Ban Pang Ha village in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district is now open to visitors wanting to learn about sa paper.
Sa paper is a textured multi-purpose paper made from the bark of the mulberry tree, which is indigenous to northern Thailand. Locals in the Ban Pang Ha community produced sa paper for export for over three decades before opening their village as a tourism destination.
Making sa paper is a popular tourist attraction. Jinnaluck Chummongkol, the pioneer of sa paper production, has opened her home to be a one-stop learning centre and she calls the facility the Miracle of Saa.
Here, she arranges sa workshops with choices of various colourful flowers or different types of leaves so visitors can create their own souvenirs.
The centre also offers a facial spa with a unique golden silk mask. The mask is the result of research by Chiang Rai Rajabhat University and a collaboration with Jinnaluck, who raised silkworms in a rectangle bamboo tray instead of a conventional round bamboo tray. Within three days, the caterpillars created a golden silk sheet instead of typical silk cocoons. The knowledge was then transferred to locals who founded a group to raise silkworms and supply golden silk sheets to Jinnaluck.
She used the soft silk sheets to produce beauty products such as facial masks, sponges and soaps. The golden silk sheet helps brighten and soften the skin, according to Jinnaluck.
Visitors to Ban Pang Ha can try the facial spa with a natural golden silk mask and learn to make sa paper. The fee is 1,190 baht per person. A discount is available for a total price of 590 baht until July 15.
For visitors who want to try making sa paper, the fee is 250 baht per person.
Miracle of Saa can also arrange traditional performances, local food, snacks and herbal drinks as well as a foot spa. There is also a showroom of sa paper and various sa products, including sa paper-making kits which you can also place an order online.
Ban Pang Ha is located about an hour's drive from Chiang Rai International Airport. To visit the community, a booking is required.
Visit facebook.com/JinnaluckMiracleOfSaa or call 081-883-9062 for more details.
