The Thai Midas Touch
One of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen was Ann. Her beauty lasted longer than most, as she bathed in the fountain of youth created by her countless sponsors’ generous donation of cash and clothing. The veteran mistress managed these farangs like juggler yet she was always broke, for beauty has its costs.
One night a French marine asked Ann to go home. Her refusal evoked an expletive. Ann had had many frog beaus and told the dejected garlic-eater, “Nique ta mère.”
The Frenchman reacted to this insult to his mother by throwing a glass of beer in Ann’s face. The impact shattered the glass and a shard tore an inch scar behind her jaw. Lots of blood. Angry Thais wanting to kill the farang. The police arrested him. He was looking at 6 months in jail, but Ann settled for 400,000 baht to drop charges.
400,000 in a Thai girl’s hands lasts how long?
Less than a week in Ann’s case.
10 baht of gold = 100K
Sick buffalo fund in Ban Nok = 50K
New motorcycle = 50K
Partying for a week = 50K
New clothes = 50K
Lending money to friends = 50K
Money goes quick when you’re haivng fun, but even Ann was surprised how fast 400K evaporated with the pedal pushed to the metal.
Jamie Parker, a man of little wisdom, heard this story of riches to rags and said, “The Midas Touch works in reverse for a Thai bargirl. Any gold they touch turns into lead, but it doesn’t maater because they think, “There’s plenty more where that went.”
Jamie was right, because a week later Ann was seeing the French marine.
They were in love.
Kwahm Lak 100%
The roots of this need to spend is highlighted in an article from this 1928 article featured in 2bangkok.com
Bangkok, Siam… It has always been a moot question in all minds as to why people of Siam are never over-burdened with riches. Now the answer comes in the form of a series of pictures which demonstrates in graphic way how surplus riches of the people are disposed of. When a man of Siam thinks he’s too wealthy to go to heaven he promptly goes out and purchases as much food, clothing, fruit, etc. as will relieve him of his surplus money. He then mounts a high platform built for the express purpose and throws his gifts down to members of the poorer class below. Since all have a right to the food and clothing offered a merry battle goes on for possession of the offerings. Hooks are even made which might tend to give the seeker a better chance to make a good haul. However, before the foodstuffs and clothing are given away, prayers and praises to the king of the devil or “Phya Yomaraj” are sung. The prayers insure the donors of recognition when they dies and are led before the king of the devil for entrance to heaven. After the prayers are said and the food distributed, the huge image is burnt, and residents of Siam must wait until they pile up more coin of the realm before they can stage another similar celebration. October 23, 1928
Easy come, easy go.
For a related article click on this URL
http://www.mangozeen.com/ferrari-crashes-into-thai-customs-dept.htm
