Bangkok Love Betrayal

I first arrived in Thailand in 1995 as a 25-year-old from the United States. It was a wonderful first trip, and I was fascinated by the culture shock that came with visiting Thailand. I returned to Thailand every chance I got.

Here is a memorable night with a friend who brought me to Thailand a few years later, in 1998. His name was James. He worked in Thailand for an American company and had an apartment in Bangkok off Sukhumvit Road. We both loved Thai food, although we enjoyed Western food and music every now and then.

One of our favorite spots was the Hard Rock Cafe at Siam Square. Steak, wine, and live music always put us in a great mood.

A Chance Encounter at the Hard Rock Cafe

On this night, a group of Thai girls was sitting next to us. Both James and I liked to practice our Thai, so I am sure we said something stupid and incorrect to get their attention. The next thing I knew, we were all dancing together in one big group. Neither of us could dance worth a lick, but alcohol did a great job of bringing out the “I do not care what I look like” attitude when pretty ladies were around.

After everyone was exhausted from dancing, we invited the girls to James’s apartment to continue the night.

On a side note, Thailand totally ruined the song “Hotel California” by the Eagles for me. Every time I went out, I heard that song at least 20 times.

Card Games and Drinking at the Apartment

Back at the apartment, the girls introduced us to the Thai card game Pop Deng. Both of us loved playing cards, so they taught us how to play and the games began. The drinking continued, too. We both lost, but we were having such a great time that we did not care.

The one girl I was attracted to was a petite girl named Noy. None of the girls spoke much English, and we both spoke only a little Thai, but that was part of the fun. Noy and I connected and started getting close as the night continued.

We had both been drinking constantly, and one thing led to another. Noy and I ended up in my room. Now keep in mind, I’m totally into girls only. I love Thai ladies.

The Panic Over Noy Man

We were well into the aerobic session and had passed second base and were heading to third when Noy grabbed my hand, looked at me, and said, “Noy man.”

What? What did I hear? Did she say she was a man?

My hearing was not great, but Noy once again said, “Noy man.” All of a sudden, my head began to spin and I got really dizzy and was on the verge of throwing up. I did not know what to say, so I just nodded in confusion.

Lying next to Noy, totally deflated after an epic night, I watched her go to sleep and was in a state of disbelief. I could not sleep the rest of the night.

James Comes to the Rescue the Morning After

The next morning, I told James the story when he got up. I went back to bed when Noy left. James’s Thai was better than mine, and he decided he would figure out what had happened because he too had thought Noy was all woman.

When I woke up, James told me what he had learned. He had talked to Noy, and she had said “Noy men”, meaning “for a woman” in Thai. It was that time of the month.

When I got up, James had a big grin on his face and told me it was that time of the month for Noy and that she was 100% a woman. We both laughed because this story would be told for years, and I was very relieved that Noy was a woman.

Reflecting on Misunderstandings

Now, in 2023, I still have plenty of misunderstandings with my current wife, which usually end in a silly argument.

I was not sure if Noy still wanted to continue our intimate encounter that night, as some women do and others do not. But with my reaction, she might have thought, “Oh no, he is horrified that it is that time of the month and it is not going to happen,” so we went to sleep.