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July 18 2006

Sodom & Gomorrah in Pattaya

sodom

When Joan visited Pattaya, she was shocked to find the naughty bits from the Old Testament being reenacted and felt moved to share her thoughts with me.

Our visit to Pattaya in November gave us a vision of the Biblical Sodom & Gomorrah.

In Patong we had seen a few old men picking up young girls, and it seemed slightly amusing. When we went to Pattaya it was another world. Little did we expect to see the mental and physical cripples from Europe side by side with the Thai girls, who were not innocent parties in these transactions.

These two elements gave a bad taste to normal tourists. How does a country, with the traditions of Thailand, allow itself to be dragged down to this level - a host nation for "dirty old men" and paedophiles?

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How could it provide prostitutes, male and female, and pretend that it was the only way these people can provide for their poor dependent relatives?

We have been in Thailand several times and enjoy the people and the culture, but are depressed at the sex industry that is allowed to flourish under the noses of the authorities, all in the name of "tourism".

'God help Pattaya' because no one else seems interested in doing so.

Joan (Ireland)

A straight question deserves a straight answer.

Hi Joan

Pattaya is certainly a contemporary Sodom & Gomorrah and it astonishes me that the resort is sometimes marketed as a family holiday destination. The companies that promote it to regular tourists are seriously misleading their customers.

I understand why you were shocked at what you saw but I think that your conclusions are a little harsh.

There seems to be a widespread belief that only the young and the beautiful deserve a sex-life. Those judged too old, too ugly or too disabled are expected to live lonely and unfulfilled lives. No one at home gives a damn about their welfare and the prospect of a couple of weeks in Pattaya each year might be the only thing keeping them going. However, my sympathy for "dirty old men" certainly doesn't extend to paedophiles.

Thai women do have to provide for their dependent relatives and it's no coincidence that most Pattaya bar girls are single mothers. Factory work only pays about fifteen pounds a week - which obviously doesn't go very far - so this is why many women choose to become bar girls instead. They're certainly not eligible for any welfare benefits. Your assertion that these girls are just pretending to be needy is rather wide of the mark. People sometimes forget that Thailand is a developing nation.

Pattaya is a place that always provokes strong reactions but it's important to consider the bigger picture before rushing to judgment on those who choose to work and play there.

I hope that your bad experience in Pattaya hasn't put you off returning to Thailand. You could go to almost any other resort and be assured of a relaxing and memorable holiday.

Regards
David

Joan seeks refuge on the moral high ground - and recruits her hubby to the cause of righteousness.

Hi David,

Thank you for commenting on my letter re- Pattaya.

I understand your point of view, but do not have to agree with it. I regret suggesting that the Thai girls pretend that they are needy ------ but they are ready, indeed keen, to take advantage of the situation in Pattaya with the influx of western "men".

You suggest that even the crippled in body or mind have a right to satisfy their sexual needs. I cannot see the justification for this suggestion. We do not have a right to do what we want. All people have their limitations. What we desire and what we can have are not always the same thing, nor should they be. Life is not a license to do what we want.

You state that most of the bar girls in Pattaya are single mothers. Did they "fall pregnant" by accident? Do they not have a choice? Do they not even have birth control, or is that against what few principles they have, or are taught in the Thai culture?

We have been to Thailand several times, and like it very much, but we are of the opinion that Pattaya is a bad advertisement for the country.

We are also aware that the American soldiers, during the Vietnam War, contributed greatly to all of this, but that is not an excuse for such low moral standards among a proud people, like the Thais.

Thank you again.

Mervyn and Joan

Joan sees only shameless Thai whores and wicked farang evil-doers swirling in a cesspool of wanton debauchery so I tried to inject a bit of reality.

Hi Mervyn & Joan

I didn't expect you to agree with me but I give you credit for withdrawing a suggestion that turned out to be untrue. Hopefully, I can now persuade you to withdraw a few others.

Self-restraint is certainly a virtue but I don't understand why you automatically equate sex with sin. What consenting adults do in private is entirely their own business. They're not harming anyone. If your objections stem solely from a religious conviction, then I think we'll just have to agree to differ.

Most of the Pattaya single-mothers did indeed have a choice about whether or not to become pregnant and most had access to birth control too. However, ninety percent of them also had husbands - but they ended up either widowed or abandoned.

