Writer
New York City, Bangkok
Joined March 2021
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When I moved into a new apartment recently with my bedroom window overlooking Soi Cowboy, I was a little worried about noise.
Well!
With the Windows’s closed, my bedroom is very quiet. But open, the urban hum of a thousand air conditioners blends with the constant soft rumble of far off traffic. Added to that is a confluence of music, laughter and chatter barely audible from within the neon-lit, pulsating reflections bouncing softly off high-rise window panes.
It’s X rated white noise, a little like listening to a rainstorm or the ocean, only naughty.
Researching at the Global Anti Scam Alliance in Bangkok today. Their objectives are evident in their title, protecting us from global scams. T’was an impressive gathering of geopolitical influencers and cops present.
My objective is to write about the geopolitical undercurrents & how these efforts influence expat and Thai life here in Bangkok. Second order effects are already emerging with technology giants like Meta not only cooperating with law enforcement, but funding them as well.
Zuckerberg’s objectives have been consistent for decades now: support shareholder value. He surely sees growth in effective cybersecurity here.
There is also a significant US foreign policy paradigm shift unfolding beneath global law enforcement operations. Gone are the USAID, NGO style anti-communist civil society predicates. Now warrants and seizures justify foreign policy intervention.
I’ve been writing about the patterns for over a year now. Today I got confirmation. I will be working on an article for a day or two. I just wanted to drop a preview and post a picture of me dressed up:)
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As a writer, my greatest unfilled aspiration is to be a headline writer for the NY Post.
They've been trying hard since 1983 to beat: "Headless Body In Topless Bar."
"Whacko Jacko On His Backo" was a contender when Michael Jackson became hospitalized during a period of bizarre behavior in 2005.
"Huang Huang Bang Bang" is impressive, but it doesn't take the crown. @SusanBEdelman
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Sargent Baker's grandkids:
Kelly, Ying and King were little kids when their Mom came to work for me and moved into my home on Ekamai Road ten years ago. Their mom was an Isaan farm girl divorced from their dad, a Thai general contractor from Bangkok. At the time I didn't give much notice to their surname Baker.
It was during a lively conversation a few years later when the family discovered, and revealed to me, the kids's paternal grandmother had been receiving about $1200.00 a month from the US Treasury since 1972. Grandma Baker was the widow of an American soldier killed in Vietnam. She had been saving the cash and was now dispersing it among her many grandchildren. Great, they were excited; I was happy for them.
But wait, the kids growing up under my roof were the grandchildren of an American killed in action in the Vietnam/American War?
Staff Sargent Joseph T. Baker came to Thailand as a young teenager from California. The US Army recruited him from Thailand, probably because he was bilingual. Stationed out of Camp Friendship in Korat, he met Grandma Baker who was working on Khaosan Road. Joseph had a gated house in Bangkok and commuted to Korat on a Harley. I suspect he was adjacent to clandestine services. He died in 1972 in combat, most likely in an air operation.
I got this information from Gary Baker, brother to kids' dad. Gary is a Buddhist Monk. While talking with the Monk in his humble cottage I had one of those spooky experiences that are hard for secularists like myself to explain. I promised Gary I would take care of his nieces and nephew, Sargent Baker's grandchildren.
I'm an Army Veteran of the seventies. I did not go to war. But during my conversation with the Monk an epiphany arose, a fraternal feeling towards an American comrade I never knew.
I kept my promise to the Monk and Joseph. I'm getting back way more than I've given.
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An impromptu video of Soi Cowboy I shot from the bedroom of my new apartment got a lot of attention. One commenter, @KoichiSan2, replied "More cowbell.." and reminded me of a video I shot a few years ago: "Dancing Like Christopher Walken."
I shot the video directly beneath the Dollhouse sign I captured from my bedroom window.
There ya go @KoichiSan2, more cowbell.
When I moved into a new apartment recently with my bedroom window overlooking Soi Cowboy, I was a little worried about noise.
Well!
With the Windows’s closed, my bedroom is very quiet. But open, the urban hum of a thousand air conditioners blends with the constant soft rumble of far off traffic. Added to that is a confluence of music, laughter and chatter barely audible from within the neon-lit, pulsating reflections bouncing softly off high-rise window panes.
