2 Digi Photos From Today

Here are a couple of photos made today with the digi cameras. The young boy pictured invited me to his birthday party a few years back (grabbed my hand and too me to the party). Today he seemed so much sadder and unsure. He was apprehensive and a bit frightened. 2 years can be a long time for someone so young, especially living as he does.

Duh Joh

Keep seeing old toys in the filth. The flies were really bad, saw thousands in places, walked through them which made them all rise and buzz you from every direction.

How can people live and work in this?

So hot in the garbage today, sweated buckets even at 730am. Got to wear my silly hat to protect myself. Many new people here, lots of hello's from old friends.

Back In The Garbage

I went back to the garbage dump in Mae Sot today to spend time with the families. Got out on the street at about 615am stayed only a few hours at the dump as the light and heat got quite a bit worse, fast. After 8am things got very harsh.

 Some opening return to the dump thoughts:

- There seem to be less people living on the garbage and close to the dump. I could be wrong on this as I misjudged that last trip.
- Lots of smiles and hello's from the folks that know me, happened 6 or 7 times, in the small group of workers I saw.
- Got out a yell out of "Gerry" from a boy off in the distance at one point, and waves and wais from many folks.
- Many new people working the garbage, lots and lots of new people. Some were apprehensive about me, some of the older folks were telling them stories about me I think. Heard DAH BONG YAI several times which is Burmese for 'taking photos'.
- A Thai official (dump official?) told me not take photos of the working. He sort of yelled t out to me from a distance in an angry way.  I saw him earl coming at me and tried to avoid him. This is sort of normal, happened probably 5 times last trip maybe more. I will try to avoid the official types. This trip I will probably be spending more time in the home areas of the families and less on the garbage where the working is done. There is no issue photographing people at home. Many family members now know me here, the trust me. It is quite easy to get photo access with my friends. Most everyone on the Burmese side is friendly, the Westerners and Thai officials can be a problem thou. Westerners in this area do not like you en crouching on their turf, they often see you as a threat and Thai officials like to hide the reality of the dump and the lives of the families from the world (makes Thailand look bad).
- Bought and handed out a few mama noodles and candies, but not much. No one came up and asked me for anything That will probably happen tonight when i return tonight and when word has spread that I am back.
- Will go buy headlamps tonight for the first time this afteroon, probably will pick up 20 or so to start. Will take some with me when I return to the garbage tonight. I am expecting rain, have a nice rain jacket to wear. Will probably be buying a bunch for the families in the next while.
- The people looked more tired and more warn down today,  the dump seemed smaller. The Win family father looked a bit weaker, older. Am a bit worried for him. He gave me a huge smile and hello (MING GAH LAU BAU) on seeing me.
- Rented a motorbike and got a nice hotel room. A place I can chill and recoup after being outside in the heat and filth. I am finding these trips more and more physically and mentally difficult as I age.
- Forgot the batteries for my Canon 5D today so only shot film, in the Rollie and in the Lieca 35s.
- TONS OF FLIES (thousands crawling over everything) in the garbage, even learned the Burmese word for Fly (JING GOH)

Much more to come.

Back In Mae Sot

Am back in Mae Sot, this time at quite a nice hotel. The cost of the place is 704 baht, or about $30 a night CAD.

I bought the first of the donations, Mama noodles (30) and  Lollipops (79) for the dump children, cost was 560 baht. Will make up  link to the donation money spent on the left side of this page so all the donators can track things if they want.

Note* All transport, hotels and meals etc for myself I pay out of my own pocket 0% of the donation money goes to me, 100% is used to buy goods for the families. I will be buying rubber boots, medicines, rice, and headlamps in the coming days.

Lollipops and Mama Noodles for the children at the dump

Will go to the garbage dump early tomorrow morning to say hi to everyone again and to see what has changed.

$30 a night includes a bath tub, sofa TV, eating, work table area WIFI and a small kitchen with doo-yen (refridgerator)

Asiaphotoreview.com Story-Interview-Photos Coming Soon

The "Asia Photo Review' profile, photos and interview should be online in about 1 weeks time. Got a nice note from the sites editor today.

