ADVOCATE OF HAPPINESS ENJOYS SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE

IPOH: A Thai man gave up the hectic city life to move to his hometown to begin a life as a farmer and is now an advocate of happiness.

After spending seven years working in Bangkok, Jon Jandai (pic), decided to return to Yasothorn province and venture into farming when he was 30 years old.

Jon, 53, said city life was not for humans but for robots and if one thought about love and freedom, it was definitely hard to be happy in a city.

Working an eighthour shift a day in the city without savings just to ensure there was food on the table made Jon rethink his decision.

“For me, life is short and it is not worth staying in a city just to make a living when I can grow my own food and be happy at the same time.

“I spend less than an hour at my farm growing 50 different varieties of vegetables and fruits.

“Surplus of the produce is sold at the farm because people say it is impossible to find so many varieties in the market,” he said in an interview at Pangkor Dialogue 2017 here yesterday.

He had earlier delivered his keynote address and also spoke during the plenary session on nationbuilding.

Jon, who now stays in Chiang Mai, had also constructed his own earthen home.

He conducts workshops on how to build such homes, and within three years, some 100 homes have been constructed.

“With my small farm, I am able to save money, have more free time and enjoy a peaceful life.

“I stay with my wife and our 13yearold son, who is homeschooled, and we are generally stressfree and happy,” he added.

Jon said people had a choice to plan their life and there was no need to suffer.

“Do what you love and life will be less stressful and happier,” he added.