Lawang Farang

Andrew Drummond of www.andrew-drummond.com reported on March 8 2011 of the mysterious deaths of two Britons, a young New Zealander and a Thai tourist guide a few days apart. All had been staying at the Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai. All died of heart attack. The local Thai police quickly announced to the media, “We have to admit that these deaths coming one after another, are nothing more than coincidence."

The families of the deceased with astounded by this claim of coincidence and the Thai Police responded to their concerns by asking the families for money to conduct an autopsies, most of which would be put to good use in the weekend beer fund.

The entire episode is reminiscent of Hatchand Bhaonani Gurumukh Charles Sobhraj's sociopathic killing spree in the 1970s. The Indian/Vietnamese murderer tallied almost a dozen deaths. His victims were European travelers, whom he dosed with poison. He and his globe-trotting accomplices kept the sick alive long enough to steal their money. The Hotel Malaysia in Soi Duplee in Bangkok was infamous for his patronage. It was the first hotel at which I stayed in Thailand.

Scandal, go-go girls, and a room with a view of the swimming pool.

Room 234.

The hotel staff knew that I liked that room. A go-go girl from the Queen's Lounge on Patpong once jumped out of my window into the pool. She won 1000 baht from Ty Spaulding. Neither of us thought Nim would do it, but 1000 baht back in 1991 was the same money as sleeping with two fat farangs. Nim was smart. She knew the odds. Later she told me in her nakedness that she had leapt from this window before.

"First time scared. Second time no scared. This time mai penh rai."

I actually have a photo of her jumping from the balcony the next morning.

Nim was brave. She had a kid. No husband. She had to be brave for her baby.

I was traveling through Asia. The early 90s were a good time for Asia. Life was cheap. Beer was cold and the women were beautiful. It was paradise and at the age of 38 I felt young once more.

People like us didn't die at hotel's like the Malaysia or the Downtown Inn. We were tough as nails. Killers sought easy suckers. We were too much trouble to both them and ourselves. Mostly ourselves. It's why I'm alive today.

My existence is not for everyone, so tourists to Thailand 'beware of the dog'.

It has a bite.