Santi Wana Eco Community

Santi Wana Eco Community, in Thai ชุมชนนิเวศสันติวนา, is an ecological community and urban farming site of roughly 33 rai, about 5.3 hectares, on Song Prapha Road in Don Mueang district, northern Bangkok. The land belonged to the Ursuline Foundation for Education, which opened it up, and the site is now managed and developed by the Media Center for Development Foundation, known as MCDF, whose director is Komsan Hutthaphet.

MCDF describes Santi Wana as its main implementation site, combining biodiversity conservation, ecological farming and a model for new urban communities. The plots carry riceberry rice, home-made bio-fertiliser and organic vegetables, including red oak, green oak and green and red cos lettuces, which neighbours and visitors are invited to pick and buy at a flat 100 baht per kilogram.

Teaching runs alongside the growing. MCDF has held practical workshops there on urban farming and on making household goods such as soap and toothpaste, and the coordinating team have set out plans for workshops and youth camps for the general public, schools and agencies covering agriculture, energy, the environment and household products.

As of a 2020 press visit Santi Wana had not opened formally to the public, although activities were held regularly and could be followed through its Facebook page. Neighbours and visitors are welcome to pick and buy the organic vegetables at 100 baht per kilogram.