About shopping

For over 10 years providing rural local handicrafts to city people in a way that preserves local wisdom & the environment while generating local income.

Click button to listen to Phu Fa Royal Project to download

Shopping

Enriching people's livelihoods

The Phufa shop of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is a testament of the royal devotion to the well-being of the Thai people, especially those in rural areas. And on the occasion of her birthday today, Life joins the Thai public in wishing her a happy birthday. 
2/04/2012
Sirinya Wattanasukchai

The Phufa shop, an initiative of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, is more than just a store. It's a connection that links city people to those in the rural areas.

Well known as an outlet for quality handicraft goods produced by local people in various provinces, Phufa is doing thriving business.

Over the years, Phufa has expanded rapidly. From its first branch at Siam Discovery, which opened in September 2001, the store now has 17 branches altogether; 16 branches in the city, mostly in good, business areas, and one branch, Phufa Treasure Trove, on the fourth floor of Siam Paragon, which combines a coffee corner and a temporary exhibition (that is changed twice a year). 

Part of the Products of the Occupational Incentive Project, which is operated under the concept of sustainability, Phufa shop aims to increase the income of the villagers, mostly farmers, in remote areas, who make use of local materials, as well as expertise and local wisdom, allowing city people to buy handicraft goods that can be used in their everyday life at reasonable prices. The uniqueness of these products, particularly the handicraft items, is that most maintain originality in both design and colour. Also, some products come from remote areas that are not accessible to tourists. 

Apart from handicrafts, there are many utility items, including T-shirts, polo shirts, notebooks, and mugs bearing drawings by the princess, who constantly changes the design. Cooked food prepared by court officials draw a number of customers, as well. 

Before the opening of Phufa shop, city people could buy these handicraft products only once a year during the Red Cross Fair, which apparently could not satisfy the growing demand, according to Khunying Suchada Kiranandana, chairperson of the Operation Committee of Phufa Shop.

She also noted that the Phufa project adds labour cost to each handicraft item. And this makes it different from typical handicraft sales, which merely feature the cost of materials while the makers receive almost nothing in return.

Each year, these simple products have generated an average extra income of 3,000 baht to each villager who contributes to making the handicrafts and food products for Phufa shop.

While the handicraft items maintain their original form and cultural designs, the food products are processed to increase their value.

Here are some examples of where your money will end up when purchasing goods from Phufa shop.

* Yarns by Karen villagers

Though producing a small amount of yarn for home use in the off-season from farming has always been a way of life for the Karen people in Tak and Chiang Mai, producing more yarn means additional income for the whole family. And despite making yarn to be sold to city people, they maintain the quality and originality of the patterns inherited from the previous generation, as well as the unique width. The unique width, where the yarn looks like a strip, is achieved by using a compact size loom that wraps around the weaver's waist while seated. A few strips are also sown together to make bed sheets or blankets.

When you buy these yarns, 290 baht for a piece of yarn goes to the Karen people in natural dye cotton weaving groups in Mae Ra Ar Nai, Pa Biew, Sob Lan, Lang Pakha, Koon Omhadnok, Koon Omhadnai, Phlang Tae, Sa Ngin Klang; Kong Por Tai villages in Omkoi district, Chiang Mai province; Pa Sak, Gama Phado; Ta Toh Gro villages in Tha Song Yang district; and Pa Deh and Tham Sua villages in Mae Sot district, in Tak province. 

* Accessories made from Karen yarn

As the Karen hilltribe weavers learned how to be more efficient in yarn production, a considerable increase in production each month came as a result. The growing stock is being turned into handicraft items by housewives in Chachoengsao's Nayao Samaggi, because the hilltribe locals lack the equipment to create such handicrafts.

When you buy accessories made from Karen yarn, such as tote bags, coin purses, turtle, bear or rabbit dolls, coasters, keychains and flash drive cases, 15 up to a few hundred baht goes to the Karen weavers and the housewives. 

* Tao jiao (fermented soybean paste) and soya sauce by Nayao Samaggi's housewives group in Sanam Chai Khet, Chachoengsao

Having always been affected by the fluctuating price of cassava due to oversupply, the villagers were advised to grow soybeans to minimise the risk of investment. Also, in order to earn more income, the soybeans had to be turned into something else, rather than simply sold by the kilogramme. Hence, fermenting the soybeans for five months, they got soybean paste, and if fermentation is left longer, they got soy sauce. The market price of soy sauce is double while the paste triple the retail price of soybeans.

When you buy these soybean products, 30 baht for bean paste and 20 baht for soya sauce goes to the makers in Sanam Chai Khet.

