The Day That Changed My Life

I left the hotel, lit up a cigarette and took a walk down the street. I was looking at all the things the street vendors were selling. I took a final puff of my cigarette and tossed it into the gutter as I crossed the street. I get to the other side when some guy who appears to be dressed as a hotel valet, makes a gesture like he wants a cigarette. I brushed him off and continued walking. A few seconds later he puts his hand on my shoulder and makes a smoking gesture. I told him that I didn't have any more cigarettes. As I was walking down the street, I could see that he was following me. I was preparing myself for more bullshit when suddenly a police officer comes out of a building and starts pointing at me. I couldn't imagine what this was going to be about. I turn around and I see the hotel valet coming up behind me. But wait!!! It's not a hotel valet, it's a policeman. Oh shit!!!!

The two policemen begin to speak to me in Thai. I don't understand Thai. The didn't speak any english. But - they had a helpful sign written in english to help me out. Briefly, it said that Bangkok is trying to clean up the city and they are cracking down on tourists that litter. Fines can range up to $5000 USD. Now I understand - the smoking gesture was about my careless tossing of the cigarette butt.

I have a couple of redeeming qualities. Not many, but a few. One of them is that I will admit if I have done something wrong. This was no exception. I put my hands together and bowed. I told them "Yes, I littered. I am sorry and I am wrong." I made a few additional apologies and they began to smile. They were happy that I admitted my mistake and showed them respect. The hotel valet/policeman even laughed over the fact that I did not know he was a policeman. They asked for my passport but I told them I left it at the hotel. No problem. They even lowered my fine from the stated minimum 2,000 bhat to 1,000 bhat. They gave me my citation, I paid them the 1,000 bhat fine (approximately $30 USD), we shook hands and I continued walking down the street.

That was to be the last cigarette I ever smoked. I wasn't shaken up over the incident. Rather, I took it as a sign that I should quit.

If I should meet any of you TravBuddies in Honolulu and you happen to be in my car, you will see the last pack of cigarettes I ever bought. There are still 12 in the pack.