Going Home to See Mom, Bang Bo

Going home to see Mom in Bang Bo, Samut Prakan

Bang Bo... this name, for me mr.hotsia, is a deeper calling of home than any other word in the world. I grew up by Samrong Canal, a small canal that is the main artery of Bang Bo district. It is the home of the famous Bang Bo salted fish, which thrives in the brackish water here, making it plump and delicious. I am confident that anyone who tries it will be as captivated as I am.

This trip home was not just to visit Mom, but also an opportunity for me to stroll through the alleys along Ban Rakas Canal, where I used to swim with salted fish as a child. Those memories are still vivid as if they happened yesterday. To me, Bang Bo is not just a community but a cultural heritage and way of life that continues alongside the changes of time.

The riverside way of life still alive in Bang Bo

Bang Bo is a lowland where locals used to farm rice. What I am proud of is the salted fish farming here, a long-standing legend. Bang Bo salted fish has a unique taste because the brackish water in Samrong Canal produces red plankton, the favorite food of the fish. This makes the fish meat firm and plump. Besides salted fish, I also remember that farmers would create fish ponds at the lowest part of their rice fields, called "Teen Na," allowing fish and rice to coexist harmoniously.

If you want to deeply understand the story of Bang Bo salted fish, I recommend readingThe Tale of Bang Bo Salted Fishwhich I wrote, giving a clearer picture of why Bang Bo salted fish is famous nationwide and proudly exported abroad.

Old Markets and Riverside Village Life along Samrong Canal

Speaking of old markets in Samut Prakan, you can't miss Bang Bo Market. This market is located along Samrong Canal, where in the past locals used boats as the main transportation and for shopping. This led to many riverside markets such as Bang Phli Yai Market, and Bang Bo Market is one of them. I once strolled throughthe 150-year-old Bang Phli Marketwhich has well-preserved ancient wooden structures.

Bang Bo Market still retains its local market charm with food, daily goods, as well as traditional medicine shops and village healers who continue their roles as before. I love the feeling of walking through fresh produce brought by locals. You see the real way of life, not just a market for tourists but a place where the community truly lives.

Fishing with 'Ai Ngo' traps, fun competitions with friends in Bang Bo

One of my favorite activities when returning home is fishing with 'Ai Ngo' traps, a traditional fishing tool used here for generations. My friend Anne and I used to compete fishing with Ai Ngo in front of my house in Bang Bo. It was fun and educational to learn the local fishing techniques. The trick is to place the Ai Ngo so it partly sticks out of the water to keep the fish fresh and alive, then trap fish near the bottom to catch local species living there.

If you want to know more about this fun story, I recommend readingThe Ai Ngo Fishing Competition by Mr.hotsia Anne on Tour, Bang Bowhere I share the details in an entertaining way.

Local Food and Memories at the Dining Table

Going home wouldn't be complete without food. At my home in Bang Bo, there are local dishes I love, like crispy fried salted fish and my own spicy holy basil stir-fry sold with a special recipe inspired by flavors I tasted since childhood. My holy basil stir-fry legend is unique because it includes kaffir lime peel and some Thai herbs, giving it a distinctive aroma. If you want to try this flavor, I recommend trying the Spicy Holy Basil Sauce I carefully made for holy basil lovers to cook at home. You can order it from this link.Spicy Holy Basil Sauce by Mr.hotsia

Traveling home... but my heart stays in Bang Bo

This homecoming made me, mr.hotsia, see both the changes and the persistence of Bang Bo at the same time. Bang Bo is not just a home but a story of community, lifestyle, and bonds that never fade. No matter where I travel, my heart is always here.

If anyone wants to experience the riverside way of life, explore old markets, or deeply get to know Bang Bo salted fish, please visit Bang Bo. I, mr.hotsia, guarantee you will have a unique experience and see the real life of riverside people.

For more information about the lifestyle and old markets in this area, you can click to seethe 150-year-old Bang Phli MarketAnd if you want to see the real atmosphere from me, mr.hotsia, click to watch the videoGoing Home to See Mom, Bang Boright away.