* Flavoured nuts

After having grown peanuts and selling them in bulk to factories for many years, the villagers in Supachai Village Agricultural Products Processing Group in Nong Song Hong district, Khon Kaen, later learned how to double the retail price of nuts by introducing various flavours and packaging. Peanuts and cashew nuts from Khon Kaen are available in foil packets with assorted flavours, including honey, herbs and spices, and salted.

When you buy a packet of these nuts, 25 baht for peanuts and 50 baht for cashew nuts goes to the villagers in Nong Song Hong.

* Coconut shell products

Instead of throwing away the coconut shells or using them as a cheap source of fuel for fire, the villagers in Narathiwat have turned them into art pieces and utility items. With its round form, a coconut shell can be turned into not only a tea pot, a cup or a spoon but also a toy scooter.

When you buy these coconut shell designs, the money goes to the Thai Muslim families in Ban Khao Tan Yong, Narathiwat province.

* Utility items made from handwoven cotton fabric.

Once the demand for handwoven fabric became saturated, a sewing group comprising of housewives in Ban Ponthong village, Kusuman district, Sakhon Nakhon, realised that functionality had to be added to the earth-tone fabric, which is dyed in an environmentally-friendly natural process. The fabric sold is then made into cases for pens, eyeglasses, cushions, coin purses, and bags.

When you buy these handmade bags or cases, the money goes to those housewives in Ban Ponthong village.

More photos at the original article here.

(Source: Bangkok Post, Shopping, Enriching people's livelihoods, The Phufa shop of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, 2/04/2012, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, link) 

Handicrafts Vocabulary

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn - Thailand's famous princess (See Wikipedia)

Phufa shop - (See Bangkok Post article from 2004)

handicraft - an activity of making beautiful objects with your hands (handmade) (See Wikipedia)
outlet - a store that a company sells its products at 
outlet for quality handicraft goods

yarn - a long continuous length of fibers locked together (See Wikipedia) เส้นด้าย ม้วนด้าย
weave - to make cloth by crossing long threads over and under each other using a machine called a loom (See Wikipedia)
weaver - a person who weaves cloth  
loom - a machine used for weaving cloth (See Wikipedia)
dye - to change the colour of something using a special liquid สารย้อมสี
dyed in an environmentally-friendly natural process
natural - found in nature (not made in a factory by humans) ตามธรรมชาติ

initiative - an important action, plan or program to solve a problem
enrich - to make something better and more enjoyable
livelihoods - ways to earn money to support a family (See glossary)
enrich  livelihoods - make it easier to earn money to support your family
initiative to enrich livelihoods - a program to make it easier for people to earn money to support their family

enriching people's livelihoods

testament - proof ข้อพิสูจน์ชัดแจ้ง
rural - connected with the countryside outside big towns and cities ในชนบท, บ้านนอก
links - connections ความเชื่อมโยงกัน

The Phufa shop of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is a testament of the royal devotion to the well-being of the Thai people, especially those in rural areas. And on the occasion of her birthday today, Life joins the Thai public in wishing her a happy birthday. The Phufa shop, an initiative of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, is more than just a store. It's a connection that links city people to those in the rural areas.

local - in or related to the area that you live, or to the particular area that you are talking about ท้องถิ่น
local people - people living in an area
thriving - very successful ประสบความสำเร็จอย่างสูง
thriving business - a very successful business

Well known as an outlet for quality handicraft goods produced by local people in various provinces, Phufa is doing thriving business.

branch - an office or shop representing a large company or organisation in a particular area สาขา
first branch of a shop
temporary - done or used for only a limited period of time, i.e., short-term, not permanent ชั่วคราว
exhibition - a public event displaying objects of interest (either commercial or artistic) นิทรรศการ, งานแสดง
temporary exhibition
treasure - a collection of valuable thins such as jewels and gold, usually in a chest hidden so people cannot find it  สมบัติ, ทรัพย์สิน, ทรัพย์สมบัติของมีค่า,  เพชรพลอย,
treasure trove - same as "treasure"

Over the years, Phufa has expanded rapidly. From its first branch at Siam Discovery, which opened in September 2001, the store now has 17 branches altogether; 16 branches in the city, mostly in good, business areas, and one branch, Phufa Treasure Trove, on the fourth floor of Siam Paragon, which combines a coffee corner and a temporary exhibition (that is changed twice a year). 

