Travelling first to Laos

With the current political crisis in Thailand, we are even more dedicated to continuing our relationships with rural women's weaving groups there, who will be hard hit by the resultant economic fallout. But, until the situation becomes more stable in Thailand, we are happy to start our trip in Laos, visiting weavers and venturing into new areas of the country where some incredible weaving is done. Stay tuned later in December or early January for our first stories.

Off to Bangkok

We'll arrive in Bangkok Dec. 1, 2008! Our 4-month travel plans in Thailand and Laos include:

• follow-up visits to weaving groups and organizations with whom we already have relationships: Panmai Group, Prae Pan Group, Green Net Cooperative, Mulberries and more
  
• fairs where we can buy directly from artisan weaving groups
• a 3-week internship with the Pattanarak Foundation, learning first-hand from local, village experts about cotton production -- from raising organic cotton, natural dyeing and indigo dyeing to handweaving and discussions about marketing

Drop by again for updates on our travels as we continue to use fair trade principles to grow TAMMACHAT Natural Textiles and our relationships with artisan groups in Thailand and Laos. Join our e-mail list by clicking in the sign up box on the right and we'll e-mail you when we post to this blog.

Ellen/Nok Noi (my Thai/Lao nickname)