February 12 2004

Ya-dong humiliation on Soi Cowboy

At the Asoke end of Soi Cowboy is a stall selling a potent brew known as ya-dong. Reputed to have medicinal properties, it's an evil-looking brown liquid full of unidentified solids. Having drunk it before, I'm painfully aware of its loon-juice effects. Last night, despite my warnings, three friends decided to try a glass or two.

The first went crazy and goosed every go-go dancer in Soi Cowboy. The girls couldn't believe their luck because he bought lady drinks like they were going out of fashion. He can't remember how he got home but, despite wanting to score, he woke up alone, fully clothed and with only 20 baht in his pocket.

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The second became disorientated and wandered off alone. Ten minutes later we found him lying on his back in the middle of Soi Cowboy with a stranger sitting on his chest, delivering blows to his head. We pushed our way through the large crowd just in time to see him being arrested.

The third, being a seasoned drinker, suffered few immediate effects but paid for it the next day when chronic diarrhoea set in. The chaotic scene in his toilet bowl looked remarkably like the ya-dong that had caused it.

[Posted to Diary by David]

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Readers' comments

David Volz says:

In Myanmar near the Thai border, I came across a similar home-made brew that had unidentified solids in it. Being the adventurous type, I had to have a couple shots even though I had no idea what it was. A monk passing by was quite amused a farang was drinking this stuff. Using sign-language, charades, and noises, it was determined that it contained dried leopard penis & the stuff was supposed to be an aphrodesiac. Quite funny to see a monk describing an aphrodesiac with his hands. Anyway, the drink had no noticeable effects. Does anybody know what is in this drink or the "ya dong"? Is it safe? I know ya is medicince, but what is dong?

February 12, 2004 10:37 PM