Who's watching The Serpent on Netflix, about the notorious serial killer in this area in the '70's, Charles Sobhraj?
I think a number of you were on the "hippie trail" around that time - what are your memories of hearing about him at the time?
It's interesting to see the different types of expats back then in Asia, and how a lot of comparisons can be made. Some of the uptight diplomats more interested in gold and pool parties than what is going on, the hippies (now "backpakers"), the comfortable old schoolers (1.0's) compared to the naïve do gooders eating their vegan meals (2.0's).
Anyways, good little miniseries made by the BBC.
The Serpent
- Miguelito
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The Serpent
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Pleasant enough to watch, despite the constant change of timeline which could be confusing. The Dutch diplomat's obsession was as interesting as the main character
I can strongly recommend the book which is better and more comprehensive. I read it a as a teenager and never forgot about it, it was absolutely chilling.
https://www.amazon.nl/Neville-Trail-Ser ... 1529112435
I can strongly recommend the book which is better and more comprehensive. I read it a as a teenager and never forgot about it, it was absolutely chilling.
https://www.amazon.nl/Neville-Trail-Ser ... 1529112435
- Phuket2006
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watched it a few months ago.
Know people that had met him in Nepal and in Tihar jail in Delhi. ( my ex partner was locked up with him there.)
Loved the shots of the Old bangkok
Know people that had met him in Nepal and in Tihar jail in Delhi. ( my ex partner was locked up with him there.)
Loved the shots of the Old bangkok
"We are turning into a nation of whimpering slaves to Fear—fear of war, fear of poverty, fear of random terrorism, or suddenly getting locked up in a military detention camp on vague charges of being a Terrorist sympathizer." HST
- Lucky Lucan
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I watched it a few months back when it was on BBC. Excellent series if a bit confusing with the time jumps. I read a book about him when I was in India way back and it was well creepy. I followed his antics after he was released too and was charging $10,000 for an interview in Paris. Amazing that he returned to Nepal.
Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
What did they say about him? I kinda assume he was a good con man so perhaps came off as an ok guy. Sadly these types often do.Phuket2006 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 19, 2021 4:07 pmwatched it a few months ago.
Know people that had met him in Nepal and in Tihar jail in Delhi. ( my ex partner was locked up with him there.)
Loved the shots of the Old bangkok
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ex partner spent a few months with him as there is a barang section in TiharGuest wrote: ↑Mon Apr 19, 2021 5:50 pmWhat did they say about him? I kinda assume he was a good con man so perhaps came off as an ok guy. Sadly these types often do.Phuket2006 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 19, 2021 4:07 pmwatched it a few months ago.
Know people that had met him in Nepal and in Tihar jail in Delhi. ( my ex partner was locked up with him there.)
Loved the shots of the Old bangkok
in a word; charismatic
"We are turning into a nation of whimpering slaves to Fear—fear of war, fear of poverty, fear of random terrorism, or suddenly getting locked up in a military detention camp on vague charges of being a Terrorist sympathizer." HST
- Lucky Lucan
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He's amazingly manipulative. I heard he became a very important figure in Tihar (one reason he was able to throw a big release party and drug the guards and escape, and avoid being extradited to Thailand) and is probably doing very well in Central Jail in Kathmandu these days.
Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
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And it turns out a friend here was friends with the journalist who caught him for his final arrest in Nepal, and a poster here is friends with Rémi, that helped take him down the first time (still in Thailand).
In a convo now: “Watching it is strangely relatable to now... minus the serial killer aspect.”
In a convo now: “Watching it is strangely relatable to now... minus the serial killer aspect.”
- Lucky Lucan
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One amazing incident that stands out was when he was in a prison in Turkey(?), and his brother came to visit. He got his brother to exchange clothes with him (they looked similar), telling him he could alert the authorities once he had time to get away. The guards didn't believe him and his brother spent years in prison!
It seems it was easy enough to forge passports etc back then, just ripping pages out of one and sticking them in another or changing the photo. That wouldn't work too well nowadays. He's an evil bastard though, most of the people he killed were for pathetic amounts of cash/ traveler's checks.
It seems it was easy enough to forge passports etc back then, just ripping pages out of one and sticking them in another or changing the photo. That wouldn't work too well nowadays. He's an evil bastard though, most of the people he killed were for pathetic amounts of cash/ traveler's checks.
Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
That is such a dirty trick, only a brother would do that to you. OTOH, the brother must have been aware what an absolute shit his brother was and should have known better. Sounds like a great read.Lucky Lucan wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 7:39 pmOne amazing incident that stands out was when he was in a prison in Turkey(?), and his brother came to visit. He got his brother to exchange clothes with him (they looked similar), telling him he could alert the authorities once he had time to get away. The guards didn't believe him and his brother spent years in prison! ...
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