Sanaa:The Department of Intellectual Property is encouraging the younger generation to support two renowned Geographical Indication (GI) products "Krajood Khuan Kreng" from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and "Kla Sri Bun Rueang" from Nong Bua Lamphu Province.
According to Thai News Agency, these Thai handicraft products showcase the charm of woven crafts made from natural materials, each reflecting the unique characteristics of their origins. They blend traditional community wisdom with modern product development, highlighting the strengths of Thai handicrafts in creating items that cater to contemporary consumer needs, thereby adding value and generating income for local communities.
Ms. Jittima Srithaporn, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property, emphasized the importance of leveraging local resources and wisdom to create economic value. Geographical Indications (GI) protect the identity and reputation of products linked to their origin, offering producers the chance to commercially exploit their products' unique selling points. This includes developing high-quality products with contemporary designs that meet market demands, thereby increasing product value and community income, in alignment with policies set by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce.
"Krajud Khuan Kreng" is a GI handicraft from the Khuan Kreng peat swamp forest in Nakhon Si Thammarat, known for its tough, flexible, and durable sedge fibers. These fibers are woven into various products such as bags, hats, and baskets, utilizing traditional community knowledge. The product has become the third GI product of the province, following Pak Phanang Ruby Pomelo and Khao Khiri Wong Mangosteen, generating a market value of over 56.24 million baht annually. The Department of Intellectual Property is assisting in quality control, product development, and expanding marketing channels to increase opportunities for Krajood Khuan Kreng.
"Kla Sriboonruang" from Nong Bua Lamphu Province is another GI handicraft that uses the tough and durable Kla plant to create items like rice containers and baskets. The product is the third GI of the province, following Isaan traditional Thai silk and Nong Bua Lamphu Khid-Mi fabric, generating over 4.2 million baht annually. By combining the unique properties of the natural material with contemporary design, there is potential for further value addition.
Ms. Jittima highlighted that preserving the unique characteristics and identity of GI products, while developing designs that fit modern lifestyles, is crucial. This approach ensures that community wisdom continues to evolve into products that generate sustainable income. The Department of Intellectual Property will keep supporting GI product entrepreneurs in production standards, product development, and marketing to reach new consumer groups.
For more information on Thai GI products, interested parties can visit Facebook GI Thailand. Additionally, those wishing to support local entrepreneurs can contact Ratri Handicraft for Krajood Kuan Kreng and the Muang Lumpu Handicraft Community Enterprise Group for Kla Sri Bun Rueang.