AWOL 2014 Issue 268 31st January

English Corner Your free weekly newspaper since 2008 issue 2 68 31 January 2014 Crosswords Cartoon Capers Classifieds Comedy Genius the drugs don’t worK tourist drugging gang arrested HUA HIN, THAILAND The arrest last weekend by Hua Hin police of a gang who have been drugging and robbing foreigners of their valuables, and possibly in some instances, their lives, in Hua Hin, Bangkok and Pattaya should be both warmly applauded, and serve as a warning to anyone visiting Thailand that they need to be on their guard. The gang of six, five women and one man, would crush tablets, that have been described as Alprazolam (Xanax) mixed with an unknown white tablet, with suggestions that this might be either a barbiturate or something like Dextromoramide, perhaps Palfium, which is a strong and dangerous mix, that can cause death, especially if the victim is on other medication. The gang would either put the crushed drug in a snack, some fruit or in a drink - the modus operandi very likely would differ depending on the area being operated in. From reports the gang would target older foreigners and one of the women would befriend them and offer them something like a snack or drink, along with a proposition to give them a Thai Massage, however previous similar incidents are believed to have been carried out by surreptitiously putting the drug in a drink the victim already had, and then either following or approaching them after it began to take effect. One victim of this gang is reported to have slept for three days after being drugged, and police have recovered large amounts of money and stolen goods from the gang members. Pictures of the gang are available online on the Facebook page of talayhuahin, who should be congratulated for making the information available more widely, as well as on thaivisa.com. AWOL believes that there will be other gangs operating similar schemes in Hua Hin and other tourist resorts, and the best defence is to always keep an eye on your drink, and not to accept food or drink offered by strangers. Victor guesthouse open 24/7 Naresdamri Rd. opposite Brasserie de Paris Rooms/family suites in heart of Hua Hin a/c, lcd tv, dvd player, fridge, free premium wifi, cable TV www.victorguesthousehuahin.com GET RACING FROM ONLY 400 BAHT! OPEN EVERYDAY 10.30AM - 7PM, LATE NIGHT BY APPOINTMENT Call 032 547 199 (Office) or 081 817 3000 (Mobile) Soi 2, Phetchkasem Road opposite Hua Hin Airport www.gokarthuahin.com