4 Jun 2010 – Sawatdee Kaa/สวัสดี

Mission accomplished and nice to join the HCC group here in CNX before they head to Myanmar and me to BKK. Good to catch up with Kim who arrived from HI to be with the group in Myanmar. Kim was one of the HCC students who was with the 2004 group when I first met her. Mr K, a buffet hot-pot chain is one of the best value meal I have had. For S$10 per person, we had more than our fair of proteins and dessert with a song & dance entertained by the servers & staff!

Piankusol Silk & Cotton Hand Woven: In the silk weaving circles of Chiangmai the Piankusol name has been renowned for a long time. Combining quality and exquisite patterns, they make one of the best Thai silk. Their family has been running the silk weaving business for more than 200 years and they are starting a weaving museum by their workshop.

UM Thai International Co Ltd Thailand: Established in 1995 – Saa/Thai=mulberry paper factory which is located in Bo Sang village, the famous umbrella making village and has the one of the most beautiful designed mulberry paper made into boxes, bags, notebooks, picture-frames, etc.

Siam Celadon is a  stoneware which embodies a traditional wood – ash glaze formula discovered in China more than 20 centuries ago. Potters are believed to have been brought to Siam from China by King Ramkamheng around the year 1300 to settle near Sukothai and Sawankaloke produced especially beautiful pieces for more than 100yrs but were destroyed by invaders from Chiangmai. Siam Celadon Pottery Co Ltd, established in 1978 provides a variety of handcrafted wares all with the unique crackled glaze, so much prized by the ancients.