Beach blanket bingo

KARON: In an effort to find beer for himself and his new best friend from Burma, the transvestite cashier of a local bar broke into two mini-marts and helped himself. But, high as he was on the twin passions of beer and very close friendship, he left his address book on the beach among the empty beer bottles – allowing police to track him down. Chalong police paid a visit to 24-year-old Prakasit Sriduangkae from Chiang Mai as he slept in his rented flat. Roused from his beauty sleep, Prakasit, who claimed to be a cashier at both the May and Kariya Bars, confessed to breaking into the mini-marts in an effort to find beer after the shops had closed. But, he insisted, he took only what he needed. “After work, I met a good-looking Burmese guy and I wanted to have sex with him,” he reportedly told the investigating officers. “So I invited him to drink beer with me on beach,” said the ladyboy. The only problem? No beer. So he broke into the first mini-mart and helped himself. Back on the sand, he played arpeggios on his new friend’s flute and the pair continued their frolic until all the beer ran out. So it was back for more, this time breaking into the second mini-mart. After more free beer and arpeggios, the two played hide the sausage. By the time it was all over, the combination of beer and pork had apparently left Prakasit in a state of such blissful carelessness that he ended up leaving his address book on the sand amid the pile of empty beer bottles. The next day it was discovered by one of the angry mini-mart owners, and the police came to Prakasit’s doorstep. After confessing to the crime, however, Prakasit later retracted his statement. Fortunately for him, the mini-mart owners decided not to press charges – as long as he agreed to pay for the missing beer and any damage. Perhaps the owners were aware of Thai transvestites’ reputation for womanly wrath backed up by brutal male force.