Shopping in Phuket
OTOP
You may see the
acronym OTOP. It stands for One Tambon One Product. This is a
government-sponsored initiative to create small local industries in
Thailand. A tambon is the Thai equivalent of a district or parish. The idea
of OTOP is to offer every tambon in Thailand the chance to create its own
small industry producing a local product and providing employment for local
people. The government provides packaging, distribution and marketing
assistance. OTOP products are typically local handicrafts, clothing, dried
fruits, wines, etc. The quality is usually good and the prices are
reasonable although not the cheapest. If you buy OTOP products, you have the
satisfaction of knowing you are supporting local industries in Thailand.
There is an OTOP
market in Patong at the north end of Rat-U-Thit Road behind Holiday Inn
although we must say that most of the merchandise sold there is not OTOP.
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