mikebike

...and another guest, paying exactly the same rate, for exactly the same advertised amenities, not being allowed to use those amenities to the same level, even wastefully, if they so desire?

But in your example, you're not in the room. You've gone out and left the AC on, because you can't face a few minutes of a warm room when you return.

IMHO, that's plain selfish and an avoidable contribution to global energy waste.

Given a choice, (not practical I admit), would I rent a room to someone who insists on leaving the AC on when they go out for the day? No I would not.

We're talking about leaving the AC on - not leaving a 'live' electrical socket to allow notebook/phone-charging

I know... wasteful, global energy, the room will cool in 15 minutes... all true and valid... yet my question to you as an owner is; having paid my fee, same as the guy in the next room who's too hung-over to go out today, should I not feel it is my right to use the same resources as him, in any way that makes my heart content?

It IS very US-centric is viewpoint and humour. Mrs Browns Boys doesn't tickle everyone either!!! Lol!!

Society has pretty clearly demarked the definition of success

In your 'society' does the success of a orphaned, developing-world child reaching maturity safely and in good health, then going on to live a healthy and personally rewarding life equal the success of privileged child graduating from schools then going on to lead a life of monetary and material growth?

Are you trying to tell me that the majority of **** ups in this part of the world are Western orphans escaping care homes? I think you might want to recalibrate the advantages of growing up in the West and compare them to the disadvantages of growing up for most people in the 3rd World. Nearly every expat has had the benefit of a free education, free/subsidized healthcare, a decent diet, etc. the fact that they took all these advantages and turned them to living in a shack eating rubbish and drinking 20 lagers a day is not something to be proud of.

You said 'society' which I responded to. If you meant 'expat society' or 'western society' you should have said so... My point was that success is entirely subjective.

Possum: I was referring to your post. I may have mistakenly thought you were agreeing with neer's very clear (really, he left no room for interpretation) statement that 'riding a bike on country roads at any speed is suicide', which is patently ridiculous.

Society has pretty clearly demarked the definition of success

In your 'society' does the success of a orphaned, developing-world child reaching maturity safely and in good health, then going on to live a healthy and personally rewarding life equal the success of privileged child graduating from schools then going on to lead a life of monetary and material growth?

What's the speed limit?

Anything over that is dangerous.

I would never ride a bike on country roads at any speed - suicide.

Drama queen... it might be 'suicide' in your mind yet others do it daily like brushing teeth.

One reason why motorbike fatalities are so high in Thailand.

So it your opinion also that a motorcycle should NEVER be ridden on a country roads AT ANY SPEED? Unbelievable as these are the roads of choice for most riders... Are you seriously suggesting highways and urban roads are safer? That anyone riding on a country road has a death wish, rather than just choosing it to enjoy its scenery and laid-back nature? Motorbike fatalities are high in Thailand because 90+ percent of the population use them daily and 90 percent of those do not use even minimal safety gear...

So by making sure you can't run it when your not in the room you will bring down the average and need for higher price.

Simple economics

(provided the profit margin stays the same )

Look, I get the wasteful, environmentally unfriendly nature of this, and its affecting costs, but...

Is it fair/equitable for one guest to stay in the room (for whatever reason: business, sickness, weather, just felt like vegging...) and consume aircon 24/7 and another guest, paying exactly the same rate, for exactly the same advertised amenities, not being allowed to use those amenities to the same level, even wastefully, if they so desire?

I contend that it is up to the proprietor to clearly define exactly what is maximum usage and to apply this equally to ALL customers. What about temperature? Who uses more energy, the aircon at night only set at 16C or 24 hours at 28C to keep the humidity out? Owners costing MUST include the entire spectrum of guests from the very light users to the over-users.

Only one answer. A speed at which you can safely stop.

I'd say there is no safe speed then, as the unexpected can happen at any speed... I've seen infinitely more crashes at low speeds rather than high...

It is annoying that so many here fixated on the word failed as this is an interesting topic. I found the comments on the link more interesting than most of the comments here.

I'm as pedantic as the next guy but the article adds up to little more than 'I didn't like it - reality did not live up to my abilities or expectations'. Seems simple, end-of-story to me... where is the deep question or meaning to be found in this migratory minutia?

