BK: How did you get started in your job?
I was a carpenter for six years, but I stopped because the income wasn’t stable enough. I wanted to be a driver when I was young, but I knew I was not good at it. Then a friend asked me to join him and sell wash basins and other products. He used to give me a ride to wherever I wanted to start and stop each day. I would get the products from him in the morning and reimburse him at night. I got 20% commission, so B40 every time I sold a B200 basin. I worked for him for about ten years, until he got rich and decided to quit the business. I continue to do it because it’s what I know best.

BK: What’s the best thing about your job?
The flexible hours mean I have the freedom to rest when I’m tired and eat when I’m hungry. I like what I do, and I do it well.

BK: What’s your typical day like?
I leave my house around 8:30am, and take a tuk-tuk to wherever I decide to start selling. I take a different route every day. Today, I started at Sam-Yan Market and I plan to stop at Chareunakorn Soi 40. Each morning, I set a time and place to finish, even if I don’t sell much that day. I always try to finish by 8pm. At the end of the day, I just think about the next.

BK: What’s the most difficult thing about your job?
I carry about 70kg of products every day, and I never know what the weather is going to be like. I work in the heat, the cold and the rain. It was very hard during the floods because I could only walk certain routes. In order to survive in this job, you need a fighter’s mindset. You also have to be patient.

BK: What’s your tip for carrying heavy loads?
Make sure you’re evenly balanced then things will be easy once you start walking.

BK: How does business today compare to the past?
It’s totally different, like black and white. In the past, it was much easier because there weren’t many department stores or flea markets. My wife and I used to sell hundreds of basins and earn about B2,000 a day. We saved enough money to buy a house in Kalasin, where my family still lives. Now it’s a lot harder, but I’m doing okay. I don’t think too far ahead and just try to do the best I can today.

BK: Who is your most memorable customer?
There is a grandma on Bangrak Rd. who is very kind to me. She always helps me out by buying my products and then giving them to her friends and family. Sometimes she even gives me B100-200 for no reason at all. She’s so kind.

BK: Do you ever consider doing something else?
You have to do what you love and what you are good at. It’s as simple as that. I love my job. I’ve done it for 30 years and will keep doing so until I’m no longer capable.