Thailand Furniture Handicrafts, Teak Furniture, Bamboo Furniture, Rattan Furniture, Wicker Furnitur

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Thailand Furniture Handicrafts, Teak Furniture, Bamboo Furniture, Rattan Furniture, Wicker Furniture, Chairs, Beds, Sofas, Tables

Thailand Furniture Handicrafts
Handicraft furniture in Thailand is available in a selection of styles. These fine furniture pieces are usually handmade and mainly sourced from small villages in the northeast of Thailand. Handicraft furniture in Thailand Furniture consists of Teak Furniture, Bamboo Furniture, Rattan Furniture, Wicker Furniture, Chairs, Beds, Sofas, Tables.

It can be argued that Thailand was one of the first countries to suffer from the arrival of the "Green Revolution" Not just the nation but many of it's poorest and most vulnerable citizens.

Thailand is blessed with vast areas of natural forests. These forests contain an abundance of trees and an abundance of tree species. Due to the ban "on eco-unfriendly logging" much of the nations forests are in a state of natural rot. Consequently many of the communities and small tribes that for generations have sustainably utilized the riches of their natural surroundings are forced away from their habitats and forced to adapt farming practices that are alien to them.

I shake my head sometimes in disbelief at the vast numbers of "eco-tourists" who curse their hosts for their cruel mishandling of tone of Thailand's most potent and revered symbols - The elephant. The elephants and their mahouts now redundant from their logging labours have turned to providing entertainment to the very groups of people who have caused their sorry plight.

What has this to do with furniture you may well ask. Well the never ending supply of magnificent hardwoods, teak, mahogany, ebony and the likes have virtually dried up. Not due to deforestation but due to Government policy forced upon them by foreign "tree huggers"

Thais are a stoical breed and have turned to alternatives. Sadly with sometimes disastrous results. Some bright spark had the dim idea of importing eucalypt trees, a species non native to Thailand. Great they grew fast and provided a massive supply of cheap "sustainable timber" The honeymoon was short lived however as the water hungry trees drained the very life from the red soils of northeast Thailand. Now they try rubber trees for cash cropping and palm oil to fuel the ever growing desire for "alternative green fuels" mainly in the west.

Fine hardwood lumber is still available. Recycled timber from old furniture and wooden buildings. The very wooden structures that provide Thailand with a great part of it's unique heritage.

Wherever the raw materials are sourced from the skills of the local artisans show through and prove that they can provide the best of the best, for a price of course.