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Bangkok Travelbug Mar 2018 The Three Little Pigs February 26, 2018 |
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Background to The Three Little Pigs We were lucky during our second visit to The Three Little Pigs to meet the owner and founder, Khun Karamit Itchayanan. The traditional vegetable farm originally belonged to his maternal grandparents and consists of cultivated plots separated by narrow ditches criss-crossing the entire farm. 
During the rainy season, these ditches retain the excess water and prevent flooding. In the dry season, the water is used to water the crops. 
A traditional vegetable farm The farmer moves within the farm by wooden bridges and walkways linking the various plots or he can move by boat along the ditches. Small buckets with long wooden handles are used to scoop the water from the ditches to water the vegetables. 
Traditional farming tools – note the long-handled buckets Khun Karamit, when he inherited the farm, decided to start a cafe using the produce of the farm. Together with a small group of friends and an architect, they designed an outlet that retained the main features of the farm and blended with the natural surroundings of the farm. Though the main restaurant is housed within two buildings, many of the dining tables are located outdoors among the greenery. Additional trees and creepers were planted to add to the shade and ambience. 
The indoor dining areas Visitors can choose to eat indoors which would seem a such waste given the beautiful gardens outside or sit in one of the cosy enclosures outdoors. 
There are various table arrangements to suit the visitors' needs. You may choose to eat the traditional way on a mat on the floor, on couches or at the dining table. 
Take your pick of dining area The service staff are employed from the residents in the neighbourhood thus providing employment to the community. Currently the output from the farm only supplies about 30% of the restaurant's needs. The rest are purchased from the market. The farm has started a scheme to encourage families of their staff who are in farming to meet some of the restaurant's needs. 
Vegetables from the farm The produce is then purchased from the families of the staff at market prices. This is an ideal relationship between a business and its local community providing mutual benefits to one another. 
Fresh and green 
Low hanging mangoes Contents Why "The Three Little Pigs"? Why "The Three Little Pigs"? This was the one question I couldn't wait to ask the owner and this was his answer. Khun Karamit compared his career over the years to the trials and tribulations of the three little pigs in the children's story. 
His first job was with a contractor which was fraught with problems with his supervisors. He soon left the company. This stage of his career he likened to the first little pig who had his straw house blown down by the big bad wolf. Next, he invested in a business with some friends. This didn't work out either. This second stage was like the second little pig who had his wooden house blown down. At last he came home, back to the farm started by his grandparents. This farm is like the brick house built by the third little pig, strong, stable and enduring. On reflecting over the stages of his career, he decided to call his new venture, "The Three Little Pigs". 
Contents Touring "The Three Little Pigs" It's pleasant walking through this farm with its narrow wooden walkways and bridges spanning the ditches. Some of these walkways are quite narrow so please be careful. 
Walking around the farm Taking a boat ride along the ditches is another favourite particularly with the children. The boats are tied to the banks and visitors can help themselves to these boats. 
Boating along the ditches Many of the trees and plants are labelled with wooden boards to inform visitors of what plants they are. I noticed one of the staff coming out to the garden to get some fresh greens for the kitchen. Some of the organic farm produce is on sale at stalls placed along the way. There's children's playground with a sandpit and enclosures for a tortoise and ducks. You can feed the fish or visit the mushroom green house where the mushrooms are picked daily. 
Duck and tortoise enclosure 
Fresh mushrooms from the farm The Three Little Pigs is more than just a farm and restaurant, it's a place where visitors can enjoy the peace and serenity of country life and appreciate a closeness to nature. We must congratulate Khun Karamit who finally built his brick house on the solid foundations laid by his grandparents. And no big bad wolf is going to huff and puff and blow his house down. In the words of advice that Mother Pig gave to the Three Little Pigs, "Whatever you do, do the best you can because that's the way to get along in the world." 
Peace and serenity Contents Our thanks Our sincere thanks to Khun Karamit Itchayanan for sharing with us the story of his pet project, The Three Little Pigs. We wish him and his colleagues all the best and success in their project. Contents Map to the Three Little Pigs If the map doesn’t appear, click on this link Address The Three Little Pigs 6/13 Mu 2 Soi Thong Dee Tambon Yai Cha Amphur Sam Phran Nakhon Pathom 73110 Tel: 065 236 0959 Facebook: The Three Little Pigs Farm Opening times The Three Little Pigs Organic Farm and Café is open everyday from 0900 – 1930 hours 
How to get there By car If you are coming from Bangkok, cross the Taksin Road – Ratchapruek Road - Phet Kasem (highway 4). This route will take you out of Bangkok to Om Noi in Samut Sakhon before you get to Sam Phran in Nakhon Pathom. Look out for the landmarks, Sam Phran Riverside and Rose Garden Golf Club before you see the Toyota showroom. The U-turn is just after the Toyota showroom. After you have made the U-turn keep left and look out for Soi Thong Dee. There's a Three Little Pigs signboard right at the entrance to the soi. Parking is available just outside the Three Little Pigs. It is suggested you go on a weekday or early on Saturday morning as it can get crowded later in the day. On Sundays it can be very crowded and you may have a problem walking along the narrow walkways. Contents Next month River cruise on the Tha Chin River. If you enjoyed reading this e-zine, please forward it to a friend. If you received this from a friend and found it interesting, please subscribe at Bangkok Travelbug. What do you think of the Bangkok Travelbug? We love to hear from you What other subscribers have said Till next month then. Eric Lim Tour Bangkok Legacies Find us on Facebook My Journey through Thailand Part I The First Steps This is my second e-book and the first in the series of travel journals on my trips to explore the various provinces in Thailand. This edition, which covers my travels from late 2009 to mid-2013, will guide you to historical sites, cultural monuments and exquisite Thai handicraft, across a vast spectrum of cultural and ethnic diversity. You can have a virtual tour with this e-guide book or take the first steps yourself in this journey through Thailand. My Kindle e-book 
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