It's a hard knock life

Ball wants to quit his job as a security guard in Silom.

‘I am working a 12-hour day as a security guard for the same wage I could earn if I was working in a shop – or delivering pizza,’ he says.

On Friday, Ball’s first pay packet came out. He made just B6500 for a month’s work.

He is making just B300 a day. His mother pays him a third of that, B100 a day, to meet his work expenses.

‘I spend B50 of that just getting to work on a motorcycle taxi, as my younger brother seldom gets up in time to take me.

'One serving of food in Silom costs B30. If I do not have time to eat before I go to work, then I am able to eat only one meal all day.

‘By the time 7pm comes, I am hungry, but have no choice but to walk home, as my brother often fails to pick me up on the family motorbike,’ he says.

‘I am being asked to work too long, for too little. I just sit there all day...I want to do more,’ he said.

In the next couple of days, Ball and his girlfriend Jay will visit pizza companies close to home to apply for work as pizza delivery workers.

Ball lost his motorcycle driver’s licence some time ago, when he was caught for failing to wear a helmet. He might have to renew it if he wants to work in this field.

He has yet to tell his Mum about his plan to quit his job as a security guard. I have offered to break the word to her on his behalf.

Ball’s girlfriend jay has also quit her job at a supermarket. She hopes to find work at a public relations firm, in a job vacated by a friend; or if that fails, delivering pizza.

‘I quit school at 15, while Jay quit at 17, with a higher qualification,’ says Ball. ‘She should find it easier to find work.’

I asked Ball what he would do in a month’s time if the pizza delivery job also failed to work out; and to consider what he would do at the age of 30, or 40, when his body is slowing down, and he might need a job which is more stable.

‘I haven’t thought about my future - it’s such a long way off. But you are right, none of these jobs represent secure work,’ he said.

‘In the long term, I would like a job where I can raise a family and look after my mother,’ he said.

To that end, Mr Ball says he might set his sights on driving a taxi, where he can work times that suit him, and put in as many hours as he likes.

‘I am still a kid, so that’s some time off. For now, I want to try something different, so will look for work in pizza delivery,’ he said.