And like that... he is gone
So that's it. RIP Three Years of Hell, June 2, 2003 to August 25, 2006. After all these words, there are only a few things left to say.
Two sites, the Imbroglio and the Volokh Conspiracy, have given me a slightly premature sendoff, and their words are very kind. (The site has received its final Kerr Package.) In answer to Ambimb's question as to why the site is closing, the answer is simply that the project is done. I don't know what my next big task will be. I've got two articles in process (much more difficult now I don't have free Lexis access). There's a few chapters written of a novel, a thought made more exciting by three friends who have already written books. The more I look at law and technology, the more I think that an open-source, XML-based framework for writing judicial opinions would bring caselaw closer to the public (as well as weaken the WEXIS duopoly). Perhaps that's a project worth looking into. Whatever the case, I'm sure I'll have no problem coming up with other tasks to occupy my (soon to dwindle rapidly) free time. This story was always meant to have an ending, and after all these months, it is finally here.
Thank you to the professors and students at Columbia Law School who made this journey such a rich experience. The same goes to the bloggers across the 'sphere who've linked, commented and otherwise spread the word. (A special note should go to Martin, who started me on this path.) My family, although asked not to comment on the blog itself, never failed to give me encouragement (and fodder for quite a few posts) throughout my years here.
And finally, of course, thank you to all of you who've read this site over the last three years and a bit. Journeys are made better with travelling companions, and I couldn't have asked for a finer bunch.
Best regards,
A.R.
An excellent article in all respects – thank you.
I’ve been living here a long time and have come to recognise a specific mind-set – the one that goes “. . . it’s disgusting to see all these dirty old men with young Thai women . . .” Sadly, what these dismissive Westerners are unable to grasp is that this is a sought-after way of life for an enormous number of young Thai women. The living conditions of millions of rural Thai farmers and their families are similarly beyond the imaginings of the same mind-set.
“Working with farangs” is a job,and a well-paid one, too. In the early part of this ‘career’ the young woman will play the field and usually not want to be taken out of the bar (or certainly not be looking for a full-time ‘boyfriend’). The ideal is three or four ‘boyfriends’ on the go at once, in a holding pattern, each of them coming to stay in Thailand with the girl for three or four weeks each year. Each of the men (usually) think that the girl has stopped working in the bar and is living off the money they are sending her each month.
As the girls begin to age and they start to notice that they are not drawing the same attention that they did when they were younger, they begin to look for a more-permanent partner. They look for a man to settle with, one who will buy some land and build her/them a house – often in or close to where her family are based.
They value the financial security, yes, but every one will tell you (and mean it) that Thai men treat their women badly, are aggressive, assertive, often violent and always unfaithful. A farang man (generally older) is thoughtful, considerate and gentle, and shows his affection and appreciation for his woman, being a steadfast husband and a good surrogate father for her (often several) children, and they are both pleased for him to add one or two kids of his own to the brood.
There is no system of Social Benefits or State Aid in Thailand, no government handouts, family allowances or pension schemes – another unimaginable aspect for those with a fixed Western mind-set. Every one of the 60-plus million people here is dependent upon either generating a continual income or being taken-care of by a family member who has access to such.
So, in the scheme of things, an older Western man, divorced or separated, with collateral from the sale of his house or business, annuities, insurance, investments or even a pension, can find companionship and affection with a young(er) attractive Thai woman. And she, in return, finds a steadfast partner who can help both her and her extended family. Plus he’ll end up living in a pleasant country where everything is 25% of the cost of living back home.
This is what is at the core of the whole sex-tourism industry: financial stability. And, whatever the surface packaging of this, whatever the tales of violent lady-boys or scheming bar-girls out to cheat the farangs, this is an element that established itself in the 1950s and 60s, after the War(s) had exposed the attractions of Thailand to millions of soldiers who were drafted over here. And, as such, has now become an established fact of life here – one which I can’t imagine is going to fade-out for a very long time indeed.
Great article, guys – very well written! We’ve had many of the same thoughts that you shared here since we got to Thailand last month. In some places we were disgusted by the large amount of ugly, old Western dudes trying to impress the way-too-young Thai girls.
Globetrottergirls´s last [type] ..Hotel Tip of the Week: Hotel Helix | Washington, DC
It’s rare that I read a post right to the end…and without skimming through it. Really well-written. This is probably one of the reasons why I think I’ll never go to Thailand. I just couldn’t stand the site of sex tourists (not the sex workers, who are only trying to earn a living).
Denise´s last [type] ..Back from Bali…and already worrying about Vietnam and Australia
Been going on since the beginning of time in Thailand and will continue – not just for men any more. More and more sex tourists are ladies from abroad.
Sex Tourism ain’t it? Rife all over the world. Some destinations are for the men and others are for the women. Some destinations are just not so discrete about it.
Natalie – Turkish Travel Blog.´s last [type] ..Solo Traveler – Wandering Earl In Turkey