Street talk Thawunrat (Aui) Boonchiangrak is in her 40s but stays healthy thanks to her daily aerobic session at Lumpini Park. How to find her in the mass of sweating bodies? Thursdays and Fridays, look onstage.

BK: How did you get this job?

Thawunrat Boonchiangrak: I love exercise. I started going to the aerobics class at Lumpini Park about 10 years ago. I came every day! One day, the park was short of an instructor, so they asked me to fill in.

BK: Were you terrified that first time as the leader?

TB: I was. Being on the stage to lead the exercisers was more complicated than I expected. While I was on the floor, I just looked at what the leader was doing without even thinking. But when I was up there for the fi rst time, I danced, but my brain was working hard trying to   come up with what to do next. Now, I’m quite good at it and I don’t even need to rehearse.

BK: Any special training?

TB: Other instructors might have some sort of training, but I just picked it up through practice. I remember all the steps and adapt them to the songs to suit the exercisers. Even if you’ve got training, you still have to learn from experience.

BK: Does it pay well?

TB: No, I do it because I like it. It’s just a hobby for me—I own a small business. Each aerobic instructor gets paid the same amount: B250 per session. A session is around 45 to 50 minutes. I get a few freelance jobs with companies that hire me to get their employees moving. Those I charge more: B500, B600 or B800 per session. But I’m always at Lumpini on Thursdays and Fridays.

BK: Do you have your fans here?

TB: I have regulars. They like my steps and my routine. Here, there are seven instructors, and exercisers can choose their favorites.

BK: What makes a good aerobic instructor?

TB: You have to know your audience. You can’t just use exotic steps that your exercisers cannot do. Your steps need to be both beautiful and practical.

BK: What do you like most about this job?

TB: I feel good when exercising and I’m lucky I can make some money from it. Exercise keeps me in good health, and it is probably the reason I look younger than my age.

Saransri Prawatpattanakul