Stark contrast | Bangkok Post: feature

SMALLPEOPLE

Victory Monument is one of the most bustling places in the city. As a major transport junction, it draws heavy crowds during rush hours each day. I am among those people, travelling to the area to make a bus change since my school days until now. But today is different. Instead of changing from one bus to another, people are now getting off from a bus or van to the more convenient BTS to get into the inner city.

That evening, as I walked on the BTS sky-walkway as usual, the sound of a flute struck me from afar. So I followed the sound and found this street performer playing his flute, with a plastic cup attached to the end in the hope of small change from passers-by.

The man and his musical instrument were ordinary. But the spot where he performed was unique. His shabby appearance in a black T-shirt and uncombed hair was in stark contrast to the poster, which featured five neatly dressed, well-coiffured boys in the background.