.
(Start reading first from “Thoughts on Thai Violence, #1” below this.)
.
19 May 2010: Tuk is now home, her office sending everyone home early. The staff of English language news sources The Bangkok Post and The Nation have also sent staff home. The city is shutting down for the day.
.
Confirmed: the Reds torched one of the three old theaters in Siam Square, the Siam Theater, and it has collapsed. I am pissed off.
.
A few Red snipers had been targeting rescue workers a few days ago. Now all reporters are advised to take off their green reporter armbands, which once made them safe but now a possible target. A few firefighters have been shot this afternoon while trying to extinguish fires.
.
The fire lit by retreating Reds at Ratchaprasong’s elegant Central World shopping complex has been extinguished. Reds had broke through glass and threw fire bombs inside, causing flames on first floor.
.
19 May 2010
Thoughts on Thai Violence, #1
.
(I will add short updates and thoughts here about Thailand’s present troubles. Instead of trying to write one document, I will just post bits and pieces. The whole situation is hard to integrate or to fathom.)
.
19 May 2010: We are ok here – so far – but the day isn’t over yet, and info is coming in faster than I can read. Tuk even went to work today, although she was concerned enough to call me several times asking me if anything was happening on the streets nearby.
.
The original core leaders of the Red Shirt protestors have either quit earlier, surrendered to police just now, or fled. The surrendering leaders told the protestors at the main rally site of Ratchaprasong, the heart of Bangkok’s shopping district, to end the protests and take the government-provided buses to go home. Many protestors booed this message, indicating that many will not heed it. The Army has now occupied the main inner city Red enclaves of Sala Daeng and Ratchaprasong.
.
The problem now is rioting and arson in other areas of the city, and even in other provinces. Red Radio has just told the Reds to: “Light the fire if you’re near a bank. Everyone is your own leader.” That appeal to violence and mayhem speaks for itself. A curfew for Bangkok has just been announced, and I do believe that full Martial Law will be next. Bangkok, to our south, has a haze of smoke rising from massive tire-burnings.
.
Fires were started at or near the two finest malls in the kingdom before the Ratchaprasong Reds dispersal. There is also a rumor that my favorite old movie theaters might be torched. If this is confirmed, I will be too angry to write. I have just checked the keenness of the edge on my Cold Steel.
.
Rampaging Reds are now assaulting reporters. Now isn’t that the stupidest “tactic” you ever heard?
.
I’ll post this and write more at another time.
.
(I will add short updates and thoughts here about Thailand’s present troubles. Instead of trying to write one document, I will just post bits and pieces. The whole situation is hard to integrate or to fathom.)
.
19 May 2010: We are ok here – so far – but the day isn’t over yet, and info is coming in faster than I can read. Tuk even went to work today, although she was concerned enough to call me several times asking me if anything was happening on the streets nearby.
.
The original core leaders of the Red Shirt protestors have either quit earlier, surrendered to police just now, or fled. The surrendering leaders told the protestors at the main rally site of Ratchaprasong, the heart of Bangkok’s shopping district, to end the protests and take the government-provided buses to go home. Many protestors booed this message, indicating that many will not heed it. The Army has now occupied the main inner city Red enclaves of Sala Daeng and Ratchaprasong.
.
The problem now is rioting and arson in other areas of the city, and even in other provinces. Red Radio has just told the Reds to: “Light the fire if you’re near a bank. Everyone is your own leader.” That appeal to violence and mayhem speaks for itself. A curfew for Bangkok has just been announced, and I do believe that full Martial Law will be next. Bangkok, to our south, has a haze of smoke rising from massive tire-burnings.
.
Fires were started at or near the two finest malls in the kingdom before the Ratchaprasong Reds dispersal. There is also a rumor that my favorite old movie theaters might be torched. If this is confirmed, I will be too angry to write. I have just checked the keenness of the edge on my Cold Steel.
.
Rampaging Reds are now assaulting reporters. Now isn’t that the stupidest “tactic” you ever heard?
.
I’ll post this and write more at another time.
.
16 May 2010
Thai News in English
.
The two main English language newspapers in Bangkok also have online news services. They are essential reading for keeping up with developments here.
.
The Nation.
This website is kept more up to date. Three good sections of this are: 1) “Today’s Big Stories”; 2) “Breaking News”; and especially, 3) “Tweets from The Nation” which is often very fast reporting but should be taken with a grain of salt since it is very raw info. Also occasionally interesting sections are “Nation’s Bloggers” and “Today’s Editors.”
