It was truly devastating seeing another side of a beautiful vibrant city that many do not recognize or try to ignore. Sukhumvit District, Heart of Bangkok, is well known for shopping malls, department stores and nightlife; however, little did one know that on the other side of the wall, there are homes for many homeless, poor, and unemployed people.
On June 30th, 2022, we got a chance to talk to one family that has lived on a foundation pillar for over 17 years. They decorated their space with essentials such as plastic curtains that will keep them dry when it is raining, old mattresses, clothing racks, etc. Surrounding their home, it is the garbage ocean. They said they are already used to the smell so it doesn’t bother them much. They decide to live here because it would cost them 2000-3000 baht per month to rent a sub-standard room in the area. But even though they live outside, they still have to pay 1600 baht monthly for the electricity and water bill to a local store that lends them those sources.
This family has three members: a dad, a mom, and a 7 year old daughter. Dad is working as a security guard nearby earning 500 baht per day. Mom has been homeless since she was 13 years old and she once caught drugs. Currently, she has no work and on some occasions, she would go out begging, sometimes even bringing her daughter with her. The 7 year old is attending a local school free of tuition fee; however, it is the school requirements that make education even harder to access. All students need the uniforms and there are two types: a normal school uniform and “Netnari.”
