Background: "One Tambon One Product"
OTOP is the brand of products under the
One Tambon, One Product project, a nationwide sustainable development initiative launched by the Thai government in 2001-2006. Thai government has been promoting the local industry through the manufacturing of attractive specialty products based on the abundant native culture, tradition and nature. This campaign is called‚ One Tambon One Product (OTOP) in Thailand because the target area is the administrative unit called ‚Tambon, which is the equivalent of village or town in English.
This project is also an important way to preserve traditional skills and ancient Thai heritage, which have been passed down through generations. OTOP offers an extensive range of exquisite handicrafts, quality agricultural products, food, beverages, gems, jewelry, textile, garments and so much more.
There are 36,000 OTOP groups across the country, with each having between 30 to 3,000 people per group. Sakda Siridechakul, president of Chiang Mai's OTOP association noted that, "OTOP has helped incomes to be spread to many people in the villages. It has given people producing handicrafts to feel they can be part of the global economy."
Objective: OTOP
1. Create revenue to the community.
2. Strengthen the community itself can be thought of doing themselves in local development.
3. Promote local wisdom.
4. Promote the development of human resources.
5. To promote creativity among the community, product development, the ways of life and the local culture.
(*Each of Thailand's 76 provinces is subdivided into 'amphoes' or districts, which again consist of 'tambons' or sub-districts.)