Bangkok blind street musicians given licences and voice training to help them make a living
Used to official harassment, blind buskers in the Thai capital who belt out traditional songs have instead been given a helping hand – but with more musicians playing on the streets, making a living is as hard as ever for some
Strumming his guitar with ease and backed by a drummer, Singhkum Boonriang belts out covers of Thai ballads as strangers pass by on a busy Bangkok afternoon.
But Singhkum is no ordinary busker. He’s one of hundreds of blind singers who perform across the Thai capital at traffic junctions, Skytrain stops and other busy locations.
“It’s born out of my love to play music and sing,” says Singhkum, sitting in front of a small donation box. Aided by a small speaker, he is hopeful of attracting attention, and some loose change.
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He started performing in his teens but took up the street gig four years ago when he moved to the Thai capital from the north.
“When I first arrived in Bangkok, I heard many street musicians playing in public spaces, and I love to sing, so I gave it a try,” he adds.
Like Singhkum, many of Bangkok’s blind singers hail from poor and rural provinces and come to the capital in search of work. But their options are limited.