The sharper edge to traveling in Asia

Possible origin of “starfish” sexual performance by some Thai women is under investigation

Written By: herbrunbridge - May• 14•10

Ad for starfish school in Bangkok newspaper

The term “starfish” is used by many western men in Thailand to refer to women who are completely unenthusiastic during sexual activity. This practice, in which women throw open their arms and legs, and turn their faces away from their partners while passively allowing them to finish the sexual act, provides the starfish metaphor, and the word has entered the vernacular of many western expats in Thailand.

A Thai school foundation is now under question as a possible source for this activity, leading pundits to wonder to what extent that practice is being taught there. If so, they ask, how many Thai women have graduated from starfish classes, is enrollment increasing, and is the concept being promulgated through distance learning classes all over the country?

Noi, a top earner at a well-known bar on Bangkok’s Soi Cowboy, seemed completely familiar with the starfish issue, but denied that any school organization was responsible for teaching her this behavior. “I see customer last night I starfish him because him fat too much and not have the good smell, so want him finish,” said Noi, as she held her nose for emphasis. “Other man, cheap charlie pay 1,000 baht, want him finish 15 minute, so starfish too, and talk to girlfriend on telephone so go disco when finish.”

Many male visitors to Thailand feel that their dignity is never more compromised than when a bar girl engages in a telephone conversation with another individual while having sex with them. “Sometimes I think they learn this stuff in school,” said one disgruntled bar customer. But Noi insists school has nothing to do with it. “Him think pay bar me make me want him sex, but no go school, only finish 6 grade Ubon Ratchathani. Him pay me 1,000 baht, but have German man pay 20,000 baht every month, and I talk him too much.”

Whatever the case, it appears that starfish schools, at least today, are an anomaly, and there appear to be no graduate classes there that teach women to engage in telephone conversations during sex with their partners. Thailand is land of entrepreneurs, though, and many western men have deep concerns that sexual practices long the norm among western women will migrate to the Land of Smiles.

Posted in Nightlife, Satire, Thailand , | 10 Comments »

Military clashes with redshirts at Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Soi Nana intersection as bomb explodes

Written By: herbrunbridge - May• 13•10

3am: Thai troops deploy down Sukhumvit just before a bomb hits

Early Friday morning at approximately 3 am, UDD red shirts, beginning near the BTS Nana skytrain station, began an attempt to take over Sukhumvit-Ploenchit Road, thereby extending the protest area now bounded by the BTS Chitlom station to the north. They were rebuffed by the Thai military and chased out of the area, which included Sukhumvit Soi 4, adjacent to the JW Marriott and Nana Hotels and the Nana Entertainment Plaza.

At least one explosive device, believed to be a home-made bomb, exploded near the JW Marriott Hotel. During the action, UDD protesters continually pelted Thai troops with bottles and other non-ordnance projectiles, while the military stood its ground. It was reported that shots were heard earlier near the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 7, and by 3:30 am, 5 ambulances were seen entering, then leaving the area.

As this post goes to press, the Nana area has been reopened, but numerous BTS skytrain stations, including Nana and Ploenchit, have been closed.

Thursday evening, Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, a rogue military officer familiarly known as Seh Daeng, had been shot in the head near the main protest area at Siam Square, as a result of sniper fire, and is reported to be in critical condition. Earlier Thursday, Thai military massed under the expressway at an area known familiarly as Soi Zero, “locked and loaded” with infrared scopes and in full battle gear. The fact that Thai military seemed to be ready for the UDD push ten or twelve hours later, as well as the surgical sniper strike against the UDD’s most strident militant, leads to speculation that the UDD may have been infiltrated by Thai security forces aligned with the government.

Seh Daeng was a controversial figure who continually made public statements indicating his non-compromising philosophy toward the Thai government, and had clashed with other UDD leaders wishing to take a more measured approach. This past Sunday, he had been recommended for dismissal by Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. Khattiya had developed a reputation for being amoung the most recalcitrant leaders of the protest movement, and a ready thorn in the side to Thai government leaders attempting to forge a reconciliation agreement with the UDD coalition.

The protest area, centered by Siam Square, has now been bottled up by the Thai military, which is strictly controlling entry and exit via main thoroughfares. Water  cannon trucks appear to be in full force, but it remains to be seen when or if a general clearing of the protest area will begin.

