Community Gardening for Pattaya and Jomtien
In our fast-paced modern world, the significance of community and nature is often overshadowed. However, there is an opportunity for harmony between the two through establishing a community garden, which can greatly benefit a place like Pattaya.
Although renowned for its vibrant nightlife and stunning beaches, Pattaya would greatly benefit from the inclusion of a communal green space. Such a garden would allow residents to cultivate healthy habits and enhance their well-being.
Now, let’s delve into the advantages of a community garden in Pattaya.
The Kingdom of God includes ecological wholeness, and throughout the Biblical narrative, we find people encountering God through trees.
Advantages
A community garden would greatly benefit Pattaya, known for its nightlife and beaches.
It would provide residents with a serene green space to cultivate healthy habits and enhance their well-being.
Advantages include improved well-being, health benefits from fresh produce, social interaction and community building, environmental sustainability, and educational opportunities.
Overall, a community garden in Pattaya brings balance between nature and community, offering benefits like well-being, health, social interaction, sustainability, and education.
More About the Challenging Nature of the Parish
Pattaya and its surroundings pose unique challenges for our church’s involvement in the local community.
Since 2006, we’ve viewed these challenges as opportunities to make a greater impact with our Mission.
Being in this location allows us to reach a large number of people in need and achieve remarkable results at a relatively low cost.
This perspective is particularly compelling for potential supporters, donors, and funders.
Pattaya in Numbers
Bars, Go-go’s and Beer bars
Estimated Number of Prostitutes in the City
Hotels & Guesthouses
Average Number ofAnnual Short-stay (1-2 Night) Visits
Focussing on Welfare
Our main focus at Pattaya Mission is to provide support and qualified Information, Advice, and Guidance to meet the welfare-related needs of those who engage with us, using the garden as a starting point for their involvement.
Abraham entertained angels at the oaks of Mamre. Moses stood shoeless next to the burning bush. Nathaniel was called from under a fig tree to a new way of living, and Zacchaeus climbed the sycamore tree because he was desperate to see Jesus pass by.
The Goals
Promoting Health and Wellness:
A community garden offers numerous health benefits. It reduces stress, improves well-being, and encourages physical activity. Gardening provides purpose, creativity, and a connection with nature. Fresh produce from the garden supports healthier diets, enhancing overall well-being.
Building Stronger Community Bonds:
Community gardens bring people together and strengthen the community. People from different backgrounds and ages connect, share knowledge, and develop a sense of belonging. These interactions will promote unity and break down barriers in Pattaya.
Enhancing Environmental Sustainability:
A community garden in Pattaya boosts ecological well-being, combating urbanization effects. It enhances biodiversity, attracts beneficial insects, and fosters a healthier local ecosystem. Through organic produce and sustainable practices like composting and water conservation, the community reduces its carbon footprint, inspiring eco-friendly habits.
Educating and Empowering:
A community garden is an outdoor classroom, offering hands-on learning for all ages.
It educates on sustainable gardening, conservation, and local food. Workshops and clubs empower residents to grow their own food in urban spaces.
Nurturing Food Security:
Amid global challenges, local food security is vital. Pattaya’s community garden will foster self-sufficiency and provides fresh, nutritious produce to those in need. It will combat hunger and promotes equitable access to healthy food.
A Holistic Approach:
Community gardening connects with education, health, inclusion, and sustainability. Collaboration creates synergy, addressing diverse needs holistically.
Other agencies we will endeavour to partner with will include:
- The 6 Rotary Clubs in and around Pattaya
- The Expat Club and the Pattaya City Expat Club
- The Royal British Legion Thailand Branch
- Pattaya Sports Club
- Mercy
- Tourist Police
- Other faith-based groups and organisations
- Other businesses
Sustainable and Long-Term Impact:
Collaborations establish sustainable community gardens with long-term support, funding, and engagement.
The Proposed Site/s:
Finding unused real estate in the city is difficult.
We have however earmarked two potential sites for serious consideration.
1) The Car Park:
We have identified an unused car park which, subject to necessary enquiries, would appear perfect
- PROS
- Located in the heart of a ‘red-light district’ we would hope to engage Thai folks who live and work nearby as well as retired foreigners who frequent the many bars in the local
- The exposure means that the area benefits from all weather conditions and, because of its elevation, and breeze from the shoreline will not suffer from mosquito infestations.
- We would be starting from a blank canvas
- CONS
- Access. The top floor of the car part has neither a lift nor disabled access. It requires climbing six flights of stairs which we would need to make safe.
- We would be starting from a blank canvas with any materials physically carried upstairs or hoisted.
- Without electricity or water, the project will bear the cost of installing solar power, water collection and pumping, and a composting toilet.
1) The Old Cafe:
We have identified an empty Art Cafe. The space is not as ‘vast’ as the car park, but the site has already been split into three main areas, Cafe, gardens and a small three-floor building which was formally used as a 10-room guesthouse.
- PROS
- It is located not far from one of the main red light districts and will benefit from being on the main road between Jomtien and Pattaya.’
- cces: Ample parking for cars, motorbikes and on the main baht-bus circular route.
- Because of the pre-existing cafe and guesthouse, the project could look to become self-sustaining.
- CONS
- The site has already been split, which means a lots of the foundational work of creating a garden has already happened.
- The management element of this project would be more significant, and staff costs would be significantly greater.
- Because of the pre-existing cafe and guesthouse, the project could look to become self-sustaining.
At the heart of being an Anglican, included in the Fifth Mark of Mission is the call to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the face of the earth. God’s earth, God’s creation, God’s gift.
Conclusion:
Creating a community garden in Pattaya presents a unique opportunity to foster connection, sustainability, and well-being within the community.
Offering both meaningful occupation and a neutral space to meet, engage and relax, a community garden will offer many involved in prostitution, as well as those, mostly retired ex-pat residents of the community, ‘something else to do and somewhere else to go’ where they will be treated as Children of God, equal and valid just as anyone else.
A community garden can bring about positive change and create a greener, more vibrant Pattaya by promoting health, building stronger community bonds, enhancing environmental sustainability, educating residents, and nurturing food security. It’s time to come together and embrace this concept, working hand in hand to cultivate a brighter and healthier future for everyone.
Let’s sow the seeds of community and watch them flourish in the form of a beautiful and productive garden representing Pattaya’s heart and soul.
