A man has told how a pair of shoes he saw for sale in a Bangkok shop window immediately grabbed his attention, but at the very same time, pricked his conscience when he thought about the material from which they had been made.
Moys Kenwood, 50, was in the MBK Shopping Center in central Bangkok when he noticed the lightest-gray-colored ostrich-skin shoes at a bargain price of 2,800 Baht (US$70). The shoes were almost white, but not quite.
He entered the shop and asked the proprietor if he had the shoes in a size 8. He was told that they had one pair left, and they were, indeed, a size 8. Would he like them wrapping?
Kenwood hesitated. They were beautiful shoes, in his size, and a sublime powdered-ostrich shade - even lighter than cement dust! - but he thought about the giant bird that had been put to death so that he might wear its skin on his feet. The proprietor observed his indecision, and said:
"OK, 2,700 Baht! You want?"
The deal was struck.
The shoes were paid for, and Kenwood left the establishment, leaving his concerns about how they had been made, with the proprietor.