.
The Bangkok Post.
There are usually four featured articles. To the right of them is section for “Breaking News.” But a quick way to see all relevant stories is to click on “Local news” on the far left and just above the main headline.
.
The two main English language newspapers in Bangkok also have online news services. They are essential reading for keeping up with developments here.
.
The Nation.
This website is kept more up to date. Three good sections of this are: 1) “Today’s Big Stories”; 2) “Breaking News”; and especially, 3) “Tweets from The Nation” which is often very fast reporting but should be taken with a grain of salt since it is very raw info. Also occasionally interesting sections are “Nation’s Bloggers” and “Today’s Editors.”
.
The Bangkok Post.
There are usually four featured articles. To the right of them is section for “Breaking News.” But a quick way to see all relevant stories is to click on “Local news” on the far left and just above the main headline.
.
Bangkok Dangerous, for real
.
We are still staying home, sitting out the madness that has gripped much of Bangkok. Even on our western side of the river – where no bad incidents have happened yet – the traffic is impossible due to the entire center of Bangkok being a battle zone and major roads there are blocked.
.
It is raining hard and cooling things off a bit. I may go out for an ice and grocery run to a local store, but no further today.
.
Tomorrow was to be the first day of the new school year, but schools in the Bangkok area will postpone it until the 24th. Kids should be happy to hear that.
.
We are still staying home, sitting out the madness that has gripped much of Bangkok. Even on our western side of the river – where no bad incidents have happened yet – the traffic is impossible due to the entire center of Bangkok being a battle zone and major roads there are blocked.
.
It is raining hard and cooling things off a bit. I may go out for an ice and grocery run to a local store, but no further today.
.
Tomorrow was to be the first day of the new school year, but schools in the Bangkok area will postpone it until the 24th. Kids should be happy to hear that.
.
13 May 2010
Violence in Bangkok Again, and Again
.
We are safe at home while watching the Bangkok news unfold minute by minute via TV, radio and internet. It’s a sad insane tragedy unfolding, and there will probably be many dead and wounded before morning or in the days to come.
.
The renegade Red-supporting Thai Army Maj. Gen. Khattiya, known as “Seh Daeng” (Commander Red) and infamous for his violent rhetoric, was shot this evening and is in critical condition with a head wound. Apparently a sniper took him out as he was hamming it up to newsmen. He just couldn't stay out of the limelight.
.
We are safe at home while watching the Bangkok news unfold minute by minute via TV, radio and internet. It’s a sad insane tragedy unfolding, and there will probably be many dead and wounded before morning or in the days to come.
.
The renegade Red-supporting Thai Army Maj. Gen. Khattiya, known as “Seh Daeng” (Commander Red) and infamous for his violent rhetoric, was shot this evening and is in critical condition with a head wound. Apparently a sniper took him out as he was hamming it up to newsmen. He just couldn't stay out of the limelight.
.
08 May 2010
A Night of Death, Part 2
.
Still oblivious to the fatal Red attacks in the Sala Daeng area that I had just left, I was cruising north toward home in a taxi at 1:15am Saturday morning when another type of death confronted me.
.
As the taxi driver sped north up almost-empty main expressways on the Bangkok side of the river, we suddenly noticed brake lights and traffic disruption ahead. There were a lot of motorcycles and cars ahead slowing down and parting for some kind of obstacle in the four-lane road.
.
Then the driver braked hard and we saw it. A motorcycle was on its side in the middle of the road, and a young person, possibly female, was lying still astride it, apparently unconscious and possibly dead. My Boy Scout instincts demanded that I stop to offer whatever first aid I could, but the traffic pressure behind and around us prohibited any possibility of stopping.
.
Next, further down the road and also in its middle, was a severely damaged motorcycle still smoking. A bit further beyond it was another young person lying in a pool of blood around his/her head. I can confidently say that – even on such brief examination from the taxi – this person was dead. To lose so much blood so quickly from your head is fatal.
.
My taxi driver called it in, but someone else already had because two ambulances were approaching fast from the opposite lane.
.
As we continued north, we maneuvered our way through hundreds of motorcyclists, who were moving more slowly now and apparently freaked out by the accident behind us. None of them were wearing helmets – odd because helmets are mandatory in Thailand and are usually seen on main roads.
.
