The woman’s unconscious body dangled between the tiny Thai receptionists’ arms as they dragged her into the hostel lobby. What had happened??? We all rushed from the couches towards her sprawled form. Her dyed blond hair and white dress fluttered around the table where she lay. “Go back inside,” said the hostel receptionist with a polite but firm wave. Outside we could hear another rumble brewing.
An hour earlier, the receptionist had grabbed a green-shirted hostel guest as he staggered downstairs into the main lobby. “You bring a prostitute in here tonight,” she growled. “Against rules of the hostel. You both need to leave, NOW.”
Within ten minutes, a woman in a white flowered dress was hurtling down the stairs, screaming at the man in green: “You give me my cell phone charger before I leave! Upstairs! You get it for me!” Scuffles, shouts, a retrieved charger, and green and white flowers both lurched out the door, trying to keep their heads as high as possible in front of the thirty stares from the lobby restaurant. The man walked into the glass door so hard the “CONK” was heard across the street. He shook himself and kept walking out.
Some guests were giggling; some had their hands over their mouths in shock. Granted, this lovely hostel is only four blocks from Patpong Road, home of the infamous girlie bars and “ping pong” shows (“*pop *pop *pop” smack the hawkers’ lips to entice potential customers), but across every wall of the hostel, signs read: Paying Guests ONLY in Upstairs Rooms!
But now the woman was lying unconscious on the lobby table. We realized that, after leaving our lobby, she had been punched senseless by the man in green.
Suddenly, her eyes fluttered and she sprung to her feet. With purposeful strides she grabbed her purse, marched to the door and screamed toward the green shape by the curb: “Five hundred!” She raised her purse to hit him and suddenly he was hurling forward into the lobby, fists smashing forward towards the beautiful woman. “NO!” yelled the Thai staff running into the explosion.
My friend Adie and four other guests sprinted towards the lobby. “Adie!” I yelled, “You have two broken ribs already! Watch yourself!” A four foot tall Thai receptionist blocked the way. “Go to sleep. We call the police. We handle it.”
Sure enough, by then sirens were blaring.
Now, this morning, the hostel is clean, calm, and lovely as ever. The Superman staff are at their posts as if nothing occurred, and all around the glistening lobby lounge, the guests play board games and plan day trips around Bangkok. Drama will always happen (as we Boston Public teachers know so well), but poise and heart in the face of a storm is forever impressive. I’ve extended my stay four more nights. :)
(Note: All photos are detail from the Grand Palace, Bangkok. Larger photos from this AMAZING complex are in the next post.)
The author, Lillie Marshall, is 6-foot-tall National Board Certified Teacher of English, fitness fan, and mother of two who has been a public school educator since 2003. She launched Around the World “L” Travel and Life Blog in 2009, and over 3.7 million readers have now visited this site. Lillie also runs TeachingTraveling.com and DrawingsOf.com. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media!
Genevieve
Saturday 16th of June 2012
Intense story! Did you ever find out what happened with the police? I'm impressed by the staff. What hostel is it?
Lillie
Sunday 19th of October 2014
I never got the follow-up from the police, but am curious, too!
Qiyin Y.
Saturday 16th of June 2012
Ms. Marshall, were you trying to type "hotel" instead of "hostel"? What is a hostel? I feel so bad for the lady who got punched but she got be ashamed of herself.
Lillie
Sunday 17th of June 2012
A hostel is a low-cost hotel common with budget travelers. Often they feature large rooms with several bunk beds which you share with strangers. They're surprisingly great!
Janssy Garcia
Thursday 22nd of March 2012
Whoa! Intense story. I kind of feel bad for the prostitute, the guy in green had no right to hit her, even though that is her profession.
Will - DontFlyGo.com
Wednesday 21st of March 2012
Wowza Lillie! It's not often you hear stories as candid as this. Can't believe poor Adie had to put up with that. Unbelievable.
Lillie
Wednesday 21st of March 2012
It was quite the scene!
Waegook Tom
Wednesday 22nd of February 2012
Wow, this is a great article - really well-written! I wonder why he hit her though?! I guess any place where sex tourism is rampant, then you have creeps like the guy in green. Impressed that the hostel staff seemed to be so cool and collected about the whole thing rather than stirring it more.