Column: Oh, oh, oh, those prejudices…

He fulfilled all preconceived notions. White legs in black socks and shoes, shorts that are too big, big belly, seventies, and therefore at least twice as old as the eldest in the rest of his company.

That party consisted of two Thai men, one somewhat hippie-ish, the other more of an office clerk, and a shy woman, almost a girl, the youngest of the bunch. I watched them get out of their pickup as we completed the steep, zigzagging climb to Wat Pra That Khao Noi and immediately admonished myself: "Don't judge right away!"

The temple was covered in scaffolding, as appears to be the case with quite a few temples this year. The light of the late afternoon sun was disappointing and the view from the hill over Nan was obscured by the damp air, or maybe it was smog. Luckily we hadn't come specifically for this place; we were staying at the bottom of the hill and had seen the temple from there.

I had just thought that we should drive back again when the hippie came up to me and asked where I was from. “Holland”, I said, although I actually think The Netherlands is the right name. I'd like to try to explain the difference to an Englishman, but today I'd rather keep it simple. In the background, the girl was kissed full on the mouth by white leg.

“POLAND!!!” Belly bellowed suddenly, “ARE YOU FROM POLAND!!!?” After I corrected him he yelled that he was from the States. A rather superfluous announcement, because that was not only visible but also loud and clearly audible. “BUT NOW I DEFINITELY LEFT THE POLICE STATE THAT THE USA IS NOW!!!” Fortunately, the Buddha in front of the temple was already standing; if it had been a declining one, he would undoubtedly have got up in shock.

I thought that was enough, but blacksocks wasn't ready yet and snapped at the girl: "HEY, COME HERE!!!" Meekly she came running. He grabbed her around the waist and started sucking her off again. He said that he had lived here since January 15 and had also been married to her since January 15. I tried to imagine the wedding night, or rather, I tried with all my might to avoid imagining it. I wondered if he had her from a catalog. I wondered who the two other men were. Father and uncle, I decided, or older brothers, that was fine too. In any case, they seemed very pleased with the situation.

It was different with her. Maybe it was prejudice, but I didn't think she really radiated happiness and threw in my friendliest wai and “sawadee krap”. She waved back smiling. The yank yelled if I lived here too, because I already spoke Thai so well. Maybe one day it will, I thought, but I didn't say that.