They were late-night teenage motorcycle racers. It is a culture that has been around for a while. Hundreds of teenagers assemble late at night, usually on weekends, and race in mass rallies on the nearly empty streets. What surprised me was the percentage of them who were female, either as passengers or drivers.
.
This did not make the main news, however, since it is commonplace here.
.
-Zenwind.
.
Still oblivious to the fatal Red attacks in the Sala Daeng area that I had just left, I was cruising north toward home in a taxi at 1:15am Saturday morning when another type of death confronted me.
.
As the taxi driver sped north up almost-empty main expressways on the Bangkok side of the river, we suddenly noticed brake lights and traffic disruption ahead. There were a lot of motorcycles and cars ahead slowing down and parting for some kind of obstacle in the four-lane road.
.
Then the driver braked hard and we saw it. A motorcycle was on its side in the middle of the road, and a young person, possibly female, was lying still astride it, apparently unconscious and possibly dead. My Boy Scout instincts demanded that I stop to offer whatever first aid I could, but the traffic pressure behind and around us prohibited any possibility of stopping.
.
Next, further down the road and also in its middle, was a severely damaged motorcycle still smoking. A bit further beyond it was another young person lying in a pool of blood around his/her head. I can confidently say that – even on such brief examination from the taxi – this person was dead. To lose so much blood so quickly from your head is fatal.
.
My taxi driver called it in, but someone else already had because two ambulances were approaching fast from the opposite lane.
.
As we continued north, we maneuvered our way through hundreds of motorcyclists, who were moving more slowly now and apparently freaked out by the accident behind us. None of them were wearing helmets – odd because helmets are mandatory in Thailand and are usually seen on main roads.
.
They were late-night teenage motorcycle racers. It is a culture that has been around for a while. Hundreds of teenagers assemble late at night, usually on weekends, and race in mass rallies on the nearly empty streets. What surprised me was the percentage of them who were female, either as passengers or drivers.
.
This did not make the main news, however, since it is commonplace here.
.
-Zenwind.
.
A Night of Death, Part 1
.
This time, I was in the general area of some of the protest-related killing as it happened.
.
Friday night, 7 May 2010, 10:45pm – a drive-by shooting from a motorcycle into a crowd of anti-Reds and policemen. One cop died from wounds. At that time I was 400 meters away enjoying the music of Peter Driscoll at Nomad’s Pub. We never heard it or knew about the shooting at the time, and I only heard about it the next morning.
.
After seeing an afternoon movie in another part of town, I took the Skytrain to the Sala Daeng station – the station that was blasted by 5 M79 grenades on 22 April with one fatality. This is the financial district as well as a famous/infamous entertainment area, and the police and Army have stood their ground preventing the Reds from taking it over. The Reds are massed and encamped on the other side of the major Rama IV Road at Lumpini Park, just within M79 range of the Skytrain station. It is the flashpoint of the Troubles now.
.
I got off the Skytrain at Sala Daeng about 8:15pm and immediately noticed the armed camp atmosphere. A fully-armed and fully-geared soldier stood there facing me as I disembarked. On the street-level of Silom Road, there was a heavy presence of police and soldiers. As I walked to Soi 4 and Nomad’s, pimps were still in business offering me either boys or girls as I passed. (Some industries never close for hell or high water.) Turning down Soi 4, it is a noisy party atmosphere spilling out from the bars into the narrow sidestreet as I headed to Nomad’s at the dead-end of the soi.
.
The music from 8:30pm to 1am was excellent, and we were completely unaware of trouble 400 meters away.
.
I left Nomad’s about 1am Saturday morning. The police and Army presence on Silom Road was even thicker, but I still didn’t realize what had happened earlier. The Skytrain was of course closed, but I tried to go up the stairs to a pedestrian cross-over so as to get on the other side of the street to get a good taxi connection, but soldiers stopped me and made me turn around. They were holding the high ground. I crossed the street elsewhere through stalled traffic and got a taxi to take me home in a direction away from the Reds’ stronghold.
.
At about 1:30am, while I was en route home, some grenade explosions occurred a bit farther north from Sala Daeng and across the Rama IV Road at police checkpoints around Lumpini Park. One cop died there and many were wounded.
.
Just when we thought there would be a peace deal completed. Well, TIT (This Is Thailand).
.
-Zenwind.
.
This time, I was in the general area of some of the protest-related killing as it happened.
.
