I lived in Bangkok when, if you saw a foreigner on the other side of the street you'd cross over or at least shout out to them. Now BKK is for me just a place to change planes. In those days a vial of #4 Heroin that would last any new pignose a week, cost US $20 and most any taxi driver could set you up. I'm not proud; just sayin'.

After leaving that City of Angels I went back many times to see friends, over the years. Going back to the North of Thailand was so depressing, I just stayed away. Hill Tribe people that had kept their identities for centuries were rounded up and put in camps, re-educated or worse. High quality heroin replaced Opium and became popular among the young. Old people, with their pains after a hard life, needed that Opium, that is as gentle as a flower, but now it is hard or impossible to find.

What am I saying? The US with its associated intel networks has changed the economies and cultures of the world in so many ways and almost always for the worse.

Thanks for responding, friend.