Gay Boy Thailand

Chalerm, his friend Lek (aka The Queen of Si Saket) and I went to the market at Klong Thoey Friday evening. Chalerm wanted to buy squid. He likes squid.

In the taxi I heard the boys talk to the driver about the political rally in Lumpini Park. The subject came up less because they were interested in politics, and more as an explanation of why the traffic was so bad.
- Do you understand we speak Thai? asked Chalerm.
- Yes, I said.
- You not understand.
- Yes I do. You are talking about Sondhi and the meeting in the park. For people who don’t like Thaksin.
- Not correct, said Chalerm cheekily.

We drove past two young farangs on Rama 4.
- Is the one in black shirt handsome? I asked.
- Han-sam, said The Queen of Si Saket.
- Normal, said Chalerm.
- You are better looking than he is, said the taxi driver and patted me on my knee.

Klong Thoey market smelled of animals. Pigs. I didn’t see them but I smelled them. And lots of fish. We arrived late and there were few other customers. The sellers were loading and transporting stuff.
- I am gay but I don’t like shopping, I said.
- Why you no like? asked Lek.
- It is boring.
- Shopping is for lady, said Chalerm. - You man.

We were supposed to buy squid but they wanted lots of others things too. I got bored and waited outside, near the busy road.
- Thai whisky! shouted some men who were drinking by the market. They wanted me to join them. I kept my distance.

When we drove home in the taxi I asked Lek in Thai how long he had been in Bangkok. I didn’t understand the answer. The boys did a high five.
Lek spoke to me in schoolboy French. I didn’t understand that either.
- Sing song America, said Chalerm.
- Which song? They have lots of songs.
- Song country.
- You mean the national anthem?
- Yes.
- I don’t know the American one.
- England?

I sang God Save the Queen. The taxi driver was impressed.

- Tomorrow have to go back Klong Thoey market, said Chalerm. - Today no have beef.
- You can go, I said.
- We can go, said Chalerm.
- You and Lek can go, I said.