For all those that are saying you paid for it so you can run it.. if everyone ran it 24/7 we would all pay a lot more. This is a way to keep costs down and a good one. I am ok if there are still live plugs. I usually take a socket extender with me and leach of the fridge (should always be on)

But that's the thing, we are not all 'average' users, but collectively we add up to 'average use'. The customer who hates aircon and leaves it off, balances the over-user. It is up to the proprietor to determine mean usage at their establishment and price accordingly.

I agree if you are actually in the room, or if you're paying top $ for a hotel room. But 'budget' hotels operate on that budget, which is why it is standard practice to switch off the air-con when not in the room.[/font][/color]

Besides the costs, what about wasted energy? Why not be more responsible and minimise use of the air-con?

In general I do agree Simon... but to continue as devil's advocate... I know peeps here who run air cons at home 24/7, full blast, with windows wide open in every room - they like air con AND fresh air at the same time, and can afford it. They rarely stay at budget places anyway but... If they did book into your establishment advertising air con why would they not expect to use it as they do at home? Unless you, as the vendor, state specifically that only X hours of air con is included at the room rate and that extra air con time will receive a surcharge it is their amenity to use/abuse as they wish. Notably, and thankfully, I believe these types are at the end of the bell curve and most peeps are conscious and respectful of proper energy usage.

Ride Alone.

I'm sorry you don't have any riding buddies you can trust, but this is a stupid statement. I would agree with, 'don't ride with others who don't follow the rules of group riding and put others at risk'...

Have purchased rather extensively from Lazada with 100 percent satisfaction, in fact often above expectations as others have noted. No need for a maid as Kerry rings you when they are near and, again as others have mentioned, the delivery guy will meet u anywhere you wish!

Most of us have a maid available...

Really? MOST of us? How myopic we get in our own little cliques!

Depending on your settings by deleting browsing history you may be deleting the cookies needed to remember passwords.

Thailand gets boring after a while, I get bored towards the end of month long trips and can't imagine ever want to live there. Pretty sure many expats get bored after a while too.

55555 - we must have vastly different interests, you're bored in less than a month and I'm 9 years and counting and not a dull day yet!!

Membership is easy, do it in-store. The benefit of card over not is premiums.

Yep, just ask for a second card. I've never been refused.

...he got some "real" reasons with real TRUTHINESS and some of them were indeed embarrassing to admit.

When boiled-down his "interviewee's" "real reasons" add up to, "I don't like it here". None were insurmountable issues, they just lacked the will to truly become an expat. Can't cut the coat strings back to their perceived "normal" culture and society. Like a kid running away from home for the first time, or the young adult who goes away to university only to move back into the folks basement again until they're 35!!

I just decided after a 1 year's retirement extension that I preferred the first world amenities in the US. I don't care for bars, bar girls, or an excess of alcohol and Thailand is a craphole compared to "most parts" of the US.

Thailand turned into a nice place to visit about once a year for a max of 180 days but usually more like 90. Then I get on a plane and return to everything that makes a first world country comfortable, and to weather that doesn't melt me with heat and humidity.

I'm not sure what your personal experience adds to the topic...

I also don't care for bars, bar girls, or an excess of alcohol.

But, I find the US a craphole compared to most parts of Thailand.

I live in the south of Thailand yet regularly wear heavy pants and a hoody, so heat and humidity's no issue.

I cannot think of a single amenity/comfort that would improve my life at the moment.

Anyone else want to compare their opinions with NS?!!? LOL!!

The linked article in the OP is freakin' hilarious!! The author actually believes antidotal evidence from his circle of friends and 25 year old stats constitute "research"!! 55555

Judging by the author's "real reasons" for expats returning home the peeps he's talking to aren't "failed expats" they are idiots who had no concept of what they were getting into in the first place - maybe they thought they were in a "retirement" commercial... Freedom 55 and all that <deleted>! If you have to return home for the reasons he states, you are not an expat, you are a long-term tourist.

Better than I expected... Better than This is the End...

U could consider sending downloaded manual(s) to a printer - sized and bound to fit in glovebox... probably way cheaper and easier than ordering/waiting for dealer.