KAMPHAENG PHET — 11 June 2026, A Thai craftsman in Kamphaeng Phet province has transformed discarded wood into handcrafted model sailing ships, turning what many consider waste into a source of income for his family.
Chokchai Mangkorn, 40, who lives in Khlong Lan district, operates a small workshop at his home where he builds detailed wooden replicas of traditional Chinese junks, vessels widely regarded in Thai and Thai-Chinese culture as symbols of prosperity, business success and good fortune.
Chokchai, whose main occupations are farming and running a bag-making business, said his interest in woodworking inspired him to find new uses for leftover timber.
“I enjoy woodworking and have some carpentry skills, so I wanted to recycle scrap wood and add value to it,” he said. “I was also interested in traditional sailing ships, so I began studying their structure and started building them seriously.”
Each model is made entirely by hand and requires patience, precision and concentration. Chokchai begins by cutting scrap wood into the required sizes before assembling the hull piece by piece. He then installs masts, sails and rigging based on the proportions and design of traditional Chinese sailing vessels.
The handcrafted nature of the work means that no two ships are exactly alike. Each model highlights the natural grain of the wood and is designed as a decorative piece for homes, offices and businesses, or as a gift for new business openings and other auspicious occasions.
Residents say Chokchai’s work demonstrates how creativity and craftsmanship can transform locally available materials into products with significant value.
In addition to model ships, Chokchai has expanded his woodworking business by creating foldable picnic table and chair sets from reclaimed wood.
The multifunctional design allows all chairs to fold neatly into a single table unit, which can then be carried as a compact wooden box with a built-in handle.
The product is aimed at campers and outdoor enthusiasts looking for portable, space-saving furniture. Chokchai said each set is custom-made and available by advance order only.
His workshop has become an example of how recycled materials, skilled craftsmanship and entrepreneurial thinking can create sustainable income opportunities in rural Thailand.
