Chapter 3 page 12 goto chapter 4 goto chapter 5 back chapter 1 back chapter 2 
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| People in the old days did not dress a newborn
but would simply wrap it up in a breech cloth. This is
because Thailand has hot weather; therefore, it would be
better not to put on too many clothes. Even when the
child was old enough to run and play, parents still would
not clothe him, knowing that he would soon get himself
dirty. Instead they would put a "Ta Ping" or
"Tao Pla" round his waist so that the child
would not look too naked. When he is old enough to
understand, parents would dress him like a grown-up. As
Thai people, formerly, dressed by skillfully wrapping a
long wide strip of cloth on their body, it was quite easy
to make clothing for the children, and better still, they
could share the garments. How Thai children dressed will
be described at length from head to toe. What hairstyle? In the past bringing up an infant was a difficult task because medical care was not advanced. It was commonly believed that specters were very fond of beautiful children and would attempt to steal them. Therefore, people concocted ways to make the children appear unattractive to the ghost, one of which was by shaving the children's head and having them wear some odd-looking hairstyles until a certain age. Then they would be shaved and could wear their hair like adults. ........Another observation : as hygenic conditions were not good enough, shaving the children's hair would help prevent skin disease indirectly. Bathing a child was not facile especially when it comes to the scalp, which, sensitive to germs, is very easily irritable. Moreover, shaving the hair would keep the child's head healthy and airy, and make it easier for shampooing. This is still practiced in some rural areas.
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Chapter 3 page 12 goto chapter 4 goto chapter 5 back chapter 1 back chapter 2 
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Hair style |
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Sam Klae (3 Klae)