Embarking on projects to uplift the various communities in the locations Banyan Tree resorts are situated, Banyan Tree Gallery has a wide network of village producers and project partners around the region. In the course of Banyan Tree Gallery’s operations, the community outreach has extended from across Thailand to Laos, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

All around Asia, ethnic crafts and traditions are being eroded by the increasing mechanization and industralization. Through the support of time-honored craft skills - be they in various forms like basketry, fabric weaving, embroidery, paper craft, silver craft, woodwork, stone carving and pottery, Banyan Tree Gallery has helped keep alive the customs of these communities, allowing entire families of women and children particularly, to live, work and play together.

Since inception, Banyan Tree Gallery has worked with over 40 different village cooperatives, non-profit craft marketing & community groups from all over Asia. Examples include female Iban villages in Sarawak, Thailand's "One Tambon One Products" movement, Cambodian Handicraft Association for Landmine & Polio, and Society for the Physically Disabled in the Singapore.

Highlights of some community outreach projects include:

“ Maun” Triangular Cushions
This was the project that shaped the ethos and formation of Banyan Tree Gallery. The Yasothorn community in North Thailand was contracted to produce 500 sets of “maun” or triangular-shaped cushions for the interiors of the resorts in Laguna Phuket in 1989. Proceeds from the sale were distributed to the village women artisans, with the leftover funds channelled to support the Santitham Vidhayakhom School.

Hilltribe Bamboo Baskets
Durable, easily replenishable and environmentally sustainable, bamboo plants have provided the Mooser Hilltribe Women’s Cooperative in North Thailand with one of the most promising solutions to continuing basketry crafts without damaging the environment. Regular orders of these beautifully woven bamboo baskets from clients like Banyan Tree Gallery have allowed this cooperative of 50 hilltribe dwellers to keep families together in one roof, while improving rural income.

Pandanus Home Accessories
In collaboration with Caston, a support group for Indonesian village women, Banyan Tree Gallery has helped design craft pieces that harness the local produce. Through these unique-folding jewelry boxes, tissue boxes and placemats woven from the fragrant local pandan (screwpine) leaves, women artisans are provided with regular income and a sense of independence.

“Mudmee” Silk Shawls
The time-consuming tie-dying and weaving process of “mudmee” (traditional Thai ikat shawls) is a vanishing skill perfected by few, such as the resilient Nongtakai village weavers living near the Cambodian border. Through the ongoing support of Banyan Tree Gallery, Nongtakai weavers have been able to offer their beautiful silk throws to a wider international market that helps to sustain their livelihoods.

Mini Costume Potpourri
Fascinated by the beautiful cotton textiles of India, Banyan Tree Gallery supports the women of the Salangaon Village Women’s Society who transform ethnic Indian costumes into miniature form, infused with Banyan Tree’s signature aromatic blends, to create a delightful potpourri sachet.

Recycled Photo Frames
Photo frames were created from pages of discarded telephone directories by disabled artisans in Chiangmai, North Thailand. Hence, Banyan Tree Gallery was able to provide the artisans with employment, while developing eco- friendly and functional products concurrently.

Krajood Baskets
Since attending a training workshop at Banyan Tree Phuket in 2000, villagers from the Narathiwat province in South Thailand have been working with designers to expand their range of basketry products. Using krajood (bulrush reeds), these skilled artisans are able to weave functional and durable baskets.

Khmer Silk Pouches
These specially commissioned Khmer silk pouches are made by disabled individuals from the Cambodian Handicraft Association for Helping the Landmine & polio Disabled Landmine & Polio (CHA). CHA teaches these individuals skills such as weaving & sewing, hence enabling them to earn a livelihood and reintegrate into the society.

Elephant Dung Paper Product
Since 2004, Banyan Tree Gallery has been in collaboration with the Millennium Elephant Foundation to produce a range of elephant dung paper products like photo frames and notebooks. Based in Pinnawala, Sri Lanka, the Foundation looks into the welfare of elderly and disabled elephants. Through its programmes, Sri Lankan schoolchildren are educated on elephants, and are taught responsible farming practices for the future. In addition, the elephant mahouts - who are often at the bottom rungs of society, are also provided with an additional source of income through the production of these elephant dung paper merchandise.