sankamphaeng"
San Kamphaeng district was originally called "Khwaeng Mae Om," established in 1901, and renamed San Kamphaeng in 1939. During the Lanna period, the area was known for producing cotton and silk cloth; villagers commonly wove at home — sarongs, wraps, and shawls — then sold or bartered them, sometimes as far as the Myanmar border.
The most famous local silk is "Sin Sankamphaeng," distinguished by its graduated (ombre) dyeing technique and meticulous weave — a style refined enough to become recognizable at a glance, distinct from sarong cloth woven elsewhere.
3 Things Worth Knowing About San Kamphaeng Weaving
1. Watch the Whole Process, from Dyeing to the Loom
Many workshops and showrooms along the Handicraft Highway open their production floor to visitors — from dyeing silk thread through to weaving on traditional hand looms, a slow, skill-intensive process.
2. Made-to-Measure Silk Clothing
Many shops in the area take custom orders for silk and cotton garments in the design and size you want — sarongs, shirts, shawls — a good option for a souvenir that feels more personal than something off the shelf.
3. Part of a Complete Handicraft Route
The Chiang Mai-San Kamphaeng road (Route 1006) isn't just silk — it's also lined with celadon ceramic factories, lacquerware, silverware, and the Bo Sang paper-umbrella workshops, making it easy to cover several crafts in a single trip.
Ready-Made Fabric vs. Made-to-Measure
- Timing — Ready-made: choose it and take it home right away / Made-to-measure: requires a wait, usually several days for tailoring
- Uniqueness — Ready-made: pattern and size limited to what's in stock / Made-to-measure: choose your own pattern, color, and size — a more meaningful gift
- Budget — Ready-made: easier to predict the price / Made-to-measure: cost depends on design complexity — ask for a quote before committing
Local Insider Tips
- Getting there: San Kamphaeng is about 13 km east of central Chiang Mai along Route 1006, roughly a 30-minute drive — easy to combine with Bo Sang, which sits on the same road.
- Spotting genuine silk: real silk has a distinct weight and feel compared to synthetic blends — ask the shop about the thread's origin before committing to a higher-priced piece.
Complete Your Lanna Craft Trip with Terra Lanna
Stay close to Chiang Mai's handicraft shopping with a stay at one of our hotels, or let our local team arrange a private deep-dive tour of the San Kamphaeng and Bo Sang handicraft route for you.
Learn more: Chapter 3 (V): Crafts, Language & Performing Arts