May 2005
Sriphong Phukaoluan Foundation sponsors Occupational Training Workshop
On May 19-23 the foundation sponsored a training workshop to train teachers from different areas of Krabi Province in handicraft skills that can be taught with the maximum efficiency with respect to time and cost.
The Foundation enlisted the skills of Professor Jirun Koontong, a noted artist whose skills in handicraft design are known nationwide. Professor Jirun, age 61, lives in Bangkok and has run many government sponsored workshops and has been highlighted on numerous television shows and newspaper articles. His belief is to create beautiful, exotic handicraft products from natural resources that can be obtained by all at minimum or no cost.
Professor brought his team to Krabi Resort for four days of training teachers who will then take these skills to teach unemployed people in various villages in Krabi, with special emphasis on the victims of the tsunami. All products used in creating the handicrafts are available locally, coconuts, palm leaves, tree bark etc. The end products can be sold to the many shops that sell to the tourist trade such as OTOP (One Tambon One Product). The ultimate goal of the Foundation, is to expand this project and build it’s own shop to sell the products, helping reduce unemployment and expand the knowledge of Thai culture and handicrafts.
