"Struggling to keep a roof over our heads" took on a different meaning the last days.
About 4 weeks ago our Thai landlady in her infinite wisdom (and despite my vehement & loud objections over multiple occasions) cut down 1 big jackfruit tree, 3 huge mulberry trees, the soapnut tree I had cultivated from seed for 3 years, the gorgeous acerola cherry tree & a mature & rare lime tree. Why? She doesn't like trees really. Too much work to sweep the leaves (which we do anyway) & the neighbours think the trees look untidy & bring dust. She said she was worried about the tree roots eventually damaging her precious 100 year old teak house.
I WAS LIVID. To say the very least. In my heart I started reconsidering extending our lease (due mid next year), after such a blatant disregard for our rights as long term lease holders, not to mention the lack of respect for our choice to live in a natural environment.
10 days later the cool weather suddenly hit and the termites, equally enraged at her ignorance & the removal of their food sources, moved in.
Ploi & I laughed at the rapid karmic response.
A week went by & she was too busy being a pillar of the local temple to come take a look. So 3 days ago I sent her some pics of the chomping termites. She freaked.
The pest control guy came on Friday and instantly started removing the heavy roof tiles. Why? Collapse was imminent.
Today, 3 days later, we are still minus a roof ... & also minus the promised tarpaulin. The house reeks of dangerous chemicals.
Our lease isn't worth the paper it was written on apparently - being somewhat behind in our rent due to no income for the last 8 months of Covid, we have technically violated the terms of the lease (despite making regular part payments to the best of our ability) & our landlady suggested we look for another place to live.... yesterday. After my lawyer's name was dropped she has graciously given us till end December to vacate.
She has decided to salvage the original teak 100 year old part of the house and relocate it to a nearby rice field. Then she will level the site and nuke it with Goddess-knows-what chemicals. After which time she will build a 3 storey concrete block style rooming house for cheap Burmese workers. Deep sigh of despair. Building workers are extra cheap during the Thai economic freefall brought on by Covid, so she needs to get working fast to optimize her budget.
More wine anyone? 🍷 i have a VERY bad Thaigraine. Or maybe that's just the stink of the carcinogenic crap they sprayed everywhere the last days? 🤔😭
Hope it doesn't rain. House hunting after school today.
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