Food: Cabbages & Condoms

So this is one of our regulars and I decided to do a write on it. Well, 'Cabbages & Condoms?' I hear you ask.
Let me explain...

Thailand of course,is internationally reknowned for its good food. Here is a land which has developed the most amazing fiery and sensational dishes; spicy and fragrant creations laced with coconut; sex on a plate really!
"Who mentioned sex? I was thinking about cabbages!"

Well.... In Thailand, the cabbage is a familiar everyday food, as much a part of life as a tea-bag is in Ireland. Until recently, something equally familiar to the Thais was a huge birth rate, and the proliferation of AIDS. Yep, they were at it like rabbits, and society was struggling to cope.
If only condoms were as common as cabbages!
And hence - 'Cabbages and Condoms' :-)

This popular restaurant is run by Thailand's Population and Community Development Association, whose founder, former Thai senator Mechai Viravaidya, believes "birth control should be as cheap as cabbages"—hence the restaurant's name!
Viravaidya, whose Scottish father and Thai mother sent him to Australia to be educated, is Thailand’s leading philanthropist. His non-profit association backs birth control, environmental conservation, rural development and AIDS awareness. Although Viravaidya has held four cabinet posts in the government, his champion cause continues to be birth control. To this end, he wants to make condoms as common--and as accepted--as cabbages. He has passed them out to surprised bankers and CEOs at sober World Bank meetings and paid farmers to paint ads and public service announcements for condoms on the sides of their water buffalo. Thanks in part to his effort, Thailand’s birth rate has dropped below 1 percent a year.

The ambience in the restaurant is heavenly; tens of thousands of white fairy lights draped from the canopies, fluttering in the night breeze. Plenty of candles too, and the sounds of diners chatter, punctuated by noisy sizzling dishes wafting aroma into the night air. I was salivating. The restaurant is frequented by as many Thai couples/groups as Westerners. Wherever I go in the world, a useful barometer of reputation is the ratio of locals to tourists in a restaurant.
There are condoms everywhere, in frames on the walls, and under glass table tops. So many colours, so many patterns, ribbed, studded, and then some proper huge ones.
"After dinner mint guys?" Sorry, no mints here, aside from the bill, they always offer two condoms on the saucer! Its a nice touch (except if you are dining with your parents-in-law), and it reminds you of what they are trying to do.

My three favourite things: On the menu, they proudly boast 'our food is guaranteed not to cause pregnancy'!! Priceless! :-)
Upon leaving the restaurant there is a display offering condoms instead of after dinner mints. You can take your pick - 'Republican size' or 'Democratic size'. Erm... WHAT?? LOL - Which one are you???!
At the exit there is also a quick 101 Safe Sex lesson.. ie. a poster showing what sexual acts they consider to be OK or not without a condom - quite entertaining :-)

A free vasectomy from the clinic next door is one of the perks for males dining at Cabbages and Condoms. Be careful - don't have too much to drink and wander off next door!

So despite being very romantic, the restaurant doesn't really cater for couples (like us) who WANT to get pregnant - if you do - stay well away! The romantic atmosphere, foot massage, enchanting Thai music, sumptuous food and constant in your face reminders of sex are pretty misleading. You have been warned! LOL

PS - I have made a movie on this: Dailymotion and Picasa