‘We’re family:’ meet Thailand’s ‘Chicano’ communityMexican-American Chicano subculture has made its way to Asia, with people adopting the sounds, styles and swagger that originated in the USBy Pitcha Dangprasith / AFP, BANGKOKThe crowd roars in the tightly packed room as the broad-shouldered, tattooed men stop pummeling a young recruit and smother him with hugs — completing his initiation into one of Thailand’s “Chicano” gangs. Dressed in baggy T-shirts and jeans, with bandanas and wraparound sunglasses only partially obscuring their intricate tattoos, Thais can now be seen on Bangkok’s sweaty streets celebrating a fusion of their own and Chicano culture each weekend. “I just want to combine a Thai touch with the Chicano style to make this lifestyle simple and accessible,” explained gang leader Chalakorn “Leng” Arttanasiri, dismounting from his Harley Davidson. We’re in Thailand.”‘LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS’“We’re law-abiding citizens who just love the Chicano subculture,” said Pongtep Singto, a lowrider car aficionado. Ultimately, the gang is about celebrating Chicano subculture together.

Source: Taipei Times March 18, 2022 22:12 UTC