About Us

Yompai is based in Gisborne, New Zealand. We import handcrafted import high quality handcrafted products from Thailand. Having lived in Bangkok, Thailand, for many years we had met many really talented people, who made incredible handcrafted product. We also saw and met a lot of people in difficult circumstances, in terms of health, finances, living conditions.

Coming home to NZ we started to import some of these. We started with the Teak wooden kitchen utensils as these were something we had bought and used in Thailand

 

 

 

All of the kitchen utensils are made in a small village in the north of Thailand, Baan Lek Nam Pai Yai.

We met some of the villagers who sold their handcrafts at the Bangkok Farmers Market. Over a couple of years of going to the market we got to know the people, their story, how they had started making utensils - (read about that here)

We loved the story, and we certainly loved the things they made, we bought quite a few different style spoons, chopping boards  and bowls. They were so beautifully crafted but we also loved they were made for use. We learned about teak and why it is such a highly prized wood, not only for building and furniture but also for kitchen utensils.

 

 

 

 

 

 For me, one of my favourite things are the cups. Because Teak is waterproof you can use them for drinking from, even tea or coffee. I use mine most days for coffee.

 

 

 

 

 

Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries paul@yompai.com or you can call if you have a question or query. Ph 0275114769

 

We do wholesale so welcome inquiries from retail stores.

Shipping overseas: We are based in NZ. Because of the cost of international shipping we currently do not sell outside of New Zealand and Australia. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We have recently added handcrafted woven baskets and bags, from another small village, this time in the South of Thailand in Phanang Tung in Phattalung Province. As with the Teak, these are high quality, lovely looking and distinctive pieces and each one helps support the villagers that has created it.

 

 

 

We love that we can help friends and people we know. We love that doing what we are doing helps small communities and villages to have work with dignity.  We buy direct from them. We pay them directly at the price they ask. All of your purchases from us help the villagers directly.