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A healthy day out for the whole family
James Vernon
Tucked away off Phahol Yothin Road close to Ari BTS station is the Baan Aree/Banana Family Fun Park, a family-focused complex providing a range of worthwhile activities for the whole family. The complex resembles a small, humble, upcountry village and so visitors accordingly tend to feel at ease throughout their visit.
Rather than focusing on consumer-driven activities, Baan Aree’s outlets feature activities that are beneficial for body and mind, and attract people of all ages. You can browse through books at its Buddhist library; brush up on your Thai or English language skills at the language school; enjoy activities at the child day-care center; tuck into fresh, organic, and very affordable vegetarian cuisine; or tune into your body at the yoga and fitness studio.
Dive-in to the Dhamma
My favorite aspect of Baan Aree is the Buddhist library, which features all 40 volumes of the Pali Text Society’s Pali Canon (or Tipitaka), the most important scripture in the Theravada branch of Buddhism. There’s no membership fee so visitors can browse the library’s books completely free of charge.
Those interested in Buddhism can also get connected to various Buddhist activities held both at the library’s beautiful Dhamma Hall and through the library’s connections with various temples located near Bangkok. Every Wednesday (1–5 pm), visitors can experience guided meditations, held at the Dhamma Hall, and on Saturdays (1–3 pm) they can enjoy Dhamma talks given by various Thai Buddhist monks (Thai-language only).
On Saturdays, a minibus departs the library at 5 am for a temple in Chon Buri province where guests can hear Dhamma talks given by well-known Thai Buddhist monk Phra Ajarn Ramod. The service is free and the minibus returns to Baan Aree at noon, although as with Baan Aree’s other Dhamma services, you might want to bring along a translator if you cannot understand Thai.
The library also has a small café offering coffee and tea so visitors can remain ‘energized’ while doing their reading. Opening hours are 8 am–7 pm weekdays, and 10 am–5 pm on the weekend.
Education to the core
Children and adults alike can improve their language skills at Learning Alive!, a Thai and English language school offering both group and private sessions. The school’s young and friendly teacher, Tak, has a variety of English and Thai language lesson packages on offer. For further information, contact Tak at Tel: +66 (0)89 111 3789.
The complex also has two private tutoring schools geared towards young Thai learners. At Waichia, children from grades 1–9 can improve upon their math, English, and science skills; and located next to Waichia is a small English language school and activity center that incorporates English instruction with a variety of fun-filled activities for kids.
For further information about Waichia, the school can be contacted on Tel: +66 (0)2 617 1883.
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Stay healthy
Adults can fit in an exercise session while the kids are off studying at Baan Aree’s Fitness and Yoga Studio. Muscles can be toned on the studio’s well-kept fitness machines for less than 1,000 baht per month. And after a bit of toning, you can get do some stretching at the yoga studio, which holds sessions regularly throughout the week.
Also in the ‘healthy-vein’ is the Thai cuisine featured at Baan Aree. A plate of brown rice with a main dish costs just 25 baht (US$0.75), while interesting veggie items, such as barbecued skewered mushrooms, cost just 10 baht. All items are home-cooked and all vegetables are organically grown.
For further information about Baan Aree/Banana Family Fun Park, pay a visit to its official website at www.baanaree.net (Thai-language only).
 View map
Transport Connections:
Train: The easiest way to reach Baan Aree is via Ari BTS station. Take Exit 1, and walk straight ahead down Phahon Yothin Rd until you see an Esso gas station; Baan Aree is
located on the small lane directly before the gas station.
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Life in Thailand 
Life in Thailand
Thai ways of living - be it countryside or city - have their own distinct styles, rhythms and habits. The kingdom, and especially Bangkok, is also home to an interesting variety of locals and expatriates. Learn about the views and lives of local and expatriate communities, in addition to helpful tips for those exploring and living a Life in Thailand.
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