Friday night, 7 May 2010, 10:45pm – a drive-by shooting from a motorcycle into a crowd of anti-Reds and policemen. One cop died from wounds. At that time I was 400 meters away enjoying the music of Peter Driscoll at Nomad’s Pub. We never heard it or knew about the shooting at the time, and I only heard about it the next morning.
.
After seeing an afternoon movie in another part of town, I took the Skytrain to the Sala Daeng station – the station that was blasted by 5 M79 grenades on 22 April with one fatality. This is the financial district as well as a famous/infamous entertainment area, and the police and Army have stood their ground preventing the Reds from taking it over. The Reds are massed and encamped on the other side of the major Rama IV Road at Lumpini Park, just within M79 range of the Skytrain station. It is the flashpoint of the Troubles now.
.
I got off the Skytrain at Sala Daeng about 8:15pm and immediately noticed the armed camp atmosphere. A fully-armed and fully-geared soldier stood there facing me as I disembarked. On the street-level of Silom Road, there was a heavy presence of police and soldiers. As I walked to Soi 4 and Nomad’s, pimps were still in business offering me either boys or girls as I passed. (Some industries never close for hell or high water.) Turning down Soi 4, it is a noisy party atmosphere spilling out from the bars into the narrow sidestreet as I headed to Nomad’s at the dead-end of the soi.
.
The music from 8:30pm to 1am was excellent, and we were completely unaware of trouble 400 meters away.
.
I left Nomad’s about 1am Saturday morning. The police and Army presence on Silom Road was even thicker, but I still didn’t realize what had happened earlier. The Skytrain was of course closed, but I tried to go up the stairs to a pedestrian cross-over so as to get on the other side of the street to get a good taxi connection, but soldiers stopped me and made me turn around. They were holding the high ground. I crossed the street elsewhere through stalled traffic and got a taxi to take me home in a direction away from the Reds’ stronghold.
.
At about 1:30am, while I was en route home, some grenade explosions occurred a bit farther north from Sala Daeng and across the Rama IV Road at police checkpoints around Lumpini Park. One cop died there and many were wounded.
.
Just when we thought there would be a peace deal completed. Well, TIT (This Is Thailand).
.
-Zenwind.
.
Old-Time Rock n Roll with Peter Driscoll
.
I had been to Nomad’s Pub – down at the end of Silom Soi 4 – in the past to hear Peter Driscoll and the Cruisers play early Rock n Roll – usually pure ‘50s stuff – and I’m hooked. Peter played alone last night with just his acoustic guitar from 10pm to 1am. I normally leave before midnight to catch the last Skytrain north, but last night I stayed to hear the last note. (Little did we know that violence was taking place on the streets outside less than half a klick away: see next entry.)
.
Peter is a walking encyclopedia of early American and British Rock, a real historian. He usually prefaces the next song with info about who wrote it or covered it, and adds interesting details about what they are doing these days. Born in 1942, Peter is 8 years older than me and thus has more first-hand knowledge of early Rock, knowing many Rock legends personally. He is also a fine gentleman and great off-stage conversationalist.
.
Yesterday, Friday 7 May 2010, I made my first foray into downtown Bangkok in a month just to hear Peter’s gig at Nomad’s. I didn’t want to miss it. It was a blazing hot day, and I only got to see one movie in the afternoon because the Red Shirt protestors have turned the downtown into a slum and are keeping my favorite theaters closed. Waiting for gig time at Nomad’s, I searched for an air conditioned place and ended up at the Bangkok Hard Rock Café for an hour and a half – where the drinks are much too expensive, although the Rock videos are entertaining. I clutched cold beer bottles to cool off.
.
I got to Nomad’s before the introductory gig by a young American and I got to talk with Peter and with Paul, Nomad’s musical director. Sadly, not many people frequent the farang bars since the Troubles started in Bangkok. These musicians deserve a much wider audience.
.
A great evening of music.
.
-Zenwind.
.
I had been to Nomad’s Pub – down at the end of Silom Soi 4 – in the past to hear Peter Driscoll and the Cruisers play early Rock n Roll – usually pure ‘50s stuff – and I’m hooked. Peter played alone last night with just his acoustic guitar from 10pm to 1am. I normally leave before midnight to catch the last Skytrain north, but last night I stayed to hear the last note. (Little did we know that violence was taking place on the streets outside less than half a klick away: see next entry.)
.
