Farmers’ market by and for Bangkok women to tackle violence

Photo: Bangkok Rising / Facebook
Photo: Bangkok Rising / Facebook

During the pandemic domestic violence cases in Thailand surged by 66%, according to the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. Next month, a farmer’s market in the heart of Bangkok will offer more than the usual variety of fresh products, but an opportunity to help change that. 

Timed to coincide with annual global activism against gender-based violence, members of Bangkok women’s community Bangkok Rising and social enterprise Ila will host what they’ve dubbed “Thailand’s First Female Founders Farmers’ Market.”

Attendees at the one-day Dec. 6 event can step into the lush garden at the Patom Organic Living food store just off Thonglor and shop from more than 40 local brands selling everything from food to art and fashion. Vendors will include Plant Donut, Bangkok Booch, The Rolling Pin and Bambooyst

Ila’s co-founder Net Supatravanij said the problem for abuse victims is not a lack of helpline numbers, but the inability to escape their abusers or, in most cases, get support afterward.

Building a framework for that support – her group is developing an app to educate bystanders to become allies against abuse and aid victims – takes money, and Net said that gender equality, despite being a stated U.N. development priority, draws less corporate backing than climate change or clean water.

“I knew we couldn’t rely on large institutions for funds, so Ila was intentionally created as a social enterprise, a business model I believe is the future,” she said. “The upcoming female founders farmers’ market is the first of its kind, and we wanted to make it fun and engaging while still making an impact.”

The event takes place during the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. There, a panel discussion on gender equality and women’s empowerment will be led by U.N. Women’s Amy Baum, Brazillian influencer Bruna Silva and Micky Kometsopa, founder of Flexi Lexi Fitness.

Admission is free to the event, while will run 10am to 3pm on Dec. 6 at Patom Organic Living. The lifestyle store and cafe is located on Soi Phrom Phak just off Soi Sukhumvit 49.

All vendor fees from the event will go toward funding the development of ila’s app.

FIND IT: 

Female Founders Farmers’ Market
Free admission
10am-3pm, Dec. 6
Patom Organic Living
Soi Phrom Phak, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana



Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply


BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on