Interview with Keith Summers (aka John Galt)

John: Hi Keith, so what made you first come to Thailand, and what is it about the country that made you decide to make it your home?

Keith: Well, I visited for the first time in June of 2001. I clearly saw the abundance of Thailand's natural resources (females) and the added advantage of low operating costs, and what can I say; I was hooked. I have been trying my hand at operating a business off and on for a number of years unsuccessfully in the US and I saw an opportunity to restart my dream of running my own successful business. I think given the technological advances of the Internet, and the improvements in global shipping; a business now can be located nearly anywhere where operating costs are low and be successful. I joke with people sometimes and I tell them that "I came to Asia to get my job back". But, I don't think I would have come here had I not seen the openness of the society towards foreigners and I don't think that I would have come here had I not seen the reaction of the girls.
How can anyone (male) not be attracted to what feels like a virtual fountain of youth built in to the Thai culture?

John: Is there anything you ever miss about the US?

Keith: Sure, my family and sometimes a really good pizza. Don't get me wrong I like the US, but my plans for retirement and success don't really allow me to live there in a mode of happiness that I have grown to appreciate here in Thailand.

John: Because you're originally from San Diego, right? One of America's nicest cities. How does Bangkok compare to San Diego?

Keith: I was only in San Diego a couple of years. I moved there to bolster my career and try to move myself further financially. San Diego, like a lot of other cities, is expensive. It's a beautiful city. What do you want me to tell you about Bangkok and most people don't already know? Ha! Bangkok has its strengths. They are typically quite different than San Diego... I don't live in Bangkok and I have mostly seen the tourist areas so I'm not a very good authority on that city. The main obvious difference is that San Diego is cleaner and their roadways are better. San Diego is a higher standard of living, but that wouldn't be hard to guess, would it?
I live in a small town up in the northeast. It's a Mayberry from the old Andy Griffith show. The whole place seems to function a lot like an extended family. I love the people here. When I walk to the store I see the children playing on the sidewalk and sometimes I stop and talk with them. They seem to jump up get all excited about seeing a farang and 3 or 4 of them gather at the steps at the video store. I squat down and talk to them in Thai and little in English. Sometimes I come back form the nearby 7/11 store and I give them each a small chocolate milk. I may give something to them, but they also give something back to me too. One little girl there is about 3 years old now and I literally have watched her grow from newborn to walking talking kid. I've never seen that before and it's wonderful and she knows who I am too.
In the US, we have pretty much hidden the children away for their own protection. Here in Thailand, it's still more like the 1950's and the society is more open. It's hard to really quantify the value of that kind of openness.

John: So, tell me a little bit about your turn signals business?

Keith: Selling motorcycle turn signals was a fluke. I originally planned to come here and develop computer software. My business model was to work directly for clients in the US. I did have 2 clients, but when work goes slack with a just a few clients you can find yourself in a bind, so the software didn't work out too well. I also had a lot of competition from developers in India and Vietnam, etc. They are working for very low wages and I didn't want to compete with that.
A friend turned me on to the idea of selling motorcycle turn signals. I gave it a shot and it's been working out fairly well. I am basically taking money away from the Chinese. They are loosing business to me. I focus on a more vertical market. Instead of selling to a wholesaler in larger quantities, I sell retail in smaller quantities. Why sell for the low price when you can sell for a high price? (and other people on the Internet have called my product cheap?). You have to produce the highest amount of quality possible for the dollar. People will buy that. So, I give people what they want and instead of having only 2 clients in the software business, I have had about 8,000 customers in the turn signal business.

John: How easy did you find it getting the business off the ground?

Keith: The software business was hard to get going; the turn signal business was a bit easier. But easy and hard are subjective to one's perception of work. If you are using a hammer to drive a nail, the least amount of work is hitting the nail hard and straight with one strike. If you try to drive a nail with multiples hits of smaller efforts, you expend more energy. So, whatever you do, you need to hit it hard like driving a nail if you want to achieve the best results with the least efforts. Getting a business off the ground is much like this.

