Thailand OTOP Product

In Thailand, the OTOP initiative was well received by the rural producers, who benefitted from being able to further hone their skills in specialist production techniques often taught to them initially by older generations of their family who in turn were taught by their own parents and grandparents.

With the added security of effective government backing for their products, artisans were able to push their creativity and diversify stylistically within the areas of their core skills. So, for example, communities specialising in the production of celadon ceramics could offer their traditional green crackle-glazed vases but also introduce novel and exciting new shapes, colours and modern designs to attract a wider market. Producers of functional goods such as rice containers - which had an important practical use in the past - could embellish them with illustrations and other decorations, and effectively ‘ornamentalise’ them, again opening them up to a broader spectrum of buyers.

Further to these important business benefits, the OTOP scheme found favour with most Thai people for promoting Thai culture through the maintenance and development of indigenous skills and raw materials.