You're quite wrong to suggest that they're all feckless and irresponsible. If a married woman can't have children then who can?

I'm now going to tell you the true story of an ordinary Pattaya bar girl. Her husband ran off shortly after the birth of their first child and, to make matters worse, the baby developed a debilitating leukemia-like blood disorder which required expensive treatment. Her widowed mother offered to look after the child while she took a job in a garment factory but US$100 a month fell far short of what was needed and she ended up working in a Pattaya bar.

Would you have carried on stitching shirt-collars if it meant that your child was condemned to die from a treatable disease? I hope not.

Countless ordinary women become bar girls out of necessity. They deserve our understanding - not your condemnation.

Your suggestion that Thai people have low moral standards is quite outrageous. It smacks of cultural and religious imperialism and it prompts me to ask you an important question:

Who's the worst sinner - an abandoned wife reduced to selling her body to support her sick child or a complacent armchair Christian who goes around indiscriminately pouring scorn on people less fortunate than herself?

Please don't take offence at the accusation of complacency. My intension is merely to shake you out of it and to encourage you to show a little Christian compassion

Thanks for listening.

David

There was no reply...

When faced with applying their beliefs to a real-life situation, our would-be Christian Soldiers opted to pack up and return to barracks.

[Posted to Your Letters by David]

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Readers' comments

Dana says:

Miscommunication starts early and in the first letter:

"How does a country, with the traditions of Thailand," etc . . .

What traditions is she talking about? I suggest that these typical morals tourists need to do some more research about Thailand. What high-grounders from Western countries call sexual excess has been going on for hundreds of years; long before the farangs stumbled across the Kingdom.

Opinions are like assholes, we all have them; but ignorance is a sin.

bangkokram says:

Maybe a few minutes on the internet doing research would have made this story a none starter.

If you dislike walking and the outdoor life, don't go to the Lake District. If you don't like the sun don't go to Turkey in august, it gets bloody hot!

If your moral standards are high and inflexible, Pattaya is one of a handful of places you shouldn't visit. Even the Travel Brochures i've seen about Pattaya say what an excellent family resort it is during the day, but can be very colourful at night!

I had heard about Pattaya years before I ever came to Thailand, Thats why I went there on my first trip.

bazza says:

Indeed !!these poor moral bible huggin travellers apparently do not mind seeing sin city ie pattaya...unfortunately that thinking that men who have floundered at the rocks of their western romance/marriage should just relinquish their rights to enjoy their remaining years on earth!!!Leave the judgement to whatever gods we will find but for now party on dudes until yah 99 (ok Prince kick in now)
baz

expat@large says:

And round and round goes the merry-go-round. Interesting that Joan and Mervyn only see the old and less attractive men when they scan Walking St and environs.

In fact, by far most of the punters there are young and hale - guys on sport trips, etc..., yet the pure-of-heart and narrow-of-mind only have appear to have their critical eyes open for the stereotypes they expect to see.

Good answers, David.

Gadfly says:

Those were good answers. The one point I would add is this - choice. If a attractive Thai woman decides to have sex with an older less attractive man (or gal) for money, why is it our concern? How can we say this is wrong if its consensual? Indeed, isn't the greater danger here interfering with free choice?

If so, it doesn't matter whether the Thai girls are poor or not. It's not our decision to make; it's their decision. Personal freedom is a fundamental value in and of itself, and if you are engaged in a consensual act that doesn't harm others, then those others should butt out.

meister says:

I bet dirty old Merv saw a Pattaya filly or two he fancied getting his rocks off with and Joan was probably just intimidated by the pertness!

Glenzo says:

I didn't like Pattaya either, so now I go to Hua Hin.

TANAI KWAI says:

"Little did we expect to see the mental and physical cripples from Europe side by side with the Thai girls...

You suggest that even the crippled in body or mind have a right to satisfy their sexual needs. I cannot see the justification for this suggestion."

What must this poor woman have witnessed? A wheelchair-bound three-way? Autistic fellows being fellated in broad daylight? A Dirty Sanchez pitiably attempted by a man with cerebral palsy?

Take pity, for these visions will not fade soon.

TK

Toady says:

Send her to Angeles City, she'll be pleased to see the good catholic girls refuse to use condoms.

