So what's........... "OTOP"

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So what's........... "OTOP"



HUA HIN: -- “There are several signs in Hua Hin quoting OTOP, and in recent weeks I’ve seen it mentioned in Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi and Ayutthaya. Somebody put me out of my misery please. What is OTOP?”

This is a question posed by a contributor to a Hua Hin online forum and here’s the answer!

➢ OTOP is – ‘One Tambon, One Product’. A Tambon is a ‘sub district’ or local community.
➢ OTOP is an entrepreneurial stimulus program designed by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
➢ OTOP drew its inspiration from Japan's successful One Village One Product (OVOP) program.
➢ OTOP encourages village communities to improve local product quality and marketing.
➢ OTOP ensures that there are retail outlets across the country where OTOP products can be purchased.
➢ OTOP aims to support the locally made and marketing of products of each Thai tambon while encouraging village communities to improve their products’ quality.
➢ OTOP selects one superior product from each tambon to receive formal branding as a "starred OTOP product", and provides a local and international stage for the promotion of these products.
➢ OTOP products cover a large array of local items, including handicrafts, cotton and silk garments, pottery, fashion accessories, household items, and consumables.

This is a strategy to develop, produce and market unique quality Thai products to benefit both small communities and the Thai economy. The OTOP Project has strong government support on many levels; identifying potential OTOP products, providing advice on production, quality control, packaging and designs that make them even more attractive to domestic and export markets.

The entire OTOP product cycle comes under the supervision of a National OTOP Committee, with regional and provincial level committees to assist in identifying, developing and grading OTOP products.

In December 2012 The Thai government announced the revival of OTOP with a major promotional campaign. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the government will see to it that the qualities and values of OTOP items, indigenously manufactured cottage industries throughout Thailand, will be improved and increased so that they will be exported to the world markets, beginning in 2015, the year in which the ASEAN bloc will become an ASEAN Economic Community.

The Department of Community Development, which is primarily in charge of promoting and funding the OTOP industry nationwide, will be a leading force behind the efforts to develop the qualities and values of OTOP items so that they will be ranked as five-star products which will be qualified for export, according to the Prime Minister.

In June 2013, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to OTOP producers, who she said play a vital role in promoting economic growth.

"The OTOP industry involves some 30,000 indigenous manufacturers nationwide and we believe many more will follow. The OTOP industry has made an estimated 70 billion baht (2.3 billion U.S. dollars) in sales profits annually and that sum will probably go up to 100 billion baht (3.3 billion U.S. dollars) by 2015," said the Prime Minister.

In October 2013, the Commercial Ministry of Thailand signed a memorandum of understanding with the King Power Company on selling products under a One Tambon One Product (OTOP) program at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, with the expectation of earning 30 billion THB a year. Under the agreement, King Power will act as a distributor for food, clothes, decoration items, and spa products at the airport. The OTOP stores expect to be running in November.

The Ministry also plans to open more stores in other international airports such as Don Muang and Chiang Mai, with an expected annual revenue 70 billion THB.

You can expect to find OTOP products at either permanent venues or at trade shows and OTOP fairs throughout Thailand, including around the Hua Hin and Cha- Am Region. In Cha – Am there are frequent OTOP fairs at the beach view point, the last being in the middle of October.

THE OTOP CENTRE IN HUA HIN
Many visitors to Hua Hin will have noticed the OTOP sign and logo on a three story building in the town Centre. This is the primary OTOP Centre in Hua Hin. It is relatively new and has now developed into a ‘must visit’ place for the best Thai products available in the Region. It’s a one stop shop for everything Thai!

The Centre is not only a retail outlet but able to supply these products to resorts, spas or for export.

On the ground floor you will find consumable products such as food & drink and creams & lotions that are unique to Thailand. Check your own country’s Customs Regulations if you are thinking about souvenirs to take or send home, especially food, plant material or wooden items. If that’s not allowed, there’s nothing wrong with sampling before you leave Thailand.

One floor up and you’ll find clothing, artworks and a variety of other examples of Thai handicrafts. Once again an easy way to see what’s on offer either as souvenirs or personal items of quality – made in Thailand absolutely!

On the third level you can experience a real Thai massage at very reasonable prices. You may choose oils or lotions for your massage experience from the range available for sale on the lower level. This is an opportunity to test how your body reacts to these products and to delight in the aroma and health benefits available. If you are uncertain about what’s on offer at other local massage salons, this is the place where you can feel relaxed and confident. It’s set up to be visually appealing and with calming background music to complete the soothing effect of the massage. We’ve sampled the massage and can vouch for its value and pleasure. Recommended as finale to your day’s shopping!

Where is OTOP Hua Hin?
At the intersection of Damnern Kasem Road (this road finishes at the Railway Station) and Petchakasem Road there is a set of traffic lights. If you are travelling along Petchakasem Road South (towards Khao Takiab) it’s on the left, just before the traffic lights.

Open: Everyday: 9.00 AM to 10.30 PM.

Contact: Phone 08-7171-3030, email : [email protected], website www.otoppprachuap.com

For shoppers (retail or in bulk), thinking OTOP is a practical way of knowing what you are seeing and buying is authentic Thailand. You will also be contributing to the economic circumstances of Thai people and small communities that have demonstrated their skills and handiwork to ‘produce the goods’.

So that’s what OTOP is all about!, it’s not short for ‘Over the TOP!

Footnote: The OTOP Centre in Hua Hin is yet to be internet ‘search friendly’ and a variety of websites providing information about Hua Hin are yet to recognise this important attraction. We hope this changes soon!

-- Hua Hin Today 2013-10-31