The fingers tell the story

DAMRONGSAK Plang-Nguen, a long-time advertising agency creative designer, wanted to give mums and dads a little something extra for story time with the kids. What he came up with – originally sold on Facebook and now with two retail outlets – are beyond-cute finger puppets.

Damrongsak’s brand Fingertell sells the finger puppets and just as adorable stationery made by artisans in Lopburi from soft felt and other fabrics. 

Bedtime stories were never this much fun. 

“I got the inspiration from a friend who does handcrafts,” he says. “She made these great finger puppets to entertain her child and even came up with a story to go with them, about how to live in harmony with nature, eating vegetables and conserving the environment. 

“I thought it was a wonderful way for families to build on their loving relationships. We decided to open the Fingertell store online and everyone loved it.”

Damrongsak and his new partner took a Thailand Creative and Design Centre course for start-ups and discovered how to extend their product line. The partner has since left, leaving him in charge at Fingertell. He’s more recently added home decor and stationery with classic Thai themes, making them ideal souvenirs for tourists.

Designed to spur the imaginations of children ages one to six, the items share concepts about ecology and Thai culture. 

One line is called Let’s Keep Clean and shows youngsters how they can help keep the family home tidy. We Love the Sea dives into the underwater world, and Vegetable Lover demonstrates how greens are good for the health.

Then there’s Save Our Earth, which touches on the climate-change problem, but in a reassuring way. The Banana Tree Horse recalls a beloved traditional Thai toy. 

The latest generation of finger puppets was unveiled at the recent Baan Lae Suan Midyear Fair, the characters drawn from the wondrous tales of the Ramakien. Hanuman, Tossakan and Indrajit appear in their classical costumes and the giant “guardians” welcome kids at the entrances to Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Phra Chetuphon.

Damrongsak has notebooks, bookmarks, “monster” wrist rests, raggedy monkey key fobs, pencils with Ramakien caps, pillows in the likeness of 

 the Ramakien heroes that can be used as aromatic-oil diffusers, and cushions in hand-woven textiles adorned with Pla Ta Pien.

“The costumes are reduced in detail, but they’re still colourful enough to grab kids’ attention,” Damrongsak says. “The finger puppets can help improve their skills in seeing, separating colours and pronunciation and even get them meditating.

“And at the same time I’m helping the craftspeople earn more money. I’m now using hand-woven textiles with traditional patterns, like phraya nak and khor, in the pillows and cushions.”

 

 

POINT THIS WAY

>> Fingertell products are available at the Support Foundation shops at Suvarnabhumi Airport and Amarin Plaza and from the “Fingertell” Facebook page. 

>> Call (081) 645 4447 for more information.