Ratchaburi, An 85-year-old grandmother from Chom Prathat Subdistrict, Wat Phleng District, Ratchaburi Province, sews and sells banana leaf krathongs as a sideline, earning 3,000-4,000 baht per month. Today's money-making career doesn't have to be for young people or the elderly. Even grandparents can do it. It's an additional income of 3,000-4,000 baht per month. Grandma Fu Churot, 85 years old, from Chom Prathat Subdistrict, Wat Phleng District, Ratchaburi Province, has been making banana leaf baskets for sale, generating income to support her family for over 40 years. Grandma Fu said that she took up this job as an additional job in addition to general labor since she was young because she thought she could work from home. In the past, there were many dried banana leaves cut by farmers and left in the garden furrows. She collected them to make banana leaf baskets to sell and sent them to vendors who came to buy them at her house. She has been selling them like this since she got married and had her firs t child. She now has 6 children in total, but she has not quit this job. For the process, start by tearing long, dry banana leaves into sheets and placing them on top of each other. Then place a glass cup that is the size of the customer's order on top. Use a razor to cut around the cup until it breaks apart. Then place 2 banana leaves on top of each other, horizontally, before using toothpicks to fasten the corners so that the edges are raised, making 5 corners in total. This will create a beautiful krathong that fits well in desserts and has a light, natural banana leaf fragrance. Grandma can make up to 300 krathongs each day. When finished, they will be arranged and tied with banana ropes, making 100 krathongs per bundle, ready to be sent to the vendors. Currently, 1,000 banana leaf krathongs or 10 bundles (1 bundle equals 100 krathongs) sell for 470 baht, up from 250 baht before. Each sale brings in around 4,000-5,000 baht. After deducting the cost of materials such as dried banana leaves and bamboo sti cks, the monthly income is over 3,000 baht. Especially during festivals such as Chinese New Year, the Chinese Ghost Festival, the krathongs sell very well. This is a career that Grandma Fu is proud of because in addition to her general labor, this career has also helped Grandma raise 6 children. For those who are interested in learning how to make banana leaf krathongs or want to contact Grandma to use the krathongs as containers for snacks, savory, sweet, or desserts, you can inquire. In addition to helping Grandma generate income, these banana leaf krathongs also help reduce the amount of foam and plastic used and help reduce environmental problems. Source: Thai News Agency