John: I know many farangs find it difficult dealing with Thais in business matters. What's your experience of that?

Keith: I have not had that much trouble actually. But I have to tell you I'm tough on the Thais. I tell them exactly what I want and I expect them to perform. I hold them to my expectations and when things fall short I let them know I'm unhappy. However, there are two sides to that coin. You also have to be very complimentary when things come out right -- and I'm talking about making honest comments about real quality.
I'm also very careful to always follow through with my side of the agreement. I rarely fall short. When I say that I'm going to pay X amount on X date, I make very best effort to ensure this happens. Thai businesses respect you when money is on time because plenty of their clients don't offer that.
Having said that you can and perhaps will have bad experiences; but if you communicate to them that you're expecting performance and that doesn't scare them off then you have a business that respects you and will normally perform well for you.

John: Okay, tell us about TheManTour. That sounds like a lot of fun, if you've got the energy for that sort of thing.

Keith: TheManTour? They are probably the only non-PC (politically correct) "Fun" tour business on the Internet (remember that in one of my articles I state that we can't use the word "Sex" anymore in Thailand).TheManTour is run by a guy named Joe Grant and the ManTour is not bashful about saying they are in the "Fun" tour business. I would probably tone down the verbiage if I were in his shoes for the sake of being more PC, but I give him credit, he doesn't sugar coat what he does. He's a stand up guy.
We just lost James Brown "the hardest working man in show business". I would say that Joe of TheManTour is the hardest working man in the "Fun" tour business. As you may have surmised by now, I set expectations high when it comes to business and when I buy, I expect performance. This was no different when I hired the services of the TheManTour. They are a great
way to see Thailand and partake in Thailand's natural resources with safety and comfort. I don't think it takes much energy at all. In fact coming on that tour was actually quite easy and I highly recommend it.
Who is coming to Thailand with not enough energy for this sort of thing? In fact, coming here and discovering Thailand's cultural resource breeds new energy doesn't it? It does for me.

John: Maybe I'm missing something, but why would anybody need a guide to show them where to get laid in Thailand?

Keith: When you go out in the west to mix and mingle, do you go out alone? Or, when you plan that trip to local Bennigan's (American pub type franchise) do you invite the boys from work and other friends? Sure you do. Going out on the hunt is somewhat a group sport. Why come to Thailand alone with you can come with a group who are all in the same mind set?
Also, Thailand can catch you off guard if you are not prepared to handle the unexpected. What are you going to do if the hotel you book decides to give your rooms away to another guest? It happens here. What will you do if a girl gets out of line with you? Does the average tourist really know how to book experiences to the Royal Palace, Tiger Zoo, and rent a boat out to Ko Larn Island? There are some Thai entities here that will try to take advantage of you. I don't recommend coming here by yourself the first time and I don't recommend being here alone without a local good friend to call on if you take ill for some reason. There are just too many little issues that can jump up and bite you. Why risk that in a foreign country when you can spend a few more dollars and avoid problems and share the camaraderie of other x-pats who share the knowledge of their experiences with you?

John: And where would you say the best looking ladies are in Thailand? I'm a sucker for Buriram ladies myself.

Keith: Gosh, is there one culture that is more beautiful than another? When I was in Florida I had a deep relationship with a French Cajun Brunette and then I transferred my interests over to Cuban Latin American girls. I feel that now I prefer the Asian females and Thais do it for me just fine. I tend to shy away from battle hardened tattooed go-go girls and I favor then softer spoken "under-exposed" country girls. I'm sure the upscale Bangkok girls would be equally interesting. I have also heard some very enticing comments about girls in the Philippines but I have yet to take a trip there to find out.
Aren't they all beautiful, Burmese and otherwise?

John: Let's move onto your website,Notstickmanbangkok. Having read your articles it would seem you really have a beef with the original Bangkok commentator, Stickman. Also, how would you sum up the purpose of the website?

