Money-making occupation: Coconut shell processing to supplement rubber income

Trang, July 5 - Handmade coconut shell products at affordable prices made by a couple in Trang Province are not only sold everywhere, but also exported abroad. A couple from Koh Muk, owners of the Kala hand made coconut from shell shop on Koh Muk, Koh Libong Subdistrict, Kantang District, Trang Province, have main occupations as rubber tappers, but in their free time after tapping rubber, they turn to a side job, transforming coconut shells into various products, including coconut shell cups, drinking glasses, lamps, soap holders, ice cream cups, water ladles, coconut shell piggy banks, key chains, and earrings. Prices start at 100-500 baht and up, and there is also a drum set made from coconut shells for 400 baht. All products are made by Uncle Kan himself and are sold in front of his house as souvenirs. Foreign tourists who visit Koh Muk are interested and order a lot. There are also orders to be sent to other countries. Uncle Kan said that each style takes 3-4 hours to make. The starting price is 150 b aht. He has been making them for 17 years. As for the raw materials, he uses coconut shells found on the island. He starts by scraping, grinding, drilling, and carving patterns, which earns him a monthly income of tens of thousands of baht or more. Most of his customers are foreigners. Source: Thai News Agency