Dave,
I like the Thai silk produce also. I did the El D in silk and it was the first one I did in over 20yrs. One thing I learned with today's dope is use the right clear. I tried to use Lite Coat (I have a gallon of this in the shop) and didn't remember it is low shrink, not good for the getting the silk tight. After a post on this forum I switched to Sig Super Coat Clear. Now it will loosen for the first several coats. On the El D even with the couple coats of Lite Coat it took about six coats and boom it got drum tight. I mention this because from coat 2 to 5 I was ready to tear it off, everyone said keep going and it worked. I never had covering sag once the dope dried, new dope seems to take a few coats. Good luck.
Best, DennisT