Keith: I have several purposes. The first was to "shot back" and Stickman's lame accounting of a news story. Stickman now admits that story could have been a complete set up so that one go-go bar owner could discredit another. Stickman took information from third party who witnessed the attack of a club owner inside his own club at Club Boesche.The only problem is that Stickman's witness is likely connected to another club owner who is unscrupulous enough to manufacture that attack by sending these 3 guys over to CB to start a fight. Stickman with his source (who just happened to be on the scene?) was sure to repeat the story, incorrectly I might add, and Stickman blindly printed the account in his weekly column.
This is an instance where the "mob" in Pattaya probably manipulated Stickman's column. The whole incident probably took place only because it would be printed on-line. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt. By the way, it has taken a number of months to piece this all together. When I recently talked with Stickman and laid out this scenario based on the evidence that I had, he said, "it is possible".
No one at this point can be 100% sure of this hypothesis, but in my mind all the evidence points to this conclusion. Publishers with power like Stickman need to exercise some judgment and scrutinize when they are told before they print it. Just like normal journalists, they have to make efforts to get the other side of the story and Stickman with his limited resources just was not doing this. He now admits the massive group efforts.
Near the end of the weekly column, he was barely doing any of the work. That's a sham, and I called him out on it.
Another one of my purposes is to be known well enough to bring talented people here to Thailand and perhaps be involved with my work in some capacity. Another is to have investors be involved with my business. Some of these goals are being realized at this time.
And I won't deny that I enjoy hearing from people and having some fun with the writing. The world is filled with really interesting people and I plan to met some of them in the future. We are all different. Most of us are pretty decent people and I do enjoy making new acquaintances when I have the time. I have been accused of being egotistical and maniacal and a whole list of
other things. You can believe what you like. I have no hidden agenda, I don't exploit readers, and I like to write about topics that may be helpful to others.
By the way, I believe the "original Bangkok commentator" was Bernard Trink?

John: The infamous 'Banana Girl' article stirred up a lot of controversy. Looking back, how do you feel about that now?

Keith: I must say that I was bit surprised that I made Stickman "flinch" with that article. Up to that time I had been coming on strong for a number of weeks writing critical articles about Stickman and I never heard a peep from him. I just assumed he didn't care. Or I assumed he was ready for the worst of it.The Banana Girl article was a joke about an article that he wrote. He said that sexual harassment at his workplace was not a problem and nothing would be said if a girl were to peal down a banana, giggle, and say "It's big isn't it?" How could I not follow up on that with a joke? I placed 4 pictures of girls that he worked with in my column and super-imposed pealed bananas on their pictures. And I posed the question, "Who is the banana girl?" And of course I made a few snide remarks and picked out the girls who I thought had my greatest "banana attention".
I also placed a picture of his boss in there with a comment about the story that Stickman had ran about her cheating on a school's evaluation. And I also put 4 initials of his school in that column.
He knew at that point that I had his identity. He ran like whipped dog and pulled his site down. I laughingly say he "did a web runner". I didn't expect it really especially since I had not identified him nor his school directly (of course that issue is subject to debate).
The next day (or very soon thereafter) he was releasing my name to a friend's web site my personal information started circulating. The following Thursday I asked my readers if I should post his identity, and the vote was 60% in favor. 14 days after the "Banana Girl" article I published his full name and school information on my site.
Looking back, knowing what I know today would I still have written the article? Sure, why not? The controversy was going to come sooner or later.
By the way, I have pulled those pictures down just because I felt that I didn't need to push that joke any further. I achieved a reaction in Stickman and that was my goal. If I felt it was important, I could just as well put the pictures back up, and I might someday, but I would have to publish Stickman's original article too for relevance. If this article really sticks out as a defining moment that I just might completely restore it for the sake of the historical relevance.

John: Many suspected that Stickman would lose everything and would have to flee Thailand. Did you ever feel any guilt over the position you put him in?

