Fair Trade Thailand Coooperatives

Thailand is an agricultural country. In the country, men are farmers and women do not have jobs. Their children are either farmers or work in factories in Bangkok. This has been changed when handicrafts become more popular in domestic and foreign markets. Many housewives make handicrafts from materials available in their local areas; for example mulberry paper from Northern Thailand, candles and flowers from Central Thailand, and rubber leaf flowers from Southern Thailand. 

Fair Trade cooperatives in Thailand empower small-scale farmers and artisans by ensuring fair wages, sustainable practices, and community development. Key examples include the Sisaket Fairtrade Farmer Group (spices), Green Net Cooperative (organic agriculture), and the Mae Tha Sustainable Agriculture Cooperative, often focusing on ethical production of rice, coffee, and handicrafts.
 
Many people rely on making Candles as their main source of income. Most of the crafters (95%) are women. They can work from homes or gather at group leaders' homes where they chat while they are making Candles. Skillful crafters who are also group leaders usually train their members to make difficult flowers. Handicrafts are labor intensive jobs. The woman do not use machine, so handicrafts create many jobs for the local people. Candle making is taught in some vocational schools, too.