An internationally famed gay sauna in Bangkok is the focus of a series of letters to the editors of local papers following a raid on its premises ordered by Deputy Interior Minister Pracha Maleenond on December 27.
The overriding question is: 'Why?' Why should young and elderly men be forced to take urine tests on the spot and be photographed, half-naked and distressed, for publication the next day? The apparent reason is the moral crusade of Mr Pracha, who is gaining quite a profile.
But a groundswell of discontent is emerging, and casual conversations are about the outrageous infringement of rights and dignity involved.
After forcing the 207 patrons at Babylon to provide a urine sample, 20 were suspected of having taken drugs. Reaction was swift.
'These types of raids for the 'new social order' movement are killing gay tourism,' said one letter writer.
Another wrote: 'As a 35-year devotee of gay saunas worldwide, I rate the Babylon Bangkok as the most professionally run establishment, bar none . . . I have never found that drugs or prostitution are issues. It's simply a glamorous and private place for like-minded souls to chill out.'