On 10 July 2012 at 4 p.m., HRH Princess Chulabhorn Walailak visited the head office of Saphan Hin Community in Cha-Am to admire shel-made souvenirs of the housewife group from Saphan Hin, Nong Jaeng, Saha Kham and Baan Paak Khlong Communities. According to Mr. Winai Buapradit, the Phetchaburi Governor who gave the Princess a warm welcome, the Saphan Hin Community, established on 16 October 2005, has 747 people with Ms. Phannapa Hommeun as the Community’s leader.
After the Cholprathan Cement Pub. Co. Ltd. Got concession of cement manufacturing in Khao Yai, a canal was dug and a stone-made bridge was built to serve as a route for cement transportation via the sea. Around the industrial area are dormitories of the Cholprathan Cement’s staff and local people. Since most of the people live their life as fishermen, after catching some fish, there are a lot of seas shells which the local women of Saphan Hin Community use to make some souvenirs.
In 2006, the Cha-Am Municipality officially established the local women who make and sell the handicrafts as the Saphan Hin Housewife Group. Consisting of 16 members, the Saphan Hin Housewife Group cooperates with the women from Nong Jaeng, Saha Kham and Baan Paak Khlong to make and sell shell-made souvenirs.
Most of the products are reasonably priced and serve the need of Thai visitors. Now, the group is creating more items to attract foreigners, too. The visit of HRH Princess Chulabhorn has made all the local people including the Sapahn Hin Housewife overwhelmingly happy and grateful because the Princess also learned how to make some souvenirs from sea shells and took pictures with the local people. Before leaving the Saphan Hin Community, HRH Princess Chalabhorn also donated some money to fund the work of the housewife group.
