Prakueam is a Cambodian word for round silver or gold beads strung together into ornaments. Surin’s beads are noted for their variety of shapes and patterns.

The bead’s diameter can be as short as half centimeter can be as short as half centimeter or as long as 2.5-3 cm. Surin’s beads have a variety of shapes, such as silver bag, triangular pillow, octagonal, cone, carambola and double-headed drum. Most patterns imitate natural patterns, such as lotus petal, Phikun flower, sun, sunflower, etc.

Most beads are treated to give a darkish finish, which makes the pattern standing out. Beads are distinguished for their pattern and their silvery luster.

Ban Chok, Tambon Khwao Sinarin, Amphoe Khwao Sinarin, was the first village to make beads, both with silver and gold, hundreds of years ago. It is believed that they inherited this art from their Cambodian ancestors. Ban Chok is only 2 kilometers far from Khwao Sinarin silk village. The silk village thus sells both silk products and various styles of silver ornaments, such as bead bracelets and necklaces. One single ornament can contain one or more styles of beads, or even blend beads with pearl, black sapphire, colored stone and others. To see how silver ornament is made, visit Ban Chok when there is no festival or harvesting.