Ms. Pattaramon Thocharoen is always camera-ready with a full face of makeup and multiple stances, whether she is perched on the back of a water truck, carefully pulling weeds with her perfectly manicured nails, or glaring down a stray dog on the streets.
The 27-year-old, also known as “Bow,” has over 300,000 TikTok followers, some of whom have nicknamed her Thailand’s “most beautiful street sweeper,” so she has a reputation to maintain.
“I’ve received criticism for wearing makeup in my line of work, but why can’t I look good while working hard?” The mother of two boys, ages nine and six, told The Straits Times, “It’s for my own gratification.
Ms. Pattaramon frequently makes humorous movies in which she dances or responds to amusing or strange situations that arise in the course of her employment, such as searching for a lost broom or eagerly touching up her makeup when she learns that she will be stationed near an army camp for the day.
She gained notoriety in the past year for the brief video clips she uploads to TikTok, and she is best known for one in particular in which she goes off on an older woman for calling Ms. Pattaramon “just a street sweeper” and criticizing her for dressing up.
“So I said, being attractive is the purpose of (my) life… In the video, which has received over 3.7 million views, Ms. Pattaramon added, “We have to make ourselves as joyful as possible.
“I’m proud of it because this was the profession my parents chose to raise me,” said Ms. Pattaramon, whose father drove a garbage truck and mother swept streets. They’re both retired.
Her routine activities, which include picking up trash and washing the asphalt, stand in stark contrast to her gorgeous appearance. However, this has enabled her to increase both her income and her fan base.
She works as a street cleaner for the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority in the Chom Thong neighborhood and makes about 12,000 baht (S$460) per month.
However, she can earn 50,000 Baht each month through her social media activities, including company evaluations, product sales, and virtual TikTok Gifts, which are given by followers and can be exchanged for real money.
“I’m now in a better financial position. With 10 other family members, including her children and parents, Ms. Pattaramon added, “I’m able to spend more on little things like picking quick delivery when shopping online or having lovely meals with my family.
