Ethics

[OxfordWill]

I don't know if there is an Oxford in Australia, why do you ask?

Because you sound more like an Aussie, reasoning.

Just a little joke. Very little, obviously.

a) how is this on topic, and

nothing wrong with my reasoning.

[Kerryd]

As I was leaving after my 1st trip to Thailand, I arrived almost 12 hours early for the flight (had my timings wrong).

Spent my last 400 baht on food and magazines, then went to check in for my flight. Found out about the departure tax. Had 35 baht, 3,000 Hungarian forints and 8,000 Croatian dinars. No credit card, no ATM card (back then).

Exchange booths closed (and wouldn't take Hungarian or Croatian currency any ways I found out).

The co-pilot of the Lufthansa flight paid the tax for some German peacekeepers who had been in Cambodia, and even though I had a UN ID card too, wouldn't help me out.

I was stuck and had to get back to my unit or risk being AWOL. Fortunately, an impatient businessman behind me ponied up the cash. I offered to pay him back when we got to Frankfurt, but he wouldn't hear of it.

Now, every time I leave the LOS, I take a wad of (Thai) cash with me. Then, when I come back it doesn't matter if the ATMs and exchange booths are closed, I can still get a taxi and get home at least. Any small bills and shrapnel (loose change) gets spent at the airport or thrown into the donation bins.

[SEAtramp]

I flew out of Bkk on the night the gulf war broke out. Got as far as Pakistan and had to turn back. Everyone on flight was put up for 3 days in Bkk hotel until a flight was secured using Russian airspace.

So 3 days later we return to Don Muang. Now many of these same passengers had no money left to pay again airport tax. Which was then 200baht.

When they were all checking in explaining they had to cash to pay again for the airport tax. There reply was, 'no money,no leave Thailand, 'political'.

Needless to say there was pandimonium.

[StuartinBKK]

I had this problem last year and got the Baht500 returned for 4 passengers without any hastles.

[Vit42]

what has this to do with ethics when I may ask?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree, this is purely a question of finances or lack there of and how you feel about the services rendered.

A questio of ethics would be something like, if you paid the driver with 500B and the ride was only 200B and he gave you back three bills, 100B, 100B, and the 3rd he gave you 500B by accident. Then it becomes a question of ethics as to whether or not you tell the guy. I'm sure most of us would.

[Peewee]

You would always be best advised to keep the 100 Bht.

With all that cash burning a hole in your pocket back at home - how could you resist the temptation to return to Thai to spend it.

Its all the incentive I would need!

[350torana]

My first trip to Bangkok. After gf(wife now) saw me into a taxi at 6 am i thought cool, will leave the taxi driver my leftovers, about 200 baht. Had the 500 baht for tx on me. Got to the aiport, and it was chaotic ,the computers were down, check in was manual. After two hours in line, guy with a sign saying check in for TG981, or was it 982 ? came around. Took me to a special line . Anyways, checked in, paid my tax. Everything was hunky dorey Get to immigration find out I have overstayed by two days . My travel agent had organised everything. I was a niave hick from Tasmania who should have known better. Anyways, had no cash to pay overstay. Emptied my ATM account the previous night. I really was shitting myself!!! Immigration officer pointed me in the direction of the atms in the main terminal . Tried my luck with my card and it let me overdraw my savings account A quick trip to the bog to clean up skid marks , paid off the fine , and a rush to my gate. Was the last bugger on the plane , got some really dirty looks from other passengers for holding up the plane.

My lesson learnt..... always carry extra cash on you