Anonymous says:

"How does a country, with the traditions of Thailand, allow itself ..."

I sort of expected you to clear this up, but I suppose you had to pick and choose from the wealth of available responses.

Joans comment about old and ugly men was I think just a case of her using you as a proxy to broadcast her personal attack on sex-tourists. And as a group I've found that they are often overly sensitive to such critical comments.

Life is complicated, Joan should mind her own business and try to find vacation venues more to she and her pussy-whipped husbands liking.

Chris says:

Joan sees old men with Bar girls and assume paedophiles? but gives no evidence to support.

Hugh Jarse says:

After a few more years of putting-up with Joan and her Christian crap, I bet Merv will seriously consider getting a new identiy - perhaps even call himself Paddy O'Phile and move to Pattaya permanently.

Conan says:

Quote: "If your moral standards are high and inflexible, Pattaya is one of a handful of places you shouldn't visit."

My only question - tell me quick - where are the other places?

phil H says:

Where are the other places? Well Patong, Samui, Ban Chang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai etc etc will do for a start.

How the hell does this dozy couple visit Thailand "several times" and not hear the stories about Pattaya?

Truth is they knew exactly what they were coming to but are from the moral majority brigade. You know them, they read a preview of a raunchy TV play then just have to watch it just so they can write in to the Daily Whinge as "horrified of Slough".

I wouldn't mind betting Merv takes up golf this summer. Then it will be a case of: Joan I think we should have separate holidays this winter. As you know I've taken up golf and knowing how much you hate the game.........

Anyway why is it if an old bloke has a young girl he's a raving perv and paedo. But an old woman can have a young bloke and that's OK - just her little plaything.

Hypocrisy sucks!

So does Noi.

bangkokram says:

Places I know of that would offend poor Joan;

Prague's nightlife.
Certain parts of Amsterdam.
San Francisco.
Patong Beach.
Blackpool (That Tower Ballroom is Sodam & Gomorrah).
Angeles City Phillipines.
Any Bar in the UK when the birds are pissed and forgot all about self respect.
Anywhere where there is a large contingent of Armed Forces on leave.

I was going to recommend staying in Ireland, then I remembered those 3 or 4 streets in Dublin where you can pick up drug addled Farang Pro for 60euro per quick hand job. Alledgedly!

Mac says:

Joan's selective rightous indignation reminds me of an old joke.
The police receive a complaint from an old spinster that the couple next door have been parading around their home stark naked without having the decency to draw the curtains. An officer of the law duly arrives and expresses his puzzlement, as the nearest home on this rural lane is fully 250 metres away.
"Try these," says the woman, handing the officer a pair of high-powered binoculars.

JJ says:

I haven't been to Pattaya myself, but this comment is unforgiveable : "We do not have a right to do what we want." Huh ??? I suppose you have to be married and suffer from domestic abuse from an angry female to understand her assertion.

If you're a normal person with no ill-will in what you are doing, then I'd definitely say the opposite. I suppose that is why I'm not married, the thought of being told when,what and how you can do things on a continual basis abhores me. The thought of spending my days with someone that loves me and cares for me however does appeal to me.

As to Bargirls being somehow morally corrupted, I've got news for you. By and large alot of them don't drink, don't smoke, get very upset if you swear, even when you narrowly avoid death from an oncoming truck, they stick by their buddies and look after each other. I've visited their homes and most of them are single mothers that are keen to provide for their well-behaved and playful children, who are busy and studious at school durig the day. They are also providing for their elderly mothers. They put on a brave face in order to face the world and survive. They are not immoral, but courageous, caring, loving mothers, stuck in situation which they hope one day they can come out of. There are no jobs were they are from and no government handouts everyweek, this is the crucial point, they definitely ain't going to be sitting on their arse watching TV all day, they would end up starving. Alot of them are quite shy when it comes to sex too.

You are lucky that you are so fortunate.
Just because everybody is not a perfect couple where everything has gone right, does not mean you should condemn those that have not meet a nice girl and gotten married and settled down and never had any problems in that area.

By your same argument, everybody who is not like you, should therefore condemn you, as you do them.

hentaigaijin says:

Viva Los Flangeland!!!

