Dear Hillary,
The usual suckers in this ‘land of smiles’ where money talks really loudly and losers (like myself) can’t even afford to take a baht bus ride (farang price; which is a bit ironic because I guestimate that many Thais in Jomtien and Pattaya are a lot better off than a farang on a pension). Having said that, I do think that bar girls and sex workers in Thailand are badly ripped off by greasy old sex tourists. If a pot-bellied, bald 60 year old male wants to sleep with a beautiful 20 year old girl (and younger), he should pay accordingly; at least 5,000 baht a night and not the derisory 50 euros (2,000 baht) he is now getting away with. The Thai authorities should step in and safeguard these girls’ interests. That same greasy old sex tourist would be paying a heck of a lot more for similar services in Europe.
Yours, a sad old walker (that is ‘walker’)
Dear Sad Old Walker,
In your letter, you are suggesting that 60 year old overweight bald male tourists should be subject to a 500 percent escalation in dormitory fees – I don’t quite understand this at all. Firstly, there are no “sex workers” here and you can verify this by asking any policeman. Secondly, it is against the law – you can check the statutes on this fact. So you see, the “Thai authorities” (the police) are already safeguarding the interests of those girls who work in the bars, so you can stop worrying. Incidentally, this is a type of discrimination you are proposing. What about 60 year old tourists that still have hair, or who are not overweight? Will they be made to pay your new schedule of fees too? Your “new order” needs refining, Petal. By the way, I’m sorry you have to walk everywhere, but I’m sure the exercise is good for you.
