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Ploy Intha

“My name is Ploy Intha. I was born the 12th of December, 1974 in Phrae province – four hours’ drive away from Chiang Mai. I used to work as a food vendor with my sister in Bangkok for about five years. I would wake up at two o’clock in the morning and work until nine in the evening. It was a very hard job that paid little money but I liked working with my sister. The day my sister got a job in a construction business, I could not manage selling alone on account of my leg … I have got polio … So I moved to Chiang Mai where I looked for a job.

“I found that Chiang Mai is the birthplace to so many interesting handicrafts. I particularly loved silverware, enthusiasm that got me a job in a silver shop. But again, because of my leg, I could not sit for a very long time as the other silversmiths and consequently had to quit. But I still love silver very much and keep in touch with the milieu, always calling in to see my ex-co-workers, joking with them, learning new techniques and buying newly designed items.

“After I quit my silversmith position, I landed a new job as a housekeeper. My bosses are very kind people, they let me go back to school at the weekends and, after 3 years studies, I graduated with a High School leaving certificate. Moreover they always allow my visiting the silver shop every time I feel like it, whereas my duties include my being in their home at all times.

“Throughout the years I have been gradually, and unwillingly, amassing a nice collection. And one day I thought that I might be able to sell a few pieces, which turned out not to be a bad idea after all. For this activity allows me today to earn extra money and to keep in touch with the silversmith’s trade. And this really makes me happy. I would like to thank Novica for exposing my collection to the world.”