• By GROVE
  • | Dec 11, 2015

Farmer’s Market Season is On

There isn’t a better month for home-cooking some healthy food. Farmers’ markets are packed with prepared foods but we recommend you head straight to the fresh fruits and vegetables from small-scale farms with sustainable practices. This month, take your pick from those setting up at Ekamai Gateway (Dec 12, 26), K Village (Dec 12, 13) and The Beehive Lifestyle Mall (Dec 19). 
 
Bumrungrad’s Tip: Look out for local vegetables like the yardlong bean, an excellent source of fiber and vitamin A; water spinach, which is packed with antioxidants and detox enzymes; and lotus roots, which are rich in minerals like potassium, copper and iron. Read more at www.bumrungrad.com/healthpoint
 

There’s a New Place for Kids to Put Down their Smartphone

Here’s something that might actually convince your kids to peel themselves away from their phone or PlayStation. San Franciscan indoor trampoline park chain Rockin’ Jump has landed in Bangkok, offering giant trampoline beds forming bouncy floors and walls. Prices range from B400 for 30 minutes to B1,000 for two hours, while you can also purchase packages that span all the way to 10 hours (B4,000) of jumping. Adults are more than welcome to join in on the fun, too.
 
Bumrungrad’s Tip: Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a condition caused by focusing the eyes on a computer display for uninterrupted periods of time. The symptoms include eyestrain, tired eyes, burning or stinging eyes, decreased or blurred vision, and dry eyes.
 
 

Going to a Music Festival Might Actually Be Good For You 

The second edition of the popular lifestyle event, Wonderfruit Festival, is placing an even bigger emphasis on health and wellness this year, with activities like free running, yoga, energetic body mapping and massage therapies. There’s even a dedicated “Wonderfruit Farm” where you can learn how your food is grown. It’s also a very kid-friendly event, with a zone dedicated to interactive outdoor activities for them. www.wonderfruit.com
 

Jim Thompson Farm reopens

Speaking of healthy family escapes, this month is also a great opportunity to visit the farm from the country’s leading Thai silk company, which only opens to the public once annually. Aside from observing the silk farming process, touring the traditional Isan and Khorat villages and enjoying the 40 acres of colorful flower gardens, this is also a great place to get hold of fresh, organic produce. Here, you can mill and winnow your own rice to take home, or take your own pick from the variety of organic fruit and vegetable freshly grown in the “U-Pick Garden”. Pre-book tickets on www.jimthompsonfarm.com (B150/adult and B100/child on weekdays, or B180/adult, B135/child on weekends). Open daily from Dec 5-Jan 10 from 9am-5pm. Jim Thompson Farm, Tambol Takob, Amphur Pak Thong Chai, Nakhon Ratchasima.
 

You Won’t Run out of Runs 

This month is stocked with runs for all abilities, so there’s no excuse not to get those trainers on. Support good causes with charity runs like Rotary Mini Marathon (Dec 26) or go big with classics like the Thailand International Half Marathon (Dec 13). If those haven’t grabbed your interest, there’s also the much anticipated Star Wars Run on Dec 26.

Bumrungrad’s Tip: A serious risk factor for developing osteoporosis is inactivity. Luckily, it’s possible to increase you bone strength by doing exercises that are weight-bearing such as running, weight lifting, tennis, or stair climbing. 


Bumrungrad International is the first Asian Joint Commission International accredited, multi-specialty hospital located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. Founded in 1980, it is one of the largest private hospitals in Southeast Asia, with 580 beds and over 39 specialty centres. Bumrungrad International offers state-of-the-art diagnostic, therapeutic and intensive care facilities in a one-stop medical centre. www.bumrungrad.com