occupation (noun) - a job or some form of work 
occupational (adjective)
incentive - to reward or give people a reason for doing something (here:  doing things to make money)
occupational incentive  
concept - a principle or idea ความคิด
sustainability - situation or activity can continue for a long time
concept of sustainability  
income - money that people receive from work or some other source, used for household consumption and savings
remote - far away from cities, difficult to get to ไกล ที่ห่างไกลจากความเจริญ (ของเมือง)
expertise - special knowledge and skills (gained from training, study, or work experience)   ทักษะความรู้, ความคิดเห็นของผู้เชี่ยวชาญ
wisdom - knowledge gained over a long period of time from experience
uniqueness - unlike anyone else, something that no one else has makes you special
maintain - keep; keep in good condition รักษา
keep in good condition
accessible - can to to a place
accessible to tourists - tourists can go to a place

Part of the Products of the Occupational Incentive Project, which is operated under the concept of sustainability, Phufa shop aims to increase the income of the villagers, mostly farmers, in remote areas, who make use of local materials, as well as expertise and local wisdom, allowing city people to buy handicraft goods that can be used in their everyday life at reasonable prices. The uniqueness of these products, particularly the handicraft items, is that most maintain originality in both design and colour. Also, some products come from remote areas that are not accessible to tourists. 

utility - useful things
constantly - continuously; all the time อย่างต่อเนื่อง
court - connected with the place where the king, queen and the royal family live

Apart from handicrafts, there are many utility items, including T-shirts, polo shirts, notebooks, and mugs bearing drawings by the princess, who constantly changes the design. Cooked food prepared by court officials draw a number of customers, as well. 

apparently - based only on what you have heard or think, not on what you are certain is true; seemingly ตามที่ได้รู้มา
demand - people or consumers wanting to buy goods and services ความต้องการ
feature - to include someone or something as an important part ทำให้เด่น

Before the opening of Phufa shop, city people could buy these handicraft products only once a year during the Red Cross Fair, which apparently could not satisfy the growing demand, according to Khunying Suchada Kiranandana, chairperson of the Operation Committee of Phufa Shop. She also noted that the Phufa project adds labour cost to each handicraft item. And this makes it different from typical handicraft sales, which merely feature the cost of materials while the makers receive almost nothing in return.

simple - easy to understand; not complicated ง่าย,ไม่ยุ่งยาก, ไม่ซับซ้อน
generated - created
processed - treated in some way, e.g., treated with chemicals, cut, etc.

Each year, these simple products have generated an average extra income of 3,000 baht to each villager who contributes to making the handicrafts and food products for Phufa shop. While the handicraft items maintain their original form and cultural designs, the food products are processed to increase their value. Here are some examples of where your money will end up when purchasing goods from Phufa shop.

season - a period of time during the year 
off-season - the period of time when the main money-making activity is not being done (example: the off-season in farming when no crop is being grown)
off-season from farming  
generation - a group of people in society who are born and live around the same time รุ่น (คนรุ่นต่างๆ)
unique - very special, unusual or good ที่มีลักษณะพิเศษ เป็นเอกลักษณ์
width - the distance across something from one side to the other ความกว้าง
strip - a long piece of something such as cloth or paper
compact - small and using space efficiently (smaller than similar items)
waist - the middle part of the body that is narrower than the parts above and below เอว
wraps around
a compact size loom that wraps around the weaver's waist while seated

Yarns by Karen villagers. Though producing a small amount of yarn for home use in the off-season from farming has always been a way of life for the Karen people in Tak and Chiang Mai, producing more yarn means additional income for the whole family. And despite making yarn to be sold to city people, they maintain the quality and originality of the patterns inherited from the previous generation, as well as the unique width. The unique width, where the yarn looks like a strip, is achieved by using a compact size loom that wraps around the weaver's waist while seated. A few strips are also sown together to make bed sheets or blankets. When you buy these yarns, 290 baht for a piece of yarn goes to the Karen people in natural dye cotton weaving groups in Mae Ra Ar Nai, Pa Biew, Sob Lan, Lang Pakha, Koon Omhadnok, Koon Omhadnai, Phlang Tae, Sa Ngin Klang; Kong Por Tai villages in Omkoi district, Chiang Mai province; Pa Sak, Gama Phado; Ta Toh Gro villages in Tha Song Yang district; and Pa Deh and Tham Sua villages in Mae Sot district, in Tak province. 

efficient - produces a lot from few resources; doing a task with no waste of time, money or energy
considerable - large; of noticeable importance จำนวนมาก
stock - an amount of something that you keep so that you can use it when you need it ที่เก็บไว้ในสต๊อก
locals - people who live in a particular place ชาวบ้าน
lack - does not have ขาดแคลน
lack the equipment - do not have the tools and equipment to make or produce some good
hilltribe locals lack the equipment

Accessories made from Karen yarn As the Karen hilltribe weavers learned how to be more efficient in yarn production, a considerable increase in production each month came as a result. The growing stock is being turned into handicraft items by housewives in Chachoengsao's Nayao Samaggi, because the hilltribe locals lack the equipment to create such handicrafts.

