my way though—especially ones wrapped in short skirts.
While I continued to theatrically hone my persona, I still managed to absorb some studies, only barely scraping by. But I did make some friends and was reasonably popular.
I bragged to peers about my work experience in Pattaya as a ‘tour guide’. In the presence of other students, I chatted merrily away with the only American teacher in my faculty. I wanted them to think I was brave and intelligent for being able to converse with a Westerner. In reality, many of the students probably knew more vocabulary and had a better understanding of grammar than I did, but were afraid to approach the teacher lest they make a mistake and appear stupid.
I deliberately unbuttoned the collar of my shirt allowing other students to see an expensive necklace I’d bought with some lottery winnings. I regularly purchased such tickets but rarely won; however, a recent windfall ensured that I could afford such an impressive-looking ornament. While the necklace certainly boosted my appeal among the girls, it was also a nest egg that would be sold at a later date if I needed cash.
Due to its size, I had a hard time convincing my friends that it was real. When I offhandedly confided with my parents about my friends’ doubts, my father got angry. He took it personally believing he’d lost face. Pa managed to wrangle another loan from a welfare programme and put a deposit on a pick-up truck for me. This was an expensive way of making a fool out of my classmates for doubting our wealth. In reality, my classmates probably didn’t mean to insult us; they simply teased me good-humouredly as Thais love to do. I should have refused to allow my father to plunge the family further into debt, but once again willpower failed me. While my father was enslaved by his preoccupation with saving face, I was in bondage to my oversized ego. Within a week, I was driving to campus in a white-elephant pick-up truck.
With the benefit of hindsight, I now understand my father’s reasoning. He evaluated his success as a father by his ability to provide for me. He strove to satisfy every need and desire, however misguided, in an attempt to be the best father he could be. Now that I’m a father and rice-winner myself, I understand how difficult it was for Pa. I find it nearly impossible to refuse my son’s requests, no matter how unnecessary they may be. I often find myself over-indulging him to compensate for the trauma I’ve caused him during his young life.
It wasn’t long before I made enemies at university with a gang of male seniors who took offence at my cockiness. I was oblivious to their resentment until a neighbouring student alerted me that they’d come banging on my door while I was out. Trouble was brewing and I knew I had to find some protection quickly.
I set my sights on befriending Den who was one of the most influential young men in the province. He happened to be the eldest son of a well-known village chief and headed a gang of five luk nongs , or ‘subordinates’. I met him during a visit to a gambling house and we immediately bonded due to our shared passion of leading destructive lifestyles. My bravery therefore began to increase as a result of this unholy alliance. Although it was fear that initially drove me into Den’s arms, I soon found myself comforted by the gang’s communality; after all, I knew the gangster way of life like the back of my hand.
I decided it was time to settle scores with the seniors so Den, his men and I decided to confront them. On the day of reckoning, hostilities began with a lot of cursing, yelling and threatening; but this would soon escalate into a full-fledged fistfight. There was no contest between the two gangs and we easily emerged as victors. As they lay scattered on the ground, nursing their injuries, I drew my pistol and pointed it at them in order to remind them who was boss. The sight of the pistol terrified them. As we ordered our
While I continued to theatrically hone my persona, I still managed to absorb some studies, only barely scraping by. But I did make some friends and was reasonably popular.
I bragged to peers about my work experience in Pattaya as a ‘tour guide’. In the presence of other students, I chatted merrily away with the only American teacher in my faculty. I wanted them to think I was brave and intelligent for being able to converse with a Westerner. In reality, many of the students probably knew more vocabulary and had a better understanding of grammar than I did, but were afraid to approach the teacher lest they make a mistake and appear stupid.
I deliberately unbuttoned the collar of my shirt allowing other students to see an expensive necklace I’d bought with some lottery winnings. I regularly purchased such tickets but rarely won; however, a recent windfall ensured that I could afford such an impressive-looking ornament. While the necklace certainly boosted my appeal among the girls, it was also a nest egg that would be sold at a later date if I needed cash.
Due to its size, I had a hard time convincing my friends that it was real. When I offhandedly confided with my parents about my friends’ doubts, my father got angry. He took it personally believing he’d lost face. Pa managed to wrangle another loan from a welfare programme and put a deposit on a pick-up truck for me. This was an expensive way of making a fool out of my classmates for doubting our wealth. In reality, my classmates probably didn’t mean to insult us; they simply teased me good-humouredly as Thais love to do. I should have refused to allow my father to plunge the family further into debt, but once again willpower failed me. While my father was enslaved by his preoccupation with saving face, I was in bondage to my oversized ego. Within a week, I was driving to campus in a white-elephant pick-up truck.
With the benefit of hindsight, I now understand my father’s reasoning. He evaluated his success as a father by his ability to provide for me. He strove to satisfy every need and desire, however misguided, in an attempt to be the best father he could be. Now that I’m a father and rice-winner myself, I understand how difficult it was for Pa. I find it nearly impossible to refuse my son’s requests, no matter how unnecessary they may be. I often find myself over-indulging him to compensate for the trauma I’ve caused him during his young life.
It wasn’t long before I made enemies at university with a gang of male seniors who took offence at my cockiness. I was oblivious to their resentment until a neighbouring student alerted me that they’d come banging on my door while I was out. Trouble was brewing and I knew I had to find some protection quickly.
I set my sights on befriending Den who was one of the most influential young men in the province. He happened to be the eldest son of a well-known village chief and headed a gang of five luk nongs , or ‘subordinates’. I met him during a visit to a gambling house and we immediately bonded due to our shared passion of leading destructive lifestyles. My bravery therefore began to increase as a result of this unholy alliance. Although it was fear that initially drove me into Den’s arms, I soon found myself comforted by the gang’s communality; after all, I knew the gangster way of life like the back of my hand.
I decided it was time to settle scores with the seniors so Den, his men and I decided to confront them. On the day of reckoning, hostilities began with a lot of cursing, yelling and threatening; but this would soon escalate into a full-fledged fistfight. There was no contest between the two gangs and we easily emerged as victors. As they lay scattered on the ground, nursing their injuries, I drew my pistol and pointed it at them in order to remind them who was boss. The sight of the pistol terrified them. As we ordered our
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