Drug Dealers Using Magic as Protection - GoFuckYourself.com

EscortBiz · 02-28-2003, 10:24 AM

Very Interesting

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...gic_protection

Thai Drug War Increases Demand for Magic
26 minutes ago

By UAMDAO NOIKORN, Associated Press Writer

BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand's crackdown on drugs, during which hundreds of suspected dealers have died, has boosted the market for amulets believed to offer magical protection against bullets and other violence.

Metal or clay talismans, often picturing Buddhist symbols or monks and worn on a neck chain, are a staple of Thai culture. But amulet sellers say business has accelerated since Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's government launched its war on drugs, seeking to stem an epidemic of methamphetamine trafficking and abuse.

At least 500 drug suspects have died ? apparently killed by competing dealers or police ? since the crackdown began Feb. 1.

"Amulet collection has become fashionable lately," Lek Pongpanich, a 56-year-old dealer at Bangkok's Ta Prachan market, said Thursday.

Many Thais wear amulets, but they are especially popular with people who consider themselves at physical risk ? including police officers and criminals. It is not unusual to see someone wearing a dozen or more at once.

The trade can be incredibly lucrative.

"There's nothing wrong with paying as much as 10 million baht ($232,000) for an amulet, especially if it's made by a highly revered monk or has a history of protecting the wearer from bullets or car crashes," said Supachai Ruangsan-ngarmsiri, a well-known trader at Ta Prachan, one of the city's oldest amulet markets.

Lek hunched over his wares while explaining their alleged origins and powers to a group of men. After more than an hour, the men bought several amulets for tens of thousands of dollars ? in cash.

"It's not often that we have customers like that," Lek said.

Asked how one might spot a criminal shopping for magical protection, one collector, who identified himself only as Kometh, said, "They don't bargain and tend to believe everything a seller says."

Serious collectors generally know the price range for each type of amulet and will bargain, he said.

"But you know what? From my experience, a good talisman will not stay with a bad guy for long. Something will happen in a way that the owner will lose it or it just doesn't work on him," Kometh said.

Amulets also have a practical use for criminals beyond protection. When traded on the underground market, experts say, they can be used to launder money from illicit activities.

Baal · 02-28-2003, 10:30 AM

I sense a "mainstream" niche here... wonder if those drug dealers have legit credit cards?

Wizzo · 02-28-2003, 10:38 AM

How do you think I keep the feds from kicking in my door?

UnseenWorld · 02-28-2003, 11:35 AM

Well, shoot, we live in a culture where some people apparently believe that GOD cares about who wins the Super Bowl!

escorpio · 02-28-2003, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UnseenWorld
Well, shoot, we live in a culture where some people apparently believe that GOD cares about who wins the Super Bowl!

Word is that "GOD" fucker places huge bets on the Super Bowl then puts the fix in.

02-28-2003, 10:24 AM	#1
EscortBiz Fuck Checks, CASH only! Join Date: May 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 19,422	Drug Dealers Using Magic as Protection Very Interesting http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...gic_protection Thai Drug War Increases Demand for Magic 26 minutes ago By UAMDAO NOIKORN, Associated Press Writer BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand's crackdown on drugs, during which hundreds of suspected dealers have died, has boosted the market for amulets believed to offer magical protection against bullets and other violence. Metal or clay talismans, often picturing Buddhist symbols or monks and worn on a neck chain, are a staple of Thai culture. But amulet sellers say business has accelerated since Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's government launched its war on drugs, seeking to stem an epidemic of methamphetamine trafficking and abuse. At least 500 drug suspects have died ? apparently killed by competing dealers or police ? since the crackdown began Feb. 1. "Amulet collection has become fashionable lately," Lek Pongpanich, a 56-year-old dealer at Bangkok's Ta Prachan market, said Thursday. Many Thais wear amulets, but they are especially popular with people who consider themselves at physical risk ? including police officers and criminals. It is not unusual to see someone wearing a dozen or more at once. The trade can be incredibly lucrative. "There's nothing wrong with paying as much as 10 million baht ($232,000) for an amulet, especially if it's made by a highly revered monk or has a history of protecting the wearer from bullets or car crashes," said Supachai Ruangsan-ngarmsiri, a well-known trader at Ta Prachan, one of the city's oldest amulet markets. Lek hunched over his wares while explaining their alleged origins and powers to a group of men. After more than an hour, the men bought several amulets for tens of thousands of dollars ? in cash. "It's not often that we have customers like that," Lek said. Asked how one might spot a criminal shopping for magical protection, one collector, who identified himself only as Kometh, said, "They don't bargain and tend to believe everything a seller says." Serious collectors generally know the price range for each type of amulet and will bargain, he said. "But you know what? From my experience, a good talisman will not stay with a bad guy for long. Something will happen in a way that the owner will lose it or it just doesn't work on him," Kometh said. Amulets also have a practical use for criminals beyond protection. When traded on the underground market, experts say, they can be used to launder money from illicit activities. __________________ Spanking, Medical Fetish, Sleeping, Strap-on Anal Lesbians, Girls Fucking Guys, Handjob site REAL HOT, Shemales, Anal and Ass Licking sites 100% Real EXCLUSIVE with amazing retention, ccbill payouts, lots of content FREE FTP HOSTING Promote the largest and oldest member paid escort site, Converts 10 times better then any dating site, CCBill payouts ICQ# 158802076

02-28-2003, 10:38 AM	#3
Wizzo 2011 GFY Hall of Fame! Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Back in Texas! Posts: 15,224	How do you think I keep the feds from kicking in my door? __________________ Looking for Opportunity!

02-28-2003, 11:35 AM	#4
UnseenWorld Confirmed User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Portland, OR, USA Posts: 5,279	Well, shoot, we live in a culture where some people apparently believe that GOD cares about who wins the Super Bowl! __________________ SIG TOO BIG! Maximum 120x60 button and no more than 3 text lines of DEFAULT SIZE and COLOR. Unless your sig is for a GFY top banner sponsor, then you may use a 624x80 instead of a 120x60.

02-28-2003, 10:30 AM	#2
Baal Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: SoCal Posts: 696	I sense a "mainstream" niche here... wonder if those drug dealers have legit credit cards?