Water Hyacinth Handicraft Product Group

Open Days: Please Contact In Advance

Opening Hours: Please Contact In Advance

 

The Water Hyacinth Handicraft Product Group in Uttaradit Province, known through its OTOP brand “Tha Chawa,” is located in Ban Tha, Moo 5, Hat Kruat Subdistrict, Mueang Uttaradit District. This community craft group was formed by local women and residents who transform water hyacinth into refined handmade products such as lamps, vases, bags, baskets, shoes, and home decoration items. The products are known for careful craftsmanship, modern designs, practical use, and affordable prices, making them suitable as home décor, souvenirs, gifts, and examples of local wisdom from Uttaradit.

 

The appeal of this craft group lies in the way it turns a common aquatic plant into products with real value. Water hyacinth grows quickly and can become a problem in waterways, but the community of Ban Tha has found a creative way to use it. By drying, preparing, weaving, shaping, sewing, and decorating the plant fibers, local makers transform a natural material into products that can be used in daily life. This is a strong example of community-based resource management and local economic development.

 

The name “Tha Chawa” reflects both Ban Tha and the use of water hyacinth as the main material. It is a simple but memorable name that represents the identity of the community. Buying Tha Chawa products is therefore not only about purchasing a bag, basket, lamp, or decorative item. It is also a way to support local income, preserve craft skills, and help a community product continue to grow.

 

Water hyacinth products from Ban Tha are notable for their neat weaving and contemporary forms. Good handmade work begins with careful material selection. The fibers must be properly dried and prepared before they can be woven. If the material is not prepared well, the final product may not hold its shape or may be affected by moisture. For this reason, the quality of the final product depends heavily on the maker’s experience and attention to detail.

 

The group’s products fit many types of users. Water hyacinth lamps create a warm, natural atmosphere and are suitable for living rooms, bedrooms, cafés, restaurants, resorts, and homestays. Vases and baskets are useful for home organization and decoration. Bags are suitable for people who like natural materials and handmade accessories. Shoes and smaller products are practical souvenirs that carry a clear local identity.

 

These products also match the growing interest in environmentally conscious consumption. Water hyacinth is a natural material found locally, and turning it into products can reduce the pressure of excess aquatic plants in some areas. Buyers receive beautiful handmade items, the community earns income, and local resources are used more productively. This makes the group meaningful not only as a shopping stop, but also as a learning point for sustainable community enterprise.

 

As an OTOP product, Tha Chawa reflects the idea of developing local resources and wisdom into quality products. The group helps create supplementary income for community members, especially women who already have craft skills and can work close to home. Members can divide work according to their skills, such as material preparation, weaving, shaping, finishing, and coordinating orders. Working as a group allows the community to handle larger orders and maintain product quality more consistently.

 

The designs are important because craft products must respond to modern lifestyles. Traditional weaving may be beautiful, but to reach wider buyers, products need useful shapes, appropriate sizes, and styles that fit contemporary homes. Bags, baskets, lamps, and home décor items from the group show how local craftsmanship can adapt without losing its handmade identity.

 

Visitors who want to buy products in larger quantities or request custom designs should contact the group in advance. Handmade products require time. Unlike factory goods, each item depends on available materials, craft labor, design details, and production planning. Advance contact allows the group to prepare materials, schedule work, and confirm product availability before visitors arrive.

 

Those interested in ordering or requesting information can contact Phayao Kaewthong, the group chairperson, at 0 5544 5372, or Kamnan Phraiwan at 08 7200 1247. Calling ahead is especially useful for visitors who want specific products, group visits, wholesale orders, or made-to-order items. It also helps avoid arriving when products are not ready or when group members are not available.

 

For travelers, the Water Hyacinth Handicraft Product Group is suitable for those interested in OTOP products, community-based tourism, handmade crafts, sustainable materials, and meaningful souvenirs. Visiting the production area gives a deeper understanding of where the products come from. Instead of buying a souvenir from a general shop, visitors can see the community context and learn how local people turn available materials into income.

 

Hat Kruat Subdistrict is part of Mueang Uttaradit District and is not far from the city. The area still has a local community atmosphere, making it suitable for a relaxed driving route. Visitors can combine the craft group with nearby community spots and then continue to Uttaradit city attractions such as Paramin Bridge, Wat Tha Thanon, Wat Ban Kaeng Tai, or Wat Phra Borommathat Thung Yang.

