ALOR STAR: A hawker could not believe his luck when his video of an aeroplane flying overhead of padi fields in Hutan Kampung here attracted visitors in droves to his stall.
Farhan Ismat Jamaludin, 32, said the video uploaded on his TikTok account, "warungairport", several days ago, has attracted no less than 200 visitors to the site daily.
"Initially, I recorded a video of the scenery in the padi fields for fun, capturing an aeroplane flying overhead, but I kept it to myself. On Tuesday, I decided to share the video on TikTok, showcasing the view at my trading spot here. I never imagined so many people would visit, even though I only operate for two hours daily," he said.
Farhan said he started his small trade in October near Taman Nabira in Hutan Kampung, after shutting down his previous venture due to lack of demand. The area, located in the middle of padi fields, is close to the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (LTSAH) runway and is a shortcut used by locals heading to Anak Bukit and Hutan Kampung.
"My wife, Nur Safa Aidawati Ahmad, 30, and I run the business from 5pm to 7.30pm every day. In the mornings, I operate at Taman Aman," he added.
"After the video of the aeroplane flying overhead went viral, this area has become a hotspot, especially during the school holidays, and my business has significantly improved," he said.
Previously, Farhan only sold steamed corn and beverages, but he has since expanded his offerings to include other dishes prepared by his mother.
He estimates that around 200 visitors come daily, mainly to enjoy the scenic views, watch the sunset, and observe planes landing and taking off from the runway.
"Some visitors even travel from far away, such as Langkawi, Padang Terap, and Taiping in Perak, just to take pictures here. Aeroplanes usually pass by twice in the evening, between 4.30pm and 6.30pm. That's when most visitors flock to the area," he added.
Another hawker, Shahizat Md Rasul, 42, said he took the opportunity to sell fried chicken at the site after being informed by Farhan. The retired soldier is grateful that the response has been overwhelming despite trading for only two hours.
"In the morning, I trade at Taman Aman, and later in the afternoon, I trade here from 5pm to 7pm," said Shahizat.
Meanwhile, visitor Atikah Aisyah Muhammad, 23, said she and her friends didn't want to miss the chance to capture photos and videos of the padi field scenery to share on social media.
"It's a beautiful memory, and I never expected this place could become an attraction. With only a few days left before the Kedah Visit Year 2025 campaign begins, this spot can definitely become a highlight for visitors to Kedah. I hope this area can be further developed to attract even more people," said the student at a local public university.