On the Mean Streets of Northern Thailand

"Just make some funny faces,

he'll give us candy or something..."

 

 

"...Or money! Ooh!

Maybe he'll give money!..."

 

 

 

"Hey man, check this!

Susan got a light saber,

that's Jabba the Cat

and I'm usin' the force

like a mind trick yo!" 

 

"So it's like that then?

You just gonna walk away?

...Huh?..."

('Kick his ass, Willie!')

"HUH?...

...Cheap-ass whitey..."

('Kick his ass!')

Imperfect Dreams in the Thai Royal Military

Someday, young Permsik promised himself.

Someday it will be ME wearing the raspberry beret! Someday it will be ME in front!

Steering! And braking! Yes, braking!

Yes, someday that beret will be on MY head!

But...what of my hair?...

Devil's Food in Thailand

"This...this chocoleet...You sell this?

You can no sell! This is from devil!

You think to sell this chocoleet?!

This is fruit stand!

This...Why you laugh??

Stop!! Stop it to sell this choco -

IS THAT COFFEE??!!..."

A Thai Kid Working the Man

On Monday "Savvy Sean" told the people at Pepsi

about the BMX bicycle Coca-Cola gave him

for exclusive soft drink rights at his Tiki Tapa Cafe.

 

By Friday he was cruising the streets of Tha Chang

on his new 'Pepsico-motion' tandem.

Armed & Friendly

Who Says The Royal Thai Soldiers Are No Fun?

You don't get this when you go to the Hard Rock Cafe.

In the small southeastern Thai town of Trat I did what I always do. I found a room, locked up my bike, showered and headed out to grab some dinner somewhere the locals congregate.

I didn't seek these guys out. They came and sat at my table. They chatted me up - in Thai, I guess. They ordered food. We ate. Then the guy in the white/tan camo gave me his gun.

Notice that the magazine is locked in place. Notice also where he has his hand very firmly in place.

These guys were cool, but they weren't stupid.