My boyfriend “Chalerm” says his grandmother has asked him if he wants to take over the farm in Anyburi.
I haven’t interfered in this. For sentimental reasons I would like to see him keep it, but this is up to the family.
The farm consists of a house in the village on a small plot of land (1 rai approx) with a garden. The fields they own are scattered around quite a distance from the house, this is not the sort of farm where the house is in the middle of farmland.
The land is rented out to other farmers. The family tried to sell the house last year for 50 000 B but didn’t find any buyers.
Chalerm should be honoured the grandmother thinks of putting the farm in his name. He is 21 and this shows she trusts his ability to handle money. Not all of the family members have that ability I am afraid, even if they are considerably older. The other candidate for taking over the farm is Chalerm’s uncle, who is a farmer in another village.
Chalerm is not interested in owning the farm, he says.
I haven’t been to the village for more than a year now. I keep thinking about going with Chalerm but I am afraid that if I show my face in the village neighbours and relatives will start to pressure him for money again. I am half forgotten but if they see Chalerm and a foreigner in a car with Bangkok license plates they will be inspired to beg more.