Answer posted below (as of July 10)
A very common object in Isaan. But a complete mystery to the outsider. It's handmade from an Asian hardwood, carved from one piece of wood. It folds into a fairly compact form in order to toss into your backpack or farmer's satchel.
Your best guess? Please put your guess in the comment section. After some of my readers take their best shot, I'll add another picture which will reveal all.
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Answer, July 10
And behind the curtain....is our answer-photo which will.... put an end to your sleepless nights!
A pillow, of course! Some of you came close, for example...
- a seat = pillow for the derriere
- a bed = pillow for the entire body, a sleep-related object, etc.
Surprisingly, a pillow made from Thai hardwood is quite comfortable, given it's perfect contour for the back of the head, and perfect height from the flat surface it sits on. I actually fell asleep on it.
Definitely better than a standard Japanese pillow--which is like laying your head on a bag of noisy, rolling marbles.
Is it a collapsable seat?
ReplyDeleteThat was my guess.....a seat of some sort.
ReplyDeleteNope!
ReplyDeletea bed?
ReplyDeleteMOM
Closer...
ReplyDeleteA tetter,totter for midgets
ReplyDeleteA TABLE.
ReplyDeletea coconut cracker..
ReplyDeleteWell, Jonathan, with great effort (like an elephant stepping on the device + coconut) it would be possible. But not its intended use! JD
ReplyDeleteA holder for a dish or bowl? Back scratcher used on a water buffalo. Can't tell by the picture how large the object is.
ReplyDeleteJG
a baby cradle,
ReplyDeleteFair enough...the object is about 9" x 5". About the size of a small pillow.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitey a chair! Sis
ReplyDeleteMOM wins honorable recognition for getting the closest (bed). JONATHAN gets certain honors for the most creative (coconut cracker). If such a thing existed, Jonathan, we could sure use one here!
ReplyDeleteHi JD my 1st guess was a Seat.. it looks similar to a modern version carried by the golf caddies.
ReplyDeletedo u have an email address so I can contact you regards Lucky, info@auswathai.com