4- Suan Somrom Na Phru
(Local crafts discovery & organic garden)
- Khuan Kanun district, Patthalung province -
DaLaa MLTV project - code: 2203
Available period: from February to October
- Expected number of volunteers: 2

SHORT DESCRIPTION
Prapai Thongchern also known as P. Yoi is a 50 years old single woman pioneer in natural living. She has a
long experience in natural color textiles and starting local green markets in the province of Phatthalung
(South Thailand) that have become really successful. She has restored a family land covering an area of 4
rai (1.6 acre), which used to be a peat swamp field with sago palm dense forest, and turned it into a
beautiful garden named “Suan Som Rom Na Phru”. This garden is used both as a learning space and to
provide her with daily fresh food and environment. The place is ideal for recharging the life energy and
finding an inspiration from the simplicity in nature.

AIMS of the PROJECT
• To learn and support organic farming, self-reliance, cooking and local culture and handicrafts.
• To join the life in the community, and possibly exchange culture and language with partners and
visitors.

WORK- ACTIVITIES
- Handicrafts- P. Yoi is an expert in local culture and knows how to support the local wisdom and
skills to be recognized. She is often invited to join local crafts, organize eco-tourism activities and
herself practice many skills like dying clothes or basket weaving.
- Learning about food processing, cooking, Thai dishes, Thai desert.
- Agriculture (seeds conservation, planting, potting, caring, collecting, weeding, watering,
composting...)
- Activities with kids in the local small school.

FOOD and ACCOMODATION
- Volunteers will cook meals together with the host, suitable for vegetarians. (using wooden for
cooing)
- Volunteers will stay in a small Thai style house, same area as the host house, mosquito nets, pillows,
blankets and mattresses are provided.

OTHER PRACTICAL and LOCAL INFORMATION
• Baan Suan Som Rom NaPru is situated in Khuan Khanun District, Phatthalung province South of
Thailand, most of people are Buddhist
• The place is not far from the small town, where you can find all necessary things such as bank,
hospital, market.
• The electricity is from solar cells, it is enough for the light and charging mobile phone, no refrigerator.
• Most of people in our area are either rubber farmer, oil palm farmer or working in the small shops in
the town.
• The weather is the hottest in March-April, from May to September, there is regular rain (usually in
afternoon) and from October to beginning January, this is the most raining season, with possibility
of floods.
• Water supply, electricity and mobile internet is available in the house area
• Laundry: hand wash
• Patthalung city is the closest city, 40 km from our village: there is a market, banks with ATM and
hospital
• Hatyai, the main city of South Thailand where is our office is about 1.5 hours’ drive by public
transport (mini bus)
The fee for a 2-weeks service is 10,000 Baht (approx. 285 Euro) + 500THB for each additional day
The fee for a 1 month service is 15,000 Bahts (approx. 428 Euro)