I usually sport a very large black umbrella, useful also for fending off packs of rabid dogs on Sukhumvit and the odd enraged local thug. Takes care of the sudden showers anyway.

I can understand some guys being weak with the beautiful babes as there is so much competition for their attention. I always have a laugh when some guys bungs a line of toughness on his babe and boasts about it - often the girl will nod her head, agree with the guy and then do exactly what she wants when he isn’t looking. The Thai way! Farang can tell Thais nothing almost by cultural definition.

As to the Jap killing his girlfriend and then himself, it is almost (and indeed tragic) inevitable conclusion of a farang finding out what his Thai woman is like beneath the surface beauty and niceness; the only happy guys those who don’t probe too deeply and enjoy the sex. Stupid though to buy a condo next to the nightlife area if you are in a serious relationship.

On to the topic of low season. I think it can be attributed to 2 things - for Americans, the exchange rate of the $ to the baht. What is it right now - 32 baht to the dollar. Back a couple of years ago when I first went it was almost 40 / 1. Makes a big difference. Second, with the cost of gasoline causing airfares to jump so high and fast, a lot of people are not going to spend that much to travel there. And unfortunately, Thailand is tucked away from the Farang countries - Europe, North America, even Australia, that there is no cheap way to get there. Plus flying has become so damn dreadful with the delays, lack of food, crappy service, etc.

I think it is very possible to negotiate down during the slow season. And coming from a free economy, I think it’s a good thing. Supply v Demand. If the ladies are hurting for business, they should drop their prices just a bit to entice the gentlemen. Now, I’m not saying we should be cheap bastards, but surely if we have plenty of beautiful ladies to choose from, shouldn’t price be one factor (along with looks, personality, etc) ? Like I said, that doesn’t mean we should be expecting the ladies to go for free. They have to support themselves, families, friends.

I don’t like pushy bargirls / gogo dancers…if I politely say no, that should be it. And it usually is. However, many men (from America, Britain, etc) have become so emasculated and made to feel bad about themselves that they don’t know how to talk to women and tell them what they want. I know - been there - won’t happen again. Maybe they are so happy to actually talk to a pretty lady who appears to be very friendly and very feminine, that they will put up with just about any amount of BS.

Cheers !!!