December 5, 2008 | Bangkok
Issue #265: Winter Travel

Last Week In Reality: Jan 05-Jan 10

5 SAT

In Nakhon Ratchasima, a renowned sorcerer is shot to death. Jam, 72, was a warlock famous for his black magic but later retired to become a chicken farmer. On the day he is
shot, Jam leaves to collect a debt from one of his clients and returns, in the evening, heavily inebriated. He says goodnight to his son, Samroeng, and leaves to his nearby home. Later
that night Samroeng hears a gunshot but claims he was too scared to come out and see what is going on. Jam is found dead in his bedroom the next morning.

In Bangkok, police arrest a young thief who leaves his victims naked. Mike, 16, and Nok, 14, have just had their first child. Both are jobless, so Mike starts robbing junior high students
using a knife, piece of wood or a sharp pen. He shakes his victims down completely, even leaving them naked to buy himself time to escape. Mike then keeps the clothes in a personal collection he shows off to friends.

7 MON

In Udon Thani, a medium claiming to be possessed by the spirit of luang phoo nong jok and a Laotian monk are arrested. Pimon, 48, and Pha Poothsorn, 36, charge a mere B24
per session to grant wishes to customers, most of whom are seeking a farang husband. Lacking a complaint, police are unable to charge her with fraud, so they arrest Pimon for providing residency to a foreigner, the monk, for longer than is allowed by the law.

9 WED

In Khon Kaen, a masked man robs a bank of B521,000. Assistant Manager Banterng is on duty at a branch of Kasikorn Bank, when a man in a ski mask enters the bank and pulls a
gun out. Without saying a word, the robber throws Banterng a black bag. Before Banterng can do anything, the robber spots a stack of notes on the counter, grabs the cash and leaves the scene.

10 THU

In Bangkok, a movie extra shoots himself to death. Chris Philler, 19, appeared in Bodyguard Na Liam, Kao Kao and many television soap operas. He asks Tong, a friend, to help him move out of his apartment. While they are in his room, Chris takes out a gun and puts it to his head. Tong tries to stop him, but Chris flees into the hall, where he pulls the trigger. Jamreang, his mother, reveals that Chris’s aunt had just filed a complaint against
him for stealing her credit card and spending B500k with it.

 

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