JD says:

I found Pattaya slightly saddening, not on moral grounds, but due to the fact that it is a big reminder of the distinct lack of opportunity for young people in Thailand. Apparently you can live in rural Thailand on a salary of about 5,000 Baht. I know I couldn't! I've traveled to a few backwaters on my visits to Thailand just for the hell of it. It's interesting being the local freak up to a point. I rented a room for 1,500 Baht a month. Westerners would have called this a garage with a shitter out the back with running water. Being made out of concrete and not timber, this was a nice property and out of the reach of many of the locals. Anyway, I bought a gas stove for cooking, and a mattress. I will imagine I was on my 5,000 Baht a month salary. I believe this to be a fairly typical salary for an uneducated Thai person (perhaps schooling from age 8 to 14). The stove, gas-tank, cooking utensils and mattress cost me 4,000 Baht. If you include my first months rent - this exceeded my monthly salary. Now I don't know how long it takes you to save an entire month of your western salary. If you earn the median salary for a man in full time work in the UK - lets for ease say it's about £24k. How long does it take you to save 2k? Anyway my point is: Thai people can exist on this money but as soon as things go just a little bit tits-up (the motorbike you are relying on for work packs in, you have a motorbike accident and need medical treatment, the stove packs in, a family member falls sick etc..etc..) then you realize life on 5,000 Baht can be pretty stressful.

People who go on holiday to the Thai tourist areas seem to forget that Thailand is actually a very poor country by western standards. I think a few more people should go and visit the real Thailand. But I worry about the consequences on international relations of busloads of farrang turning up at dusty, provincial Thai market towns demanding to see the finest fanny the town has got to offer. It would make for some interesting articles on this site though!

How can we visitors solve the social and domestic problems of Thailand. We can't. But we can try to be slightly responsible tourists. A farrang bloke bragging to his mates, over a round of beer Chang, how he's just done his latest bar girl up the wrong'un for two thousand Baht - is this really the Thailand most of us want to see. (Queue follow up comments on how this is actually quite expensive!)

Anonymous says:

Amused at Patong and Shocked at Pattaya then she wants to refer to us as mental cripples.

Dboy says:

Dear Joan,

You're right. Thailand is horrible. Please don't go there anymore. Thanks

Dboy

nasty nick says:

"shameless Thai whores and wicked farang evil-doers swirling in a cesspool of wanton debauchery"

so true. hahaha. i love every minute of it. if thats not your thing, then dont go there!

George says:

Vocal and 'devote' Christians seldom practice true Christian values.

Merv and Annie says:

Oh Honestly, Some of these people make me ill and angry. Myself, my wife of 20 years and my daughter have visited Pattaya, Bangkok and several other Thai resorts and found nothing but honesty and a genuine desire to make the tourist feel welcome. My 9 year old daughter was caught short in Pattaya and looking for a suitable hotel I walked into one to realise then that this was no ordinary hotel, but a large brothel.
The guard called the maid who escorted my little girl to the ladies and stood guard outside, the girls showed no interest in us beyond the traditional smiles and hand gesture and my pittance of a tip was accepted with nothing but courtesy and gratitude.

So how would that translate into my home country of England?

12 year old prostitutes roam the streets of many towns, Hull for example has a hideous red light district which sadly is where the restaurants are, and druggies and hookers pester the people of Bolton town centre unmolested by the police. I would rather my daughter wee in the busy street than have her use the filthy toilets in most town centre pubs and let's not kid ourselves, UK is the unmarried teenage mother capital of the world.

I can't wait for my next trip to Pattaya, or Sukhumvit in Bangkok, the only thing that would spoil it would be the presence of the bible punching, judgemental God botherers that seem to arrive there on "Missionary work"

I travel to see differences in human life, not to convert them all to be like me.

Fkkguide says:

Hey, all you moralizing pseudo-Christians: read your Bible and a bit more carefully and be amazed:

Jesus Christ's father was not his legal father (St Joseph). His mother, the virgin St Mary got impregnated by some 'holy spirit'. His girlfriend was a hooker, St Mary Magdalene, and St John was the "disciple he loved" (in a some 'special' way? Or why would the evangalist mention it). Sexual activity has nothing to do with morality and ethics as long as it is consensual.