Keith: Stickman didn't feel guilty about the posting a story about physical attack at Club Boesche did he? Stickman didn't have any problems talking about the worker and his boss at the office did he? Stickman didn't feel guilty about giving my personal information to MangoSauce.com did he? When you step out and publish information for "fun and profit" you need to be ready to handle the risks.
Or was Stick was just reporting news? If that is true, then so am I. If Paul put himself in a bad place it's not my fault. He is a public figure and the secrecy of his identity was just begging to be reported on.
Stickman is resilient. I had a good feeling that he would probably make it through in some capacity. I wrote this on my site. My guess is that his employers still don't even know about the web site work. I probably won't be the one to blow his cover. Someday a much bigger organization like the Bangkok Post or local TV news media is really going to blow it. It's inevitable. They are going to show up with cameras at his school and they are going to ask seriously embarrassing questions. The major issue will be running a large illegal operation for profit under the noses of ignorant school administrators. It's sad that Stickman doesn't respect these people enough to protect them from this type of career damage. All he has to do is go legal and register the business and declare taxes, have his work permit adjusted, etc. Others have done it, but Stickman is just too smart for that. I think he thrives on risk and the income feels like a "drug fix" for him. His position is his choice. I didn't choose that position for him.
Do I feel responsible for shining the spot light on his position? Sure, I accept the responsibility for my actions. I have no problem with that. Does Stickman accept the responsibility for the light he casts on others?
The answer to that question is subject to debate.

John: Mangosauce said this about you: 'Keith Summers motives may never be fully understood but the comparisons with Mark Chapman are actually quite compelling.' How did that make you feel, being likened to the murderer of John Lennon?

Keith: MangoSquash is not even serious commentary. It's the work of a guy who wants to light fires just to see how the woods burn (as a younger man he would have been identified as a problem child). I wouldn't even dignify his work with any honorable mention here. His sole effort is to raise money on complete fabrication that is hinging on the smallest of truths. The guy has a brain, but he's out to lunch. He tempts fate in ways far beyond my doings by writing articles that are constantly degrading the Thai people. That is just disrespectful. I don't care what he says about me. I stopped listening to people talk about me a number of years ago. But, don't talk down about the Thais when their opportunities have been less than ours. We are from the west and we have some of the best educational facilities in the world. We westerners have enjoyed more freedoms, and technological developments, etc. You shouldn't be putting down a people struggling to achieve just because you think they are below you. In general, the people here are doing the best they can and they deserve some basic respect for
that pursuit. Of course, MangoSquashDave is an equal opportunity offender, so I'm sure he is pissed a number of people off.

John: And some of the follow up comments to that were bordering on psychotic. I personally worried for your safety after reading some of the threats. Obviously you're okay, but do you find yourself looking over your shoulder now because of what people think towards you?

Keith: I would be lying to you if I said that I didn't think about it the possibility of physical harm to my person. I do consider it, but I'm solid where I stand. I don't have a natural instinct to run. That is the by product of integrity (by the way integrity is just a strict adherence to what you believe in. It's a natural honesty with yourself and is has nothing directly to do with your specific choices, sexual or otherwise).
I naturally look over my shoulder all the time, not primarily because I'm worried about an attack, I'm because I'm more concerned about someone accidentally running me over with a car. Also, when I'm in Pattaya I watch out for pickpockets and weirdoes who might consider trying to rip off my telephone, money, etc. This is Asia. I think your posture needs to be a sober one. I like being in control of my senses. I like presenting myself as aware of my surroundings. I think people sense this awareness and are more reluctant to try to take advantage me. You have to be on your toes and that includes people walking up from behind.
Attention readers! As a piece of advice for you - Thai bad guys have a habit of striking from behind (I guess they are ashamed to face their victims). So be aware of people approaching from behind.
Just a few days ago I had a kid walk up from behind me. I he was just making a joke of how I walk fast and his intentions were harmless and he was doing this in front of a few friends who were lagging behind him, but I spun around in a defense posture on him. This is just my habit.

John: Another one of your articles 'Virgins - The holy Grail?' also came in for a lot of criticism. It can't have been nice being called a pedophile.

