Khun Bia Outside His Shack.

I met Khun Bia in 2019. He lives in a tiny one room shack alongside the freeway in Klong Toey slum. Bia has a cardboard roof so that when it rains he always gets wet. 3 Years ago he had a cardboard roof and got wet, today in 2022 he has a cardboard roof and gets wet. Khun Bia has a great reverence as many Thais do for the Thai Royal Family. Here he is showing me his picture of King Rama 10, placed high on a wall in a position of respect.

Khune Bia, 62 with a picture of King Rama 10, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2022

Anapon's New Home

I have been photographing Khun (Mr.) Anapon since about 2011. This is the first photo I took of him in 2022, I had not seen him since 2019 pre Covid. In that almost 3 year period he lost the boarded up room he used as home under the freeway. The old freeway was demolished by the government, costing him his room. He now sleeps under the new freeway in the open, with no privacy or basic comforts. No water, no electricity not even a door or walls. He has been living like this for about 2 years. There is constant traffic running directly behind where he sleeps 24/7.

The first time I came back after 3 years I was photographing a couple of hundred feet away, I did not see him, but he saw me and called me over with a huge smile and a waving arm. 

 

Khun Anapon is a former Muay Thai boxer who has a badly deformed left foot. The foot was injured in an accident an he can barely walk on it, limiting his ability to work.

 

Anapon 53, in his new home under the freeway, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand, 2022

Dao Smiling Under The Freeway

Dao 33, smiling under the freeway, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2022

 

Khune Moo Drunk 2

Khune Moo had wandering hazy drunk eyes when I spoke to him. 

Khun Moo, drunk next to the freeway, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand, 2022

Khun Moo Drunk Next To The Freeway

Khun Moo was just sitting on a bench near the freeway, completely wasted at about 3pm. He had the eyes of someone who had spent many years drinking, old before his time. I gave him some money for food, hopefully he will use it to get something good to eat.

Khun Moo, drunk next to the freeway, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand, 2022

Dao Cooking Soup Under The Freeway

I just met this young man, he seems so lost, he was cooking his soup with a fire fuelled by Styrofoam and plastic. You could smell the chemicals burning away, producing lots of noxious smoke.

Khun Dao 33, cooking soup under the freeway, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2022

Met Khun Bia Again

One funny thing happened "under the freeway today". I had not been seen Khun Bia for almost 3 years. I knock on the door to his cardboard roofed shack then say say "hello" and the first thing out of his mouth after a 1 second delay, was, "GERRY!" Then a big smile and greeting! It was as if I had left only the day before. He offered me water and even a hat later on. A wonderfully kind man!

 

Khun Bia in his shack, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok 2019

Had A Good Day Under The Freeway Today

Had a good day “UNDER THE FREEWAY making photos today. Was out shooting for 4 1/2 hours, came back covered in sweat. The Thai is coming back, today probably spoke to over 20 people.

Some of the highlights from today, I handed out some donated dolls to migrant Cambodian children. Met Khun Ooh, Anapon, Bia and Champoo again. Met and photographed another 6 or 7 people. Everyone was friendly and kind. One police/security guy hit me up go 200 baht ($8 CAD) to photograph where he patrolled. It was sort of a grey area with lots of military around. Told him I would pay tomorrow.

 

Met one man named Dao who was in bad shape. He was very dirty, with long un kept hair, only 33. Not sure why he fell on such tough times. Dao did not speak much. He was cooking a soup over a fire made of plastic, wood and Styrofoam, you could smell the chemicals as the fire burned. I gave him some money for food and he quickly went off to buy some. I came back 2 hours later and he was still cooking his soup.

 

Khun Dao like Anapon sleeps in the open under the freeway, cars driving by constantly. A depressing and desperate place to live. Khun Anapon's home was better before they knocked down the freeway. There is a new freeway built in its spot, but the isolation and coolness and protection of the old concrete road is gone.

 d coolness and protection of the old concrete road is gone.

Will try to go back tomorrow. I promised to buy some medicine for Khun Ooh’s dog Yan Yook. He has a bad case of flees and a eye rash. When I told Khun Ooh that I would buy some medicine for her dog she waied (putting your hands together as if praying, a Thai sign of respect and thanks) me repeatedly. I tried to get her to stop but she kept waiing. She really loves her dog. I worry what will happen to her when the dog eventually dies.

Working On My PowerPoint Presentation.

In Thailand during my spare time I am working on my Artist PowerPoint presentation. I will need to have a better one by April 21 when I do my talk in Winnipeg at the "FLASH PHOTOGRAPHIC FESTIVAL".

Parts of it might look something  like this:

FREEDOM!!!!

Khun Ooh and Yon Yook in their home, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2022

Here is Khun Ooh in her new home with her dog Yon Yook. The home is just a bunch of boards put together. There is no electricity, running water or a toilet. Her dog "Yon Yook" is sorta her life, Ooh takes great care of him, she loves him. He protects her, no one can come too close.

Khun Ooh and Yon Yook in their home, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2022

FLASH PHOTOGRAPHIC FESTIVAL update.

FLASH PHOTOGRAPHIC FESTIVAL update.

