The most shocking thing you've seen in Thailand?

[qwerty]

So, what is the most shocking thing you've seen in Thailand?

You know, the sort of thing that just stops you dead in your tracks with a drop jawed look of disbelief on your face.

For me, it was something that I saw in the basement Disco at the Grace Hotel.

Several months ago a Saudi fellow I know called up and wanted to go out for a drink or ten. He was having troubles with his Thai wife and wanted someone to talk to. We jumped into a taxi and the next thing I knew we were walking into the Grace Hotel.

Most of you probably know the Grace Hotel's reputation, and I can pretty much confirm that the place does indeed live up to that reputation!

We started in the coffee shop. My initial impression was that this was where the mothers of all of the Sukhumvit working girls hung out. Shortly afterwards I was shocked and appalled when I realized that these overweight grandmothers were actually trolling for customers!

Then we went bowling. There are some differences between Farang and Arab bowling styles. Farangs rarely use an overhand throw in a bowling alley.

Finally we went to the disco. It was an amazing sight. In addition to a fair number of middle Eastern men, there were two or three Thai girls, several Iranian girls, some Arab girls and a small army of Uzbekistani girls! It was there, in the basement disco of the Grace Hotel that I saw the most shocking sight that I have ever seen in Thailand.



I had had a few beers and so I headed to the mens room. The bathroom attendant was sitting on the floor in the corner between the mens room and the womens room.

SHE WAS READING A BOOK!!!


Not a cartoon book. Not a text book. A real live Thai book, possibly a novel.

If I had a time machine, I would go back there for a second look. Just to make sure that my eyes weren't deceiving me.