Fah Thai Magazine - Inflight Magazine of Bangkok Airways Issue Jan-Feb 2024

travels 125 kilometres from Doi Tao
to sell his unusual clothing at Jing
Jai Market in downtown Chiang Mai
every Saturday and Sunday.
“The Satu brand sells not just
clothing but the story around
it. Fashions come and go, but
our products are designed to
remind people to live their lives
mindfully. For example, one shirt
is embroidered with the word ‘Sati’
[consciousness] upside-down so
the wearer can read this word and
be aware that death can happen
anytime,” says Saksaran.
The unusual ideas for his
clothing do not rely on perfect,
balanced patterns, while the
charm of ethnic crafts such as
Hmong batik and Karen backstrap
Above
Saksaran Duangin
shows off his
‘Millionaire’s
Wear’ at the
Satu showroom
Below
Asymmetrical
patterns are
Satu’s signature
Top Right
Karaket Sripanyasin
of Siri Mueang
Phrao who brought
life and joy to the
community with a
library, gallery,
café and shop
weaving have earned fame for the
Satu brand. Over the past eight
years, Saksaran has created jobs
and incomes for elderly Doi Tao
villagers who help in the dyeing,
tailoring, and embroidering of
his products.
“The seniors in my village earn a
daily income of 300-400 baht each,”
he explains.
“The happiest among them
is my mother, who is also my
business partner. At first, she was
very worried when I quit my job
and returned home, because she
had no idea what I would do next.
Now she is proud to be helping
create sustainable livelihoods in the
community through the Satu brand.”
www.facebook.com/Satu.doitao
A SANCTUARY OF
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
A two-hour drive through the
mountains from downtown Chiang
Mai, the small Phrao district lies
off the tourist map despite its
tranquil and beautiful surroundings.
However, visitors who do make the
long trip are rewarded with Siri
Mueang Phrao, a cosy sanctuary
containing a delightful library, art
gallery, organic farm, café, and
souvenir shop.
Four years ago, the multitalented
Karaket Sriparinyasin – a writer,
former editor of Praphansarn
Publishing House and astrologer
at www.kapook.com – persuaded
her siblings to return to their
hometown and create a new local
landmark. As well as tightening the
family bond, Siri Mueang Phrao also
provides jobs and other benefits for
people in the community.
“Sure, we admit what we do is
very ideological. Starting a business
during a pandemic? Like pouring
money down the drain,” she says.
“But the risk is worth it when we
can spark inspiration in visitors. If a
book from our library can inspire a
child’s journey through life, then our
efforts have been worthwhile.”
Siri Mueang Phrao has been a
dream for the Sriparinyasin family,
and now each member has helped
make it come true.
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