 

Getting There is most convenient by private car. Use the Wang Kaphi route along Highway 1040, turn left toward Tron District, cross the bridge, and continue until reaching a three-way junction. Turn right and drive about 2.5 km along Highway 1204. When you see the village industry sign on the left, turn in for about 300 meters. This route leads to the Ban Tha community area where the group is located.

 

Travelers from Uttaradit city should allow around 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic and road conditions. It is best to call before visiting, especially if the purpose is to buy several items, request specific designs, or meet the group coordinator. Advance contact helps the visit go smoothly and ensures that the group can prepare products or information properly.

 

A half-day route can begin from Uttaradit city, continue to Ban Tha in Hat Kruat Subdistrict to buy water hyacinth products, then stop at the Pha Chuk water diversion canal area for a short community visit before returning to the city for lunch or sightseeing. This route is suitable for travelers who want to buy locally made souvenirs without spending the entire day.

 

A full-day route can combine the craft group with major attractions in Mueang Uttaradit and nearby areas. After visiting Ban Tha, travelers can continue to Paramin Bridge, Wat Tha Thanon, Wat Ban Kaeng Tai, or Wat Phra Borommathat Thung Yang. This creates a balanced route with community crafts, local scenery, Buddhist heritage, and city landmarks.

 

When selecting water hyacinth products, visitors should look at the neatness of the weave, the firmness of the structure, the edge finishing, the sewing, and the suitability for actual use. Bags and baskets should feel balanced and strong. Lamps and vases should match the intended space. Since the products are made from natural material, they should be kept in a dry and well-ventilated place and protected from long exposure to moisture.

 

The group is also meaningful as a case study in women’s community enterprise. Many members use existing hand skills to create products that generate income near home. This supports family economies and gives value to skills that may otherwise be overlooked. The group’s work shows how craft knowledge can become a practical economic tool for a community.

 

For business buyers, it is important to discuss product type, size, quantity, finishing details, production time, and delivery arrangements clearly. Handmade products need more preparation time than mass-produced items. Clear communication helps both buyers and makers plan properly, especially for corporate gifts, resort decoration, retail orders, or seasonal product lines.

 

Visitors should also respect the community space. Ban Tha is a living village, not only a tourist site. If visiting the production area, contact the group first, avoid interrupting work, and ask before taking photos of people or production processes. Good community tourism should benefit both visitors and local residents.

 

Nearby food options can be found along the Hat Kruat route and in Uttaradit city. Travelers who want verified restaurant choices can continue into the city or nearby areas, where restaurants such as Ban Tian Hom, Lomyen, and Seeharaj Hotel Restaurant have public contact information. Choosing restaurants based on the actual travel route helps avoid unnecessary backtracking.

 

For accommodation, staying in Uttaradit city is practical because the city offers more choices and remains within driving distance of Ban Tha. Hotels such as Seeharaj Hotel, Sunee Boutique Hotel, Thaimit Resort, and Jutha Mansion can serve as convenient bases for travelers who want to visit the craft group and continue to other attractions in the province.

 

In summary, the Water Hyacinth Handicraft Product Group in Uttaradit Province is a meaningful place for visitors who value local crafts, sustainable materials, and community-based products. Through the Tha Chawa brand, the people of Ban Tha transform water hyacinth into beautiful and practical OTOP products. A visit here offers more than shopping. It provides a direct connection with local wisdom, women’s community enterprise, and the creative use of natural resources in Uttaradit.

 

 

A: It is located in Ban Tha, Moo 5, Hat Kruat Subdistrict, Mueang Uttaradit District, Uttaradit Province.

 

A: Tha Chawa is the OTOP brand of the Water Hyacinth Handicraft Product Group, producing woven items such as bags, baskets, lamps, vases, shoes, and home décor products.

 

A: They are handmade by local women, carefully woven, contemporary in design, practical for daily use, affordable, and help create income for the community.

 

A: Yes. Advance contact is recommended, especially for large orders, custom designs, group visits, or specific product requests.

 

A: Contact Phayao Kaewthong, the group chairperson, at 0 5544 5372, or Kamnan Phraiwan at 08 7200 1247.

 

A: Use the Wang Kaphi route along Highway 1040, turn toward Tron District, cross the bridge, turn right for about 2.5 km on Highway 1204, then turn left at the village industry sign and continue about 300 meters.

 

A: Yes. They are meaningful local souvenirs with practical use, natural texture, handmade value, and a clear community story from Uttaradit.

 

A: Travelers can visit the Pha Chuk water diversion canal in Ban Tha, explore Hat Kruat community areas, or continue to Uttaradit city attractions such as Paramin Bridge, Wat Tha Thanon, and Wat Phra Borommathat Thung Yang.