Exhibiting at Thaifex - Anuga Asia 2025

Cooperative House Community Enterprise is a grassroots organization operating in Thailand with a mission to empower local communities through sustainable economic development, cultural preservation, and inclusive trade. As a registered community and social enterprise, it brings together local producers, artisans, and smallholder farmers to generate income, improve livelihoods, and retain indigenous traditions.

Company Background and Core Business

Founded as part of Thailand’s nationwide movement to promote self-reliant economies and reduce rural-urban migration, the Cooperative House Community Enterprise is part of a government-backed initiative encouraging self-organized community businesses. These enterprises are typically supported by the Community Development Department (CDD) under the Ministry of Interior and various royal projects.

The organization’s core activities involve the production, aggregation, and marketing of locally made products under a cooperative governance model. Members share ownership and profits, and the enterprise reinvests surplus into local welfare, capacity building, and resource development.

Product and Service Offerings

The enterprise operates across multiple verticals, depending on regional specialties and available skills. Common product categories include:

• Handicrafts

  • Traditional Thai woven textiles (e.g., Mudmee silk, cotton scarves)
  • Bamboo and rattan basketry
  • Natural dye batik and hand embroidery

• Food Processing

  • Dried fruits (mango, banana, tamarind)
  • Organic herbal teas and infusions
  • Chili paste, curry mixes, fermented fish sauce

• Agricultural Products

  • Organic jasmine rice and sticky rice
  • Herbal powders (turmeric, galangal, lemongrass)
  • Natural soaps and handmade candles using locally grown botanicals

These products are often made using sustainable, traditional methods and appeal to both domestic and international consumers interested in fair trade and eco-friendly goods.

Specialization and Core USP

The Cooperative House Community Enterprise operates under a people-centered development model, with its unique value proposition grounded in:

• Authenticity: Products reflect indigenous knowledge and centuries-old cultural practices.
• Sustainability: Use of natural materials, organic farming, and low-impact processing.
• Inclusive Governance: Operated by local members, ensuring that profits benefit the community directly.
• Cultural Preservation: Products often serve as a medium to protect endangered traditions, dialects, and craftsmanship.

Financial and Market Performance

Due to the informal structure and localized scale, there is no consolidated financial data available. However, sector-level insights from the Thai Ministry of Commerce and the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) program suggest:

• Over 70,000 community enterprises in Thailand operate under similar models.
• OTOP products generated over THB 15 billion (approx. USD 420 million) in annual sales across the country in 2023.
• Community enterprises typically report yearly revenues ranging from THB 300,000 to THB 3 million depending on size, product mix, and market reach.

These community-driven businesses increasingly export through platforms like DITP e-commerce, regional trade shows, and partnerships with social enterprise networks.

Target Market

The enterprise targets a blend of local and global markets:

• Domestic

  • Thai consumers interested in local, organic, and culturally rooted products
  • Tourist markets at cultural festivals and provincial fairs

• International

  • Eco-conscious buyers in Japan, South Korea, and Europe
  • Fair trade organizations and global artisan marketplaces
  • Cultural retailers and niche food distributors

Some products are also distributed through OTOP showcases, Thai Trade Centers, and ASEAN economic cooperation networks.

Capabilities

Capabilities are community-centric and artisan-based, featuring:

• Small-scale manufacturing facilities in village cooperatives
• Rotating production groups by season and skill set
• Support from NGOs and provincial authorities for product development and training
• E-commerce facilitation through Thai trade portals and social commerce (e.g., Facebook Live, LINE)

Although technologically basic, their methods emphasize ethical sourcing, handcrafting, and minimal environmental impact.

Certifications and Compliance

Due to the artisanal and decentralized nature of production, certification varies by product and group. However:

• Select food items are certified under Thai FDA and Organic Thailand labels.
• Textile products may carry GI (Geographical Indication) tags for regions like Chiang Mai or Sakon Nakhon.
• Products are vetted by local government units to be eligible for OTOP ranking and trade promotion.

Some producers also work with international partners to achieve WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) recognition.

Customer Testimonials and Reviews

Though not widely published, anecdotal evidence from trade fairs and buyer feedback highlight:

• “The handmade textiles have incredible detail and history.” – Buyer from Japan
• “A brilliant example of local entrepreneurship.” – Bangkok-based social enterprise consultant
• “You can feel the pride and story in each product.” – OTOP showcase visitor

Reviews often emphasize cultural value, natural materials, and ethical production.

Major Achievements

• OTOP Recognition: Products ranked in top-tier OTOP categories by provincial evaluators.
• Sustainable Development Participation: Partnered in UNDP-funded programs for gender-inclusive business models.
• Exports: Participation in cross-border e-commerce pilots with Thai Trade Centers in Tokyo and Berlin.
• Awards: Local handicraft competitions and provincial SME excellence awards.

The Cooperative House Community Enterprise exemplifies a development model where tradition, cooperation, and sustainability intersect to produce globally relevant yet locally rooted goods. Through grassroots empowerment, it fosters inclusive economic growth while preserving Thailand’s cultural wealth.