Dear Posh, you've only heard half the story.
The other half was that the elderly farang was advised to install a large potato in his speedos - to create an attractive bulge and was assured that, if he did so, the boys would all excitedly run towards him and he would be the centre of attention.
Alas it had the reverse effect - and far from the boys all rushing towards him, they all waved their hands in the air ran off screaming in the opposite direction.
Apparently he hadn't realised the potato was meant to go the front