From the land of Ban Pongkhae, Na Wang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province, where life was once deeply intertwined with cotton, villagers used to grow cotton, spin yarn, weave cloth, and wear their own handwoven fabrics as a normal part of household life. Over time, however, as modern conveniences and ready-made fabrics became more accessible, the old wisdom began to fade away.
The revival and continuation of cotton weaving wisdom was sparked once again by younger generations of villagers who recognized the value, beauty, and unique identity of local cotton. This small beginning started with a group of elders in the community, who, having no regular employment, came together to weave fabric using indigenous cotton varieties such as Katui cotton and traditional white cotton.
At first, the products did not attract much market interest. However, Phuyai Nee, the head of the group, who possessed knowledge of tailoring and fashion design gained from formal training, began to transform cotton into clothing for personal use. This initiative soon became an inspiration to create a brand and develop contemporary products with distinct identity.
The Kattui Pongkhae Cotton Weaving Academy, Nong Bua Lamphu Province, operates under the principle of preserving traditional knowledge while integrating contemporary innovation, with community participation as the core strategy. The goal is to create careers, generate income, and sustainably pass on wisdom to the next generation through the following main approaches:
