Visiting Grandma at Bang Bo

Visiting Grandma at Bang Bo: The riverside lifestyle in Samut Prakan that I, mr.hotsia, will never forget.

Bang Bo, Samut Prakan Province, is where I had the chance to visit my hometown. This is not just a small town by the canal but an ancient cultural site that still firmly preserves the traditional riverside way of life. I, mr.hotsia, grew up along Samrong Canal, the main canal flowing through the heart of Bang Bo, and it is the center of the famous snakehead fish farming known nationwide and abroad.

I clearly remember when I was a child, I often swam in Ban Rakas Canal, a tributary of Samrong Canal. The water here is not ordinary fresh water but brackish water that supports red plankton, the favorite food of Bang Bo snakehead fish, making them plump and giving a unique taste different from elsewhere. Locals still maintain the snakehead fish farming system called “Teen Na,” which are ponds dug lower than regular rice fields to keep the fish in suitable water all year round. Although rice farming has decreased, snakehead fish farming remains the heart of this community.Read more about Bang Bo snakehead fish here

Old Market and Riverside Lifestyle at Bang Bo

Bang Bo also has an old market located by Samrong Canal. This type of market reflects the local people's deep connection with water, similar to the 150-year-old market in Bang Phli that I have previously written about.150-Year-Old Market, Bang PhliThis place has a similar character. The riverside market of Bang Bo still has old wooden shops selling food, daily necessities, herbal shops, and traditional healers who have served for many generations.

I enjoy walking around Bang Bo market in the morning. The lively atmosphere is filled with the sound of rowing boats passing by and the aroma of local food prepared by vendors, such as crispy sun-dried snakehead fish, dried shrimp, and traditional Thai desserts that retain their original flavors. There are also shops selling agricultural tools and fertilizers, reflecting the farming lifestyle that locals continue alongside fish farming.

Join the Fun of Catching 'Ai Ngo' Fish at Bang Bo

Another activity I, mr.hotsia, experienced up close is the 'Ai Ngo' fish catching competition at my home in Bang Bo. I bought the “Ai Ngo,” a traditional fish trap tool used for a long time, from Bang Li Song Phi Nong market and planned to catch fish in the canal in front of my house with my traveling friend, Annae. This competition is a fun event filled with the spirit of hometown and traditional fish-catching knowledge that I will never forget.

The technique for catching fish with the Ai Ngo requires knowledge of water levels to keep part of the trap above water to prevent fish from dying and placing the trap close to the bottom for the best catch. Catching shrimp in shrimp fields is also popular among Bang Bo people. This activity made me feel truly connected to my hometown.Story of the Ai Ngo Catching Competition at Bang Bo

Taste of Home: Spicy Holy Basil and Lasting Memories

Besides the riverside lifestyle and farming that still exist, the local food of Bang Bo is something I, mr.hotsia, am always proud to present. Especially the holy basil stir-fry recipe I inherited from my father, a true Bang Bo native, which includes kaffir lime peel and Thai herbs in the holy basil stir-fry to create a uniquely spicy and fragrant flavor.

So I opened a shopSpicy Holy Basilin Chiang Rai, along with producing ready-made holy basil seasoning sauce that everyone can cook at home. I aimed for an old-fashioned taste, fragrant holy basil, spicy and intense with meat flavor. Anyone wanting to try the original taste from Bang Bo can order the Spicy Holy Basil Sauce online.Watch the introduction video of Spicy Holy Basil Sauce by mr.hotsia

Journey to Bang Bo: Not Far but Full of Stories

Traveling to Bang Bo is easy. From Bangkok, drive along Sukhumvit Road about 30-40 kilometers to find a community and lifestyle unlike any other. Walking along the canal, exploring the old market, learning about snakehead fish farming, and joining activities with locals will let you see the beauty of a simple life full of stories.

For those interested in the riverside lifestyle and history of Bang Bo community, try visitingBan Rakasan old community of Bang Bo that still fully preserves its local identity.

Summary of Impressions from mr.hotsia

Bang Bo for me is not just a hometown but a learning center of the riverside lifestyle that truly retains authentic Thai culture without fading. Every corner here is filled with the scent of water and soil blended into deep memories. For travelers who love to experience genuine Thai life, I, mr.hotsia, recommend you visit Bang Bo, and you will understand how warm and charming the word 'hometown' really is.

If you are interested in stories about Bang Bo and nearby communities, you can read more in the articles'Ai Ngo Catching Competition with Mr. Hotsia and Annae on Tour at Bang Bo'andBan Rakasto gain deeper understanding of the lifestyle and culture of Bang Bo people.