picul, pikol, pikul

A unit of mass in China and Southeast Asia, typically used in the silk trade. Sometimes spelled “pecul.” Recorded as early as 1588.

1

In China, 133 ¹/₃ pounds, still the value in Malaysia, approximately 60.48 kilograms.

2

In Malaysia, the pikul (by the government's spelling reform of Malay in 1972), 133 1/3 pounds.

3

In Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, 60 kilograms.

United Nations, 1966.

4

In Indochina in the 19th and early 20th century the picul was used primarily by exporters.

government picul	133 ¹/₃ pounds
commercial picul in Saigon	133.9 pounds (60.738 kg)
picul for skins and copra	149.8 pounds (67.95 kg)
picul for pepper, horns and hoofs	139.82 pounds (63.42 kg)

5

In the Dutch East Indies, two units. In Java a unit of mass = 100 katis, about 61.520965 kilograms (taken as = 136 pounds avoirdupois). See picol for the current spelling and (identical) value in Indonesia.

As a unit of capacity, = 14 gantangs, about 117.326 liters.

The Netherlands Indies.
Buitenzorg, Java: Div. of Commerce, Dept. of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce, no date (no later than 1928).

6

In North Borneo, “a measure of 180 lb weight of water”

7

In Brunei, a unit of mass = 100 katis, about 60.4800 kilograms.

Technical Factors..., 1972, page 117.