Weerapat’s parents moved from Ayutthaya province to Bangkok many years ago. He is now studying at a secondary school in Bangkok. I first met him while he was helping his mom selling jasmine garlands to motorists on the road next to the space. He often comes to help his mom and play around in this area.

Nid is a newcomer in Bangkok. He has been living in Thailand for 8 years in different places before he moved to Bangkok a year ago. He works in a construction site near by.

Lam and Noi are both from the northeast of Thailand. They live and work on a crane boat near by. They often come to this spot to rest and look at the flow of the Chao Phraya River. Lam had set up a fire to grill a big catfish he caught from the river when I took this photo.

Wachira is from Chachoengsao Province in the middle of Thailand, working as a foreman in the construction site near by. He moved to Bangkok several years ago with his wife who is from Ubon Ratchathani province in the northeast. His daughter, Pair was born in Bangkok, and is in her secondary school. She is a hope of the family.

Suchai moved to Bangkok with his parents around 40 years ago. He has his own small business, a noodle stall. He is temporarily living in his small shelter behind the tree in the photo, waiting to move to his son’s house in a different part of Bangkok.

Ham and Bom is studying in the same school. They often come to the space to play. Ham is studying in grade 5. He was born in Lopburi province, which is his dad’s hometown. His dad works as a cook in a restaurant, and his mom works as a cleaner. She is from the northeast. Bom is younger than Ham. He is in grade 1 at school. Bom’s parents are from Udon Thani province. His dad is a bus driver, but his mom is already passed away.

Sompong is 46 years old working as a janitor in a high school next to this space. He has worked on many different jobs before he found this one, which is a life security for him. His son is studying at the same high school he works for. He comes to the space just to have a rest and also to collect some vegetables he can find.

Chatchawan is 25 years old from Leoi province. He moved to Bangkok 10 years ago and works as a caretaker of a construction waste landfill. He lives in a small shelter with his colleague in the landfill. The area is huge. Some parts of it are still covered with trees and greenery. Chatchawan often goes out to find food from the small wood in the area. He tries hard to live economically in order to save as much money as possible and send it back home for his family.

63 year old Boonsri traveled from the opposite side of Bangkok to this place to collect naturally-grown vegetables. He would keep a small portion to feed his family but sell the rest at the local market near his house.

Suton’s parents brought him to Bangkok when he was a kid. He lives near by the field in the photo, in the same house he first moved to Bangkok. The house is the only legacy from his parents. He is now in his mid thirties, working as a freelance handyman. I met him while he was repairing a roadside shelter near the field.

Kai is 29 years old, from Tak province in the northwest of Thailand. He has been in Bangkok for 5 years and works as a labourer. He often comes to fish and pick up some vegetables that grow naturally in this area. When I first met him he was aiming his slingshot at a mango tree. He told me he missed his hometown in Tak but there is no choice. He has to be in Bangkok to work, as there is no job back home. Kai sends money back home every month although he has a low income.

Chalerm moved to Bangkok 30 years ago when he was young and full of hope. Now he is 53 years old living near by in a small house with his family. He comes to the area with his wife to collect some firewood for their cooking.

Tongleang moved to Bangkok 20 years ago, working as a security guard. In the picture is an abandoned housing estate near his shelter. This housing project was banned by the authority before its completion, due to the illegal design. Some of Tongleang’s friends have been living in some of these abandoned houses. They even managed to get the electricity working, no rent and no bills. As low-income workers, living economically is the key to survive in Bangkok.

Tongleang moved to Bangkok 20 years ago, working as a security guard. In the picture is an abandoned housing estate near his shelter. This housing project was banned by the authority before its completion, due to the illegal design. Some of Tongleang’s friends have been living in some of these abandoned houses. They even managed to get the electricity working, no rent and no bills. As low-income workers, living economically is the key to survive in Bangkok.

Korn moved to Bangkok with her son who works as a builder at the construction site in the photo. Her son brought her along to Bangkok because there was no one left to take care of her back home in the northeast. All of her sons and daughters have moved to Bangkok to work several years ago.