Posted in Politics, Thailand , | 2 Comments »

Mt. Pinatubo lahar’s path to destruction

Written By: herbrunbridge - May• 13•10

All that's left of a school clinic wrecked the the lahar

In June of 1991, Mt. Pinatubo on the Philippine island of Luzon blew its stack, sending up a giant plume of ash 25 miles high. Most of the destruction in human terms, however, came with a typhoon, in which a deadly mixture of water and ash caused massive lahars to wash over a huge amount of land, displacing over 100,000 people, and killing over 1,000.  For the most part, the land taken by the lahars has never been recovered. 

You can take a 4 wheel tour to Pinatubo’s crater, but it will cost you a minimum of 3,500 pesos ($77 USD) to share a vehicle. If you want to get closer to the lahars on an easier ride, you can rent a car, drive north of Olangapo near Subic Bay, and check out the Lahar Watchpoint, 12 km north of Cabangan on the National Road. Here, a recent bridge fords the lahar. Driving several kilometers north, you’ll begin to see buildings partially or totally buried by the lahar. Among the most interesting series of destroyed structures is the Carael Elementary school, where the ash encroached on classrooms and school buildings, undermined foundations, and destroyed adjacent houses, rendering it all useless. Everything has been left pretty much as it was when the lahar hit, leaving a ghost town humbling in its deference to nature.

Posted in Nature & Wildlife, Philippines, Tours Treks Outdoors , , | No Comments »

Vigan: the Philippines’ jewel of colonial architecture

Written By: herbrunbridge - May• 13•10

Colonial architecture of a shophouse in Vigan

The picturesque west Luzon town of Vigan is relatively little-known, probably because it’s so damn hard to get there. A good 8 hours north by car from Angeles City-Manila, this town of fascinating colonial homes and two-wheeled carriages was founded in 1572. It makes for a wonderful 2 day stop, and if you can plan for it, the Viva Vigan festival on the first week of May is a great time to visit, as there are a number of fascinating events held in Plaza Burgos. Included in those events is the Gay-Em Parade ladyboy contest in honor of Santa Crosan, in which dozens of grand dames and their escorts, preceded by a siren-accompanied police escort, vie for the title of Queen. 

Top 4 things to do in Vigan
1)  Mansion Syquia. This colonial home offers a spectacular collection of artifacts related to former president Elpidio Quirino. (For historical background on both Quirino and Crisologo in the following entry, read Sterling Segarve’s book The Marcos Dynasty.
2)  Crisologo Museum. This wonderful old wooden home has loads of artifacts from one of Vigan’s most prominent political families. Don’t miss the old Chevy Belair in which Crisologo was riding during an assassination attempt, and the library showcase, housing grisly photographs of the assassinated Floro Crisologo.
3)  Casa Burgos/Ayala Museum. This beautiful house is the ancestral home of the martyred Father Burgos, and also is the repository of artifacts relating to Ilocano culture.
4)  Ride in a calesa two-wheeled horse carriage. It’s not very expensive, roughly 150 pesos ($2 USD) per hour, and the drivers could use the money to keep this historical institution alive. The calesa will take you to the above venues, and also to a small pottery factory and shop where you’ll see the amazing 150 foot-long kilns

Read WoWasis’ recommendation for a great hotel and restaurant in Vigan.

Posted in Culture & History, Events & Festivals, Historical Buildings & Temples, Museums & Art Galleries, Philippines , , | 2 Comments »

Grilled buffalo penis Thai delicacy has westerners scratching heads, animal rights groups on the warpath, and Chinese visitors asking for more

Written By: herbrunbridge - May• 12•10

Buffalo penis to the right of the chicken satay, just about ready for the grill

Thai animal rights groups are up in arms over the proliferation of hot spiced buffalo penis  snacks on the outdoor grills located in Bangkok’s adult entertainment zones. Rot kan cart owners generally agree that Khun Mot’s grill just outside of Nana Plaza on Sukhumvit Soi 4 was the first to offer this delicacy, which is imported in its uncooked state by Isaan bar girls returning from the country to the Bangkok bars in which they work. Westerners seeing these items on the grill next to chicken breasts may at first think they’re traditional Thai palad khik good luck icons, but Chinese bar patrons, recognizing the impossiblilty of finding tiger penis in Thailand, quickly switched their allegiances to the buffalo variety. 

