NXPO Vice President Dr. Siriporn Pittayasophon and team recently travelled to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya for a study visit to collect information and learn about the community development. The team met with Mr. Watcharapong Radomsittipat, President of Subdistrict Administrative Organization who also serves as Chairman of OTOP Trader Thailand and paid a visit to a community maker lab. 

The community maker lab is a collaboration between OTOP Trader Thailand, academia, and the provincial FDA Thailand to provide a space and mentorship to local entrepreneurs to develop community products to meet the community product standards. The maker lab is fully equipped with machinery and tools for product development and manufacturing and staffed with experts to provide advice on product certification, marketing strategy and a business model. The maker lab allows entrepreneurs to bring their idea to market without having to invest in high-cost machinery, thus accelerating the commercialization process and enabling the local economy development. 

Dr. Siriporn revealed that NXPO has been piloting community development projects in poorest areas in Sakon Nakhon, Chiang Rai and Khon Kaen to facilitate poverty eradication by supporting the product development and marketing. Examples of products include organic fertilizer, traditional textile, and medicinal plants. The scope of projects ranges from obtaining information on local conditions, designing a mechanism, platform and innovation ecosystem that brings together all sectors and stakeholders to unleash the potential of local entrepreneurs to fuel the grassroots economy. This study visit provided the team with useful information and a practical model such as the maker lab which can be implemented nationwide to strengthen local economy and alleviate poverty.