For Kajonsak Photakan (Tee), farming was part of childhood. He grew up in Photharam, Ratchaburi, Thailand, helping his father grow vegetables on the family farm. But as a young man, he imagined a different path.

After studying Electrical Mechanics, Tee opened an electrical repair shop. At first, it seemed like a secure choice. But as appliances became cheaper and easier to replace, fewer people chose repairs. Tee began to question whether the business could support his future.

That uncertainty led him back home.

With guidance from his parents, Tee returned to vegetable farming and began learning how to improve the family’s production of crops such as long eggplant, kailaan, celery, and chaisim. His journey deepened when he joined East-West Seed, where he gained practical training, field experience, and the chance to work with farmers and technical experts.

The experience changed how Tee saw farming. It was no longer just family work; it became a profession built on knowledge, planning, and continuous learning. As he applied new techniques in the field, he also earned greater trust from his parents, who saw the results of his decisions.

Later, Tee chose to leave his full-time role and return to farming with his family. His parents were getting older, and he wanted to help carry the farm forward. Vegetable farming also gave him a way to earn a living while staying close to his family.

Tee also learned to look beyond production. Instead of relying only on wholesale markets, he began connecting directly with retail shops in his hometown. With advance orders, he could plan planting schedules better and create a steadier flow of harvest and income.

Today, Tee’s story is one of returning to the land with new skills and a clearer purpose. From running a repair shop, to working with East-West Seed, to becoming a full-time vegetable farmer, he has built a livelihood rooted in family, learning, and resilience.

For Tee, this journey is also about the next generation. One of the reasons he chose farming full-time was his son. He wants to support his education while giving him the chance to grow up close to the fields, just as Tee once did with his own father.

In that way, Tee’s return to farming is not only a career change. It is a way of carrying forward his family’s hard work, while building a future his son can one day be proud of.