Whoever sets up rules and restrictions about sex is trying to control people. Deprivation of love, affection and sexual fulfilment is just as much a form of torture as sleep, food and liquid deprivation practiced by many official evildoers, often in the name of some religion.

KoolKing says:

I see a developing dilemna that shouldn't be one. For all you longterm residents of Pattaya, Patong, etc., please realize that not all Falang women are "pointing fingers". I was stationed at Nakhon Phanom in the early 70s and found Thailand much to my liking, all the while learning the language (yes, with a Laotian accent) I've been back several times but had a lull of 15 years from 1989 till 2005. Last Spring I took my wonderful 55 year old, Ivy League educated,ht/wt proportionate, Caucasian girlfriend to Thailand and she had a blast. We hit most of the cultural/tourist things to do in Chiang Mai and Phuket, spending just a few non-eventful days in Bangkok. My Sue loved the bargirls and had a great deal of fun with them to the point where before we went out drinking in the evenings she'd make sure that we bought a bunch of street vendor snacks to share with the girls. She picked up the enough of the language from the girls to be able to have a rudimentary conversation, it was a great deal of fun.

So, guys, please don't assume the worst when you see a Falang woman, she may be having more fun that you are!!! Thanks!

wulfman says:

UK is the unmarried teenage mother capital of the world, where the average teen girl has the brain size similar to a mushy pea.
Then they are given benefits and council houses to produce more.Some have about 5 with 5 different fathers.
Even the poular soaps glorify this mode of living.

ozricmann says:

Sodom & Gomorrah in Pattaya

Transcript taken from : Mervyn and Joans anwser to David....................!

"You suggest that even the crippled in body or mind have a right to satisfy their sexual needs. I cannot see the justification for this suggestion. We do not have a right to do what we want. All people have their limitations. What we desire and what we can have are not always the same thing, nor should they be. Life is not a license to do what we want".

I am kind of mad right now that a pair of idiots like yourselves ever came to thailand. you state that you are from ireland, well you wont do the irish any favours with those sort of comments. i feel sorry for any offspring you may have, they almost certainly will suffer the severe consequences of a religiously strict irish upbringing...ie, "dont masterbate the lord will make you blind" and " you know the good lord made us in his own image ". so there now must be a god like figure somewhere, hanging around the bars of pattaya with such a raging hard-on because he has'nt touched it since childhood.

"YOU DUMB PEOPLE".................of all the stupid statements i have read on this site, this has to be the most worthy of the top spot, another possible retarted statement from hypcritical persons such as yourselves, could be "dont take the lords name in vain you know you will burn in hell for all iternity for blasphfamy". so what does god say about loving thy neighbour, you hipocrites.

in ireland so many issues are deemed 'unclear" and so many men and women in ireland have had to leave thier own country because of "issues" so who are you the fuck to preach about moral ethics about those girls you saw in pattaya, "did these girls you speak about, commit any heinous acts against your deity, no, they are just trying to get through life".
something you could do well to learn, im betting that it is all do with your tight-lipped socialistic catholic stance which wont even let you enjoy anything in life. henceforth if you cant have it, then why should some people who may not be as fortunate as others, who want to have a better way of life, have it.

indeed they should and they should have it without some fucked up christ-compelling will show you the way fucks opinionating on wether they should do have it or not.
If you dont like the situation and the way it is here in thailand.................

FUCK OFF!

an angry reader from on soi bj who is just about to leave the internet shop and do what he was going to do about an hour earlier. hehehe.

Aussiesteve says:

Joan,

Im a 38yr old Male, Single, Not gay, Not a Peadophile ,Not over weight.
Have been in Pattaya for 1 year,
Working away month on and month off,
Earn a good slary, Have a condo here.

I find Thailand a wonderfull place to live, Excellent food, The Thai people are always friendly, Especially the sweet ladies.
It has wonderfull weather all year round, ( not like Ireland).
There is always somewhere to go , Differants wildlife parks, Islands,
Trips up North Thailand.
Neither of any mentioned above will empty your pocket.

The old saying goes,
If you dont like it, dont come here.
And try to take care of your own back yard before you try to clean up somebody elses.
Have a good trip home.

Steve.

