When communities fight back

Last year, when the great flood turned half of country into a huge canal leaving millions struggling to cope even as late as the festive season, a group of volunteers got together under the name Plajapian in an effort to help people get back on their feet. 

The non-profit cooperative was founded by Zcongklod Bangyikhan, the editor of a day magazine, along with friends from the Thai Graphic Designers Association, Thailand Creative and Design Centre, Thai Social Enterprise Office, Thai Health Promotion Foundation and the ChangeFusion Institute.

Most of the volunteers work as designers and creative directors and they wanted to use their creativity in helping to build sustainable communities and improving the quality of life once the waters had receded. So they went out into districts and helped communities develop products, packaging design and marketing skills ready for the online market. 

Having attained more than 5,000 followers on their Facebook page, the Plajapian group recently opened a small shop in the Good Little Space project in the hope of attracting young generation buyers. Simply decorated with white wooden shelves, the shop is packed with handmade products and includes fragrance items, fashion accessories, jewellery, handicrafts and souvenirs, all of them created by members of eight communities from around the country. 

“All the proceeds go towards supporting communities that are able to come up with products but still need help in terms of packaging design and marketing,” says volunteer Thanapon Sreshthaputra from ChangeFusion. “These days, we’re also offering the merchandises through E-Bay too.”

Among the items on sale are fashion accessories from Friends-International social enterprise. The colourful shell-like necklaces and earrings are made of recycled magazines and range in price from Bt320 to Bt350. 

A group of Akha women in Chiang Rai offer vibrant hand-made shoulder bags and multi-purpose bags with beautiful embroidery reflecting their history and customs.

Residents of the Baan Munkong Soi Suan Plu community present a selection of natural fragrance products made from local 

 herbs, plants and flowers including hand & body lotion, cream soap and salt scrub made from lemongrass, vanilla, honey, orange and lime. 

Housewives from Huai Thong Lang community offer weaving baskets made from recycled plastic and handbags produced from discarded leather shoes from factories. Gardeners in Nan province provide 

 organic black and green teas that are high in anti-oxidant and can help reduce cholesterol.

Plajapian has also launched a limited edition of hemp shoulder bags and pencil cases designed by Pod Moderndog, Hiroka Limviphuvadh and Pharuephon Mukdasanit that make ideal gifts for the festive season.

 

STOCK UP FOR CHRISTMAS

Plajapian shop is located in the Good Little Space project, Siam Square Soi 6. It’s open daily from 1pm to 8pm. Call (081) 452 7495 or visit www.Plajapian.org or Facebook/Plajapian