Cabbages and Condoms

In the early '70's a man called Mechai Viravaidya decided that something needed to be done about Thailand's very rapidly expanding population, otherwise development of the country would be severely limited. He started an organization called the Population and Community Development Association to establish community-based contraception distribution, with volunteers from local villages. Mechai's belief was that in order for a program to be successful, birth control needed to to be as accessible as vegetables in a market, hence the name Cabbages and Condoms.

And so the odd name for a great restaurant in downtown Thailand, which helps to fund the organization. Since it was established Thailand's population growth has declined from over 3% annually to less than 1%. (I heard yesterday that Philippine population growth rate is still over 3%). Over the past 30-odd years, the organization has expanded beyond population to control to AIDS education and prevention as well as other types of rural development work including water, sanitation, school lunch programs, educational support and environmental conservations. Mechai has also opened a resort on what was family land, all proceeds go to this work. They just received a million dollars from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and just before we left to travel to Bangkok I saw a documentary on Mechai and his organization on BBC World. He's a very impressive guy.

We had dinner there one night (great meal) and the decor is amazing. We sat up on the second floor overlooking a courtyard strung with thousands of white lights. A musician from the local music college played traditional Thai music. At the end of the dinner, instead of after-dinner mints, they pass out condoms. All kinds of decor items make for a double take. Lampshades are made of brightly coloured condoms and there are manikins dressed up in all the latest fashions (well, sort of - when was the last time you saw something like this in Vogue?) made of guess what. The gift shop is a hoot.

Great food, great atmosphere and in support of a great cause. All in all a great recipe.