Gay Boy Thailand

Chalerm and I went to see Sea World in Siam Paragon, but it was closed due to a “private function”. A beefy security guard stood there. He was dressed in a “period” party outfit. He was African-American and his accent was too.

Is Halloween this time of year? And who keeps imported security guards? The US embassy? I didn’t dare to ask.

Chalerm wanted to see a Thai movie instead, but I said we would be home too late if we did that. I also reminded him that I was out of clean clothes. He had not done any laundry while I was in Penang.

We went for plan B. This involved the Bangkok Eye, the ferris wheel at the Sanam Luang night market. There were no large black guys guarding the entrance to this place.

The wheel was not quite as large as the London Eye, but the principle was the same. It was named Le Grande Roue de Paris. I tried to teach Chalerm how to say that in French while we waited in line. It should suit Thais since they can drop the “s” in Paris. But instead they say “Palit”.

Chalerm paid for the tickets using my wallet.
- 100 baht for adults and 60 baht for children. It was 60 for you then? I asked, teasing him.
- I am not children, said Chalerm stiffly.

The assistants by the wheel were stunning young Thai men. One in particular was gorgeous. But he was straight and bored. And excuse my prejudice, but I was relieved to see a farang operating the controls of the wheel. I didn’t want it to spin off and run down Wireless road while we were in it.

We climbed in and started going up.
- Is this your first time in a ferries wheel? I asked.
- Yes, said Chalerm.
- I haven’t been in one of these for 20 years! How do you like it?
- So so.
- Look at the great view!
- Is not so high.
- Don’t you like it?
- Boring. And you forget camera, said Chalerm.
- I thought we were going to the aquarium, I said.
Chalerm took pictures with his camera phone to show his friends.

When the ride was over Chalerm began talking about English in the taxi going home.
- Why you not speak same to me as to farang friend?
- I don’t? I guess I make it easier so you can understand.
- You can speak same to me as farang. If I not understand I can ask.
- I also speak slower to you.
- I want to learn speak normal. Khun A speak good English? He speak American?
- After he was in the US he has an American accent.
- Him say if he not speak same people America people not understand.
- He was in the Mid-West. Chicago.
- I want to learn so I can speak when I go America.
- You are going to America?
- I have uncle and aunt in America. I want go stay with them.
- Really? So you are moving abroad?
- Yes.
- What about your husband?
Silence.
- Thank you for telling me. In that case they can take over paying for your education, I said.
- Yes, said Chalerm, his face turned away.

I sent a text message to Farang D.
- Now he wants to move to the states and live with those distant relatives he calls aunt and uncle, I wrote. - He is making plans for the future as if I don’t exist. This hurts.
- Nonsense! replied Farang D. - Ask him what day he is leaving. Begin measuring up the room for how you will use the extra space when he is gone. That’s what I do.

The next day, having slept on it, I sent another message to Farang D.
- I realise now that the moving talk was a delayed reaction from when I reminded him to do the laundry. He just waited until after I had paid for the entertainment.

Chalerm had done the laundry, sulking, but when he was finished his mood improved and now it was back to normal. I told him Wednesday and Sunday should be his laundry days. I don’t want to find my closet empty, or having to chide him every time he needs to do it. So now he will do it on fixed days. I hope.