Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:37:10 +0800
From: Brian Judge <kl.brian@hotmail.com>
Subject: Gay Love in Thaialand

'So, are you living here or on holiday?'

'I live here - came out three years ago.'

'Retired?'

'Sort of. How about yourself?'

'I just arrived yesterday. Found the name of this bar on the Net. In a few
days I'm hoping to travel around Thailand. Hey! some really handsome guys
are in here tonight.'

'Yes, they're here most nights.'

'Money boys?'

'Mostly, and be careful as some of them are thieves as well.'

          It was a modest hotel near the centre of Bangkok and there seemed
to be no objection to gay couples, if the diners eating breakfast were
anything to go by. Such a change from back home where tradition still held
sway. Jim had been made redundant from the textile factory a few months
before when it had finally closed it's doors and now he had his redundancy
money to spend on a decent holiday. Previously he had never been abroad but
had heard about the free and easy attitudes to gays here and was keen to
see for himself.

          One evening, he was settled in a Silom, Soi 4 bar and into his
second bottle of Singha when he felt a hand on his right thigh. Turning, he
saw an angelic, smiling face.

'Are you alone?'

'Yes.'

'Can we talk, then?'

'Sure.'

          Was this really happening? Such a handsome young guy, speaking
English and interested in him? Wow!

          Well they chatted while they drank, were soon kissing and
touching each other and midnight found them in bed, in Jim's hotel. Neither
got a lot of sleep for the first hour or two but around eight Jim was
awakened by a hand gently travelling all over his back giving him a tickly
and delightful feeling. They kissed and lay together as the early morning
sunlight fell over their bed. This guy was so sensual and experienced too.
Noi, for that was his name was so uninhibited and affectionate that this
rubbed off on Jim who became more and more relaxed as the days went by.

           Then Jim had an idea. Would Noi like to accompany him as his
guide around Thailand. Is the Pope a catholic? - as the old cliche goes.
So that day they hired a car, checked out of the hotel and headed off south
at Noi's suggestion and made their first stop at Hua Hin. After the bustle
of the city, this beach resort had a slower pace of life but lots of bars
and restaurants. They went everywhere together though occasionally Jim
noticed other farangs (westerners) acknowledging Noi in a rather familiar
way. These men were dismissed by Noi as long time residents who he barely
knew. They swam in the sea, rode the beach ponies and visited a nearby hill
featuring many religious shrines which were also infested with monkeys,
This place was called unsurprisingly, 'Monkey Mountain'.  After a few more
days they headed off south again stopping at various places.

          Throughout the journey, from time to time, Noi would disappear
for a night or two 'to visit members of his family' he said. He also used
his mobile repeatedly. Well, their journey continued until they eventually
reached the holiday island of Phuket. The gay scene here was well developed
where apart from the many bars and restaurants there were transvestite
cabarets as well. All a new experience for him. Here, Noi seemed to know
quite a lot of the young guys they encountered on the beaches and on the
streets.

          But just lying on the beach recliners under umbrellas, being
served food and drinks especially whilst being accompanied by such a
handsome young buck gave Jim the most idyllic feeling he could ever have
imagined. What a marvellous holiday!

          Then one morning, Jim awoke to find himself alone in bed. In his
sleepy state he at first wondered whether Noi had got up to use the
bathroom. Or maybe he had gone down for breakfast alone? But there was no
sign of him. Jim was alarmed and confused. What had prompted his sudden
departure, he wondered. They seemed to have been getting along so well.

          Then the words of the fellow he had met that first evening in the
Bangkok bar hit him like the proverbial bombshell. 'Be careful, as some of
them are thieves as well.'

          But looking around the room all seemed as normal. His mobile,
watch, camera, laptop and wallet were all there. He then arose, took a
shower, shaved, dressed and went down in the lift for breakfast. But while
eating his meal he glanced out of the window and his eyes soon focused on
the space where he had parked the hired car the previous afternoon. The car
was gone. He quickly finished and went to the Reception desk where he asked
whether any of the staff had seen his 'friend' or had noticed his car being
driven away. None had.

          Jim then reported the whole business to the Hotel Manager who
suggested he call the Police, while Jim waited in the lobby. Eventually,
two policemen arrived and approached the reception desk. Soon the Manager
reappeared and he and the officers joined Jim. The whole story was then
related to the policemen by the Manager speaking in Thai. Noi's Identity
Card it transpired, which had been surrendered to the hotel staff on
checking in was now missing. Jim was becoming very worried about these
developments. But just at this point, Noi appeared in the hotel lobby and
it immediately became clear that he was well known to the Police.

          A lively exchange (in Thai) then took place, after which Noi
turned and said 'Don't worry Jim, I'm a plain clothes Police Officer.' Jim
froze, stark still on hearing these ominous words. Then, 'Everything's OK,'
he laughed. 'You see, I am in the anti-drug squad and we have been trailing
these dealers since we left Bangkok. In the middle of the night I received
a call telling me where the rendezvous for the deal would take place and
the time, so I had to leave in a hurry. We nabbed the gang and the buyers
too who are now being escorted back to Bangkok. The good news is that my
chief has given me seven days leave so from now on, I'm all yours.'

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