I will post the link to the story-interview-photos  when they are posted. Hope the interview is a beautiful read for all of you out there in "internet land"as well.

Thanks Gerry

Note* They are featuring the "Families of the Dump" story, the 2018 color work.

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Hi Gerry,

Thanks so much for the answers, they're a beautiful read. I'll work through proofreading a bit more, but I should have the interview posted by next week the latest.

Thanks so much for the work that you do for these people and the light you shine on an underserved community. Hopefully I can help drive more attention to your work and help with the donations. 

.........

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Facebook; 21 New "The People Who Live Under The Freeway" Photographs From Last Seek

Am on my way to Mae Sot and the dump now, should arrive sometime tomorrow. Am looking forward to being with the families again, not looking forward to the smell, flies, rats, cockroaches and never ending heat. The "Families of the Dump" photo and donation work will be starting again soon. 

Here are some more shots done in Bangkok over the last week for "The People Who Live Under The Freeway" am missing my friends there now. Not sure when I can return to do more photos in that world, the security guard job in Canada is calling.

Anapon 53, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Anapon in his slum shelter under the freeway with a bit of a black eye, not sure where he got it.

Anapon 53, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Anapon a sweet man who I have been photographing for the last 5 or 6 years in his freeway shack. When I come to visit him watch day, this is the expression I usually see followed by a sweet, kind smile.

Anapon 53 "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Anapon in a pensive mood. Like the wooden bars to the left in this composition, sort of symbolic.

Truck Door, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Here is the door to Khun Bia'a old truck, decorated with pictures of the King and royal family plus a teddybear.

Dom 58, Chompoo 63 and Vee 40, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Dom smiling.

Domm 58,,"The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Dom in a more serious frame of mind, he goes through rapid mood changes at times.

Dom 58, Chompoo 63 and Vee 40, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Everyone is scrounging through the garbage when Dom acts up for me and the camera. He likes to put on a show now and again but is a very friendly guy.

Dom 58, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Dom laughing again under the freeway.

Dom 58, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Dom under the freeway.

Man Selling Wooden Boats, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

A street seller makes his way home after a long day of selling his small wooden boats. Very nicely crafted items.

Vee 40, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Vee, only met Bee 2 times but he was kind to me both days. We talked a fair amount about several things. He told me where I could get a nice apartment in the area.

Ooh 40+, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Ooh gathering some tings on the rail way tracks near her home.

"The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

A rather harsh looking interpretation of the area many people live under the freeway.

Puppy, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Pass this cute looking pooch each day when I walk to the main part of the under freeway story.

Lavah, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Lavah who I only met once looking down under the freeway. He staggered by that day with no shoes or shirt and with an incredibly detailed tattoo on his back.

Ooh 40+,0, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Ooh by her fire under the freeway. She made some rice after working all day gathering bottles-cans (3/4 bag).

Ooh With Her Beloved Dog, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Ooh takes her beloved dog out for a walk every morning, other than that he sits in the door way of her slum shack room. This room is an upgrade on the room I photographed her in for the last 6 years which is farther down the tracks.

Ooh 40+, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

We both got covered in smoke when Ooh started her fire. I realized she did a dress change at one point from a solid color to a nicer striped item. Guess she wanted to look more pretty for the photos.

Lavah, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Lavah laughing at something I said. Want to get to know him better when I return to Bangkok.

Oye, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Khun Oye just came straight up to me and started talking, thought a strait away portrait of her worked best.

People Who Live Under The Freewayscape, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

The sign reads RAUH-WUNG ROT-FAI which translates to "BEWARE (BE CAREFUL) TRAIN" which is kind of at odds with the cute little kid toy train picture below the large double warning with flashing lights.

Facebook: 3 More "The People Who Live Uncer The Freeway" Pics

Here are 3 more photos from "The People Who Live Under The Freeway" series in Bangkok's Klong Toey Slum.

