BK: Tell us more about mun ming.
Joo: Well, it is a traditional practice of hair removal from China. Your hair is removed through the twisting of the thread. It used to be a ritual process for Chinese girls before getting married. Threading will “open” the face of the bride, making her beautiful when she ties her hair back. But now people are less strict about this custom.

BK: Who taught you how to do this?
Joo: My grandma taught me when I was young. She left China to come here, and when she did, she did this for a living.

BK: Who are your customers?
Joo: I have many regulars, but mun ming can be applied to anyone whose skin is not too sensitive.

BK: How often should one get their hair threaded? Is it expensive?
Joo: It depends on the amount of facial hair. Normally, it is once a month. I usually charge B100 per session. But the price is a bit higher for those who have thicker hair.

BK: How long have you been doing this job?
Joo: I’ve been doing mun ming for 12 years now. But before that, I used to run my own grocery store.

BK: Why do you like this job?
Joo: I love to see my customers after the threading. They always smile while looking at the mirror. It makes me happy.

BK: How’s life working on the street?
Joo: Working on the footpath is not as comfortable as working in an office, especially when it rains. Then there are no customers at all and my equipment gets all wet. But ted sa kij [Bangkok Municipal Police officers] are the worst. I had a big argument with them once.

BK: Any words of advice for those who want to try?
Joo: It hurts just a little bit but I can assure you that you will be pleased. I usually apply a special powder to the customer’s face before. It helps fight bacteria. Your face will get whiter and smoother, your pores smaller and your skin healthier. You also have to take care of your face after that by washing your face with cool water because it helps reduce the irritation. If you have oily skin, apply a thin layer of egg white on your face, leave it on until it’s dry and then rinse off.