Common Sense says:

Joan,
You must live in a bubble or never took the time to look into what goes on with these bar girls. I can tell you from personal experience that most bar girls have more morals in and out of the bedroom than nearly any western women I have ever met. They only ask for money at the end of the day whereas a western woman will milk it out of you all day long and you are oblivious to it. The western women have no immediate need to milk men for money such a raising a poor family. Makes me wonder who the bigger whore truly is; the Thai bar girls feeding her family or the western woman feeding her wallet????

Rex says:

I have a similar story to that of Koolking 23 Aug 06. Had visited Phuket previously in 2001 with my Farang wife and again visited Jul this year. Wife now 53 and me 54. We arrived early on the Sunday after flying all night from Perth, slept in the afternoon and hit Bangla Rd together in the evening. Had quite a few drinks, ran the gauntlet of being stopped by pretty BGs until finally got to one that wouldn't let us go past. We relented and stayed with them, had a few more drinks, enjoyed their company, including the barman, so stayed the rest of the evening. After the bar closed they took us to the Taipan disco. More good times and they later guided us home to our resort (I was a bit "tired" and it would have taken me half the night to stagger back). We exchanged contact details with agreement to get in touch and maybe have a barbecue. Quiet night the next evening (Buddhist holiday) but contacted the BGs the following day for the BBQ. When I called there was a slight pause at the other end of the line, some hushed discussion, but eventual agreement for us to visit their place. We brought a good Irish whisky and couple bottles of Aussie wine. Everyone had a great time, got drunk, they provided a banquet cooked in the traditional style and then we went back to their bar that evening, more drinking, dancing, socialising. In 13 days this pattern repeated 5 times. There was no sex involved but tremendous food, some of which we provided and cooked, lots of laughter and lots of insight into life for Thai people and BGs. The wife was always involved and felt most welcome. We weren't ignorant to how they existed and at the bar several times saw the girls paired off for the night with a "friend". However I agree with some of the other comments. Some girls had no choice, some did. It was good to see that they appeared to be like an extended family to each other. They treated us well, as called us "brother and sister". Of course we spent money in their bar, bought food for some of the banquets, even shouted three of them out to a seafood restaurant meal, but we went to Phuket to have a good time. Good times cost money, whether its sex, drinking, wildlife expeditions, cabaret shows. We both appreciated the fact that they let us into their lives, their house, shared some of their challenges and laughter with us. Lovely people, but we had no delusions, walking ATMs may be a bit harsh, but certainly if we hadn't spent money in their bar, we may never have got to know a different part of Thai life that tourists don't often see. We're going back again in January for another 2 weeks of good times and will catch up with them once more. I would recommend anyone visiting Phuket (or any other part of Thailand) get to know the locals for who they are and not just what you can get out of them. Another way of putting it, the girls are not just life support systems for c**nts. C ya Rex

Cymro says:

Quote "We do not have a right to do what we want."

But presumeably we do have the right to tell others how they should live their lives? Puleeze.

George says:

As a 'geriatric' male I find that my mind in some respects has not aged, nor has desire. This means that I am not attracted to women who are in my mental terms, old enough to be my 'grandmother', or even my 'mother' since my mind is locked in a time warp where appreciation of women is just as acute, if not more so, than in my twenties.

I don't consider that this puts me in the same breath as a paedophile as the lovely Joan would have it. In fact I am quite annoyed that she insults old men by her remarks, but as a farang woman it is probably inevitable that she would regard me as a dirty old man if I were to enjoy the company of those more youthful

Fortunately there are others with a culture that is less inhibited than Joan's so in the exchange that results there is mutual pleasure as well perhaps as profit. Maybe I should go to Pattaya and Joan should stay in Ireland!

Pants Elk says:

Would Merv and Joan (Ireland) be up for a three-way?
I'm in the mood for a bit of saggy candlewax farang flesh ...
Please pass on my email address :(EDITED BY DAVID) and also my request that Merv (EDITED BY DAVID) with a (EDITED BY DAVID) while I (EDITED BY DAVID) in front of (EDITED BY DAVID) nipple clamps or (EDITED BY DAVID) at their expense.
Thanks!

P. Elk

Peter says:

What a completely hypocrite nonsense,
2 minutes after you computer and you know exactly that Pattaya is one big red light district , with old , young , handsome and ugly mongers. If you dont like it, dont go there .

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Thai girl