According to members of his continuance, Manas is seen each morning before work setting up a stall in front of his house where he sells food he himself cooks. The lunch boxes sell for 35 baht each and many of his customers include teachers, students and neighbours.
Manas is well known in his neighbourhood for being very in touch with his community. He was a member of he Mae Rim Na Council for three terms before being elected for the prestigious job of the PAO council.
Manas told CityNews that he wakes up early and cooks and sells his lunch boxes between 6am and 8am, after which he heads into work where he mainly visits communities and listens to their problems, bringing issues into the PAO when warranted. He says that many people ask whether he is ashamed of selling his lunch boxes as he is a politician, he said, “Life is about more than luck, it is about hard work and integrity. As long as you have both you will live well.”
He says that while he doesn’t make much money from his lunch box sales, it covers his petrol costs to drive around the province visiting people and that he will continue to do this until he runs out of energy.
Manas is being hailed across Chiang Mai for showing how a politician is admired for his humility and hard work rather than just promises and position, according to multiple comments across social media and in local media.
