Wow,
This is getting really interesting. Firstly, yes the Thai Nuea and Lao Neua are in fact the same group. These terminological problems are the unfortunate result of dividing ethnic groups and their textiles by geo-political borders rather than cultural similarities.
The textiles cited in the Fraser-Lu are very traditional, recurring motifs of the "naak" (from "naga" Sanskrit), variously translated as "water serpent", "dragon", "snake. They are much more elaborately woven and integrated. Check my new (thanks, Pamela) web page for other examples.
http://www.tribaltextiles.info/S_Shamis ... ection.htm
I better start reading again, I never knew that the Tai embroider, since almost all that looks embroidered in Tai pieces, is in fact supplementary weft, or rarely, supplementary warp.
Almost all the Tai Buddhist peoples have mixed feelings about the Silk worm, which must be killed to produce silk. Many weavers in Thailand buy their silk from the Lao, including the Lao within Thailand, who are considered a bit rustic. Not only do they kill the silk worm, they deep fry and then eat them.
Once again, the bag must come from a mountainous or cooler area. No one who has lived in Thailand would ever carry a bag with that heavy strap.
I'll check further, it could also be Cham etc.
Sandie