Last Week in Reality: Apr 09-Apr 20

May 2nd, 2008

9 WED

In Bangkok, a mature man’s request to be castrated is rejected. In 1984, Sak, now 55, contracts gnathostomiasis, a rare infection that spreads to his penis, which must be amputated. Today, 24 years later, Sak says the pain has spread to his testicles. He goes to Dr. Thep, a renowned sex reassignment surgeon, but the doctor refuses to operate on him because of a recent ban on castration issued by the Ministry of Health and sends him to Siriraj Hospital. But Sak says he is scared of the doctors there as they allegedly squeezed his testicles too hard on his last visit.

12 SAT

In Surat Thani, an Australian tourist is hospitalized after swallowing scores of condoms stuffed with cannabis. Jones John Paul, 51, attends a full moon party on Pha-Ngan Island. In the early morning, he is admitted to the hospital where he complains of serious stomachache. Jones’ X-rays reveal unidentifi ed objects in his intestines. After hours of surgery, doctors are able to retrieve 65 two-inch-long condoms Jones had swallowed. Police arrive at the hospital and announce that the condoms contain B1 million worth of cannabis. Jones will remain in police custody once he is discharged.

16 WED

In Udon Thani, a man who married a snake loses his bride. Satien “marries” a python that local sorcerers say was his wife in a past life. They live together for a couple weeks until Satien feels a mood change in his bride and the once enamored reptile refuses his touch. One morning, Satien wakes up to fi nd his bride gone and a single egg left behind.

20 MON

In Bangkok, a 41-year-old man is believed to have died from a bite to his testicles by a centipede. Sompod and his wife go to Sakeao for Songkran. On the night of Apr 14, he goes to bed early, planning to ride back to Bangkok the next day with his motorcycle. While sleeping, a centipede bites his testicles causing pain and swelling. After developing a severe headache, Sompod goes to Nopparath Hospital. He passes away four days later. After examining him, doctors say he died from a virus infection to his brain, not from the centipede bite.