Fair Trade Culture

August 1st, 2007 by Amanda

A cooperative of artists operate a hand made paper art shop in Chiang Mai. To make the paper, they use the bark of the sa (mulberry) tree, pulverize it, pound it flat, and stretch it on frames to dry. Once dry, the paper is cut, sometimes died with natural colors, and used to make lamps, books, umbrellas, fans, and other paper products. Thailand is known as “The Land of Smiles” to the tourist industry and travelers alike. To the Thai people, it’s a home that embraces tradition, deep spirituality, and a culture of “jai yen” (to carry a “cool heart”), and to take the good and bad experiences of life all in stride. With Buddhism as the dominant religion, a King and Queen loved by the people, and a start toward robust modernization, Thailand offers a mix of traditional living with natural simpler lifestyles, to a faster paced tourist industry trying to catch a glimpse of this unique and intriguing culture.