Abu Jor
Nicha’s right hand on the team. She works full time and makes ornaments with her daughter beside her.
“Abu” means “daughter” in the Akha language.
ASHA VILLAGE - MAE YAO DISTRICT - CHIANG RAI
Creating jobs
for Akha women
in Mae Yao.
Akha Ma-De is a social enterprise program in Chiang Rai, Thailand. We create paid work for women of the Akha tribe, from their own village and without leaving their children behind.
Founded in 2021 in Asha Village by Nicha, an Akha woman from the village.
Powered by Macrame by Nicha
Abu Jor, making an ornament with her daughter beside her.
01 OUR IMPACT
Our impactsince 2021
22,000+
Handcrafted pieces
since 2021
7
Women working with
the program today
10
Women is our goal
for 2027
What this income
has changed
Income from the program has helped women improve their homes, pay for better meals, and cover their children’s care. Some can now send money to support other family members.
Abu Jor and Abu Jan work with us full time. Other women work according to their availability, alongside farming and family responsibilities.
The women also receive an annual bonus following the Christmas production season.
THE DESIGN & THE MAKING
We leverage Akha hand skills to create Original designs
for hotels and companies.
Nicha develops the designs and teaches the techniques needed to make them.
The women apply their experience in detailed handwork to produce the collections and commissions.
SELECTED CLIENTS
137 Pillars · The Athenee · Aman Nai Lert · Park Hyatt Bangkok · Anantara Golden Triangle · Celine · Brunello Cucinelli · Chopard · MCM · U.S. Embassy in Bangkok · French Embassy in Thailand · Khiri Travel · Asia Concierge · EXO Travel
02 THE WOMEN BEHIND THE WORK
For a young mother, earning a living should not mean missing her child growing up.
When orders for Nicha’s Christmas collection grew in 2021, she returned to her village and trained women around her to help with production.
Working from home gives mothers an alternative to moving to a city or another country for employment. It allows them to watch their children grow up while staying connected to their Akha culture and community.
Meet the team
The women of Akha Ma-De
Abu Jan
A mother of a young son who works with the program full time. She learns new techniques quickly and helps produce the collections.
Abu Athu
Joined Akha Ma-De in 2025. She combines production work with raising her son and farming.
Ama Mishu
Nicha’s mother, who taught her sewing and embroidery. She combines craft production with managing her pineapple and rice fields.
“Ama” means “mother”
Api Minium
Nicha’s grandmother and the team’s oldest member. She contributes her hand skills and works at her own pace.
“Api” means “grandmother”
Abu Anna
Works with the program according to her availability. Her humor and encouragement support the team during demanding production periods.
THE FOUNDER
Abu NichaNichanan A-Ngi
Born in Asha village, Nicha founded the program. She creates the designs and manages the team.
WHAT AKHA MA-DE MEANS
IN ENGLISH
“Made by Akha people.”
IN AKHA
“I am Akha.”
The name identifies the people behind the products, but above all,
it expresses pride in their identity.
MEET ABU MINIUM
Preserving the Akha spirit
while guiding her people
into tomorrow.
03 WHAT WE MAKE
Our collections
01
Contemporary Phuang Malai
Thai garlands reinterpreted in cotton for gifts, ceremonies, and celebrations of achievement.
We have now created more than 30 different designs, with customization options available.
Discover our Premium Malai Collection
02
Cotton keychains inspired by Thai culture
Elephants, Pla Ta Pian fish, Phuang Malai, and Muay Thai Mongkhon.
Discover our Giveaway Collection
03
Thai Christmas ornaments
We have created more than 100 ornament designs, including the unmissable Thai characters: Jao-Chang the shy elephant, Muek Muek the Christmas squid, Tao Noy Santa’s turtle, and Kee Sao the guardian Pla Ta Pian fish.
Discover our Christmas Collection
04
Thai fragrance objects
Malai Glin Rak, Malai Serenity, and Baan Bua combine cotton designs with fragrance. Their forms draw on Thai garlands, ceremonial trays, and the tradition of hanging woven fish above a child’s cradle.
05
Thai interior decorations
Using our knotting techniques, we have created a collection inspired by the traditional Thai chandelier known as “Khruang Kwaen” to bring this historical symbol back into Thai homes.
Contact us to discuss your project04 FOR HOTELS, COMPANIES, AND PARTNERS
We customize our products
for your brand.
Corporate gifts for guests, clients, and teams
Choose from our collections and personalize the colors, engraving, and packaging. Options include wooden gift boxes, branded labels, and cards explaining who made the gift.
Hospitality projects
Commission coasters, napkin rings, room decorations, or guest gifts for your property. We develop the design around your intended use and brand requirements.
Workshops
Organize a craft workshop for your guests or team. Activities include Phuang Malai, bracelets, dreamcatchers, and Christmas decorations.
Consignment
Sell our collections in your hotel or shop. A preferential commission rate allows more of each sale to support the program.
Tell us the product or project, quantity,
and delivery date
you have in mind.
05 OUR VISION
Create more jobs through Akha cultural lodges.
Our longer-term ambition is to develop small eco-cultural lodges in Mae Yao.
The lodges would create work in lodging, cooking, and craft workshops. Akha hosts would introduce guests to their food, music, dance, and traditional games.
We welcome discussions with investors and hospitality partners interested in helping develop this project.
CONTACT