John Burdett on Thailand, Sex and ‘The Quiet Farang’

Travel Blog  •  Michael Yessis  •  08.19.06 | 2:00 PM ET

The arrest of John Mark Karr in Bangkok for allegedly murdering JonBenet Ramsey almost 10 years ago has put Thailand’s reputation for sex tourism and as a haven for western drifters, or farang kee-nok, in the spotlight of American media. In an opinion piece in today’s New York Times, John Burdett, author of the crime novel Bangkok Tattoo, weighs in on why Thailand has, in the words of one Bangkok teacher he spoke to, become the place where farang go after they kill or rape somebody in their own country.

I decided to ask Pong Arjpong, a local educator who is familiar with the West, having graduated with a degree in international communications from the University of Washington. “There is no access to overseas criminal databases at immigration points,” he said. “And once fugitives are in the country, it is not difficult for them to obtain forged passports, teaching certificates, etc. Every backpacker knows how to get false documents.”

It is true that plenty of Westerners run to Southeast Asia these days when life becomes too hot for them at home, evading law enforcement by moving around Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, using Thailand as a hub. Mr. Karr, too, it seems, was on the run from an arrest warrant issued in Sonoma County, Calif., in December 2001.

But there is another reason Mr. Karr might raise local hackles, regardless of whether he killed JonBenet. Like so many other farang kee-nok, he is apparently obsessed with sex. It isn’t known whether he indulged that obsession here, legally or illegally, but in a sense that does not matter.

Another teacher, Nit Dandin, told Burdett: “Farang who love skiing go to Switzerland or Canada. If they love climbing mountains, they go to Nepal. If they love sex, they come here.”

 



5 Comments for John Burdett on Thailand, Sex and ‘The Quiet Farang’

Anonymous 08.20.06 | 6:55 PM ET

Boring. Stick to better World Hum topics

mike 08.21.06 | 8:09 AM ET

Interesting piece, Lin. Thanks for posting it.

Darwin 12.16.06 | 10:55 PM ET

This is one sided and not totally accurate. Why John was here in Thailand I don’t know. But I do know he was fired from his teaching job for enforcing rules of classroom discipline, not for anything sexual or illegal.

I have been here for 6 years and know many other foreigners who live here and most didn’t come for sex. They came for weather, cost of living, lifestyle, food and love. Many men came here after divorces or because of loneliness. If they came for sex it is because of its availabilty. The money from this is made locally not by foreigners. If it is wanted to stop should clean it up and then no worries.

It is not just caucasian or westerners that come here for sex. I have seen Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, Singaporean and Africans here too. Also the sex industry was here long before the farang and will continue if farangs all leave and cease coming here.

As far as teaching, most are teaching so they can live here for one of the reasons stated above. Most obey and work by rules as opposed to their Thai colleagues who often have a total disregard for rules.

In the same Bangkok Post that broke the Kerr story was an article about two male Thai sport teachers who were accused by several students of sexual misconduct but these teachers were supported by the school and there was no uprising about their conduct.

Are there bad farangs here? Yes of course, as there are also many good westerners living here too. Just as good and bad Thai and good and bad from everywhere. Unfortunately the news focuses only on derogatory stories of westerners and seem to amplify any bad qualities.

orest 07.16.07 | 7:06 AM ET

i would like to see a hot movie

starsea 09.11.07 | 12:36 AM ET

Travel in Tailand
Over the last few decades, Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok, has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city.  It offers to visitors not only the cosmopolitan amenities they would expect from other big cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions.  Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonised and thus kept its unique culture and heritage intact. Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating glimpse of Thailand’s gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis.  This great city has had astounding success in combining the ancient and modern world.
More information,please go on:
http://www.worldtravelling.cn

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.