I feel this article is the most compelling thing ever written to convince a lad to join the Armed Services of the United States.
The United States Military pays for LARGE groups, say 200 or 300 soldiers at a time to go on R and R to Phuket or Hatyai, Thailand. Phuket is an understandable destination. Large boats can dock there. The military can ease it’s conscience by saying they are giving the soldiers time in the tropics on the beach. It is a different story for Hatyai. When they come to Hatyai, as a 200+ marine squadron from Japan did in 2001, they are there for one thing only. Sex. Hatyai, love it though I do, Is not an appropriate R and R destination. There is only one rest and recreation type activity for soldiers in Hatyai. There is no lying about why they are here. They have all come for the beautiful Buddhist temples right?
Imagine all of those arm chair warriors back in the States that are saying we should give more money to make sure we have a strong military. Do they know they are paying for hotel rooms, hookers and condoms? Grandma that is so proud of her grandson the marine serving in Japan, with paid vacations to brothels.
Yes, a whole squadron of marines was brought to Hatyai for three days. They were put up at a quality hotel next to one of the most popular brothels in Hatyai.
Every night they had a curfew. At 12 midnight they became pumpkins. It was very strict. They had to be in their rooms by 12:00 but, they could bring anyone they wanted up with them. So at 11:50 you could see all the men scurrying like rats with their pick of the day girlfriends to line up for the check in. In the hotel lobby there was a table with 3 officers sitting behind it. One officer checked ID’s, one regulated the sign in book and a third took a digital photo of the soldier with his prize catch of the day. Between the one checking the ID’s and the one regulating the sign in book was a large basket of condoms.
Two things I wonder. Were the pictures being taken to protect the girls from bodily harm or to protect the soldiers from theft? And, what happens to these photos later? Do all there soldiers have photos of them with Thai bar girls on their files waiting for future blackmail sessions?
To live in Hatyai you can not be a prude about what the economy is based on. Hatyai thrives on the sex trade. Thailand has a thriving renewable domestic product resource. Hatyai in particular has more hotel rooms than registered residents of the city. The income that comes into Hatyai from Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia is astounding. And all on a commodity that never runs out.
When the US military come through a lot of money is dumped into the economy for food, drinks, hotels and girls and nothing goes out. It is great for the Southern Thailand economy.
The shameful thing I feel is that the US taxpayers are unknowingly funding this. About now, unfortunately, I feel this piece is the most compelling thing ever written to convince a lad to join the Armed Services of the United States.