Handicraft Production and Distribution Center

Open Days: Open Daily

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00

 

Handicraft Production and Distribution Center is one of Chiang Rai’s community-based craft attractions and an important part of the Doi Tung Development Project. Established in 1992, the center was created to provide vocational training and supplementary income opportunities for hill tribe women, helping strengthen livelihoods in the highland communities of northern Thailand.

 

What makes this attraction especially meaningful is that it is not simply a retail center. It is a place where visitors can see how community development, traditional skills, and local craftsmanship come together in practical and creative ways. More than 400 local participants have joined the project over the years, making the center an important example of how handicrafts can support long-term income and social development.

 

One of the main highlights is the production of handwoven textiles and carpets. Skilled support and design development were introduced to improve weaving techniques, color selection, and patterns, allowing local women to produce high-quality woven carpets and textiles with attractive designs that meet market demand. These products are both beautiful and functional, making them especially popular as souvenirs and home décor items.

 

Another important product group is Saa paper, or mulberry paper. The project encourages villagers to grow mulberry trees and create added value from local natural resources. The bark is carefully selected and processed through detailed handmade methods, resulting in decorative paper with varied colors, textures, and patterns. This gives visitors a chance to appreciate not only the finished products, but also the traditional craft knowledge behind them.

 

Doi Tung coffee is also closely connected to the center. The Doi Tung area is known for growing high-quality Arabica coffee at elevations above 800 meters. Coffee cherries are harvested from October to February, purchased from local growers, processed quickly after harvest, dried to the correct moisture level, and then roasted. This reflects the broader role of the center in linking handicrafts with agricultural development and local value creation.

 

Visiting the center is therefore more than a shopping experience. It offers insight into the livelihoods of local women, the evolution of highland handicrafts, and the way local products have been adapted to contemporary markets without losing their identity. Travelers interested in culture, crafts, social development, and meaningful local tourism will find this destination especially rewarding.

 

The center is located in Ban Huai Nam Khun, Huai Khrai Subdistrict, Mae Sai District, which also makes it a practical stop on a wider Doi Tung route. Visitors can combine it with attractions such as Doi Tung Royal Villa, Mae Fah Luang Garden, and other mountain viewpoints in the area. This makes it suitable for a half-day stop or as part of a full northern Chiang Rai itinerary.

 

Getting There by private car is the easiest option. From Mae Chan, take Highway No. 1 toward Mae Sai. After passing the junction with Highway 1149, continue for about 600 meters, then turn left near the bank landmark mentioned in local directions. Shortly afterward, turn right into the local road leading toward Ban Huai Nam Khun, where the center is located.

 

Overall, the Handicraft Production and Distribution Center is one of Chiang Rai’s most valuable community attractions for travelers who want to experience more than scenic viewpoints. It offers a closer look at local craftsmanship, women’s vocational development, and the creative adaptation of traditional products into market-ready handmade goods.

 

 

A: It is located in Ban Huai Nam Khun, Huai Khrai Subdistrict, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai.

 

A: The main highlights are woven textiles, handwoven carpets, Saa paper, and Doi Tung coffee-related community products.

 

A: Available information shows opening hours of 08:00 to 17:00 daily.

 

A: Yes. It is especially suitable for visitors interested in handicrafts, community products, and local vocational development.

 

A: Yes. Visitors can shop for community handicrafts such as woven items, Saa paper products, and other local goods.

 

A: Yes. It works well as part of a wider Doi Tung route including the Royal Villa, Mae Fah Luang Garden, and nearby viewpoints.