Text: M.Zisso; Editing: Martina Hošková; Photo: Václav Pavlas and Archive
It all began with one very special set of robes
“It is a great honour that the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Prague has accepted dressing the Thai robes on the statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague,” said Ambassador of Thailand H.E. Mr. Suwat Kaewsook at the ceremony last year.
The robes were made by the PASAYA company, an expert in textile art, using its digital Jacquard weaving loom. The under-gown sets were made by the Gemma Knit Company, a renowned Thai manufacturer in the lace and sportswear industry.
It was during that occasion that I first met Mr. Schle Wood Thanan, Managing Director and Owner of the PASAYA GROUP.
More from us on the Infant Jesus and his Thai robes
And then came my own experience
A few months later, when visiting Bangkok, we met again when we visited the PASAYA showroom. For the first time, I saw a wide selection of products: bed linen, curtains, bags, and other beautiful textile products. I couldn’t leave empty-handed, so I brought a set of bed linen back to Prague.
It was the best purchase I’d made in Thailand. When I first started using the new bed linen from PASAYA it was a hot day, and it was the best sleep I’d had in a long time. The linen is smooth and gives you a cool feeling – a miracle in the heat!
It stirred up my interest in this miraculous textile even more, so, during my last visit to Thailand, I met Mr. Schle Wood Thanan at his factory to see where their products come from.
I expected to find a large factory with a lot of women working on textile machines, like you see in some movies – not a very exciting or welcoming place. Instead, right from the very entrance to the PASAYA premises, I was incredibly surprised. We entered a big green park with purposefully designed buildings – a clean space that looks more like a modern university.
Mr. Schle Wood Thanan, his PA Ms. Natchanan, and Ms. Srisurath from the Thai Embassy in the Czech Republic all welcomed us in the main meeting room. They are very proud of PASAYA and the products they make, and even prouder of the way they protect the environment. PASAYA is a Thai brand of healthy and green products. Their goal is not only to be successful, but also to benefit society and the planet.
From right: Mr. Schle Wood Thanan, Meshulam Zisso, Ms. Srisurath from the Thai Embassy in the Czech Republic, and Ms. Natchanan
The textile industry releases a significant amount of pollution, but how can it be green and benefit the planet – and still be profitable? I asked.
Where the vision comes to life
“We had a vision,” said Mr. Schle Wood Thanan, “quality of life leads to product quality. We built a green factory system. The premises became not only friendly to the employees and the community around, but also environmentally sustainable.”
“All products are safe,” he continued, “as harmful chemicals are not used. Wastewater is 100% recycled.
We are proud to have earned the Thailand trust mark and green industry label. The PASAYA brand brought Thai craftsmanship to the global market, earning many design and best innovation awards.
Our Cool Mode standard offers breathable fabric for a comfortable and cool feeling all night, even for babies. With Swiss anti-microbial technology, it prevents bacteria and virus accumulation, is effective against dust mites, and reduces allergy triggers. It combines the comfort of cotton with the coolness of silk.
We also make curtains that save energy. They block UV rays and cool the room by 2-4 °C, saving up to 20% of air-conditioner electricity, and have received the Best Innovation Award.
We produce mural textile art as well – beautiful products for home design.
But the most important of all is the Mission for the World project with the commitment to becoming a net zero emission factory by adopting clean energy, cutting emissions, and enhancing both direct and indirect carbon dioxide removal efforts – with the goal to achieve this by 2035.
The factory was built in the forest, with a new forest planted on 25% of the factory land, which will be able to absorb up to 300 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually from 2035 onwards.
It is our commitment to save the planet for future mankind,” concluded Mr. Schle Wood Thanan.
After the presentation, we had a tour of the factory and around it.
I was amazed at how all the nice words and plans were truly implemented: from a friendly and safe place to work, to a GM traveling around on an electric scooter; with smiling employees who have a dining room and a kindergarten, and see their workplace as a second home.
Of course, I bought a new set of bed linen for the upcoming summer.
I hope that soon we will be able to buy these special products in the Czech Republic and all of the EU, with the cooperation of the Thai Embassy in the Czech Republic.
It will make our lives better, cooler, and help save the world.