Meet 'Nok': A Woman Fighting to Survive, Dancing in the Sun to Support Herself, Unbothered by Those Who Think She's Crazy
A 64-year-old woman known as 'Nok' dances daily at Bangkok's BTS Talad Phlu station to support herself, earning modest income while staying active and independent despite public scrutiny.
Meet 'Nok': A woman fighting to survive, dancing in the sun to support herself, unbothered by those who think she's crazy or strange because she does honest work and can take care of herself without burdening anyone.
April 5, 2026 – After a video went viral online showing an elderly woman dancing in the blazing sun at the BTS Talad Phlu station across from The Mall Tha Phra, many people expressed admiration for her perseverance and dedication.
At 3 p.m., a reporter from Khao Sod Online met with Ms. Buunlauy, known as 'Nok,' a 64-year-old woman who became the subject of the viral clip.
Nok explained that she has been dancing for income for many years, but has been performing at this location for 3-4 years. It is her primary occupation to earn a living and support herself.
She wakes up at 3 a.m. every day to bathe, do her makeup, and get dressed before heading out to dance at markets during the morning hours. She then moves between different locations with foot traffic where she can dance without disturbing others. She performs at the BTS Talad Phlu station on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at around 3 p.m.
As for her clothing, accessories, and makeup used each day, most are not purchased by herself but are gifts from passersby who feel sympathetic toward her. This allows her to creatively mix and match pieces into new outfits each day without repetition.
Her daily earnings from dancing are unpredictable and depend on the number of people passing by and their generosity. Some days she earns more, other days less, but overall it is sufficient for her daily expenses such as food, transportation, and necessities. While she cannot save large sums due to her age, she is satisfied with a life where she can care for herself without depending on anyone.
Dancing is not just a job but also a form of exercise. Since her living quarters are quite hot and lack air conditioning, being outdoors and moving her body feels much better than staying idle inside a room.
When asked about how she feels regarding people's stares, Nok spoke confidently that she has never felt ashamed or worried about others' comments. She views what she does as honest work, and even if some people find it strange or think she is crazy, she doesn't care. What matters is that she can support herself without troubling anyone.
