Special – handmade jewelry from Baan Bangla village at Paklok
ThaisNews, Thailand
Special Report for Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & later on Phuket Cable channel 1, Wednesday 24 January 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com { Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied , but please give credit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket}
These jewelries are the handmade products of Baan Bang la, if you want to know more stick with me…
The housewives of Baan Bangla village at Paklok formed up a group of 15-20 people to spend their free time earning extra income by making flowers from stocking, and jewelry from crystals beads. The group was established in the year 2000. The products started with flowers from stockings but they realized that the stocking flower demand in the market was getting less and less so the group had to look for something new, hence the jewelry.
At first all members started this small business with a 2,000 baht investment each and later the government helped with an exhibition of OTOP products and that was the time when the ladies of Baan Bang La group made their products known to people.
The easiest piece of jewelry takes around half an hour to do and for the hard designs it takes around 2 days to complete. Wanna Ngakaew, the head of the group, said this part-time job can earn around 7,000-10,000 for each member while the paying process is based on how many pieces they have done.
The crystal beads have many colors and can create many jewelry designs. she told us why the crystal jewelry is attractive: “The price is not too high and they are accessories that look luxurious, they come in many colors to fit your dress and we can create rings, bracelets, earrings, and pins, while all together they cost only 2,000 baht.”
Sukanya Boonprsert, a member of Andamans Bang La, told us how she benefits from this part-time job:
“I have a laundry business, when I am free, I come here to learn as it earns me extra income, this work makes good money for people in the village.”
Since the crystal jewelry has become popular among tourists, they also make good sales at the Merlin Beach Hotel where the ladies of Andaman Baan Bang La group have a booth and display there with some here raising 8,000-10,000 baht in 3 hours. Many retailers and the wholesalers from Kho Yao and Sai Yuan in Rawai always come directly to choose the product by themselves, while the ladies of Andamans Baan Bang La group always welcome visitors with smiles.
If you see this jewelry somewhere, don’t hesitate to buy them.
