Stylish, Elegant, Sustainable
We are a manufacturing workshop of bamboo umbrellas and bamboo parasols in northern Thailand. We produce garden, patio and handheld bamboo parasols and umbrellas, according to your specifications or in standard configuration.
Manufacturer, Exporter, Wholesale - Bamboo Umbrellas and Parasols
Our bamboo parasols originate and still remain today in the traditional bamboo craft practiced by skilled artisans in rural northern Thailand. Our bamboo umbrella and parasol models are made from eco-friendly, renewable local materials, that is quickly growing bamboo, with canopy material in oiled cotton, or simple cotton, canvas, Mulberry paper and other specialized canopy materials.
Parasols and umbrellas - what's the difference?
In our workshop we refer to parasols when the focus is on sun protection, and umbrellas when the focus is on rain protection. Many of our bamboo parasols and bamboo umbrellas excel at both, for the same item. Like our flagship product at the poolside above, and directly below, the Chiang Mai Classic Parasol: use it rain or shine.
And for the handheld umbrellas
Of course, Thailand is known for hot climate. In Thailand these bamboo parasols are used in everyday life!
Comparable products
The items above may be compared to Japanese bamboo umbrellas, whereas our umbrellas are less costly, and to Chinese bamboo umbrellas, and Chinese oiled paper umbrellas, whereas our customers appreciate our quality. For example, we do not use oiled paper, we use a cotton layer instead of paper, making our bamboo parasols and bamboo umbrellas very durable.
We produce bamboo parasols and umbrellas on our own behalf, and we also produce for external brands.
Fabric Parasols
Environmentally aware and active
Our parasols and umbrellas are made with pure bamboo, that is bamboo poles and split bamboo. We do not use lamination, that is broken down bamboo which is glued back together. We use no toxic chemicals that others might use in fabric canopy waterproofing (PFAs, teflon, a.o.), and no toxic processes such as viscose processing.
Our workshop uses little electric power. The power that we do use is generated by solar energy. We use an electric trike to ferry parts to and from suppliers and sub-contractors in nearby villages, and a hybrid vehicle for trips to town (pure EV's are still at luxury cost).
We have planted more than 2,800 trees, now approx 15 years mature. At a conservative estimate of 15 kg per tree, our forest absorbs approximately 42,000 kg of CO₂ annually, and more than compensates a year's CO₂ emissions during shipping.
Customer orientation
One of our strengths is our ability to cater to specific customer requests. We are in a position to apply your brand name or company logo's. We make custom sizes and canopy shapes, support many hand painted design patterns or your own design pattern.
Contact
Contact us here or at Chiang Mai Umbrellas (= Sunisa Umbrella Workshop) for a quote. We ship worldwide.
We work with environmentally friendly, sustainable methods and in a socially friendly, fair trade teamwork environment.
FAQ
How long will my bamboo parasol or umbrella last?
A Chiang Mai Classic Parasol, or a Fabric Bamboo Parasol will last you quite a few years. When you need rain protection, use it. If you don't use it in the rain, consider taking it inside. Allow it to dry well, best in sunshine, after it gets wet. Take it inside before strong windy conditions and during cold, icy and snowy conditions.
How do I buy your bamboo parasol or umbrella, and how do I receive it?
To buy our items, go to our main website (chiangmaiumbrellas.com - the link above). Choose what you want, then use our contact page to send us your choice. You can additionally contact us by WhatsApp. We send you a quote, together with our best shipping option for your deadline. To finalize your order, you make a pre-payment. We produce your order and send it to you.
Can you rush production of my order?
Yes, that may be possible. Since it affects ongoing production, there may be a surcharge. It's still best to allot sufficient time.
Can I put my logo on the umbrella canopy?
Yes. We do need to see your logo, name or wording, and its sizing to quote a price (we treat these details with full confidentiality). The logo is painted, srceened or printed on the umbrella canopy in size and position as you want it. We send you photos for your comment, or an actual sample, before it goes into production.
Which type and size of bamboo parasol do you advise for a wedding?
If your wedding is outside, we advise either the Chiang Mai Classic Parasol (and Umbrella), since it protects from both sun and rain, for both handheld and garden parasol. For handheld sizes we advise 70 or 85 cm, for the garden parasol any size of your preference from 175 cm to 300 cm. Alternatively for outside, handheld mulberry paper parasols size 70 or 85 cm, but paper canopy's are for sunshine only.
If your wedding is inside we recommend the handheld mulberry paper (saa paper) bamboo parasols size 70 or 85 cm, basically because it provides a very nice atmosphere, and is quite economical.
Where else can I buy your bamboo parasols?
We are not on any of the large sales platforms like Amazion, Ali's Expresso, or Betsy! However, we gladly furnish you with information on our retailers in the US, Europe and Australia on request. If they don't have what you need, contact us directly.
I hesitate to order because I'm concerned about CO₂ emissions during shipping.
We understand this concern. It is best to buy as local as possible, but bamboo umbrellas are not made in the US, Europe or Australia. This why 15 years ago we planted a (small) forest of our own which now provides about 30 tons annual CO₂ absorption. This more than covers our workshop's entire annual shipping from sea-freight to courier air services around the world.
How environmentally sound is your bamboo parasol or umbrella?
We us no toxic materials or processes, or any plastic for any of our parasols and umbrellas. They are fully biodegradable under all circumstances. Our Chiang Mai Classic Bamboo Parasols use natural-based waterproofing; traditionally only natural colors were used, we now apply acrylic enamel coloring (five to ten years lifetime), not dissimilar to your house paint, which has a fossil process origin. Food-grade coloring is also possible.
Our workshop has a very low environmental footprint, minimal energy consumption, which we get from solar power, our local transport of components is by electric trike, charged by our solar panels.
Throughout the years, my umbrella canopy has faded a bit. What can I do?
Don't throw away a good thing! If it's a Chiang Mai Classic Parasol, Japanese parasol, Chinese oil paper parasol, you can spruce it up! Get a can of acrylic enamel paint, paint thinner, hand gloves and find a rag or two. Get a separate container to mix the paint and the paint thinner. A thinner paint layer retains the ease of opening and closing the umbrella, so better to err on the thinner side than thick, you may need to experiment, try a small test area first. Use the rag to rub the thinned paint into the parasol canopy. You can do this on the inside and/or the outside, do this step-by-step, letting it sun-dry thoroughly in between coats, while checking the canopy's flexibility. Repeat if necessary. [Of course, this recipe is at your own risk.]
In case of a tear in a fabric canopy parasol with an 8-point bamboo frame (the Parisian lady above), or 10-point frame (Münsterhöfli above), you can make a new canopy, either yourself or order it from us. Dimensions are not always the same, so you need to inform us the exact size. [Of course, this is also at your own risk.]
Bamboo umbrella parts and repair
We accept orders for bamboo umbrella parts and supplies for do-it-yourself umbrella assembly and for repairing your bamboo umbrella. We also accept bamboo umbrella repair work.
What else do you make?
We also make bamboo folding hand fans! It comes naturally, the skills are very much the same. Over the years we have built up a lot of know-how on fabrics and printing techniques. We specialize in custom printing promotional bamboo hand fans. Visit us at https://www.chiangmaifans.com.