PERSONA NON GRATA

Edgy and gritty albeit stunning photographs revealing and documenting the darker side of Bangkok, Thailand; the Land of Smiles.

What comes to mind when you think of Thailand? For many, it's The Land of Smiles, but that couldn't be further from the truth, in my opinion, at least when you take the time to scratch beneath the surface.

I have to admit that the first time you get there, you can't help but think, "Man, these people discovered some secret to life. Look at them smiling and being nice, almost to the point of submission." But then by the second week of your stay it's clear that most of it is fake!

How could you even think for a moment that they really like us? Look at us: Americans on steroids doing Muay Thai, banging local girls... lost souls trying to find some sense of belonging... old German dudes walking around with really young (or not so young) prostitutes... backpackers with dreadlocks... nothing there to like, and if I were Thai I would be seriously pissed off, which I think they all are, but just brought up not to show it...

It's a strange place. On one hand you have people doing whatever it takes to save face, trying to keep appearances at all times, avoiding any (ANY) kind of confrontation; going so far as to tell you ONLY what you want to hear, no matter how far from the truth it might be... but on the other hand underaged girls are sold into prostitution by their families, without any thought given to it... it's just weird. Or it might be better to say "different"...?

Visually though, it's just stunning. Food is amazing. And the fact that most people don't speak English, or are too shy to even attempt to, makes the whole experience even more intriguing. Another planet...

I researched Thailand extensively, over some ten long trips, mostly focusing on Bangkok. Tried to dig as deeply as possible, not going with the flow, and I think I did a pretty good job.

As my friend Adrian, who lives there, put it, "MAN, IF YOU EVER DO A BOOK ON BANGKOK, THEY'LL NEVER LET YOU BACK IN...", hence the title... I hope he's wrong, but we'll see. - Boogie