Amid the eerie silence of an empty gold shop, owner Nat Kansane anxiously awaits the arrival of customers in search of the perfect gold necklace for their loved ones.
Striking red and gold tiger decorations, Chinese New Year paper cuttings, and red lanterns ushering in the Year of the Tiger deck Rungroj gold shop for the auspicious festival.
While smartly dressed and service-oriented, it is in Nat’s tone of voice one senses mental anguish brought on by a prolonged pandemic that has caused a sharp decrease in customers.
At a time of year when in normal circumstances business is brisk, gold shops are struggling to survive, Nat said.
“I have given up hope that the 2022 Chinese New Year will be any different than the past two years where at best I was able to sell a handful…
