I remember being at Dongtan beach long ago, when Covid wasn't even a glimmer in a Chinese bat's eye, and overhearing a conversation between two farangs seated in the row in front of me. They were talking about owning gay bars and the risks involved. Finally one of them indicated the sea with a vague sweep of his arm and said something like, 'I'd rather throw my money out there, at least there's a chance that the tide might send some of it back to me.'