The FAMILIES OF THE DUMP/THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY exhibition will take place at a venue at 393 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba in April 2022. 

 

There will be 12 photos exhibited. Post exhibition these same photographs will be eligible for sale, 100% of that money will go directly (no waste, no middle men) back to the the FAMILIES OF THE DUMP and THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY. In the past at the dump I used all donation/art money to buy goods that I then handed out to the family members. I will do the same with "the people live under the freeway".

 

I will do a 45 minute PowerPoint talk related to the 2 projects along with a brief introduction of the earlier photographic work (want to mention and thank my father). At the venue there will be 15 minutes for possible questions (doubt there will be 15 minutes of questions!, it would be nice, but I do not think so). The talk will take place Thursday April 21.

 

Please consider attending. Please consider buying a print if you can. Later I will send you links and photos on how your money was spent to help those in the photographs.

 

393 Portage Avenue

Old Man shows me his money, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand, 2022

 This man showed me his money, coins wrapped in his shirt. I gave him 40 baht.

Old Man shows me his money, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand, 2022

Khun Lut Mai laughing, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2022

Trying to figure out how to use the Hasselblad X1D best. I think I need to shoot it differently than the Canon 5D Mark 3 (an old but good camera).

Khun Lut Mai laughing, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2022

Khun Ooh In Her New Home

Khun Ooh found me on the street photographing. I asked her to take me to her new home (other was demolished by the government when they destroyed part of the freeway.

Photo made with the Blad X1D and the 22mm XCD lens. Struggled with this camera today, first time really using it for doc work. Will try to improve. Like this shot with Khun Ooh. The range and information on these medium format digi cameras, is rather amazing.

 

Khun Ooh in her new home, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2022.

Flying Into Japan

The view flying into Japan a few days back. When you think about it modern air travel is a really amazing thing! We were at about 40 000 feet.

From my Air Canada seat.

Back Under The Freeway

Went under the Bangkok freeway today for the first time since 2019. Much has changed but somethings are the same. I found Khun Champoo and Khun Oye. Khun Anapon and Khun Ooh both found me.

I was taking photos when Khun Anapon yelled out to call to me from the other side of some railroad tracks, this was near to where he used to live. Khun Ooh saw me photographing on the road 40 minutes later and came over to speak to me with a big smile on her face. I spoke to her and I asked her to take me to her new home which she did, it was about a 20 minute walk, far off in a tree covered secluded area. I would never have found her if she had not found me first. A bit of luck there!

You could say that things worked out pretty well today. I found 2 of the people I photographed "under the freeway" from back in 2019 and 2 people from that time found me.

Also found several new people to photograph, Khun ---- (he showed me his 700 baht of cocaine), he seemed sad, Khune Na (showed me his sleeping mosquito net). Khun Ging (he lived in a area near some burned homes).

Khun Ooh also still has her dog, who is named Yok Yoon. Yok Yoon still barks at me even thou I have been photographing him for about 5 years. Little bastard!

There was an area around where Khun Ooh lives that had several older men stay, they lived in small run down shacks that had access to electricity and running water, there was even a toilet building not to far away.

I will continue to go to Klong Toey slum and photograph in the places I visited today, will see if I can find more later on. I think there are stories to be told there, maybe not as populated as in 2019 but there are still some important lives to share.

Oh yes, Khun Bia is also still under the freeway in the same spot. I spoke to his neighbour and he said Bia was still living in the same place but away working. I will try to visit him next time.

I could not find Jack, Dom, Vee, Ying or Owen. I will keep looking for them next visit.

Tomorrow I need to go back to my first hotel for my 3rd Covid test. If I pass that I will be free to restart THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY series, thou I might have to expand that story to nearby areas, as the main area I photographed in before has been demolished with only remnants remaining.

Used the Blad today with some difficulty. I will take the Blad and the Canon Mark 3 next time. Will also be shooting some film in the coming days.

 

Also went into an area where lots of migrant workers live, Cambodians, Burmese and Thais. Will return and give the children who live there some donated toys from Canada. Should have taken the toys but was not thinking that way, was thinking they are were for dump children alone. Can spread the toys out as much as I can tomorrow. Wish they were new toys but old toys work as well.

It was nice to see most everyone again.

Quote: Ansel Adams

 

In A Nicer Hotel And New Thai Stuff

Out of my prison Covid room. Now in a nice hotel. Staying here for 5 nights. The cost is about $32CAD a night. I have my 3rd Covid test to pass on the 26th.
 
Am out of the loop for Thailand, looked the wrong way when crossing road today and almost walked into the path of a turning motorbike. I need to concentrate and be more careful. I am speaking and reading Thai again, so it is coming. Being understood, even with a NF 95 mask, so I guess that is a good sign . The Thai flow is coming back, bit by bit. I have been away from my second home for almost 3 years. Some things are different, much is the same. I will catch up soon!
 
Here are some photos of my current room. Hotel prices are cheaper now because of Covid. Everyone is more desperate to make money. Tourism is so crucial to Thai economic well being. This hotel room usually goes for around $157 CAD to Japanese guests (more fussy). An older but in very good shape room, love the kitchen. I just heated up some ham and cheese sandwiches from 7/11. "AROI MAK!" (delicious). Last night did Chinatown seafood, tonight some "Som Tum" (papaya salad, my fav Thai food).
 
