Cabbages and Condoms

Having enjoyed my first night in BKK so much, how could I know it would get better?

On Saturday I met a friend (Khun Ooi) with whom the delightful Vaughan B kindly put me in touch.

First, she took me to JJ (Jatujuk) market.  This is a massive market that sells all the normal stuff plus fresh flowers – and great fruit (ok – they are not real).  What is special about this market is the range of goods sold – there are many great bargains to be had here – it is huge so you can do all your shopping at once.

Khun Ooi looking at flowers at JJ market

Fruit at JJ market (not really – they are plastic)

After the shopping experience, we went to the Cabbages and Condoms restaurant for lunch.

Cabbages and Condoms restaurant

This restaurant has been set up by the PDA (Population and Community Development Association of Thailand). Their website is here: http://www.cabbagesandcondoms.com/index.php
Essentially, they operate a number of programs specifically targeting the poor of rural Thailand. The organisation was the first to, and remains active in, raising awareness of family planning. It was felt that condoms and their use should become as common as cabbage.
There are a number of statues and pieces made completely from condoms, including this one, which made me laugh my head off.

Did you, Tiger? (Love the Nike logo made of condoms)

The food was also very good. We had deep-fried soft shell crab in yellow curry (which while very tasty was slightly too greasy), stir fried vegetables and fish cakes.

Deep fried soft shell crab in yellow curry

Stir fried vegetables and Thai fish cakes (Tod Mun Pla)

This “Condoms and Cabbages” restaurant is in Sukhumvit.
In the evening, we returned to Sukhumvit, Soi 4, which I will talk about in my next post, along with the other “Sois”.

Tags: cabbages and condoms, Jatujuk, JJ market, Sikhumvit