A Farmers Market in Bangkok

A Farmers Market in Bangkok might not seem like such a big deal. You can find fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood, meats and more in countless places: down sidewalks on side sois or in covered spaces tucked in among buildings where a typical tourist might not even notice. Plus you have the famous big fresh markets such as Phaholyothin Or Tor Kor Market near BTS Saphan Kwai station. But this market is different.

Held the first Saturday of every month, this Bangkok market is set up on the property of a very fine Thai restaurant called Bo.lan. The owners don’t charge the vendors who come from far and wide to sell their wares, much of which is either grown organically or created fresh by the vendors themselves. A number of the vendors are foreigners who have brought their culinary skills to Thailand. There is fresh homemade sausages, produced by a man who even does all the butchering of the pigs. Many items are specialties you won’t find at the other markets (producing a large percentage of foreign customers). They call this Eat Responsibly Day.

Fresh breads — sourdough, rye, a light rye with chili peppers baked into it, as well as some desserts —

that’s a rhubarb tort!

Fresh yogurt!

A German (methinks) man making his own sauerkrauts and other fermented and pickled items. (Really good stuff!)

Beervana, an beer importer aiming to educate the Thai market on the subject of good beer, sets up and serves samples of American craft beers. Bottles are sold at market prices and you can try a few of them before you commit to a brand or style.

Another vendor has gourmet olives. A few crafty things are also for sale.

Various oils. The machine was squeezing out black sesame oil while we watched.

The market runs from 8:30-2:30, the first Saturday of the month. To get there get off at Phrom Phong BTS station and walk to Soi 26. Follow it directly to Four Wings Hotel and follow it left and another quick right and you will find Bo.lan on the right and the front yard filled with vendors.