As a non-drinker I have been able to effectively avoid these issues when they seemed to be starting up. Drunks can't fight for shit.
A humorous notation on a serious subject, nice one. You're right of course: proactive action is so useful here.
I don't drink alcohol either--it doesn't seem to be a visa requirement for Thailand or anything. Yet I don't sit around Soi 6 bars sipping soda. I'm there to get laid, not socialize. And I typically monger solo, get plenty of companionship inside the room. That's not for everyone, but it works for me.
I also agree that country-of-origin is irrelevant. When I lived in Bangkok, a friend of mine (a Brit) made the mistake of telling a guy in a bar-not-in-Pattaya-or-Bangkok that he shouldn't ring the bell for fun--as many of you know, ringing the bell means you're buying a round of drinks for everyone. My friend was letting him know that, politely.
The stranger's response was to head-butt my friend in the nose, which immediately burst into a river of blood. Said friend then exited the bar, assisted by another friend, but these fiends set upon him outside. I'm not going into details, but it was ugly, and fortunately the Thai cops threw these ruffians into jail, they had their day in court, did time and were deported.
So yes, it happens. Alcohol is typically involved. In the above-mentioned case, other substances were suspected, but nothing was proven.
JtB |
