Tuean

Tuean is a 58-year-old married woman who lives in a small community in the central district of Surin province, Thailand, with her husband and two grown-up children. Her family primarily earns a living through rice farming, both for household consumption and for sale, as well as by offering labour services within the community. In addition to these activities, Tuean runs a home-based silk-weaving business to help ensure a more stable and reliable income for her family.

From a young age, Tuean learned the art of silk weaving from her grandparents, a skill she now carries on as a way to preserve her family's heritage. Weaving has not only become a way of preserving cultural heritage but also a reliable means of earning income. She creates Thai traditional silk cloth using a handloom, authentic silk threads, and intricate patterns. Her finished products are sold within her community and to nearby markets, where she has an established customer base and consistent demand.

However, as prices for raw materials like silk thread and dyes have risen in recent years, it has become more challenging for her to sustain and expand her production. To continue meeting customer demand and secure a more stable income for her family, Tuean has applied for a loan to invest in her weaving business. She plans to purchase a large quantity of high-quality silk thread, natural colour dyes, a new set of rigid heddle reeds to improve the efficiency of her weaving, and other essential materials With this loan, Tuean aims to increase her output and fulfil more orders, ensuring a steady flow of income throughout the year.