"I am not afraid of bombs; I am afraid of starving," said 38-year-old Chon Kamkeng.

For nearly 20 years he has earned a living finding things in the city's rubbish. And New Year used to be a bonus time, because many cleared homes of unwanted items.

"I had expected a lot from the New Year season, but the bombs shattered my dreams of earning more money for my family," Chon complained.

After the New Year's Eve bombs killed three and wounded more than 40 others security officials cleared the streets of refuse bins.

"Look! I can hardly find a rubbish bin or pile. Since New Year I haven't earned more than Bt50 a day," Chon said helplessly.

He added that he had been able clear as much as Bt160 a day before the attacks changed the foragers' lives for the worse.

Chon said he was reluctant to search rubbish at night because he could not see what he was collecting.

"It's sad. I'm facing the threat of bombs and the threat of starvation," he said.

He accused the bombers of failing to consider how their actions would cause suffering.

Scrap-collector Somsak Niran said his daily income had fallen by half since the attacks. "I am scared, but I have to earn a living. I have to support my family," he said.

Uncle Chui, 70, said he still scoured refuse bins and rubbish piles to earn a living even though the bombs had left him shaken.

"I don't touch any suspicious boxes," he said.