Denim

A friend of mine who had not been here for a decade made a reprise visit. The porter took him to his room, opened the curtains and turned on the air. My friend pressed a ten baht coin into his hand. The guy looked at it then gave it back saying ' you need this more me ' then left the room. Tipping is very much an ingrained requirement in the USA so Americans assume it is everywhere else which it isn't. Tipping outside of tourist towns is much less common and only given for better than expected service. Do Americans tip in KFC or McDonald's? Do they tip the cashiers at Big C etc. If not why not ? They have served you with a smile, why not tip them too ? I left a tip at the steakhouse we use on our first visit . The owner ran out after us and returned the tip saying ' please don't tip ,we prefer you to be a regular customer ' But this is not in a tourist town so they don't expect it. The usual practice is just to leave the small change regardless of how much it is.

Not really necessary. Trump and his team of amateurs can easily manage this themselves without any assistance.

Forget the big stores and look for a specialist baking supplies shop. Even our small town has one and they have absolutely everything. Failing that just order on Lazada and put up with the postal fee.

Our local Dunkin Donuts recently went cashless , for ' everyones convenience ' . An employee friend of my wife says they will soon be going profitless too. Might work in big cities but in rural areas not a good idea.

Nixon understood the Russians a lot better than Trump.

When I was young I was against the death penalty. Forty years later I realize I was wrong. The shooter should pay in kind for the young life he took. No long years on death row either. Carry out the death sentance within 10 days of the crime. Time enough to bid farewell to family and friends.

If ever they do it will certainly empty out the expat community. If the intention is to get more money into Thai banks it will backfire.

Oh dear. They will be waiting for you at immigration with a pair of handcuffs on your next visit home. Go over on a rubber boat next time. Safer plus free accomodation.

Unfortunately , civil servants are sometimes prone to living beyond their means since they have a secure government job and pension , plus other perks. Because of this they are seen as a low credit risk and can borrow money easier than other people which leads them to take on more debt than they can cope with. Where I used to live a married couple , both civil servants , commited suicide in the middle of one of their fields. They appeared to be rich , with big house , nice car etc but it was all a facade propped up by millions of baht of debt.

That looks seriously crap . Who puts fruit and salad on an English breakfast plate ? Don't even mention the mushrooms. The plate is ok though

Sometimes short cuts come with issues.

All black pick up.......we'll 'ard. 🙄

One thing puzzles me. If next month I squirt a random stranger with a water pistol or throw water in their face , as experiences go , will it be more or less enjoyable for both parties ??? If it is hugely enjoyable during Songkran shouldn't it be even better if you take someone by surprise ? Another thing. Would it be improved if the sexes were seperated so that all the men were in one place throwing water at each other and all the women somewhere else doing it. Safer for the women but would it be as popular. Sometimes human beings mob behavior has hidden depths.

Dili , Timor Leste

Two words for the OP Bognor Regis. It's the new backpacker heaven. Remember where you heard it first.