Percy Vatsaloo, a Singaporean, graduated with a degree in architecture from the National University of Singapore in 1982. During the recession in 1985, he left his architectural job in search of his soul and his wanderings brought him to Isan, or the Korat Plateau, in North-Eastern Thailand in 1987.
There he discovered his vocation - to be with the simple farming people of the land. In living with them, he learned to take life one day at a time and to find the silver lining in even the darkest cloud.
From these simple lessons and his time in the villages, a partnership soon emerged between Percy and two Isan friends, Chamlong and Prayong.
During the past 20 years they have had some great adventures while acquiring and learning to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of old textiles, basketry, wood carvings, silver and lacquerware from Thailand and its neighbouring countries of Laos, Cambodia and Burma.
In their travels too, the team of three experienced the every-day hardships and difficulties faced by the people of these countries and began helping them with small projects like building toilet facilities for village schools in Laos.
When they were unable to supply what was necessary they found others who could step in and provide what was needed.
Wanting to do even more led Percy into opening Isan Gallery in his home in Singapore to showcase and sell their finds. The income from the gallery was then used to improve the lives of his adopted people.
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