While you are in Bangkok, you can buy Thai Tribal Crafts (TTC) products at the Bangkok Christian Guest House.
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You can also buy Thai Tribal Crafts (TTC) products at
the LOFTY BAMBOO, Khao San Road.
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The Ban Pong Karen producer group has started in 1970 by the Christian women of Ban Pong Church with the main objectives:
1) to preserve the traditional weaving methods
2) to provide assistance for the improvement of family economy through sales of hand woven cloths as
well as traditional Karen men and women clothing and
3) to open a shop at Ban Pong so that the weavers living surrounding Mae Sariang can come and sell their weavings and handicrafts on consignment.
As per the group's request, in 1975 Thai Tribal Crafts (TTC) helped to open up a small shop at Ban Pong, Mae Sariang district of Mae Hong Son province about 190 kilometers west of Chiang Mai, and formed a local committee to supervise operation of the shop. The committee selected a person, Mrs. Marasri Puang Thong, to manage the shop. At that time Mrs. Marasri was serving as representative of the Karen weavers of Mae Sariang on TTC Board.
Currently there are eighteen producer groups in and surrounding Mae Sariang town, including Ban Pong group, with the total members of 329 weavers who regularly come to Ban Pong shop to sell their products mostly on consignment. TTC places order through Ban Pong Shop for sale in Chiang Mai, Bangkok and export to UK, France Italy, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, mostly to Fair Trade Organizations in those countries. All weavers are women age ranging from 16 to 55 and the majority are housewives. Currently, there are 18 producer groups in Mae Sariang area.
The groups are named after the village they live. Name of each group with number of weavers are listed below:
Producer Groups :
| No. | Name | Weavers |
| 1 | Ban Mae Hang | 16 |
| 2 | Ban Pat | 15 |
| 3 | Ban Pong | 30 |
| 4 | Ban Rai | 15 |
| 5 | Ban Sop Hang | 8 |
| 6 | Doi Chang | 15 |
| 7 | Dong Danga | 15 |
| 8 | Had Mai Tai | 25 |
| 9 | La Jotae | 10 |
| 10 | Pa Ma Lor | 15 |
| 11 | Mae Kor Kha | 12 |
| 12 | Mae Oo Por | 22 |
| 13 | Mae Samlap | 15 |
| 14 | Mae Tat Nua | 15 |
| 15 | Nong Phaknam | 60 |
| 16 | Pa Mat | 11 |
| 17 | Sri Don Chai | 15 |
| 18 | Tung Prao | 15 |
| Total | 329 |
Products made by these groups include:
- Basketry:Traditional Karen Hat made of Bamboo, Dome Basket, Carrying Basket, Open Baskets etc… all made of Bamboo
- Fabric Items: Traditional costumes (both male and female), Tie-dye cloth, Shoulder Bags, Table cloths, Runners, Scarf, Shawls, and Plain and designed woven cloths of both natural dye and chemical dye. Back-strapped Loom is used to weave all fabric items.
About Ban Pong Karen Handicraft | Contact Information
| Ban Pong Weavers' Products |
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Apron