Demonstration Farm Project THE WAY OF SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY

       "Moo Baan Thorn" is a seaside village located along soft white sandy Baan Thorn Beach. A naturally pristine location, the village is inhabited by Muslim fishermen. In their free time. Baan Thorn villagers produce local handicrafts like Ko Lae boat miniatures and Kra Jud mats. Which are among the outstanding souvenirs of Narathiwas Province. Apart from being recognised as symbols of Baan Thron village. Ko Lae boat miniatures and Kra Jud mats have become distinguished elements in the eidentity of Narathiwas Province.
       Thus. Baan thron was selected as an "OTOP" (One Tambol, One Product) village. Its famous products include Ko Lae boat miniatures, Kra Jud mats, other handicrafts woven from Kra Jud leaves, and Bu Du fish condiment. Baan Thron has a beautiful beach and its villagers live a simple life with fisheries as their main occupation. This kind of location and lifestyle lifestyle are also good prospects for tourism.
       The selection of Baan Thorn as an OTOP village is a means of strengthening the community. The people there are encouraged to use their local resources to produce quality products that reflect their cultural identity. Plus they can promote their village to become another tourist attraction. The development process ionvolves getting all the villagers to cooperate in attracting outsiders to visit the village for cultural tours and study purposes. The project enables villagers to earn their living and considerable sums of money flow through the village on a daily basis.
       The Pvovincial Top Product Selection Committee of Narathiwas worked to select the province's most distinguished products in tearms of cultural identity, local intellectual capital, application of local resources, local capability and marketing, and creativity prospects. Five products were selected, one of which is a product from Baan Thorn.
       The five most distinguished products of Narithiwas include Ko Lae boat miniatures, Batik and Sarong cloth, processed gardenias, artificial gold leaf and Kra Jud handicrafts.
       As fisheries is the main occupation, villatgers in Baan Thorn live a very simple life without devastating their natural resources. They make additional income from handicraft products. Baan thorn has been promoted by several government agencies for development in many areas, including the Demonstration Farm Project in line with Sufficiency Economy practices.
       The Tourism Authority of Thailand's Southern Office Area 3 has promoted the village as a centre for handicraft production and selling. Ten demonstration pavilion were built for village artists to work in the same area so that tourists can conveniently shop for Baan Thorn's outstanding souvenirs.
       Baan Thorn became famous for local handicrafts, particularly Ko Lae boat miniatures that feature beautiful, delicate designs. The designs can tell visitors that Baan Thorn is inhabited by Thai-Muslims who have decorated their boats with these designs for generations.
       The Ko Lae designs are a combination of Malay. Java and Thai patterns. Thai designs are mostly used with Lai Kanok, drawings to represent flames: Bua Khawam-Bua Ngai, to represent lotuses: Lai Hua Phaya Nak, to represent naga heads: and flying Hanuman. In addition, many brids in literature have become designs for Ko Lae such as Burong Si Ngor-a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a bird carrying a fish in its beak
       The art of Ko Lae is regarded as fine art moving across the waves of the sea. It is living art, as Ko Lae is not just for beauty but for making a living. It is said that if Bang Nara River were without Ko Lae, its children would go without clothes.
       Baan Thorn's Ko Lae miniatures are recognised as valuable souvenirs among both Thai and foreign vistors, particularly tourists from Malaysia. Presently, Baan Thorn has a lot of orders for Ko Lae from Malaysia.
       Apart from Ko Lae and Kra Jud, Baan Thorn produces other local handicrafts such as bird cages, Bu Du fish condiment and crispy fish-cakes are among other products made in the village from fish, Bu Du from Baan Thorn is delicious hygienic and made without preservatives. Crispy fish cakes are made of a mixture of different kinds of fish which are mashed together then sliced into very thin medallions. They are then dried in the sun and deep, fried. They make an ecellent snack for many occasions and are popular souvenirs.
       Visitors to Baan Thorn are always impressed with the beauty of Ko Lae boats mored along the beach. Each Ko Lae owner takes good care of his boat. Vistors love to take photographs of beautiful Kol Lae with the seascape as a backdrop.
       Villagers love their Baan Thorn Beach. They help to keep the beach clean and serene. The sea is always clear and blue while the villagers are always kind and warmly welcome visitors. Baan Thorn Village is located at Moo 5, Tambol Khok Khian, Muang District. Narathiwas Province, just 16 kilometres from the narathiwas administration centre by the 4136 highway. Here you will encounter the beauty of nature and the kindness of our Baan Thorn brothers and sisters.