Young man's burden (4, final)

Kew is now a member of that most unloved profession among Thais - he has found work as a security guard.

A former policeman friend who now runs a security company offered him work as a security guard on Pra Ram 2 in Bangkok, looking after a factory building at night.

He started work on New Year's Day, and earns B200 a day. He is impressed with the money, as he has virtually no outgoings.

'I have asked them to keep the money for me, which I will draw down if I need to buy clothes or groceries,' he says.

He is counting the days until he has made his first B1000, and then the next B1000.

'Once the new government is formed, and tourists return to Pattaya, I could go back to work there in bars. But I am in no hurry to return,' he says.

Kew wears a blue uniform which he says looks smart. I would like to see him in it, as I am sure he looks cute.

I called him yesterday about 1pm, and a sleepy voice answered the phone. I told him to go back to bed.

In the evening I called again, when he told me about his job. Kew sleeps during the day, and works at night, starting at 11pm. He finishes at 7am, and can sleep on the job as much as he likes, as no one visits the building during those hours.

'Are you proud of yourself?' I asked.

'Well, it's the kind of work I can keep doing, without having to go back to working as a barboy,' he said, sounding embarrassed.

He is finding the change hard, as his body is not used to it. However, he is excited about the change, and likes his boss.

His employer owns the same company which supplies security guards to my condo, as it happens. His boss has found him a new place to live, close to work, which he shares with another guy.

'It's no fun, because he refuses to sweep the floor,' says Kew.

Former naughty boy Kew is now developing a domestic streak.

'I did not bring many clothes from Pattaya. Next time I go shopping at a night market for shoes and pants, can you come with me?' he asked.

'Sure.'

Before that, we are likely to meet for a drink at his favourite place, close to Mum's own. We agreed to meet on Monday.

In the meantime, I will keep calling him at night to make sure he does not get lonely.