When Ms. Passawee Kodaka joined the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in 2008 to pursue her Master’s in Regional and Rural Development Planning (2008–2010), she was not thinking about fashion. She could not have imagined that she would one day build a brand centered on hand-spun cotton, elderly weavers, and a supply chain she could trace from start to finish.

…”Her research explored the social and economic empowerment of women in Thailand’s weaving communities. Through her fieldwork, she realised that empowerment is not only about income but also about confidence and decision-making power. One finding struck her deeply: in many rural Thai households, women often earned more than men, yet still had limited say in how money was spent. She describes this as a difficult truth that strengthened her determination to support women not only in earning but in gaining voice and agency.

Her thesis also revealed how little weavers earned and how non-transparent the textile supply chain could be. That insight stayed with her and would later become the starting point of Folkcharm.

Another important influence was Professor Gopal B. Thapa’s sustainable development course, where she first learned about King Rama IX’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. Its principles, moderation, reasonableness, and resilience, guided by knowledge and integrity, resonated deeply with her. “It’s like a blueprint for sustainability,” she says. “I have applied it in both my work and my life.”

She also appreciates how AIT has continued to evolve since her graduation. The former RRDP program has since been integrated into a sustainability-focused academic structure, reflecting how the Institute adapts to emerging global priorities and ensures its programs remain relevant.”

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