Noticeably, Arak’s lip curls, but then his eyes flick away. “You’ll be stationed here.” He gestures to an alcove. “What am I guarding them against?” I keep my voice low. “Attack of the nymphets?” “Shut your mouth and do your job.” But he looks away as he snaps the words. As I arrive, Chuan’s two ‘favourites’ sit to either side of him, as he watches a third in a gyrating dance in front of him. She seems willing enough, almost pushing her p***y at his face. But he growls a dismissal at her, then turns to ‘his’ women. Chuan jabs a finger at one, then at another, barking something... “Khuṇ læa khuṇ!” and jerking a thumb to the passage out. Their faces fall and I don’t need to understand Thai to get the gist of what was said. He snaps something more. “Yîm!” And they both paint on bright,

