Blue Dancer

Blue Dancer, water color on paper, 5x7 inch

During the day, she works in the Duty Free shop at Bangkok Airport.  At night she works in Doll House bar on Soi Cowboy.  Her mother, sister and sister’s two kids live in Sukothai, a place full of Buddha statues and temples a thousand years old.  She makes 30,000 Baht a month, sending half to her mother and sister. She tries to go with customers she likes, who know how to smile.  An Australian guy her to fly to Sydney for a week but she said no.  She doesn’t want to give up her daytime job.  It’s what keeps her life intact.

Neng

Neng, water color on paper, 18x24 inch

For two years, Neng assembled DVD players at an electronics factory in the Rayong industrial zone, making 7000 Baht each month, her son with her mother upcountry.  Then her father became ill and stopped work.  In Thailand, there’s no pension plan, unemployment insurance or disability, only the family, especially the eldest daughter.  She went to work in Doll House on Soi Cowboy, where her monthly take home is 30,000 Baht.  Her life in shreds, she, her son and family will survive.  At least for now.