Kob Papassara The legendary Thai Cinderella love story, who now lives a humble and happy life farming, gardening, and raising animals. Yet, some people still comment that they envy her. She said, “Don’t envy me, because even now I’m tired from farming, gardening, and taking care of animals. I worry about why the chickens aren’t laying eggs, why the vegetables die. What is the cause?”
Recently, we met Kob Papassara at the "7HD X-PERIENCE ULTIMATE CONTENT, ULTIMATE FUN" event at Suralai Hall, 7th floor, ICONSIAM. She shared her thoughts on this topic.
People think we just grow vegetables, tend the garden, and sip champagne all day?
"Dear, what’s there to envy? Growing vegetables is work. I do work, but it’s tiring and hot. I have to have something to quench my thirst, something light and refreshing, so that makes me happy."
It’s like it’s become our signature. On days when I’m not holding a glass, people wonder where it went.
"I don’t think holding a glass defines people’s image of me. That’s just normal life for me when I’m in Suphanburi. But one day everyone saw that image so much that it became a signature. When I don’t hold one, they ask, ‘Mom, did you forget something? Where’s your glass?’ They message me about it."
Living a simple happiness?
"I think happiness comes from ourselves. It doesn’t have to be flashy or extravagant. Living with my small farm and garden, earning a little, that is true happiness. How we choose to embrace that true happiness is up to us."
At first, people asked why I always hold a glass while working in the soil. Did anyone wonder about that?
"Yes. At first, they asked what was in the glass. I said, ‘Mom makes Papassara vineyard grapes, so it has to be grape juice.’ (Laughs) The color looks very similar. I have just one glass and carry it around as I farm and garden, but I sip it to refresh my body."
People wonder why I hold a champagne glass while gardening?
"That’s not strange. Can’t you drink while gardening? I even hold a glass or cup to drink water. What’s the difference between holding a glass? Tell me. (Laughs)"
Maybe they’ve never seen Kob like that before?
"Yes, I was a beauty queen. Now I’m 55, it’s been 33 years. How much more beautiful should I be? I want to be happy in life, in my remaining years. I want happiness without causing others’ suffering. That’s my choice. At this age, life is getting shorter."
"We don’t know if there will be a tomorrow. Every day I wake up and breathe, I tell myself I will live happily today. I still have my mother in Suphanburi, siblings, and family. That’s real happiness from inside, no need to fake or pretend."
Is there negative feedback about why you live this way?
"There is some. Of course, in this world, there’s positive and negative, envy and jealousy. But I don’t pay attention. I only see that what I do is my happiness. If my happiness causes others suffering, I cannot help them. If they think my happiness from farming is their suffering, then I guess they will continue to suffer."
"I believe people should not be careless with life. Take good care of yourself. Whatever we do, I don’t live carelessly. Life is short. I want to be with my loved ones longer and live happily, both physically and mentally. Everything is covered."
Do people envy your life?
"See? Why envy my life? Farming, gardening, raising chickens is tiring. Sometimes the chickens don’t lay eggs, the eggs aren’t complete, the vegetables don’t grow. Is that a life to envy? Try it and you’ll understand how tiring it is. This time, the vegetables didn’t grow because insects ate them since I don’t use pesticides. It’s exhausting. Watch out for the chicken that isn’t laying eggs."
"Recently, in my village, there was a nine-day, nine-night light and sound festival called ‘Nang Khai Pea.’ Yesterday, I went back and talked with the workers. At New Year, 20 chickens laid 15 eggs; 5 were missing, which is a lot. This time, they laid 19 or 20 eggs. The workers said the neighbors had music and lights playing, and the chickens laid many eggs."
Happy eggs?
"Yes, happy and content. I told the workers I will play music for them so they will lay 20 eggs for me. (Laughs)"
What advice do you have for people who envy your life?
"I want to say, don’t be greedy. Live simply and comfortably. If we’re not greedy, we will be happy. Let go of heavy burdens, let go of suffering, and you will find happiness. My happiness is simple and easy, and that’s enough for me."
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