My third or fourth visit to Ban Namat Gao, in december 2003.

Early morning, these 3 ladies are on the way to the forest, to gather forest products, maybe rattan shoots or bamboo shoots to eat, maybe to gather firewood.. The baskets will be full on their way back.

One has red lips because she's chewing betelnut. Because it is a long walk, they make the time productive by spinning cotton. They grow their own cotton, then spin it with a hand spindle, while walking along. (woman on the right.
The one on the left is wearing her colourful leg protectors. they are all warmly dressed, because in december early mornings are still cold. The woman in the middle carries what looks on the first glance a Bow (as in bow and arrow), but on closer look it is almost certainly a contraption that allows her to carry the warp of a tiny 'handloom', held in tension by the bow. this will allow her to weave a narrow belt from cotton as she walks along the forest trail. the spindle is visible stuck in between the warp. Multi tasking!