User:Prangspp

Zai (ไซ) Fishing Material

Zai or ไซ is a Thai aquatic trap which is mostly used to catch small sizes of aquatic animals such as small fish. It is suitable for shallow water, especially the area that has water flow through a ridge. Zai has many forms following the usage and area. Zai categorized by form is Horn Zai and Tube Zai. And Zai categorized by purpose is two-faced Zai, floating Zai, trichigaster trichopterus Zai and frog Zai. Actually, there are more of Zai categories, but these are the most popular ones that are still used in some areas of the countryside in Thailand.

Background

Fishing is one of popular activities for Thai people and it has also been a way to earn a living as food and goods from the past until nowadays. There are many materials used for fishing and Zai is one of them. In the past, Zai was a popular trapping device and it was also an ancient Thai way of living in the past. Parents would teach their children especially boys to make Zai.

Zai categorized by forms

1.	Horn Zai (ไซปากแตร) It has a cone shape and the mouth is wide like a horn.

2.	Tube Zai (ไซท่อ) This type is similar to the general fish trap in a tube shape

Zai categorized by purpose

1.	Two-Faced Zai (ไซสองหน้า) It has two mouths or openings at both sides.

2.	Floating Zai (ไซลอย) When using, leave it floating on shallow water and wait for fish to be trapped.

3.	Trichigaster Trichopterus Zai (ไซปลากระดี่) This type of Zai is only for Trichigaster Trichopterus fish

4.	Frog Zai (ไซกบ) It is weaved in square shape and used as a frog trap

5.	Swelling Zai (ไซโป่ง) The bottom of this type is made to swell out a little.

Weaving

Bamboo weaving is another key to make Zai. Bamboo is sharpened to a small line with a long line of at least two bamboo stalks. Next, bundle them together to one end. And then fold back the Zai to the back and use another bamboo line to weave across from the top to the bottom. Weaving pattern that is popular for Zai is called “Kwang Pi Ha pattern (ลายขวางไพห้า)”.

References

http://output-file.blogspot.com/

http://www.thaigoodview.com/node/115472

https://www.gotoknow.org/posts/286716

http://13677patcharaporn.blogspot.com/