The bigger the smile Dan the more they are planning to rip you off. No-body can be trusted in thailand not even close family.
I have done banking in the phillpines, the way they do stuff has to be seen to be beleived, wait in que for 30 min, talk to some-one sit down , repeat 5x, for a simple small withdrawl. Made P200,000 withdrawl once in Makati was given it in P100 notes a big pile of money put up on the counter and it wouldnt fit in my bag, had to stuff my pockets chocker block and stuff some in my underwear. wouldnt give larger denominations or a bank cheque. I had a bank account at a different bank in the PI the money disappeared, the bank stole it, they said it was a fee for having an inactive account, and there is nothing you can do about it. At least in Australia there is an ombudsman. I am not complaining, it is the incredibly poor service and the enexpected that make these places interesting to live in , every morning you wake up you never know what mind blowing, inefficiecy or stupity you will come across, but you know there will be something. So you only get a class of water, at my bank in aus I get coffee, and it isnt a miracle. I have done renovations in the PI, and getting anything done on time or to a half acceptable stantard is impossible even getting labourers to use a cement mixer, instead of a piece of tin and some shovels is impossible. The idea in the PI is to make a job last as long as possible, and to employ as many people as possible and rough enough is good enough. If some-one has a birthday they will just not turn up for work, even if they are a Ferry captain and leave hundreds or even thousands stranded and missing important appointments. I had a buisnees importing wind chimes jewllery and corbells but all the silly little hassles with suppliers, banks , ports and container hire( bribes) make it too much hassle to be worth while. One pleasant experience doesnt mean all asia is light years ahead of Australia in service.
