Date Rape Drug in Bangkok

Bangkok is NEW DATE-RAPE APHRODISIAC FINDS ITS WAY ONTO THAI STUDENT AND BAR SCENE
A new variant of date-rape sex stimulant, instant coffee sold in packet form and orange juice, has recently appeared both on the Thai student and bar scene, according to Pavena Hongsakula, Chairwoman of the Pathum Thani-based Pavena Hongsakula Foundation for Women and Children.


The concoction has been spiked with an aphrodisiac, which is seen as being of particular danger to women as it unleashes an uncontrollable desire to have sex with the donor, who usually gives it to unsuspecting women.

The concoction is sold as instant coffee and orange juice, with the latter being represented as particularly suitable for women.

Ms Pavena cited two examples in an article today, April 8, in the Bangkok Post. The first concerned a young woman called Bee, a university student, who had corresponded with a man over the Internet, who she subsequently met at the man's home, where she went to eat with him. Claiming it was "a new formula health drink", the man gave her a cup of coffee containing the substance. After a few minutes, Bee said she "felt a surge of arousal and an instant desire for sex," shortly afterwards agreeing to have sex with the man.

The young woman said she knew a man through an internet contact and the two eventually met in person over a meal at the man's house. The man made her a cup of coffee which he said was a new formula health drink.

In another case, this time relating to a bar hostess who was given the concoction in coffee by a client, which was both aromatic and sweet-tasting. Again, shortly afterwards, she apparently became dazed, experiencing a ''sudden unstoppable sexual excitement' and subsequently had sex with the donor. She felt hung-over the following day.

As yet, the sex-stimulant hasn't been identified, but it has been sent to the Food and Drug Administration for analysis.

In another slant, there was a report on this morning's (April 8) Thai Channel 3's "Morning Story" about a girl who had apparently been a victim of the "sexy-coffee" who went on about her experience ad nausiam, to the degree that the presenter told her to curtail her story as it was beginning to sound like an advert for the aphrodisiacal concoction!

Date-rape or predator drugs are known to have sedative, hypnotic, dissociative, and/or amnesiac effects. The most common are GHB, Rohypnol and Ketamine, aside from alcohol. They are fast acting, between 10-20 minutes and usually last for between 4-8 hours. The rape aspect is often disguised by the fact that the women who ingest such substances are often unaware that their drinks have been spiked, the drugs being tasteless, odourless and colourless and the women apparently consent to sex, without coercion. The most common effects are disinhibition and amnesia, excitability or aggressive behavior, decreased blood pressure, memory impairment, drowsiness, visual disturbances, semi-consciousness, dizziness, confusion, stomach disturbances, and urinary retention.

Often, especially with the amnesiac effects, victims don't remember having been raped, just wake up hung-over with soreness or bruising in the genital region, bruising on the inner and/or outer thighs, defensive bruising, and traces of semen or vaginal fluids on clothes, body or nearby furniture.

Precautions:

1. Don't accept drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) from unknown individuals
2. Always get your drink directly from the bartender in bars or clubs, and always keep the dispenser under a watchful eye
3. At parties, only accept drinks in closed containers, like bottles, cans or tetra packs. Never leave your drink unattended.
4. Don't drink from open sources, like punch bowls, pitchers or tubs.
5. Keep your eyes and ears open; if there is talk of date rape drugs or if friends seem "too intoxicated" for what they have taken, leave the scene immediately