Contest for durian trader’s daughter’s suitor cancelled due to overwhelming response

THAILAND (March 7): A durian trader who offered his daughter’s hand in marriage to a suitable man who was qualified to take over his durian empire has cancelled the contest he had initially announced earlier this week. 

Channel News Asia reports that the Thai durian mogul cancelled the the contest due to the overwhelming response received from would-be suitors. 

Aspiring sons-in-law were required to participate in a three-month-long "tournament" held at one of his durian farms.

When he announced the contest Anont Rotthong, said, "Anyone who knows how to buy and select durian, and source the fruit from orchards can take my daughter's hand. 

"I won't ask for a single baht in dowry from him, but will instead give him 10 million baht in cash, 10 vehicles, a house, two durian markets and the daughter who graduated with honours from Assumption University and has a master's degree from Sun Yat-sen University in China," said the 58-year-old in a Facebook post last weekend. 

Over 10,000 people had responded to his call, and he said that he did not have a place big enough to accommodate them all. 

“Interested sons-in-law, please stop calling me. I’m dying because my phone has been ringing off the hook. Let me rest," he wrote.

Kanjasita Rotthong, his 26-year-old daughter told Bangkok Post that she respected her father's method of helping her find a husband, but later said that no matter the outcome of the contest, the final decision would be hers. 

A popular suitor was 28-year-old Premyosapon Khongsai, whose post on Facebook applying for the position garnered 14,000 likes.

“I’m interested. I am 28 years old. My family also grows durian in Trat province. We have over 300 trees … I can weather the sun and the rain. I can drive a 10-wheel truck and tractor. Please consider me, father Anont. Thank you," wrote Khongsai.

The publication reports that Anont wrote him off as being "too handsome" and that he would break the heart of his daughter, Kanjasita.

In a TV interview, Kanjasita said that while she found the contest amusing at first, it stopped being funny after it went viral. 

The durian trader called off the tournament saying that the overwhelming public interest had become disruptive to his family and business, but he said that whoever ends up marrying his daughter will still receive the riches he has offered.