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Decha

"Sawasdee krab, my name is Decha Mengthaisong. I'm the youngest child of five. My family's main occupation is working in the rice fields. As a family we faced many difficulties due to financial constraints, so I was determined I would to get ahead with my studies. I wanted to stay in school for as long as I could because I knew it would help me get a better job, with a good income to support my family. At that time, I worked in everything I could in order to pay for my studies and finish high school.

"I moved to Bangkok to study at the Ramkhamhang University, in the faculty of political science, and at the same time I worked as a salesman to finance my studies. However, I was only able to study 41 units, which isn't enough to graduate, because being a salesman left me with very little time to write my thesis and do my research work.

"Then I tried to study again in Sukho Thaithamatiraj University in the same faculty and I failed again because I had no time to study. My work required traveling to the other provinces to sell more and reach the target set by the company. I worked for one more year, and finally became a sales manager. I was able to save money for three years so I could return to my studies.

"Finally I was able to go back to University, only this time I decided to study Hotel and Tourist Management. My major was in food and beverages. After a year, I was awarded a scholarship to go to Germany where I trained for six months. When I returned I completed a bachelor's degree in Eco-Tourism at Maejo University.

"After graduation I worked in a shop that sold traditional Thai silks and clothes, for which I developed a deep fascination. I worked at the shop for about nine months until I realized I didn't want to be an employee all my life, making somebody else rich through my work. I decided to branch out on my own, and my friend lent me the capital to do so. It was risky given the state of Thailand's economy.

"I am always researching styles and techniques, and now I make clothes and jewelry. Moreover, I am able to manage my time so I can keep studying the things I like. We have an extraordinary heritage regarding textiles and jewelry, which I feel is in danger of disappearing. I hope through my work I can preserve some of it.

"I always consult my mother and everyone in my family regarding what I'll do, and they are always very encouraging. We meet two or three times a year because we all live our separate lives. I love and appreciate our relation even though we're very far from each other.

"Novica is a creditable company and has nice people who work there. I would like to say thank you to all who have given me a chance to present my work to the art lovers through Internet."