Dry-day voting

A foreigner friend went for a drink, but was dismayed to find that at his local, staff had stopped serving. It was the night before the Bangkok governor's election, so alcohol sales were forbidden.

He called me in a state. 'I wanted to watch the football, but I can't get in the mood if there's no drink!' farang C complained.

An hour later, he returned to his condo, which has its own mini-mart. Staff at the condo know him well, and tease farang C about his drinking habits.

'Heineken - or whisky?' they ask.

This gets on his nerves. Farang C knows the Thais are just having fun, but he thinks what he drinks should be a private affair.

An hour later, I received a text message. 'I am at the mini-mart - all is forgiven.'

Staff decided to flout the law, and sell him alcohol anyway, as he is a regular.

This morning I discovered that I, too, had failed to prepare for the governor's election. My own alcohol supplies had run out.

I visited a shophouse next the railway line, where I normally buy my Sang Som (Thai rum).

The owner, a woman in her 50s, lives there with her daughter and three children. I call her aunty, as do all her customers.

She had half-opened her slide door to let in the morning sun, but was probably not yet open for business.

I held up one finger and mouthed the word for alcohol. Aunty knew what I meant.

She disappeared behind a concealed part of the shop for 10 minutes.

Why so long? I wondered.

When she returned, Aunty presented me with a squarish parcel in a plastic bag.

She had wrapped my bottle of whisky in pink wrapping paper, to disguise it from curious passers-by, or - fearsome word - 'authorities' who might be on the lookout for people buying alcohol on the sly.

'I am not allowed to sell alcohol today, as it's the election. However, as I know you, it's okay,' she said.

'This parcel looks so pretty it is almost too good to open,' I replied, thanking her. It is sold in a box. She had wrapped it in paper, then put another layer on top of that. Then she put it in a bag.

Across the canal is a local body office. They have set up a large tarpaulin for people to cast their votes in today's election.

I do not know if Aunty or her family intend to cast votes, or if observing (cough, cough) the alcohol ban is the extent of their involvement in the affair.

As I write, boyfriend Maiyuu is sleeping, and shows no interest in exercising his democratic rights. As a foreigner, I get no right to vote. So, count us out then.

The ban on alcohol sales is lifted when poll booths close tonight.