Halloween Flashback

One great thing about Thailand is that Thais will use any occasion to justify a reason to have a party (I once attended a new haircut party), and over the years, they have adopted most of the major Western holidays in one form or another.

During Christmas, stores are teaming with lights and decorations, Santa comes to visit, and the loud speakers blast Christmas Carols. For Thanksgiving, every self-respecting Hotel has a special turkey buffet with all the trimmings, and Western and Chinese New Years are both full blown affairs along with the traditional Thai New Year in April.

Halloween, though less well-known, is slowly growing in popularity, especially among the younger generations - thanks, in part, to the annual Halloween party my roommate and I held between 2000 and 2002.

This picture is from 2003. I was a German Sex Tourist, Carl was Duangchalerm, the son of a high ranking politician who shot a policeman, spent a week in jail and is now a successful politician himself. On the right, Ron was either a caveman or a watermelon with gingivitis- he wore those teeth every year.

Looks like 2000. Carl was a grandmother/ street vendor who made papaya salad. His wife, Nok, dressed as Sudarat, a famous politician, who's known for being extremely proper.

Me in 2000 as a low-ranking government official. Notice the pot belly, dark glasses, and polyester leisure suit with government seal on breast pocket.

Each year there was a costume contest. Here are the 2001 winners holding their prizes. Ron with his teeth again.

This was not at my apartment, but on the streets of Bangkok. My buddy Gabe, who was passing through Thailand during his round the world trip, is on the left. Not sure who the superheros are. Actually, I'm not even sure if this was Halloween.

Year 2000 - My co-workers, Harold and Greg (Harold was actually my roommate at the time), and their girlfriends.

To conclude this Halloween Friday Flashback, here I am in 2002. I dressed as Bao Boon Jin, a character from a famous Chinese television drama. He was a notable judge in ancient China, whose omnipresent wisdom was drawn from the crescent moon birthmark on his forehead.