Around the 18^th Century BE, all Tai ethnic groups united to become one large country known as Thailand. Among these groups the Lan Na kingdom is famous for textile weaving for domestic use and export to nearby countries. Those fabrics are Pha Si chan Dang, Pha Sichan Khao, Pha Sidokchampa, Pha Kum Pol, cloth for the monks  robes and Sup pa Kot.

Between the 18^th and 20^th Centuries BE, Sukhothai became culturally rich in the art of religion sculpture. Textile weaving is believed to have widely existed. Sukhothai textiles were of cotton and silk and used five colors called Pha Benjarong. They were Pha Pat, Pha Lek Lok, Pha Nong, Pha Krob. It is believed that the fabrics for ordinary people were made outside of Sukhothai. But fabrics for the court used, may have been woven by court weavers, and some may have been imported form China, India, or Persia.

During the 19^th and21^st Centuries, Ayuthaya became the capital due to the location because it had access by overseas traders. There were more imports of fabric for the court and for sale to the public. For example, silk and satin were imported from China, print fabric from India, Pha Poon from Kampuchae, Cafinis fabric, Latin fabric, and Birabel fabric from Europe. There was also print brocade in silk with silver and gold embroidery and carpets from Persia.

Those richly decorated fabrics were for the King and his court. The quantity of available fabric was high which created a market for fabrics and other household items, including weaving tools used by various communities such as in Pha Chompoo District, Pha Mai district and Chok Rai Yai District.  Ayuthaya was then the center of fabric trade or the golden period of textile trade.

During Thonburiy and early Ratanakosin period, textile weaving and trading died down because of war and the establishment of a new kingdom. But there is evidence that the southern regions actively recruited weavers from Sai Bury to teach the local people to weave Pha Yok in Songkhla and Nakhon Sithammarat. They have a good reputation to this day.

In early Ratanakosin, the clothing fashion for both men and women were the same as in the Ayuthaya period including court dress. The styles of fabric and accessories showed the status of the user such as; title, position at court, and family names. Some fabrics were locally woven and some were imported. Thai textiles in the period were Pha Yok, Silk, Pha Som Pak, Pha Yok Tong Rakam Mai, Pha Kim Khab, Pha Utlad and Pha Yiarabab, and Pha sin Pak. Besides fabrics for the nobility, there were other fabrics for the public. It is believed that the quality, colors and motifs were inferior according to status. These fabrics are Pha ta bua pok, Pha Dok Son, Dok tien Pha ta Med Nga, Pha ta Ma Glam, Pha ta samok.

In the reign of King Rama IV, the king preferred his people to wear shirts in court. So satin and white long sleeve shirts were woven. But the styles of costume were not much changed until King Rama I ascended to the throne. There were big changes in fabric and clothing style among the nobility. They no longer wore Pha Poom, but wore dark blue silk Chong kraben for the royalty. The court servants dressed according to position. The King bestowed designs and colours according to the department one worked in. In other words, they were colour coded.

From the time of the King Rama VI reign, Thai costumes have really evolved. People increasingly preferred western style clothing, women wearing skirts and men wearing trousers. The trend toward western fashion has continued. There were more imported textiles than homespun fabric.

In the reign of King Rama IX (the present king) it can be said that Her Majesty Queen Sirikit uses her interest in Thai textiles, both silk and cotton, to establish arts and craft centres which encourage fabric weaving to preserve Thai heritage. New patterns and  designs have evolved in all regions. She has also introduced Thai textiles to the world.