When you buy accessories made from Karen yarn, such as tote bags, coin purses, turtle, bear or rabbit dolls, coasters, keychains and flash drive cases, 15 up to a few hundred baht goes to the Karen weavers and the housewives. 

fermented - changed chemically through the action of living substances, such as yeast or bacteria หมัก
cassava - a plant used to make tapioca and also natural fuel for cars (See Wikipedia)
oversupply - to much of a good on the market, prices drop, many go out of business การมีสินค้าล้นตลาด
minimise - to reduce something harmful or unpleasant to the smallest amount or degree ลดให้เหลือน้อยที่สุด  
risk - danger, how likely or possible it is for a bad event that causes harm and damage ความเสี่ยง
investment - taking your money and putting it into projects to make a profit or earn interest (buying stock shares, bonds, real estate)
double - to become twice as big, twice as much or twice as many เพิ่มเป็นสองเท่า
triple - three times the number or size of something จำนวนสามเท่า
retail - to sell directly to the public for their own use ขายปลีก

Tao jiao (fermented soybean paste) and soya sauce by Nayao Samaggi's housewives group in Sanam Chai Khet, Chachoengsao. Having always been affected by the fluctuating price of cassava due to oversupply, the villagers were advised to grow soybeans to minimise the risk of investment. Also, in order to earn more income, the soybeans had to be turned into something else, rather than simply sold by the kilogramme. Hence, fermenting the soybeans for five months, they got soybean paste, and if fermentation is left longer, they got soy sauce. The market price of soy sauce is double while the paste triple the retail price of soybeans. When you buy these soybean products, 30 baht for bean paste and 20 baht for soya sauce goes to the makers in Sanam Chai Khet.

bulk - done in large numbers or amounts จำนวนมาก  large amounts เป็นจำนวนมาก เป็นกุรุศ
selling in bulk - selling in large amounts
packaging - the container or covering for a product while it is waiting to be sold in stores
assorted - including various types หลากหลาย, ี่ีหลายชนิด
assorted flavours - many different kinds of flavours
packet - a small paper or cardboard container in which a number of small objects are kept or sold ห่อของเล็กๆ

Flavoured nuts. After having grown peanuts and selling them in bulk to factories for many years, the villagers in Supachai Village Agricultural Products Processing Group in Nong Song Hong district, Khon Kaen, later learned how to double the retail price of nuts by introducing various flavours and packaging. Peanuts and cashew nuts from Khon Kaen are available in foil packets with assorted flavours, including honey, herbs and spices, and salted. When you buy a packet of these nuts, 25 baht for peanuts and 50 baht for cashew nuts goes to the villagers in Nong Song Hong.

source - where something comes from or starts at, or the cause of something ต้นกำเนิด, แหล่งกำเนิด
fuel - something that can be burned to produce energy (oil in car, coal in electricity plant, nuclear material for electicity, etc)
a cheap source of fuel for fire

Coconut shell products.  Instead of throwing away the coconut shells or using them as a cheap source of fuel for fire, the villagers in Narathiwat have turned them into art pieces and utility items. With its round form, a coconut shell can be turned into not only a tea pot, a cup or a spoon but also a toy scooter. When you buy these coconut shell designs, the money goes to the Thai Muslim families in Ban Khao Tan Yong, Narathiwat province.

fabric - material used to make clothes
saturated - full, no more room for expansion
comprising - consisting of ประกอบด้วย
realised - understood that (came to an understanding that)
process - a series of actions that you take in order to achieve a result แนวทางปฏิบัติ, กระบวน, วิธีการ
media - radio, television, newspaper, the Internet, considered as a group สื่อ
key - important คนสำคัญ

Utility items made from handwoven cotton fabric. Once the demand for handwoven fabric became saturated, a sewing group comprising of housewives in Ban Ponthong village, Kusuman district, Sakhon Nakhon, realised that functionality had to be added to the earth-tone fabric, which is dyed in an environmentally-friendly natural process. The fabric sold is then made into cases for pens, eyeglasses, cushions, coin purses, and bags. When you buy these handmade bags or cases, the money goes to those housewives in Ban Ponthong village.