Keith: Pedophilia is the sexual attraction to pre-pubescent children. My article has nothing to do with that topic. The educated readers knew this right away, but of course others read what they want to see because they have a tendency to think about sexual attraction with children, I guess.
I don't know what big deal is about the concept of a virgin? I challenge you to do a survey of all farangs in Thailand who married non-bar girls and just find out how many of these non-bar girls were sexually inexperienced when they married their foreign husbands. I think the results will surprise you. My prediction is that many of these farang wives were inexperienced before their marriage. Many men want virgins. Thai men are no different. The Thai culture supports this transaction, virgins for Sin Sot. If virtue is lacking, Sin Sot is significantly reduced. We have all read the account of these transactions on the web.
The Stickman "bar stool attack crowd" are not really disturbed about the concept of a virgin. They would all indulge themselves if given the opportunity. They cowardly choose a topic that could be spun in a non-politically correct way. In reality they were probably thinking that it was a pretty cool article. Is there anyone else who has the balls to write on the subject?
By the way I am told by a very reliable source that virgins are frequently available in the Philippines. Seems they have a lot of turn-over in the red light districts there and new girls arrive on the scene regularly. So, the next time you are in the Philippines and you have the itch or the curiosity for a girl who may be fresh from the country, ask for a "Cherry Girl" and see what you come up with.

John; Many predicted that your site wouldn't last long. Do you see it having a particular life-span?

Keith: I have no idea what the life span will be. I take it week by week at this point and I'll continue to do it as it seems appropriate. I don't even know where it's going. My web work is just a hobby in most respects.

John: And how popular is the site?

Keith: My readership is small. I post the numbers there every week. I don't think anyone else in the Thailand Internet web does this accept for me. My numbers are completely honest.

John: Do you have any advice for ourselves?

Keith: I was going to say the same thing that I tell my readership most weeks, "Don't believe me just because I say it's true,etc"
But I think you're asking me for something a bit different. I think you're asking me about something more introspective for us farangs who are here already.
People, we have it good. In my town rarely a day goes by that I don't see a withered limb or a club foot. And yet, I know that when I was born, I was bow-legged. The doctors placed me in a partial body cast from the waist down for six months as a toddler and I've had perfectly straight legs ever since. Most kids born here don't have that opportunity. I see girls here with crossed eyes everyday. It's particularly hurtful to see a young child with that condition. My sister had a problem with a crossed eye and the optometrist helped correct that when she was 10 years old. Most kids here don't get that chance either.
Can you personally imagine how your life would be different if you had to bear out the effects of a physical deficiency?
Also, In the past several months I know of two families who lost members due to early deaths. One of my younger male employees (age 23) lost his mother to illness, and two sisters in town (the younger one very hot, age 22), lost their father to cancer. Both of these parents were in their early 50's.
So my advice is to and be thankful for your good fortune and try to take extra time to understand the Thais. Even if you don't agree with what they do, try to understand their actions from their perspective. Don't let circumstances drive you to anger too quickly.
Criticize the system if you like, I do that nearly everyday, but I think the people are doing fairly well based on their natural development in this culture.

John: And what would you say to anybody else thinking of starting a business in Thailand?

Keith: Any serious individual with a mind to start a business here can be successful if they fall into the right business profile. I understand and recommend any small business idea that produces and exports a product that is light weight and can be marketed over the internet to the end user. I'm sure there are other formulas that will work. But, this is the formula that works for me.
I tried to run a business several times in the US and failed. Here, I've had more success than ever before. Still, you have to know how to hit the nail with the hammer. And you can't be lazy. You have to be committed to success and do what is required to motivate yourself to carry that commitment through to its logical conclusion.
I think running a business here helps to achieve a really good balance in your life. If you only chased skirt everyday, you would find over time that all there would not be enough flesh available to slack your lust. I think real happiness requires a challenge with a reward. Fortunately, the reward here in Thailand is very sweet.

John: Thanks for your time, Keith. It's been a pleasure talking to you.

Keith: Not a problem, you're welcome. Nice chatting with you.