It's not you, it's just me.

When entering Singapore on 17th April 2008, I was investigated by two Singaporean policemen. And when leaving the airport in Bangkok on 19th April 2008, I was stopped by Thai authorities.

"Please follow me," ordered by a Thai man accompanied by two Thai women at the airport.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Not much," he smiled, "What are inside the boxes you're carrying?"

"Hmm...MP3 recorders I've bought from Singapore," I replied shakily.

"We're afraid you have to open the boxes for us to see," he commanded.

I dutifully followed his order. After examination what were inside the boxes and asking several questions about my identity, he said, "I'm afraid you may have to pay taxes for those items you've bought."

"But I have already paid tax in Singapore and I've bought these items for my community radio; I'm not making money from these," I explained to him, trying to sound and look innocent as possible (you know how good I am at faking or manipulating it). " Please! I really do this for my community and I don't have much money left to go home," I begged him for 'sympathy' and 'mercy'.

"Ok, you know what? This time I will let you go. But next time, if I see you again with the bought items, you have to pay taxes, " he said, " You know why I'm letting you go this time?"

I didn't offer the answer to his question but chose to smile at him instead. Then he answered his own question:

"First, you don't know about it (that when you buy goods, you have to pay tax!); second, you do this (purchasing of equipment) for your community, and; third, because I am kind, " he concluded.

I said 'thanks' to him few times and promised to him that this would not happen again in the future. He said 'welcome' and walked away.