How and why did you become a puang maalai seller?
I was a farmer in Huay Tubtun, Sisaket, but it’s really tough earning a living there, so I came to Bangkok to get a job. Some of my friends used to sell puang maalai in Bangkok, and since I couldn’t find a job right away, I decided to do this, as well. I’m really old and it’s not too heavy for me to carry.

Where was the first place you started selling puang maalai?
I started at Sala Daeng, but it was not a good location so I moved here to BTS Siam Square. I’ve been selling it here for five years now.

Where do you live and how do you get here?
I live in Bang Sue. I pay B70-90 to come here by taxi every day.

How do you look after your puang maalai when you eat lunch or need to use the toilet?
I take food from home every day and when I need to use the toilet I just leave it here. Nobody is going to steal it—it’s just puang maalai!

How much profit do you make per month and what do you spend it on?
I make B3,000-4,000 a month. I have to pay for the Farmer’s Bank loan and the living expenses of my nieces and myself. One of my nieces is doing a Bachelor’s Degree, but she only studies on the weekend so I give her B400 a week to spend at school.

Have your nieces ever helped you sell puang maalai?
No, they never have. They said it’s not good for them to be puang maalai sellers here because it’s an embarrassing job. It doesn’t matter to me because I’m addicted to puang maalai—I can’t stop selling it. One time, the police did not allow me to sell here for three months and I was dreaming about selling it the whole time. I missed it and my clients so much, as if it were drugs! Puang maalai is a holy flower garland because you use it for religious purposes and to show your respect for people.

How long will you sell it?
I will do it as long as I have enough energy to do it.