Thai Leather

Book excerpt: The wide-ranging field of cattle and buffalo leather production in Thailand has never before been collated into one story. Here it is joined with research outcomes that target means of the leather industry moving from a cottage industry to fulfilling its potential in global Thaksin University Press quality leather production. The book includes all Q u a l i t y C a t t l e H id e s i ncudsses the tricks of the trade as well as techniques for improvement of hide quality at all stages in the process. Described as ‘a unique contribution to a neglected industry’, this book will be read by both those who work in the Thai leather industries as well as those who utilize leather from Thailand. It will also be of interest n T h a pr s d leather specialists in others parts of the world. The story starts with the emergence of Thailand as one of the world’s major agricultural exporters for many products and indeed being the leader in some, yet often neglecting the country’s useful by-products. Treating hides as a by-product of the bovine industries has held Thailand’s leather industry back. This book explains means by which it can be advanced to national, commercial, economic and environmental benefit.