Anything your Heart Desires.

Stepping into Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok is like walking into the future – even if you arrive from America. The chocolate I was seeking was at my fingertips imported from anywhere in the world – I could buy most food, clothing or entertainment item within a five minute walk from my gate. The decadence didn’t end after I left the airport – Thais are famous for their hospitality and the sentiment “anything your heart desires…” was met in most places I went. This seemed to hold true for all Westerners, in particular the Western men. Unfortunately.

You don’t even have to look to find older western men with young Thai women. And some aren’t “patrons,” they are here to stay – farangs are everywhere you look. We were diving with a 24 year-old British girl who was spending a month with her 65 year-old “fat, walrus face father” (her words) who had married a 32 year old Thai woman and finally, after 3 marriages and 3 daughters now has a son. There seemed to be a strong motivation by both parties in this arrangement – old, fat, white men got to purchase land in paradise (you can’t buy land in Thailand as a Westerner), a beautiful, young, obedient bride and another chance at love (well, maybe love). Thai women could stop working 3 jobs to make ends meet, live in a beautiful home and receive nice gifts. Whatever works I guess? With one major caveat – both parties are choosing, and that’s not always the case here.