Bangkok's street artisans do it for freedom, not cash
Though most of Bangkok's street vendors spend their days hawking mass-produced knickknacks, there are some genuine artisans out there who gave up their day jobs to pursue their dreams on the street.
Here are four Bangkok street vendors who make a living selling their own creations. They have little in common other than the fact they prefer to live on their own terms, unconstrained by society’s rules.
Pencil pushers
Gong and Tom are portrait painters near Bangkok's Memorial Bridge, known in Thai as Saphan Phut. Every night (except Monday, which is street cleaning day), many portrait painters will gather alongside the bridge to work and sell their creations.
Gong has been painting by the bridge for more than 10 years and says he is one of the original painters in the area who helped start the trend. He’s a self-taught painter, without any formal qualifications.
“I've loved drawing and painting since I was very young,” says Gong. “I didn’t do well in school as I preferred sketching the girls more than finishing my homework.
“I used to work at all sorts of jobs –- restaurant waiter, chef or even a stuntman, you name it. This is the best job of all. I don’t need to be on time. I do what I love and when I feel like it.”
Gong says he doesn’t need to work as hard because he has no responsibilities. He only makes enough to drink and eat.
His job also involves painting at customer's houses or in the park.
Right opposite Gong sits his apprentice, Tom, who joins him every night to learn the secrets of the street painter.
Tom is also a talented but self-taught artist. Before meeting Gong, Tom taught himself how to draw from textbooks he bought from a well-known art university.
During the day, Tom is a college student but at night he’s a portrait painter.
“I have another identity at night," says Tom. "Being a painter is my hobby. Here, I have Gong as my mentor. I learn a lot from him. I’m not here for the money, I already have a job. This is a part of my life’s completion.”
Tom hasn't decided if he'll give up everything to become a full-time artist, working on the street to pursue his passion or working in a job with healthcare and credentials.
“What artists or performers want most is to have people appreciate them. That’s all I need for now,” says Tom.
Getting there: The Chao Phraya Express boat runs from the pier below Skytrain Saphan Taksin station to the Saphan Phut pier, but stops running in the evening at 7 p.m.. Unless you're planning for dinner and drinks in the neighborhood first, it's best to cab it as the Saphun Phut Market doesn't open till after dark.
More on CNNGo: Bangkok's best night markets
A multi-talented bag lady
She became a full-time street artist after quitting her job as a graphic artist.
“I walked into my boss’s office and told him, I didn’t feel happy here and I want to quit," she says.
“It’s that easy. I wanted to spend time with my son and do things that I love. Life is just too short to spend with strangers in a cubicle.”
Pimwad is an all-around talent: she makes stage props for TV shows, sews and sells her own bags, designs T-shirts, makes stuffed dolls and many other things. She says she just started selling her stuff online, but most of her income is earned at night markets around town.
“Anyone can join this lifestyle but you need to have basic skills and unlimited ideas -- fortunately, I’ve got my knowledge from art school,” says Pimwad, while patiently working on her dolls.
“I work and relax. I only need enough for two and then I take a long break with my son. I’m very happy with my life.”
On the good days, she gets hired for prop making, book cover design or CD covers. The worst days are when she's just sitting on the pavement and selling her bags.
“Sometimes a big paycheck lasts me for months," she says. “The key to happiness is just to be happy with what you have."
Getting to Phra Arthit Road: Take the Chao Phraya Express to Phra Arthit pier.
A free man on Khao San Road
Just a few minutes’ walk from Phra Athit Road is energetic tourist haven Khao San Road.
Pol Eak-- which means "The General"-- is a necklace maker who sets up shop on the ground here. He says people often think he's crazy, given that much of what he says doesn't make any sense.
Pol Eak's necklaces are made from unwanted junk, some even salvaged from landfills, so make sure you wash them before putting them on.
My life does not make much sense to some people. I don’t care."
-- Khao San Road street vendor Pol Eak
“People usually stop and watch me, the strange looking man, making necklaces,” he says. “I don’t make that much but enough to get by on.”
Pol Eak left his family and home a long time ago for what he says are personal reasons. He now stays with his friends or on the street.
“I’m a free man, I do whatever I please, although I do keep it within the boundaries of the law -- most of the time,” he laughs.
Pol Eak moves around a lot. Khao San Road isn’t his only work place of choice so you will need a bit of luck to find him.
“I look like a hobo and I don’t have good manners but I always follow the King and Lord Buddha’s teachings.
“My life does not make much sense to some people. I don’t care. I bet I do more good than our politicians today,” says Pol Eak with a loud laugh.