Peter is a walking encyclopedia of early American and British Rock, a real historian. He usually prefaces the next song with info about who wrote it or covered it, and adds interesting details about what they are doing these days. Born in 1942, Peter is 8 years older than me and thus has more first-hand knowledge of early Rock, knowing many Rock legends personally. He is also a fine gentleman and great off-stage conversationalist.
.
Yesterday, Friday 7 May 2010, I made my first foray into downtown Bangkok in a month just to hear Peter’s gig at Nomad’s. I didn’t want to miss it. It was a blazing hot day, and I only got to see one movie in the afternoon because the Red Shirt protestors have turned the downtown into a slum and are keeping my favorite theaters closed. Waiting for gig time at Nomad’s, I searched for an air conditioned place and ended up at the Bangkok Hard Rock Café for an hour and a half – where the drinks are much too expensive, although the Rock videos are entertaining. I clutched cold beer bottles to cool off.
.
I got to Nomad’s before the introductory gig by a young American and I got to talk with Peter and with Paul, Nomad’s musical director. Sadly, not many people frequent the farang bars since the Troubles started in Bangkok. These musicians deserve a much wider audience.
.
A great evening of music.
.
-Zenwind.
.
05 May 2010
Thai Army Wins: by doing nothing
.
Hopefully, this ongoing Thai political crisis of 2010 may now be seeing light at the end of the tunnel, and the Royal Thai Army has been the power behind the scenes, stubbornly holding out for a peaceful solution. Today is Coronation Day, a national holiday commemorating the crowning of the King and Queen over six decades ago, and it is an excellent time for political compromises and saving face for all concerned. A most auspicious time for peacemaking.
.
This week, PM Abhisit compromised by announcing that new elections will be held on 14 November 2010, with the House dissolving around the last half of September. The Red Shirt leaders compromised by giving up their call for immediate House dissolution. After a few more details are hammered out, perhaps the Reds will go home and end the mobocracy of recent weeks. The government’s position has been hurt by the Army’s refusal to use more force, and the Reds’ position has been hurt by some of them invading a major hospital last week.
.
The Army chief, Gen. Anupong, as well as many Army officers at all levels, have been against any forceful removal of the Red Shirts from their barricaded camp in the middle of Bangkok’s premier shopping district. It would be a terrible fight because of the lay of the land, and many Thais would be killed. Right after the 10 April fatal fight elsewhere between the Army and the Reds, Gen. Anupong declared that the situation demanded a peaceful political solution rather than a military one.
.
Times have changed. In the 1970s, the Army would simply lock, load and gun them down. Over the last several weeks, the PM and Deputy PM have repeatedly ordered the Army to forcefully evict the Reds. But the Army has hardly budged since the 10 April surprise of well-armed Reds and 25 fatalities. The Army’s recent actions have been only defensive, i.e., holding the Reds back from invading the financial district. By not moving, the Army underlines its key role in Thai politics – you can do nothing without them.
.
Gen. Anupong is due to retire in September or so. He does not want a bloodbath as his final legacy as Army chief. He may be eyeing a future role in politics. He may be refusing to take more lives, finding himself in the uneasy position of being both a soldier and a Buddhist. Whatever his motivations, he has helped to keep the peace and to keep the Army’s reputation untarnished. The Royal Thai Army has staged a “coup” that is not really a coup but has shown where the true power lies.
.
-Zenwind.
Hopefully, this ongoing Thai political crisis of 2010 may now be seeing light at the end of the tunnel, and the Royal Thai Army has been the power behind the scenes, stubbornly holding out for a peaceful solution. Today is Coronation Day, a national holiday commemorating the crowning of the King and Queen over six decades ago, and it is an excellent time for political compromises and saving face for all concerned. A most auspicious time for peacemaking.
.
This week, PM Abhisit compromised by announcing that new elections will be held on 14 November 2010, with the House dissolving around the last half of September. The Red Shirt leaders compromised by giving up their call for immediate House dissolution. After a few more details are hammered out, perhaps the Reds will go home and end the mobocracy of recent weeks. The government’s position has been hurt by the Army’s refusal to use more force, and the Reds’ position has been hurt by some of them invading a major hospital last week.
.
The Army chief, Gen. Anupong, as well as many Army officers at all levels, have been against any forceful removal of the Red Shirts from their barricaded camp in the middle of Bangkok’s premier shopping district. It would be a terrible fight because of the lay of the land, and many Thais would be killed. Right after the 10 April fatal fight elsewhere between the Army and the Reds, Gen. Anupong declared that the situation demanded a peaceful political solution rather than a military one.