WoWasis interviewed Lek, a Nana area bar girl who supplies several raw buffalo penises to Bangkok outdoor grills every month, and asked her about her supply and distribution  situation. “Easy to do. When buffalo old, have to make die, but tell farang customer buffalo sick, so he send money too much. Have 5, maybe 6 customer send money. Have Sweden man send 10,000 baht last month for buffalo already he die 3 time.” 

Thai animal rights groups are furious, and are attempting to bring pressure on Bangkok authorities to stop the practice before it spreads beyond Nana, to other adult zones such as Soi Cowboy and Patpong Road. An underground Thai animal rights activist who refused to divulge her name or organization was among five individuals wearing brown shirts and protesting vociferously outside Khun Mot’s food cart on a recent weekend.  Under the weary but watchful eye of a Bangkok police officer monitoring the situation, the protester stated her position quite clearly. “These animals are a national treasure and should not suffer this indignity in death. Let the Chinese eat their chop suey and westerners their hamburgers. But leave our buffalo alone.” She then offered a not-so-veiled threat: “Today, we shut down this food cart. Tomorrow, Suvarnabhumi Airport.” 

At this juncture, few can say whether grilled buffalo penis is just another passing Asian food fad, or a real movement that could be the next crisis flash point for a Thai nation already battered and bleeding from protests that have severely curtailed tourism and damaged her economy.

Posted in Food & Dining, Nightlife, Satire, Thailand , | 13 Comments »

The rice terraces of Malecong, near Bontoc, Philippines

Written By: herbrunbridge - May• 12•10

Walking the rice terraces provides unforgettable views

Perhaps the most-visited ancient rice terraces in northern Luzon are those near the city of Banaue, but few would disagree that having this bucolic setting pretty much to oneself makes the experience more personal. The terraces of Malecong are 30 km north of Banaue, 7 km north of the city of Bontoc up a winding dirt road. 

The stonewalled Malecong terraces are an estimated 2,000 years old, built by the native Ifugao people. It is recommended to see the terraces in April or May, when colors are at their most brilliant. The growing cycle begins in January when seedlings are first grown in small terraces. They are transplanted in February or March, and harvested in the Summer. Walking along the terrace walls is an unforgettable visual experience, and you’ll meet numerous rice farming families walking to and from, and repairing their terraces. 

We chose Malecong not only because it’s less-traveled than the Banaue terraces to the south, but also because the rice was still a lovely green color this early May, while the Banaue terraces had already turned golden. You don’t have to drive to Malecong like we did, as the track is rough and best suited for a 4 wheel drive vehicle. You can take a jeepney from Bontoc, and walk 30 minutes to the terraces. Walking back downhill to Bontoc, which sits at 2,968 feet, is a leisurely two hours.

Posted in Culture & History, Food & Dining, Philippines, Tours Treks Outdoors , | No Comments »

Tough Bessang Pass provides real challenges in traveling to the Bontoc-Banaue-Sagada area from Vigan

Written By: herbrunbridge - May• 12•10

Bessang Pass is always under construction, often narrowing to one lane over river gorges

The lack of proper driving maps for northern Luzon, Philippines is one of several challenges in driving the island. Still, there’s much to see in the north, from the colonial architecture at Vigan to the spectacular rice terraces in the Bontoc and Banaue areas. This post will help you to avoid a tough road situation should you ever be traveling in that part of the Philippines. 

I elected to begin my trip from Manila to northern Luzon by starting in the heritage town of Vigan, up in the northwest corner of the island. I did it because I wanted to start my trip as far from Manila as I could, backtrack through the Bontoc area, then head “home” to Manila. On every map I saw, there was what appeared to be a major road running east-west a little south of Vigan. The eastern terminus was near Bontoc, which mean that I wouldn’t have to drive south to Baguio, then northeast to Bontoc, which was (or so I thought) going to save me hours. It turns out the road is called the Bessang Pass, a gnarly pass with lots of extreme turns. The scenery is wonderful, but the road is slow. It crests at 4,563 feet, and there you’ll find a memorial to soldiers who died fighting on the Bessang Pass in WWII. As the plaque suggests, it was one of the toughest spots to take in the entire Pacific Theatre. As interesting as the pass was, I wasn’t making good time, so down the eastern side to the town of Cervantes. 

