I always find it interesting just how different Thai culture is from our Western culture. Most people can see the obvious differences such as language, food and customs. However, after living in Thailand 6 years I find it remarkable how Thai people can look at even the most insignificant event from a totally different perspective. […]
Read the rest of this entry »Archive for the 'Crime Scams & Espionage' Category
A hotel tourist rip-off to avoid in Sittwe, Burma
We here at WoWasis had some major issues with the Prince Hotel, in the town of Sittwe, Burma, which advertises air con rooms (which don’t have working air con), prophylactic-filled landings, and a shell-game run in conjunction with shady boat operators, plying their trade to the historic Myauk U site nearby. The hotel had arranged […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis Book review: Timothy Hallinan’s ‘Breathing Water’
Breathing Water: A Bangkok Thriller (2009, ISBN 978-0-06-167223-1) is Bangkok Fiction writer Timothy Hallinan’s current foray into the ongoing saga of travel writer Poke Rafferty and his family, ex- bar girl Rose, and adopted daughter Miaow. The novel is rather timely, in terms of what’s been happening politically in Bangkok during the first half of […]
Read the rest of this entry »Confessions of a Bangkok Private Eye: how Warren nearly met his demise
Here at WoWasis, we keep a pretty sharp eye on ways to meet one’s end in Southeast Asia. One of our favorite true stories was told by private eye Warren Olson, whose book Confessions of a Bangkok Private Eye: True stories from the case files of Warren Olson is a must read (more info at […]
Read the rest of this entry »Bachelor in Bangkok: Khun Lee on why you shouldn’t give away your life savings to a bar girl
I really love Thailand. Last week I saw an incredibly gorgeous lady on the skytrain, and as fate would have it, she got off at my stop. I proceeded to follow her (as I had nowhere in particular that I had to be) and she walked into a candy store not far from the skytrain […]
Read the rest of this entry »NGO Pedophilia controversy heats up in Cambodia
Two sides are squaring up in what promises to be an interesting legal battle in Cambodia over whether NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) are illegally entrapping visitors in an attempt to gain convictions for pedophilia. In May, The Phom Penh Post reported that Sok Sam Ouen, executive director of the Cambodian Defenders Project, has alleged that “NGO […]
Read the rest of this entry »Murder for Hire in Thailand: a few good ways to die if you’re careless
It’s conventional wisdom in the expat community that you don’t want to run afoul of Thais in business dealings, because it’s a good way to lose one’s life. But it’s not just expats that lose their lives, it’s Thais as well. This WoWasis post describes most popular ways of murdering people, the activities of some […]
Read the rest of this entry »Massage parlors for men in Vietnam: the good, the bad, and the ugly
Vietnamese streetside massage shops offer everything from foot massage to manual stimulation, but do not offer full service, in sexual terms. Read on, as our handy guide will help you to navigate this labyrinth of services and to get what you’re paying for. The good Streetside stall massage shops typically offer body, face, and foot […]
Read the rest of this entry »Buying property: Own your own piece of Thailand? It can be done, but with caveats
(Note: Also read WoWasis post about construction scams in Thailand) Many Westerners who fall in love with Thailand have expressed a desire to own property there. Although the process is probably more complicated than in your own country, it is doable, as thousands can attest. Here are some of the basics, and remember to consult […]
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