Thai Cement Bags are Now Being Sold in Europe as $240 Backpacks
![Thai Cement Bags are Now Being Sold in Europe as $240 Backpacks](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cement-e1519859956514.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85&blur=80)
![Thai Cement Bags are Now Being Sold in Europe as $240 Backpacks](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cement-e1519859956514.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
![Carl Samson](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CARLSAMSON_NEXTSHARK.jpg?width=128&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
By Carl Samson
Thai cement bags are now being sold as accessories in Europe with price tags as high as $240, surprising locals who recognized them.
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/A-8.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
On Feb. 25, a Thai Facebook page shared photos of the bags displayed through a window (translation via Coconuts):
“My friend in Germany sent me these pictures. They look so familiar. The cement bags from our home [in Thailand] have been turned into products sold at [European] shopping malls. The customers love these and think the bags are so chic.”
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/800.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C-6.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
While the cement bags are made in Thailand, the seller claimed that they are sold by Cambodians.
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/1-49.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
The products, reportedly combined with Italian leather, are sold by Swiss company Elephbo, which specializes in sustainable fashion.
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2-41.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
According to its website, it “recycles cement bags in Cambodia to produce high quality products and contribute to a better environment and opportunities for local people.”
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/B-8.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
Meanwhile, Thai netizens chimed in:
“This is so funny!”
“It’s a good project.”
“The [cement] companies must be suing for copyright.”
“The design is so beautiful.”
“Expensive.”
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/D-5.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
This is not the first time European companies are taking cues from Asian things. For one, Zara started selling lungi-like skirts in January, which it calls “Check Mini Skirt,” for $89.90.
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