Down On the Farm

Bangkok is known the world over as a tourist-friendly destination with fabulous shopping opportunities and a bustling nightlife that caters to visitors of all persuasions. But its attractions don’t stop there: the City of Angels offers far more than appears in the tourism brochures.

From plots in the palace to a small network of waterways in the southern suburb of Thung Khru, the Thai capital is just the place to enjoy a peaceful break on a farm or in the orchards and rice paddies. 

Whether you want to get your hands dirty feeding baby goats or just want to get far from the madding crowd, all these location are guaranteed to please.

 

BETEL PALM PLANTATION, RAT BURANA DISTRICT

Nestled along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Rat Burana boasts a slow pace of life and lots of green orchards. The district was once famed for its high-quality betel palm nuts with the plantations scattered along the Chao Phraya. Today chewing betel nut is definitely not cool but a visit to a betel palm plantation is a great and cheap way to spend the weekend, and no place to experience the rural life is better than Uncle San’s plantation. 

The elderly man, who owns beautiful 15-acre plantation, likes nothing more than to show visitors around and talk about the areca nut culture, both its highs and its lows, before chewing betel was banned by Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram in the 1940s. The highlight is the climbing show, when the gardener swings agilely from one palm to another putting monkeys to shame! As well as the wall of swaying betel palm trees, guests can enjoy hand-picked tropical fruits including rose apple, mango and guava.

Call (02) 427 1370

 

KASEM’S GOAT FARM, THUNG KHRU

Populated with goats – young and old – Kasem’s Goat Farm is not a run-of-the-mill livestock farm but a cooperative in Bangkok’s South that’s run by 60 Muslim families. Here, at Bangkok’s largest goat farm, you can learn about goat husbandry and the local way of life and even help feed the goats. The farm also offers a variety of goat milk products including soap, shower cream and skincare lotion.

Call (081) 811 6016

 

ORANGE ORCHARD, BANG MOT, THUNG KHRU 

The Bangmod orange – the local cultivar of the mandarin orange – is the pride of Bang Mot in Bangkok’s South. Unfortunately, the big flood of 1967 wiped out many of the trees but a few plantations managed to survive. Uncle Somphob’s Amorn Orange Orchard is among the few that continue to grow the special tangerine. A small network of waterways dissects the orchards allowing visitors to explore the trees by boat. The oranges, which have a flat, smooth and thin skin, are juicy and give off a beautiful citrus aroma. Take a small sampan along the waterway and pick some for yourself.

Call (02) 4272397

 

WHITE CHAMPACA FLOWER |GARDEN, NONG KHAEM

This large organic orchard in Nong Khaem in Bangkok’s southwest always draws visitors – both city-dwellers and bees – for the intense fragrance of the White Champaca – or Chumpi as it is known in Thai. The family has cultivated white champaca plants for more than 20 years for their flowers and there is always someone on hand happy to show visitors around. Similar in shape to the magnolia, the flower was traditionally worn by the girls and women of Southeast Asian in their hair. Soap and shampoo made from white Champaca are available from the orchard.

Call (02) 807 2769

 

NIYOM’S ORCHID FARM, |TALING CHAN

Nestled along Bang Chueak Nang Canal in Taling Chan district, this orchid farm is becoming known to both locals and tourists who like to stop off as part of their boat trips through the canals. The owner, Uncle Niyom, who is passionate about orchids, is often available both to give advice and share the farm’s story with like-minded visitors. 

Call (02) 446 9068

 

NEW THEORY FARMING SCHOOL, SAPHAN SUNG

This “urban farm” draws school kids during the week on field trips that allow them to observe how food is produced. The school, which is spread over 10 acres, also welcomes families eager to learn how to produce their own food in a kitchen garden. Urban souls who are not interested in growing cantaloupe or plants can just enjoy the peace and sense of isolation. The school, which also boasts a rice paddy field, waterways and birdsong, serves up a large dose of rustic beauty on Bangkok’s doorstep.

Call (02) 543 1099 or (02) 5431143

 

ROYAL CHITLADA PROJECT, DUSIT

No one could beat His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej in championing the “urban gardener” cause. He set a plot of land at Chitlada Palace, Dusit district to serve as a rice paddy and dairy farm. Known as the Royal Chitlada Project, this royally funded agriculture centre demonstrates the King’s commitment to the progress of country’s farming industry. The palace is not open to the general public, but group visits can be arranged on a case-by-case basis.

Call (02) 828 8200