Ong Boonyong Discusses His Career and the Social Bias Against Blue-Collar Workers
At the age of 22, Ong Boonyong began his career as a delivery driver for Ninja Van in 2015, becoming the company’s fourth driver after completing his National Service. Over the years, he has risen to lead a team of 30 drivers, but his journey has also involved confronting social biases about blue-collar jobs.
Ong believes that success should not be defined solely by the prestige of a profession. He reflects on the societal expectations passed down through generations, where children are urged to pursue careers in medicine, law, or finance for respect and higher earnings. However, Ong is passionate about breaking the stereotype that blue-collar workers are any less successful. For him, working as a delivery driver is an honest and humble profession that brings satisfaction, and he believes that societal respect should be earned through character and hard work, not the job title.
