Last Week In Reality Jan 12 - Jan 15

January 26th, 2008

12 SAT

In Rayong, three women are poisoned by puff erfi sh pla ra. Somjai, 48, buys pla ra from her local market and asks Bang-On, 42, to come share her somtam with her daughter and nieces. Bang-On recognizes that the pla ra looks awkward, as if it was made from a toad, but they eat it anyway. Soon after, Bang-On, Somjai and her daughter feel nauseous and numb in their arms and legs. They go to a local doctor who diagnoses that they are suffering from puff erfi sh poisoning. Local health offi cers urge pla ra shops around the market to bring in their products for testing.

In Chantaburi, a young salesman dies after sex. Seksan, 25, has been drinking daily since the New Year. He lives alone and his girlfriend, Porn, 19, visits him only occasionally. Seksan and his friends go out and drink until late while Porn is sleeping at his home. At dawn, Seksan awakes his girlfriend and insists that they have sex. Porn finally gives in, but, during intercourse, Seksan is short of breath and feels a sharp pain in his chest. After reaching orgasm, he twitches several times and passes out. Porn is unable to wake him, calls the police, but fi nds Seksan dead when she returns to his body.

13 SUN

In Kalasin, local people believe they have found a holy pond. Mali, 77, owner of the land on which the pond is located, digs a pond for her fish. When she is done, clear green water fills the pond, rising from the ground. Mali consults a local medium who tells her there is a Buddha image underneath the water and that it is protected by two nagas. The “jade” water is the result of the nagas trying to help mankind. Word of the holy pond spreads and throngs come to worship the nagas and drink the water as a miracle cure-all. Accounts of the waters healing powers soon abound despite the local public health office calls to wait for them to test it for toxicity.

15 TUE

In Ayuthaya, the “Police’s Most Wanted” calendar leads to the arrest of a fugitive ya bah dealer in a local temple. Provincial Police Region 7 (Police 7) give away their “Police’s Most Wanted” calendar to people in the region. Jaray, 31, a fugitive from Suphanburi, is featured in the calendar. He is working as a painter in a local temple when a visitor recognizes him and reports him to the police. Police 7 announce that the person leading to his arrest was given a B100,000 reward.

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