Staying alive on Bangkok's roads
Cyclists talk to Life about their experience of travelling Bangkok's congested and often unfriendly roads every day.
Cyclists talk to Life about their experience of travelling Bangkok's congested and often unfriendly roads every day.
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Wachara Deekraipao, 53 on her saleng. (Photos by Duangphat Sithipat)
Staying alive on Bangkok's roads
Duangphat Sithipat
Wachara Deekraipao, 53
Wachara rides a clunky tricycle fitted with a big cart — commonly known as a saleng — to collect discarded bottles and sell them for a living.
"I'm no stranger to getting honked at or pressured by drivers in big cars," Wachara said. "I have nothing to fight back with. If they want to overtake me, be my guest. I will just keep left and go slowly."
Wachara knows where to find used bottles. From Silom to Sam Yan, she spends hours daily on her modified vehicle collecting what people toss on the ground or leave behind in bins. She turns them into money and makes about 5,000 baht a month.
For over 10 years, Wachara felt disdain from drivers who often regard her vehicle as a nuisance. However, she has never been involved in an accident.
"Your ears have to be good," she said. "Right after you hear something coming, you have to turn your head to see whether it's a bus or a car. Then you will know what you should do next."
Wararat Tojan, a "Yakult Lady".
Wararat Tojan, 43
Wararat is a "Yakult Lady", and her job is to ride a bicycle to deliver the probiotic drink to her customers every day.
Wararat started the job in 1998 as a way to get back on her feet after maternity leave. When the Yakult company came to Thailand from Japan in 1970, bicycles were the only vehicle used by female employees, whose appearance and uniform became recognisable to most people. Now most of them use small motorcycles. Of the 4,000 "Yakult Ladies", around 200 still ride a bicycle.
"Cycling is very convenient," Wararat said. "I'm accustomed to it now. I get to save money and exercise at the same time."
Wararat's area are the small lanes around Phahonyothin, and she does not expose herself to the main roads too much.
She has only had minor accidents, such as losing balance from braking quickly when people crossing the streets do not watch out for her.
Nevertheless, when she has to go out on the main roads, she always feels that the streets are full of people short on discipline and kindness.
"I sometimes get honked at even though I keep left all the time," Wararat said. "This is how our road users are and I think we have come to the point where nothing seems fixable. We have to accept it and let it go."
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