.
Times have changed. In the 1970s, the Army would simply lock, load and gun them down. Over the last several weeks, the PM and Deputy PM have repeatedly ordered the Army to forcefully evict the Reds. But the Army has hardly budged since the 10 April surprise of well-armed Reds and 25 fatalities. The Army’s recent actions have been only defensive, i.e., holding the Reds back from invading the financial district. By not moving, the Army underlines its key role in Thai politics – you can do nothing without them.
.
Gen. Anupong is due to retire in September or so. He does not want a bloodbath as his final legacy as Army chief. He may be eyeing a future role in politics. He may be refusing to take more lives, finding himself in the uneasy position of being both a soldier and a Buddhist. Whatever his motivations, he has helped to keep the peace and to keep the Army’s reputation untarnished. The Royal Thai Army has staged a “coup” that is not really a coup but has shown where the true power lies.
.
-Zenwind.
03 May 2010
Cat and Mouse Game with Cop
.
The other day I went for a long walk on the local streets in order to get some long-needed exercise. During the Hot Season here, one tends to spend too much time indoors. I walked as far as I could before my feet got too hot – threatening blisters – then turned back. (I’m a tenderfoot.) Before going to the house, I headed to the local store to get ice and cold drinks.
.
I must have looked a sight: drenched with sweat after my march, red-faced and wearing a bandana sweatband. But most around here are used to seeing the local neighborhood “farang” and his eccentric ways. “Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.”
.
As I was cruising the aisles of the store, I noticed a policeman in the store, one I’d never seen before. (Since Thailand’s recent Troubles escalated, there have been extra reinforcement cops stationed at our corner police station.) It hit me immediately: he was stalking me in order to bust me.
.
Explanation: the laws on alcohol purchases in Thailand are byzantine. You can buy beer, wine and spirits only from 11am to 2pm (the time bracketing lunch hour) and then again from 5pm to midnight. Two legal windows in time.
.
I knew that I had arrived at the store about 2:15pm and thus could not buy beer, but I wasn’t looking for beer because I already had some at home. I was at the cooler loading up on ice tea and soda. The cop was hiding behind an aisle watching me and hoping that I would try to buy some beer so he could bust me.
.
He would try to settle it just between us, i.e., he would demand a bribe and had no intention of taking me in. Just like a farang being caught littering or for a traffic violation, he would ask for about 2000 Baht (US$62). He probably thought I was just a visiting farang unaware of the rules. He stood behind me, watching, as I unloaded my basket at checkout, and he disappeared when no alcohol was found. Sorry to disappoint him, as he most likely thought it was easy cash.
.
-Zenwind.
.
The other day I went for a long walk on the local streets in order to get some long-needed exercise. During the Hot Season here, one tends to spend too much time indoors. I walked as far as I could before my feet got too hot – threatening blisters – then turned back. (I’m a tenderfoot.) Before going to the house, I headed to the local store to get ice and cold drinks.
.
I must have looked a sight: drenched with sweat after my march, red-faced and wearing a bandana sweatband. But most around here are used to seeing the local neighborhood “farang” and his eccentric ways. “Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.”
.
As I was cruising the aisles of the store, I noticed a policeman in the store, one I’d never seen before. (Since Thailand’s recent Troubles escalated, there have been extra reinforcement cops stationed at our corner police station.) It hit me immediately: he was stalking me in order to bust me.
.
Explanation: the laws on alcohol purchases in Thailand are byzantine. You can buy beer, wine and spirits only from 11am to 2pm (the time bracketing lunch hour) and then again from 5pm to midnight. Two legal windows in time.
.
I knew that I had arrived at the store about 2:15pm and thus could not buy beer, but I wasn’t looking for beer because I already had some at home. I was at the cooler loading up on ice tea and soda. The cop was hiding behind an aisle watching me and hoping that I would try to buy some beer so he could bust me.
.
He would try to settle it just between us, i.e., he would demand a bribe and had no intention of taking me in. Just like a farang being caught littering or for a traffic violation, he would ask for about 2000 Baht (US$62). He probably thought I was just a visiting farang unaware of the rules. He stood behind me, watching, as I unloaded my basket at checkout, and he disappeared when no alcohol was found. Sorry to disappoint him, as he most likely thought it was easy cash.
.
-Zenwind.
.
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