Rhek Thum is in decline. Lots of shops have gone out of business. In just four years, it's gone from being a working middle-class town, to a retreat for dubious business practices.

Talking on the phone just now with my wife, JJ, I asked if she was headed for her morning khanom gin. The gentle old woman who serves it up needs every customer she can get, and my wife’s bum has been collecting splinters from the “restaurant’s” rickety bench for years. And not just because JJ likes the khanom gin, it is good, but just as much to support the chef. But …

"She's not selling khanom gin anymore," says my wife.

"Why not," I ask with a bit of apprehension, "did she die?"

"No. Now she sells drugs, and drives a brand new truck."

This is not a big surprise. It's what Thais do. Happen across an otherwise successful business model, reproduce it, then ten copycats share enough business for the original two entrepreneurs.

But just like the coffee shop copycats in Rayong a few years back, there are now so many drug dealers in Rhek Thum, I feel obligated to ask JJ who is left to buy. She says she really doesn't know. Maybe the rubber tree workers? Whatever, TIT, and everyone in Rhek Thum is jumping on board as if shoveling out yaa-ba were no more nefarious than steaming two percent.

JJ mentions the name of her next door neighbor, a woman with three adorable little girls who used to practice English with me. She's been selling drugs for two years now, and recently expanded by wisely investing her earnings: some into a Rolling Stone-sized karaoke machine on wheels, the rest setting up her 150 kilo sister into loan sharking. When she shows up, most people pay up.

Last month though, a click up the road, a guy was shot 12 times. He had been sitting at a mom and pop shop just after sunset. Whisperings are, he defaulted on his debt. Maybe true, maybe not. Either way, he didn't finish his Red Bull.

Ready to join me here in the States for the next couple of years, a karaoke sleepless JJ now informs me she packed yesterday.

Her flight is in August.

Rhek Tum, is this a joke?

hahaha ... good story and a laugh ... I'll look forward to your next novel !! .....

Rhek Tum, is this a joke?

Here is another of the OP`s topics regarding the mythical town of Rhek Tum.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747983-living-in-rhek-thum/

"Rhek Thum is in decline."

Oh well, I thought you were talking about Birmingham England. Carry on.

Edited July 27, 201510 yr by NeverSure

Rhek Tum, is this a joke?

No it's next to Baan Khock In.

Edited July 27, 201510 yr by stoneyboy

Rhek Tum, is this a joke?

No it's next to Baan Khock In.

.

The stories are true, but the names are changed to protect the innocent.

After all, I still have Thais there.

I like the names you have used to protect the innocent....If your wife is indeed on her way out to the USA,is n't she just exchanging one sewer for another?

I like the names you have used to protect the innocent....If your wife is indeed on her way out to the USA,is n't she just exchanging one sewer for another?

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"You aim for the palace, and get drowned in the sewer."

Mark twain

"Rhek Thum is in decline."

Oh well, I thought you were talking about Birmingham England. Carry on.

Now, now, no need to bring my wonderful home city into this but as you did.....

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/birmingham-named-one-of-the-top-10-cities-in-the-world-9933668.html

http://app.ft.com/cms/s/26c293dc-fe12-11e4-8efb-00144feabdc0.html?sectionid=home

"Rhek Thum is in decline."

Oh well, I thought you were talking about Birmingham England. Carry on.

Now, now, no need to bring my wonderful home city into this but as you did.....

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/birmingham-named-one-of-the-top-10-cities-in-the-world-9933668.html

http://app.ft.com/cms/s/26c293dc-fe12-11e4-8efb-00144feabdc0.html?sectionid=home

.

Interesting.

Birmingham is up and coming, no butts about it!

Last week the police visited one of the apartments the company I work for owns. Turns out one of the tenants was selling drugs. They tested him and half a dozen other people from nearby rooms and only 2 people passed the test. All those that failed were taken to the police station and locked up for over a day.

The drug dealer didn't get let out. The others were users - they did get let out. I have no idea what punishment any of them received.

Since then plain clothes police have searched one other room - they didn't find anything and were OK with that. They also told our manager they were looking for an ex tenant of ours, and told her his bike's license plate number.

It seems to me that a lot of the time the police know exactly where to go if they choose to do so. The first time they visited the property they didn't randomly check 3 different rooms.

Last week the police visited one of the apartments the company I work for owns. Turns out one of the tenants was selling drugs. They tested him and half a dozen other people from nearby rooms and only 2 people passed the test. All those that failed were taken to the police station and locked up for over a day.

The drug dealer didn't get let out. The others were users - they did get let out. I have no idea what punishment any of them received.

Since then plain clothes police have searched one other room - they didn't find anything and were OK with that. They also told our manager they were looking for an ex tenant of ours, and told her his bike's license plate number.

It seems to me that a lot of the time the police know exactly where to go if they choose to do so. The first time they visited the property they didn't randomly check 3 different rooms.

Yes they know where to look, after all they are the main supplier.

Last week the police visited one of the apartments the company I work for owns. Turns out one of the tenants was selling drugs. They tested him and half a dozen other people from nearby rooms and only 2 people passed the test. All those that failed were taken to the police station and locked up for over a day.

The drug dealer didn't get let out. The others were users - they did get let out. I have no idea what punishment any of them received.

Since then plain clothes police have searched one other room - they didn't find anything and were OK with that. They also told our manager they were looking for an ex tenant of ours, and told her his bike's license plate number.

It seems to me that a lot of the time the police know exactly where to go if they choose to do so. The first time they visited the property they didn't randomly check 3 different rooms.

Yes they know where to look, after all they are the main supplier.

.

They do indeed, according to my wife, offer protection in Rhek Thum. Same with card games and moonshine.