Being Thai - Water Pots

Thai people, in the old days, usually made their household utensils from readily available materials using simple designs. For example, Thai earthenware, (historically clay-based), and the art of making household items, like the water-pot, has been handed down over each generation. Even today, the younger generation continues to make earthenware utensils, like water-ports, for modern-day usage.

Traditionally a redbrick color, the water-pot was one-foot in height, and one-foot at the width of its girth. Used to store drinking water, because clay keeps water fresh and cool, many water-pots (with coconut water ladles) appeared outside the front gates of Thai houses for generations. House owners encouraged passers-by to take a ladle of water as they passed by the house – a kindness reflecting the thoughtfulness and generosity of the Thai people.

The shape of pots differed form district to district, but most pots usually had a wide girth with a narrow top and bottom, and a lid to keep the water cool and clean tasting. Although used for specific purposes, it was usual to find pots decorated with beautiful patterns with similar treatment to the handles of ladles.