Moo, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway". Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019

Moo was not sober and gesturing rather wildly here. A nice friendly man with substance abuse problems. The first time I met him he asked me for some money for a bus ride, he was completely sober. On the day we made this photo together he reminded me that we met before and that I had helped him.

Dom 55 and Moo, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway". Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019

My last day in making these photos for this trip (I think) happened at a time when everyone was eating. I was offered some food as well but had just eaten minutes before so was not hungry. Dom on seeing me started laughing and acting up, making this face.

Bia 55, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway". Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019

Bia in his slum shack getting dressed after his morning shower. A extremely outgoing and friendly man, I can never get out of his shack without him offering me some ice cold water to drink.

"Sukhumvit At Night" 2019

Did a bit of visiting tonight with some old kinda friends. Also shot a tiny bit of photos for the "Sukhumvit at Night" Series. Here are a few pics.

African Girl, "Sukhumvit At Night", Bangkok Thailand, 2019

Crowd Sukhumvit Road, "Sukhumvit At Night". Bangkok Thailand 2019

Sex Worker And Customer Going To Hotel Room "Sukhumvit At Night". Bangkok Thailand 2019

Facebook: More "The People Who Live Under The Freeway" Photos

from facebook....

Unfortunately I have to leave Bangkok's Klong Toey Slum and the "The People Who Live Under The Freeway' series of photographs. I miss those people already. Am going through and editing some files made over the last while now. Here is a selection. I should be off to the Garbage Dump and the Burmese refugee families soon. Some more "The People Who Live Under The Freeway" photo edits. Am trying to shoot in a more intuitive, interactive ad connected way to tell the stories. Have been including some photo stories as well..

Jack With Wild-Happy Eyes, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Jack high in his slum shack.

Baby Girl, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019.

Bia 55, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019
Bia in his slum shack after he took a shower (poured cold water over his body with a bowl).

Chompoo 62, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019.

Chompoo 62, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019
Khun Chompoo is a quiet and polite man who has the watery eyes of someone who has drank all his life.

Jack, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019.
Jack sleeping through the hot of mid day, near a busy slum road in this slum shack.

Jack, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019
Jack staring into nothing on Klong Toey Slum road.

Jack, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019

Jack often just stares down at the ground, ignoring everything around him. Just this super intense gaze with no talking. The first day I was with him like this he said nothing to me, this time around I was able to engage him in some conversation, even made him smile at one point.

Khun Bia's Truck, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019
This truck is so old, I was told there were no longer any parts available for it. The truck is decorated with many photos of the Thai kings and with Buddhist symbols.

Jack Smoking Num Keng (Ice) In Water Pipe Made From Plastic Cup And Straw, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Ying 37, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019.

Ying gave me a Lion statue yesterday., made of green glass. See attached photo. I will take it back to Canada and set it up in my darkroom to remember her kindness. I also got offered food and water from other people who live under the freeway yesterday. Have lots of new friends there in a very short time. In my experience treating people with kindness and respect leads to people treating you the same way. "Ain't People Grand!!"

Young Girl On A Passing Bus, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019.

Ying 37, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Ying laughing as she often did under the freeway.

Laughing Woman, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019
This woman laughed and ran away when she saw I was taking photos of people handling some drugs. She yelled out 'Farang Tai Roop" (Westerner takes photos!) then bolted. She came back later and I photographed her again, she was OK with the idea, just surprised and joking with me.

Dom 58, "The People Who Live Under The Freeway", Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019.

During the making of this picture, joked with Khun Dom that he lied in comfort just like rich foreign tourists at a swanky hotel pool in South Thailand. jThe world is a really screwed up place when you think about it. Dom lies on a beat up chair under a freeway filled with filth, noise and pollution and yet not so far away other human beings of no greater value lay on the same style chairs in the sun, drinking cocktails and eating exotic foods. 

I think I can sense some themes, motivations and comments coming for my future "The People Who Live Under The Freeway" artist talks.