Interim premier General Surayud Chulanont is a regular client. So were many of his predecessors, such as Tawee Boonyaket, Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, Field Marshal Prapas Charusathira, General Suchinda Kraprayoon and General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

"Many commanders-in-chief of the Army are among our customers too," says Phensri Panyanuwat, 72, whose husband started Sirote Barber shop about 60 years ago.

Sirote is the name of her husband, who is now 84. Earlier, the shop was located on Wongsawang Road but it shifted later to its current site on Ratchawat Road.

Sirote once worked in Government House and was made a senator in 1992.

"Ratchawat is near military compounds, so our clients are mainly soldiers. Police and civil servants are the second-largest group of customers," said Phensri, who took over the job of running the business from her husband many years ago.

She recalled the days when future prime ministers visited the shop.

"We never knew one day they would become leaders of the country. We had cut their hair since they were junior officials," she said.

Phensri said many of the future premiers preferred the crew-cuts popular among military officers.

"We almost have no need to design their haircut. They have their preferred hairstyle in mind when they come to us," she said.

"General Chavalit and General Suchinda rarely visit us these days," she said.

Surayud is the only regular client among those VIPs. But since he has become prime minister, he often has a Sirote barber cut his hair at his house or sometimes at his office at Government House instead.

Kamnuan Krailamied, 64, who has been Surayud's barber for more than 40 years, refuses to talk about his customer. The barber says he is no better than other hairstylists and that he just has cut the premier's hair for a long time.

Nevertheless, Phensri was glad to talk about this distinguished regular customer.

"The prime minister didn't pick Kamnuan on his first visit. I don't know why he later preferred Kamnuan. Perhaps it is pure destiny that makes him get along well with Kamnuan," she said.

She described Surayud as a quiet man who rarely spoke when coming in for a haircut.

"Surayud has never changed his hairstyle. But his hair grows quickly and he has to have it cut often," the shop owner said.

Apart from government leaders, some ministers in the previous government are among the shop's customers. They include former defence minister Thammarak Isarangura na Ayudhya and former education minister Rung Kaewdaeng.

When asked if deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra had ever visited her shop, Phensri responded with a smile: "No".

"But his eldest son Panthongtae came here when he was 10 years old," she said, adding that Panthongtae's grandfather accompanied him.

Phensri said customers are charged Bt70 for a haircut, ear cleaning or hair wash, Bt40 for a facial wash and Bt350 for hair dyeing. The same charges are applied to VIP customers, she said.

"We charge the prime minister Bt70 for his haircut and he always comes to us to have his hair cut," she said.

With five barbers, the shop caters to an average of 15 clients on a weekday and far more than that at weekends. All the money received is split 60-40 between the barbers and the owner, and the barbers are entitled to keep any tips.

When asked why Sirote was popular with VIP customers, Phensri replied that it could be due to word of mouth from satisfied customers, as well as the shop's cleanliness and good service.

The six old-fashioned barber's chairs and styling tools are still in good condition thanks to Phensri's regular care and cleaning.

Easy-listening songs from an ancient radio linger in the air-conditioned room and iced home-made Chinese tea is offered to customers once they step in.

Phensri serves the tea to all customers by herself. "I do everything in the shop by myself except cutting hair," she said with a smile.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation