Well unlike most of the responders on this thread I kind of agree with the OP.
I have a valid work permit to deliver training to the O&G industry but recently have been undercut by another company that flies trainers into Thailand from Malaysia!
These trainers do not have work permits.
I was in a bar on Soi 4 opposite Hooters to meet a lady friend and was sitting at a table facing the street, at the table next to me was a farang gentleman with several girls around him (up to five girls at times including the cleaner), he was obviously a regular and I found out later that he had just returned to Thailand after visiting his home country.
He left the bar with company (1 lady) after I had been there 2 hours.
I asked my lady friend what his bar bill was and was shocked to hear it was over 30k THB!!
Lady drinks at this bar are 190 THB and I was sitting with 3 ladies, my bar bill after 3 hours was 2,600.
Point being, lady drinks can add up quickly if you are entertaining multiple ladies!
Lived 3 years in Sathorn 96-98, Returned to Thailand in 07 and lived here since. Was in On Nut for a year than moved to Bangna, love it out here! rent 10k nice apartment with great pool and grounds, heaps of food places and a market next door 3 nights a week. 5 711's, 3 japanese restaurants, 1, 24 hour bar and several normal bars within 800 M