Mr. Condom Does Soi Cowboy
[QUOTE=RedKilt;3022616]Dr Mechai Viravaidya, aka "Mr. Condom," is still alive and continues to be very active in community development and public health initiatives.[/QUOTE]I remember "back in the day" when Soi Cowboy still had food carts parked along the sides of the soi; motorcycles and even an occasional car would travel down the lane; on a few occasions, one might see an elephant steered down the soi by a mahout. Often Mr. Condom would visit the soi with his volunteers who passed out condoms to the girls and mongers.
One night the group took over 1/2 of soi cowboy with game booths and tables packed information about hiv / aids. Later, I was siting inside the Darling Bar (later Rawhide) when Dr. Condon a couple of his assistants, and a TV news crew came through the door. OMG. The girls on stage couldn't evacuate fast enough. It was as though Atilla and his merry makers had just busted through the entrance. The girls sitting with customers were apparently afraid to move, satisfied in just turning their faces away from the camera.
After handing out condoms, the good doctor and his crew departed. It seemed that the message had fallen on a deaf ears. Most of the girls unpacked the devices, blew air into them so as to replicate balloons and then knocked them about the bar with jovial celebrations. I believe he probably did save a life or two that night.
Sam.