Thai Farmer Offers $300,000 for Someone to Marry His 26-Year-Old Daughter

A stock photo of a wedding (Illustration - Shutterstock)

A millionaire Thai farm owner said he is offering around $315,000 (10 million baht) to someone who will marry his 26-year-old daughter.

Arnon Rodthong, 58, said the suitor will get the sum of money and a state in his family’s durian farm to marry his daughter, Karnsita, according to the Daily Mail.

He said his daughter helps him run the family business, saying she is fluent in Chinese and English.

In some parts of Thailand, customs say that a man should pay a dowry for his bride-to-be.

Rodthong said there are no restrictions on nationality, saying that they should only “work hard and make Karnsita happy.”

“I want someone to take care of my business and make it last. I don’t want a person with a bachelor’s, or master’s or philosopher’s degree,” he said.

He added: “I want a diligent man. I just want someone with a hard-working attitude. That’s all.”

A local news outlet interviewed him, but was interrupted by a phone call. “Just come to Chanthaburi on April 1,” the businessman told the caller, who apparently wanted to marry his daughter.

Karnsita, whose family farm produces about 50 tons of the stinky fruit every day, said she has received a number of offers since he spoke in the media about it, adding she’s “still single.”

“I first found out about my father’s post when my friend’s showed me. I was surprised but I can see the funny side to it, too,” she explained. “It is true that I am still single. If I have to get married with someone, I only want him to be a diligent and good person who loves his family.”

Meanwhile, Thai news outlet Khaosodenglish.com reported that “Arnon Rodthong says the public interest and inquiries have become too disruptive to his family and durian hustle. Whoever marries his daughter will still get the 10-mill, however.”

Durian

Durian, known for its smell, has been described as “turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock. It can be smelled from yards away,” according to Smithsonian Magazine.

A few weeks ago, it was reported that the Plaza Asia shopping center in the West Java, Indonesia, city of Tasikmalaya is selling the J-Queen variety of durian for about $1,000, which is far more expensive than the ones sold in the supermarket.

“My intention is to improve the welfare of farmers by creating superior durians,” Aka, the purveyor of the fruit, said, reported the Guardian. “I have had durian gardens in Kendal, Pekalongan, Banyumas, Pangandaran, and Gunung Tanjung, Manonjaya, Tasikmalaya.”

Two J-Queen durians were sold since they were put on display, according to the Guardian.

Wedding Costs

According to a 2018 report from The Street, the average cost of a wedding in the United States is about $33,391 for 2017.

“That is a big price tag and burgeoning newlyweds have an uphill climb in trying to keep wedding costs down. From paying for the venue to the cost of make-up for the bride on her wedding day, the dollars are flying out of family bank accounts before and on the big day,” the report said.

The most expensive part of the wedding is the venue, costing about $16,000 on average. Next is the photographer at $2,783, and reception music averages about $4,156 for weddings.