Q&A: Sayan Sangthong

March 8th, 2008

Street Talk Food remains one of life’s necessities. Unfortunately, these staples are being marked up faster than we can say khao phad moo. Speaking of moo, Sayan Sangthong, 45, the owner of a pork stall in one of Bangkok’s daily bazaars, is facing major problems with the infl ation of the price of pork.

BK: When did you begin this job?

Sayan Sangthong: I began in April last year.

BK: How is it going?

SS: My ex-boyfriend’s family has been in this business for a long time. We are good friends so he helps me do my job by fi nding markets to buy the meat from.

BK: Is it hard for you?

SS: At fi rst, it was, but now I’m getting good at it. It’s hard work while I prepare the stall because things are hot and heavy. But I’m happy to do it myself because I know I can manage things singlehandedly.

BK: Where do you sell?

SS: On Tuesdays, I go to Pattanakarn, along the edge of the railway. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, I’m at Amonsarb Village in Nhongjok, close to the Department of Land Transport Thailand Division 4. On Thursdays, I sell at a small market in Ladkrabang called Talad Han Pa Lo. I have Mondays off .

BK: How much do you pay for rent?

SS: I pay B110 a day at Pattanakan, and B50 a day in the other places.

BK: What will you do if the price of pork continues to climb?

SS: I have no options. The only other alternative to my current job is to be a housekeeper or maybe start selling small necessities and accessories. I’m just hoping that this crisis will end soon and that someone from the new government will do something about it.

BK: What is business like since the price hike?

SS: I’ve heard from others that many shops are closing down because they don’t have enough money to buy pork meat. The pigs are so expensive that the price of pork is approaching the price of beef. I don’t make much profi t anymore. I used to get B1,000 a day but now, if I’m lucky, I might manage B600 in three days. I’ve also had to reduce the amount of meat I order because I just can’t seem to sell it all in one day anymore.

BK: Will you raise prices soon?

SS: I hope I won’t have to! It’s already too damn expensive!
Sumanut Thiengthong