It may not be every woman's dream career, but dancing for the nightclub crowd as a "coyote girl" has become a tempting temporary option for students - Bt30,000 a month can buy a lot of books.

What other part-time job is going to pay that much - McDonald's?

And they don't need a "uniform" as such: Coyote girls can wear what they like - as long as it's sexy.

The job title comes from the Hollywood movie "Coyote Ugly", in which nightclub entertainers help the drinks go down faster with some exciting onstage moves.

"The film inspires me," says Bungkee, 24, who does the coyote shimmy alongside 50 other college students at the Resort, a five-star club on Bangkok's Ratchada Road.

A senior at a private university, she watches the movie often, in fact.

"The girls in 'Coyote Ugly' use their dancing skills to earn enough money so they can achieve their dreams. I'm doing this to reach my educational goal - I'm not ashamed of it at all."

Bungkee previously worked at KFC and a karaoke club. An admirer at the latter place suggested she join the Resort's coyote squad.

Pae, 25, shares Bungkee's ambition.

"I chose to work as a coyote girl because I wanted to earn money to study - I don't want to ask my parents for money," she says.

The job requirements start with a pretty face and a good figure, with the higher-class clubs picking the most beautiful girls.

Having met the Resort's lofty standards, Bungkee says she was next tested for dancing ability. She showed her freestyle and step dancing finesse. Her experience as a cheerleader and high-school lessons in folk dance certainly helped.

Something most of the girls learn on the job is how to cope with lewd patrons. The majority are polite, but some expect to be exempted from the Resort's rules against fondling and extracurricular socialising.

So the dancers have to be quick thinkers, and stick to the fundamental directive - no dating the customers, especially for money.

 "I've had to explain to customers patiently that I'm just not available," Pae says.

The best way to counter the gropers, she says, is to invite them to dance along with you so you can maintain a safe distance.

The nice patrons can be very nice.

"One guy even remembered my birthday and gave me a present," says Pae.

The job description mentions nothing about serving as confidantes, but again, the girls learn quickly when a customer comes to them for advice about their personal lives.

Booze loosens the tongue, so it's natural that some of the men will need a good listener.

The Resort keeps Bungkee, Pae and the other coyote girls going seven nights a week, with four days off each month. They start at 7 and finish at 2am, dancing three times a night.

 "I try to register for university courses that aren't too early in the morning," says Bungkee.

Pae, though, has temporarily dropped out.

"I work late every night and couldn't get to my classes on time," says the humanities student at a private university. But she's determined to register again next semester and get on with her studies.

Asked how long she plans to remain a coyote girl, Bungkee says only until she graduates. She's long aspired to be a website designer.

After that, if she ever returns to the expensive nightclubs, she'll be spending her money, not earning it.

Chatrarat Kaewmorakot

The Nation