And when I got to Cervantes, a few miles from the Bontoc road, I was told the bridge hadn’t been built yet, and my car wasn’t tall enough to ford the river. Unbelievably, although the road shows up as a main thoroughfare on a map, it lacks a bridge. 

So instead, people at Cervantes told me to drive 20 kilometers south to the town of Mankayan, then drive west for a few kilometers to pick up the Bontoc road. The Mankayan road, it turned out, was half washed-out, half under construction, with few warning signs and sudden holes and pavement drops. It was barely good enough for 4 wheelers in some spots. It got pitch-black, and I decided to try to find a room and dinner in Mankayan, a small mountain town with a two-room lodge. 

There, I was befriended by a police officer and highway worker, and they sorted me out for a 200 peso dinner and a 200 peso hotel room, a total of $10 USD. All in all, it ended up being a lovely experience meeting Senior Police Officer Anatolio Lapic and highway worker Darwin Limon. They proved that no matter how lost you are in the Philippines, you’re never alone. 

And as far as that shortcut is concerned, forget about it unless you’re looking to add hours to your trip, and miles to your rugged overland vehicle. If you do desire this adventure, the western entrance to the pass isn’t all that well-marked from the highway. You’ll find it at GPS  N16°5.076’  E120°26.922’

Posted in Philippines, Tours Treks Outdoors, Transportation , | No Comments »

Deadly Mt. Pinatubo lahar becomes new beach hot spot for bathing beauty

Written By: herbrunbridge - May• 10•10

Teaching a work-out class in her lahar-damaged, abandoned schoolhouse proves undaunting for the instructor

The terrible damage and destruction caused by the spectacular lahars resulting from the volcanic action at Luzon’s Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines may result in miles of new beachhead for western Luzon. While we were documenting the current situation in the lahar area, WoWasis researchers ran into a young woman clad in beachwear, who informed us that she absolutely refused to do her sunning anywhere else. 

“I used to have to drive for hours to go to the beach, but now the beach has come to me, and I’m taking advantage while the getting’s good. I just can’t wait until the drinks vendors start showing up.” 

When asked if it was bad form to be tanning over the graves of the unfortunate, she adopted a reverential tone and stated “yes, it’s sad, but mother nature does a great job repurposing landscapes, and by golly, if there’s ash, I’m ready to roll. I’m really into pyroclastics.” She’s into exercise as well, and is driving a small income she makes directing Pilates classes from a nearby derelict school half blasted out by the force of the lahar. “That old science room is where I hold my classes. Even though the toilet is half-buried, it beats digging a hole in the ash, because you never know what you’ll find down there.” 

Rumor has it that major casinos are drawing up plans for the area, and notable politicians are investing in laharfront properties and securing behind-the-scenes government contracts for municipal services, including a dive-through cemetery to honor any dead currently covered by the lahar that may surface when construction for this massive project gets underway. Our bathing beauty, who refused to identify herself, was intrigued by the rumor. “Well, as an early adopter, I have things pretty much to myself at this point. The way things stand today, I can’t even get an umbrella drink around here right now. But if what you say about land speculation is true, put me down for a condo.”

Posted in Nature & Wildlife, Philippines, Satire , , | No Comments »

Beware underage girl and Bar bill padding scams in Angeles City, Philippines

Written By: herbrunbridge - May• 10•10

 

Fields Avenue by night

Two scams have been identified as becoming more and more common in Angeles City these days. The Underage Girl scam represents a significant con that can cost you plenty. The Bar bill padding scam is an annoyance that unfortunately can get you beat up and in the hospital. Here’s how they work: 

1)      The Underage Girl Scam: For lots of reasons, western men caught in the Underage Girl scam won’t discuss their experiences, but it has surfaced that a con game involving underage women and police appears to be in effect in Angeles City.  This confidence game is similar to the scam being run by police and NGOs out of Cambodia. In the Philippine scam, the western male victims have no idea that the woman in question is under age. Nevertheless, it costs them 500,000 pesos ($11,000 USD) to get out of this phony sting operation. 

