Build it and they will come

PHITSANULOKE: Found in all civilized parts of the world, the short-time hotel reaches its apotheosis in Bangkok, where places that have parking spaces with curtains have hosted innumerable trysts while successfully keeping their clients out of the view of prying eyes and potential blackmailers. Unfortunately, short-time hotels are not evenly distributed around Thailand and, where they can be found, they are often frequented only by the rich who can afford them. So what are teenagers to do when they want to endulge in a little hanky-panky and home is not an option? Kom Chad Luek’s beat reporter in Phitsanuloke province found out the answer recently. Investigating complaints from riverside residents in Phisanuloke Town, he found that scores of horny teenagers have been breaking into a strip of new buildings and using them as love shacks. Even worse, when “done” they left behind some pretty clear evidence of their activities – sinks filled with an assortment of brightly-colored used condoms. The 11 units in the row are part of a project called Suan Chom Naan Phase 2, built by the city over a year ago. The plan was to rent them out to vendors who would use them to sell food and other items to tourists. The riverside location is on the western bank of the Naan river, in front of the Provincial Judge’s stately official residence. However, before the units could be rented out, teenagers began breaking into them in the late evening after the local discos closed and using them as a place to quench their carnal thirst. Local resident Adisak Duangsam said it all started about two months ago. Groups of teenagers would turn up on motorcycles and hang out in the front of the building, eventually pairing off and going inside to have sex. They weren’t at all shy about their activities either, said K. Adisak. On some nights residents were awoken by the sound of loud moaning made by women in the throes of passion. But nobody dared confront the teenagers, he said. Rather, they wanted the authorities to step in and do something about it. After all, the location was right in the city center, and was owned by the city. “Not only is it right in front of the judge’s residence, but the building is also close to a row of riverbank restaurants that are a major tourist attraction,” he said. One tourist who happened to be in the area to pay respect to the popular Praphuta Chinarat Buddha image located there said he was walking one day when he noticed the door to one of the units was left ajar. Curious, he opened it up and had look inside. “When I walked in, I was stunned to see used condoms everywhere. I just can’t believe how brazen these kids are – breaking into a new building right in the middle of the town and use it as a love shack,” he said. During a tour of the area the reporter noted that five of the 11 vacant units had been broken into. All had used condoms scattered across the floor, along with a several sets of underwear.