It’s X rated white noise, a little like listening to a rainstorm or the ocean, only naughty.
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Fortunate man here, I could retire anywhere. In Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) I live in a sophisticated urban center filled with amenities & conveniences beyond my reach in other world-class cities.
Given Rocket-Man is signaling that Cyber Truck may be going tits up, think about how cool it would be if you had grabbed yourself a DeLorean when DeLorean Motor Company was circling the drain?
🤖 Made with AI
Anhnhunguyen98 posted this pic on IG with the caption “it’s your birthday.” Recently, it indeed was my birthday. But frankly I’m at the age where I’d just rather have some cake then climb all them stairs to meetup with her.
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Charlie Hub retweeted
Cambodia’s new U.S. Ambassador, Christopher Anderson, is on his way to Phnom Penh.
He stopped in Hawaii for meetings with U.S. military leaders and regional security officials before heading to Cambodia, where the ambassadorial post has been vacant for more than two years.
There are interesting patterns afoot.
Below, Jacob posts about expansion of US Treasury/DOJ sanctions against Cambodia’s Prince Group holdings.
On his way to his first day on the job, US Ambassador to Cambodia Chris Anderson stopped in Hawaii to chat with military brass overseeing S.E. Asia.
At an ASEAN meet up of regional Generals in Cebu last week, US Secretary of War Hegseth singled out the Cambodia/Thai conflict and ceasefire as being important while sending a BFF message to the Thais.
Two weeks ago, Assistant Secretary of State Michael Vance began talking with the military Junta of Myanmar, ostensibly about law enforcement.
Thai PM Anutin is actively engaged with Myanmar clashes near the Thai border ordering F16 flyovers.
Old US anti communist, civil society style pretexts for foreign policy initiatives are gone. Law enforcement is the new on-ramp for US interests.
Next week I am attending the Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia 2026 here in Bangkok. There’s a new paradigm emerging.
US Sanctions 23 Cambodian Companies Linked to Prince Group, Details Tokyo Mansion Transfer
Prince International Airlines, CB General Insurance and Asian Welfare Lotteries are among 23 Cambodian companies sanctioned by the US Treasury in its latest action against Prince Group. Treasury also says executive Chen Bo transferred ownership of his Tokyo mansion to his wife, Cambodian national He Yujing, after the first US sanctions in October 2025.
He Yujing is now sanctioned, along with Cambodian Prince Group associate Visal Pang. Treasury says Pang controls 11 Cambodian companies, including Marco Polo Hotel, Cambo Duty Free Merchandise and U-Life Kh Super App, several of which he co-directs with Chen Bo. Chen Bo, who was sanctioned in June, remains in control of another 11 Cambodian companies. He Yujing owns the remaining Cambodian company, Super Light Speed Kh Technology.
The November 5 action sanctions four individuals and 41 companies linked to Prince Group under Executive Order 13581, as amended. Treasury says the network helped senior executives conceal assets, evade earlier sanctions and maintain access to international financial services.
Among those newly sanctioned is Qiu Yong, a Prince Group associate who holds passports from Cambodia, St. Lucia and Türkiye. Treasury says he controls companies in Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands involved in money lending, wine distribution and other businesses.
Run! Hide! Jump off a cliff!
Yesterday the stock market went down, a lot. Pundits of all descriptions are doom-maxing to the max.
Here’s what actually happened. On Wednesday the DJIA went up 3.03%.
On Thursday it went down 3.44%. As of this morning the DJIA is down 0.51% from Tuesday.
Put down your phone, kiss your honey, reject doomers.
🤖 Made with AI
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My geopolitical shenanigans meter is in the red. Last weekend, US Secretary of War Hegseth was vocal at an ASEAN conference about how US & Thai military are BFFs.
US Assistant Secretary Michael Vance has opened direct talks with Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing, ostensibly on scams. However State Dept strategy explicitly ties peace efforts to accessing Myanmar’s rare earths.
Yesterday Thai PM Anutin stepped up border security and the Thai CDF warned the Myanmar attaché over spillover fighting.
Something up?
ALT From a photoshoot with Burmese, Karen tribe girl.