Here’s how it works. The westerner meets an obviously of-age woman on the street, and they arrange to go to his room. On the way, the woman suggests inviting a girlfriend as well. The man agrees, and when they reach his room, the woman calls her girlfriend. The girlfriend arrives, and soon there’s a knock on the door, and it’s the police. IDs are checked, and the recent arrival is found to be under age. The police say that the man can either be arrested for having sex with a minor, or buy his way out for 500,000 pesos. And buy out he does. 

Since this scam is only run on the streets, men are advised to be safer by meeting women in bars instead. If picking up street girls, be wary of adding unknown people as room guests. If it is at all suspected that a woman is underage, it is advisable to ask for ID while still in a public place. If the woman you’re choosing is underage, there’s a very good chance you’re being set up. Unless you’ve got $11,000 USD to invest in a scam, keep to the clubs, or check IDs. 

2)      The Bar bill padding scam: In December 2009, it was reported that a western man was beaten up by personnel employed by the Dollhouse nightclub on Fields Avenue.  Pictures showed a severely beaten Swedish gentleman who’d been clubbed by a bouncer for refusing to pay his bill. Parties who know the Swede state that he visited the club accompanied by a girl not employed by the club. His drinks bill was presented to him, and he was charged for a lady drink for her, even though she was not an employee. He refused to pay the more expensive lady drink prices, and insisted on the drink price for an ordinary guest. As the discussion ensued, he was allegedly attacked by two bouncers as well as the mamasan, and was taken to a hospital, badly injured. Others have alleged that bill padding is a not uncommon occurrence at the Dollhouse, and have recommended that all who visit this establishment check their bills vigorously before paying. One outsider familiar with the details in these stories declares that management may not even be aware of these practices, and that the scams may be perpetrated by mamasans and bouncers in collusion. This outsider suggests extreme caution when visiting the Dollhouse.

There has been some discussion on the internet regarding this situation, including rebuttals by Dollhouse management. Regardless of the rebuttals, bars are in the business of serving drinks, and people do get drunk. Dollhouse management has insisted that the patrons under discussion were drunk, which may or may not have been the case. In any case, bar personnel should not be beating up people who are drinking their beverages. While accusations are flung back and forth, the bill padding issue won’t go away, and some observers have stated that this is a classic situation of bar personnel taking the initiative to promote dishonest practices under the nose of unaware ownership.

Posted in Adult Venues, Crime Scams & Espionage, Nightlife, Philippines, Street Talk , | 6 Comments »

Classic scam in Manila, the calesa carriage rip off

Written By: herbrunbridge - May• 10•10

Manila scamwagon

A scam has been going on for years near the waterfront in Manila with regard to taking a tour in one of the quaint two-wheeled horse carriages called calesas. We wanted to see first hand how it worked, and it was a classic! Before we tell you how the scam works, here are a few rules if you want to tak a carriage yourself: 

1)      All fares are negotiable. 250 pesos per hour is about right.
2)      Make sure you’re carrying exact change for your fare. Your driver will claim he has none.
3)      Show your driver your watch when you start moving. That’s when the “clock” starts.
4)      Under no circumstances ever pay your driver more than you agreed to. You will never get change, and your money will never be returned. 

Here’s how it works. You will initially be quoted something like 300 pesos per hour. Try to negotiate it down, 200-250 pesos is fair. At the end of your ride, the driver will claim you owe in excess of 400 pesos, because you’ve been riding for 2 ½ hours, even though you’d only been riding an hour. Be firm, tell the driver you don’t need any of his bullshit. Pay the amount you agreed on, and walk away. 

Carriage drivers have been getting away with this scam for decades, because westerners are soft and are easy marks. Don’t you be taken. Stand your ground, pay the amount you agreed upon, and walk away.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that your driver’s kids are along for the ride. Dad’s teaching them the scam, and illustrating to them how to cheat foreigners. This way, the scam continues into the next generation.

Posted in Crime Scams & Espionage, Philippines, Transportation , | 3 Comments »
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