A garbage collector lives in a cart with 12 stray cats he adopted in Thailand.

Wongtem Ko, 50, rides a modified bicycle that doubles as his mobile home in the capital Bangkok.

The cat lover said he found his first moggy in 1997 after leaving his work at a construction site to do odd jobs.

Years later, Wongtem has become the fur father to a dozen felines and said he wishes to adopt more.

He said: ‘I used to work in construction, but these days I turned to selling and taking care of the cats.

‘I'm not homeless, but I didn't want to go home to the province because I did not have anything left.'

Wongtem added he did not have a background in taking care of animals and learned along the way.

He said: ‘I remember taking care of the cats and they kept on dying so I took my cats to the vets.

‘The vet told me that I have to get them vaccined and deworm them to let them live longer.'

After losing some of his feline companions due to illnesses, Wongtem said he learned how to care for animals.

He said: ‘Before when I took care of them, they grew big and become beautiful but they died because of all the diseases and the parasites.

‘I almost gave up taking care of cats because they kept on dying but after listening to the vet I found that my problem has been solved.'

Wongtem felt attached to the creatures he shared the streets with.

He said: ‘These cats were abandoned and the two new cats I found at the Khlong Tom market. I felt attached to the cats, and even though I almost gave up taking care of them I felt committed.

‘I take care of them because if I abandon them, they would die. I can't stand letting them live on their own on the streets with nobody to take care of.'

Wongtem said he is always willing to help the cats he finds in need.

He said: ‘I have to take care of them. Some abandoned cats can survive on their own and that's fine but those that need help, I have to take care.'

ENGLISH SUBTITLES

1.55 My name is Wongtem Ko. I used to work in construction but these days I have turned to selling and taking care of the cats
2.04 I have 12 cats. I'm not homeless but I didn't want to go home to the province because I did not have anything left
2.12 In 1997 I remember taking care of the cats and they kept on dying so I took my cats to the vets. The vet told me that I have to get them vaccined and deworm them to let them live longer
2.26 Before when I took care of them, they grew big and become beautiful but they died because of all the diseases and the parasites
2.31 I almost gave up taking care of cats because they kept on dying but after listening to the vet I found that my problem was solved
3.33 These cats were abandoned and the two new cats I found at the Khlong Tom market. I felt attached to the cats and even though I almost gave up taking care of them I felt committed
3.53 I take care of them because if I abandon them they would die. I can't stand letting them live on their own on the streets with nobody to take care
4.05 I have to take care of them. Some abandoned cats can survive on their own and that's fine but those that need help, I have to take care of them