Plants growers adapt to cope with sales in the new normal

14 Sept 20:05 Key points summarised by AI

Plant growers are adapting to declining local sales post-pandemic boom by shifting focus to exports and diversifying their business models.
The initial surge in gardening and houseplant interest during lockdowns has waned as people return to offices, leading to market saturation and falling prices.
Growers like Rattana Wongrattanapong are targeting the global market for higher growth potential, while others such as Green Up and Montree Forest are expanding into gardening supplies, auspicious plants, and agricultural produce to spread risk.
Online sales platforms, which thrived during the pandemic for entrepreneurs like Warisa Savita Krongboonying, are now experiencing a downturn as consumer habits shift back to pre-pandemic routines.

The Buddha Comes Home

Today 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Chong Para is a vibrant annual festival of the Shan (Tai Yai) people in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, celebrating the Buddha's return from Tavatimsa heaven after Buddhist Lent.
The festival's centerpiece involves families constructing intricate miniature palaces, also called Chong Para, from bamboo, paper, and lights, placed outside homes and temples as offerings.
For three days and nights, the quiet mountain town comes alive with folk music, traditional dances like the Shan bird dance, religious ceremonies, and community gatherings, showcasing deep-rooted Shan culture.
Beyond the celebrations, Chong Para reinforces family bonds, preserves traditional crafts, and offers visitors an authentic immersion into the unique cultural heritage of Mae Hong Son.