"Our Shop, United": Three Ao Thong communities join forces to establish a fishing gear cooperative, cutting costs by 5-10%
Ban Sra Bua, Nai Thung and Na Thap visited a model cooperative in Pattani before setting up their own shared fishing gear shop in Ban Nai Thung, reducing fishers’ expenses in its first quarter
Translated from Thai · reviewed by the CF team
The communities of Ban Sra Bua, Nai Thung and Na Thap, located close to one another in the Ao Thong area of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, joined forces to set up a shared fishing gear shop. Their aim was to reduce their reliance on retail shops, where bargaining power over prices is limited and costs are higher. Before opening the shop, community representatives visited the community of Pa Nae Ra in Pattani Province, a regional model for a fishing gear cooperative shop. They learned about management approaches and built relationships with suppliers before adapting what they had learned to establish "Our Shop, United" in an unused space in Ban Nai Thung. A rotating committee was appointed to manage operations during the initial period.
The shop focuses on frequently used items such as fishing nets and crab nets. By buying in bulk and distributing products locally, it can significantly reduce costs. The shop quickly attracted interest from both group members and fishers in nearby communities. In its first quarter of operation, it reduced members’ fishing gear expenses by an average of 5-10%, clearly demonstrating the power of collective action in strengthening livelihood security.