Of course every building needs a guard in case of emergency. But what does your job involve while you’re waiting for one to happen?
Well, I have several tasks, really: helping anyone who needs information, controlling the entry of visitors, holding the lift—as you can see, it’s pretty old. I do any number of things that need doing in a big building like this. And, of course, I’m here in case there’s a problem.

So has there ever been a problem?
Not really, I’m happy to say. The biggest problem is trying to sweep merchants off the steps in front of the building.

How long have you been doing this job?
About two years now. I’m only 22, and I was a monk before I started here. This job takes up almost all of my time: we have to keep the building under surveillance 24/7. I don’t get paid leave or weekends off, but I can take a couple of days off here and there if my boss agrees to it.

Have you seen anything of interest out on the street while you’re keeping watch?
Sadly not. Occasionally there’s a small traffic accident, but I haven’t seen anything big. You do see some pretty young ladies out and about, though.

So do you find the work a little boring?
Nobody would describe this as very exciting work. But it’s not bad. At least I get to deal with people every day. I’m not from Bangkok originally, and this is just my first job here. I used to pass time by chatting on the phone, but I was recently told off for that. I’m not allowed to read or listen to music, either.

That is truly terrible. Do you have to remain at your station for hours on end?
Oh no, it’s not as bad as that. In fact, I work in shifts with another guard. We call each other when we want a little break, so I’m not sitting in the same place for more than an hour or so. I’m allowed to take a short stroll from time to time.