Handy hyacinth

Horizons News - Thursday December 20, 2007

Handy hyacinth

A village in Phayao makes good use of a weed that in most cases is a public nuisance

YVONNE BOHWONGPRASERT

Water hyacinths that clog the canals and rivers may be a nuisance to some, but for residents of Ban San Pa Muang in Phayao Province they are a welcome means of supplementing their meagre income, which they do by weaving baskets, handbags, hats, lanterns and other souvenir items using the stalk of this plant whose biological name is Eichhornia crassipes.

For 10 years now these villagers have been plying their trade attracting European, American and Japanese buyers through innovative designing and styling of products under the expert guidance and supervision of Pornsiri Preechapongmit, chief of the sub-district in which this farming community is located. It is a collective of some 620 women that operates under the name Ban San Pa Muang Hyacinth Products Centre. Pornsiri also helps promote their products at international marts and exhibitions.

"Items made from water hyacinth are strong and durable and we enhance their appeal with some original styling to fit the taste of our clients," enthused Pornsiri with a vibrant smile. "Quality control is high on our list of priorities. Our women work diligently to guarantee perfect finishing. Men folks pitch in by harvesting the weed from Kwan Phayao which is the province's largest freshwater lake and close to our village."

The village has a population of 3,500 and almost every family has a member or more working at the centre that is also the factory site. On request the centre can organise village tours for tourists so they can also get a taste of genuine Phayao hospitality.

Growing in clusters up to a height of two feet, water hyacinths abound the lakes, rivers and canals and can become a nuisance as they tend to block the waterways making passage difficult. Hence it is no surprise the local administration is only too happy that the villagers are making good use of them.

Pornsiri, who is in her 50s, disclosed that rising demand has led to a decline in water hyacinth harvest lately. But she is not overly worried because the weed grows very quickly. More of a concern is the weed that is a fertile ground for insects and disease. No wonder local officials encourage the villagers because they are also part of the solution.

While water hyacinth is the major raw material, turpentine, cotton thread and sodium benzoate are side constituents. The procedure starts by selecting hyacinth stalks of proper quality. After that they are dried in the sun for five to seven days, fumigated and rinsed to eliminate its strong odour. Following that the stalks are again sun-dried, then sliced and compressed into pliable strips for weaving into various designs and products.

Pornsiri said people in different countries are working to find new uses of water hyacinth and there are all kinds of things the weed can be turned into after harvest.

"I would eventually like to build a vocational centre whereby the craft of weaving hyacinth-based bags and other items can be passed on to the younger generation. It is a dream I would like to see materialise to benefit our community in the long run," she said.

Chief designer Sirima Intarasorn is one of the several women who have benefited from working at the centre. She fashioned some of the chic bags exported overseas in the past seven years. "I have always loved to design bags, so I am living out my dream," quipped the 35-year-old.

In terms of tourism, Pornsiri said, Phayao is a quiet backwater town that tourists seldom visit, although it has an interesting history and is recognised for its amiable and warm people.

The province makes for a leisurely drive north from Bangkok on weekends, with stops at national parks and waterfalls along the way. Spending a night or two in the slumbering town, can be most relaxing. The most attractive aspect is sitting by the vast Phayao lake with family or friends and enjoying the beautiful view at sunset.

For more information, call 054-458-633,016-027-771

Bangkok Post