nong2

It does not matter whether they raise fares or not. Many Taxi driver will continue to demand fixed fare higher than meter prices.

Greedy scammers.

This is utterly nonsense. Reading this comment makes me wander if the writer has ever been in a Bangkokian taxi.

Living in Bangkok for 15 years and making use of taxi's about 5 times a week, I can honestly say that 99% of the taxi drivers are ok. I'm fluent in Thai so maybe that helps. Most of them come from Issaan (Roi Et!!) and are honest, decent people. I only get in when they agree to turn on the meter. But most of the time this goes without saying. In 15 years this is only the second time the price increases (correct me if I'm wrong). Price/quality ratio is imo still a bargain.

Is this the guy we are talking about?

http://bangkokdave.blog.com/2012/08/07/chalerm-son-still-the-untouchables/

Does anyone knows where we can have our tap water tested in BKK?

Yes, it's next to the Ministry of Silly Walks.

Does anyone knows where we can have our tap water tested in BKK?

Yes, it's next to the Ministry of Silly Walks.

Haha.

'Bangkok' giving a fig about the ecosystem. Wake me when I've finished dreaming.

'Bangkok' is not a person. The Thai person who's responsible for the well-being of Lumpini-park probably does give a fig.

Krabi is by far the most beautiful Thai province. Many things to do. For example kayaking at Ao Thalane:

http://transislandtravel.com/index.php/krabi/krabi-excursions/ao-thalane-koh-hong-kayaking

Or a trip from Ao Talane with a boat to the many limestone islands close by. Just ask around for more info. Enjoy your stay in Krabi!!!

Maybe there's a possibility somewhere in between for the OP: get a condo in CM or BKK and built a house in RE. If the going gets tough in RE, go to the big city for a while and vice versa. Maybe the answer lies not in or/or but in and/and.

The argument that sin sod is part of a Thai tradition and therefore the man should pay the woman sin sod is false. Would be a valid argument if/when the marriage involves two Thai persons.

Sin sod is unknown in western countries and is no part of its tradition/culture. Therefore the farang man should not pay sin sod. Let's turn it around: if/when a Thai man marries a western woman do you seriously think he would pay sin sod? His argument for not giving sin sod would probably be: she is not Thai and because sin sod is not part of her tradition/culture, I don't have to pay sin sod.

But being practical in order not to let the woman and her family lose face, a symbolic sin sod seems to be the smartest thing to do. Of course under the stringent condition that the money/gold immediately must be returned after the ceremony. To be sure about this I wouldn't let the the money/gold out of sight for one moment .