Handmade Cotton Phuang Malai

Akha Ma-De is a social enterprise based in Asha Village, Chiang Rai, Thailand. Founded and led by Nichanan A-Ngi, an Akha woman, the initiative was born from a simple yet powerful mission: to create dignified, sustainable income for women in her community while preserving the beauty and wisdom of Akha culture.

At Akha Ma-De, they train and employ Akha women—especially young mothers and elders—to handcraft meaningful gifts using natural cotton and traditional techniques such as macramé, sewing, and garland-making.

Their creations include symbolic items like the Phuang Malai, cotton elephants, and Christmas ornaments, all infused with cultural stories and crafted with care.

More than a craft business, Akha Ma-De is a movement to prove that rural villages can thrive without abandoning their roots. All women work from their homes to maintain the rhythm of village life. They operate with a community-first philosophy, ensuring that their growth aligns with local well-being and that their work uplifts—not disrupts—the environment around them.