Will go to Klong Toey Slum to see if I can find any of my UNDER THE FREEWAY friends. Temp here is around 33C , sometimes sunny and sometimes overcast. Lots of rain happening all over Thailand. Global warming screwing with the weather here as well. Rains do not usually start in Thailand until April or later.

 

Migrant Worker Photography Project?

Outside the room they have tables set up to leave your food on, part of the Covid protocols here. My window view includes a street food seller, WISH I COULD GET ME SOME OF THAT! Looks like satay of some kind. Also there is building construction across the way, possibly cheaper labour Burmese or Cambodian construction workers, not sure. Would have to speak to them to find out. In the past have photographed at a place where those type migrant workers lived. So many people have such difficult lives.

https://gerryyaum.blogspot.com/2014/06/photo-idea.html?fbclid=IwAR2TCiqrw83adqOc9ALVWtS3t7ZIHPc9ygV7QoCagmhZkV_mk5suNLd7CLg 

Migrant Cambodian worker #1, Bangkok Thailand 2013

igrant Cambodian worker #2, Bangkok Thailand 2013

Outside My Quarentine Hotel Room

Outside the room they have tables set up to leave your food on, part of the Covid protocols here. My window view includes a street food seller, WISH I COULD GET ME SOME OF THAT! Looks like satay of some kind. Also there is building construction across the way, possibly cheaper labour Burmese or Cambodian construction workers, not sure. Would have to speak to them to find out. In the past have photographed at a place where those type migrant workers lived. So many people have such difficult lives.

Tables for food

Hotel window view.

Street Satay?

Migrant Workesr?

FRAMES MAGAZINE FaceBook Promo

 The Facebook Frames Magazine page allows you to promote your photography. Here is my most recent little promo.

There is now new second exhibition of photographs from THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP and THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY opening soon. The photographs will be part of the FLASH PHOTOGRAPHIC FESTIVAL in Winnipeg Manitoba in April of 2022. More details to follow.

 

I hope to donate the artist fee from the event back to the people in the photographs (in the form of goods to help their lives). Will also be able to sell all the exhibition photographs from the event.

 

The FLASH FESTIVAL folks are printing the files for me (am sending them from Thailand where I am now soon) then donating them pictures back to me. I will try to sell the exhibition pictures to raise money to help the people who live in the garbage dump and under the freeway. I call that process the perfect artistic circle. They help me make the pictures, others see the pictures and give, the people in the photographs benefit by receiving free goods to improve there life. In the case of the dump, they get rubber boots, headlamps, foods, toys, working tools, medicine, candy etc.

 

I will also be doing a PowerPoint talk on the projects and the other photography in late April. Please consider coming.

 

http://gerryyaum.blogspot.com/

 

Woo family father having an early morning smoke in the dump, THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP, Mae Sot, Thailand 2019

Future Photo Related Thing!

Here in quarantine Bangkok I will work on some exhibition digital files. I will send the director of the FLASH PHOTOGRAPHIC FESTIVAL digital files, he will print and exhibit them. Will send him a selection of files from both Thai projects THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY and THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP. After the show will receive a $500 artist fee to help the families and the digital prints from the exhibition. My hope is that I can sell these prints to raise moire money to help the people in the pictures.

Will see how this goes, but this extra show this year (one in Fredericton now one in Winnipeg) could be a very positive thing. I am also working on my PowerPoint presentation here in Thailand. I will travel down to Winnipeg and do a talk sometime in late April. Then it is on to making Ambrotype photos for AMBROTOS KANATA all spring, summer and fall. In the late fall, the UNB Art Centre show opens in Fredericton.

 

So it will be this Thai Trip to make pics for THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP and THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY->Winnipeg Exhibition->Making Ambrotypes for AMBROTOS KANATA->Fredericton Exhibition.

 

Looking forward to retirement when I will have more time for photography, and photography related things.

 

"Ain't Photography Grand!!"

 

Woo family father with a 530am smoke in the dump, THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP, Mae Sot, Thailand, 2019

Ooh starting a fire to cook her rice, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019

Brother and sisiter in the garbage, THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP,  Mae Sot, Thailand, 2018

Anapon 47, with flower, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY,  Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019

Basic Room, Basic Food

A very basic seafood fried rice and my very basic Bangkok Thailand quarantine room. Breakfast was a bit bigger meal. Got a negative Covid PCR test so will not be here much longer. It will be onto better thing and places! Now that most of the work is done I am starting to be excited to be in Thailand again.

I think they stripped down the room for Covid rules, no microwave, no kettle, no hair dryer etc. Heck NO CLOSET! Still it is cheaper than in Canada. You get:

- pickup at the airport in a nice hermetically sealed car.

- hotel room first night

- Covid PCR test

- 3 meals

- hotel room 5th night

- 2nd Covid PCR test

 

Theatre

My Closet

Basic Stuff! Food Was Fried Rice with a bit of Seafood, this was lunch, breakfast a bit more.