Bob

It would seem logical to me that whoever actually witnessed the offensive posts (it would appear Z did) would at least have a basis to reasonably offer a critical opinion of the events but those of us who didn't see the fracas (I'm one of them) can hardly offer a reasonable opinion as to the appropriateness of the actions taken. 
 
I believe Scooby has done an admirable job of administering this board since the beginning of his involvement and, based on that history, I trust whatever actions were taken were merited. 

It would seem logical to me that whoever actually witnessed the offensive posts (it would appear Z did) would at least have a basis to reasonably offer a critical opinion of the events but those of us who didn't see the fracas (I'm one of them) can hardly offer a reasonable opinion as to the appropriateness of the actions taken. 
 
I believe Scooby has done an admirable job of administering this board since the beginning of his involvement and, based on that history, I trust whatever actions were taken were merited. 

Have to agree about Bernie Sanders.  I liked him and even agreed with some of his policies; however, I saw no sense supporting a candidate who was advocating policies that had zero chance of becoming law and which the US could not afford.  But a decent guy.
 
As much as I personally dislike the Clintons (especially Bill), at least Hillary is competent for the presidency.  Trump, however, is clearly not.
 
On my way back here to Chiangmai, I stopped in Seattle for a few days and came across a tee shirt that somewhat expresses a common attitude back in the States.....
 
 

Have to agree about Bernie Sanders.  I liked him and even agreed with some of his policies; however, I saw no sense supporting a candidate who was advocating policies that had zero chance of becoming law and which the US could not afford.  But a decent guy.
 
As much as I personally dislike the Clintons (especially Bill), at least Hillary is competent for the presidency.  Trump, however, is clearly not.
 
On my way back here to Chiangmai, I stopped in Seattle for a few days and came across a tee shirt that somewhat expresses a common attitude back in the States.....
 
 

It's a bit apparent that you failed Dale Carnegie's course.  You rail against what you perceive is the nastiness of others and then come out with these gems.  Are you old enough to spell "hypocrisy?" 
 
I've never put anybody on "ignore" but, if I ever do, you've earned a spot on the short list.

It's a bit apparent that you failed Dale Carnegie's course.  You rail against what you perceive is the nastiness of others and then come out with these gems.  Are you old enough to spell "hypocrisy?" 
 
I've never put anybody on "ignore" but, if I ever do, you've earned a spot on the short list.

Have to agree about Bernie Sanders.  I liked him and even agreed with some of his policies; however, I saw no sense supporting a candidate who was advocating policies that had zero chance of becoming law and which the US could not afford.  But a decent guy.
 
As much as I personally dislike the Clintons (especially Bill), at least Hillary is competent for the presidency.  Trump, however, is clearly not.
 
On my way back here to Chiangmai, I stopped in Seattle for a few days and came across a tee shirt that somewhat expresses a common attitude back in the States.....
 
 

Have to agree about Bernie Sanders.  I liked him and even agreed with some of his policies; however, I saw no sense supporting a candidate who was advocating policies that had zero chance of becoming law and which the US could not afford.  But a decent guy.
 
As much as I personally dislike the Clintons (especially Bill), at least Hillary is competent for the presidency.  Trump, however, is clearly not.
 
On my way back here to Chiangmai, I stopped in Seattle for a few days and came across a tee shirt that somewhat expresses a common attitude back in the States.....
 
 

Come on, Z, nobody is saying that anybody shall (or your biblical "shalt") tip.  My first point is I do it because it seems natural to me and I choose to do it.  My second point, which I really didn't make very clear above, is that I don't care to hear anybody else tell me what I should or shouldn't be doing.  You don't want to tip?  Fine, that's your business.  Likewise, it's nobody else's business if somebody else chooses to do so. 
 
In my view, this isn't all that different from the comments/arguments heard for years about "over-tipping" the boys for services.  Some would bitterly argue that the over-tippers (those that paid more than some declared or perceived norm) were "ruining it for the rest of us."  While I'd respond that it was none of the complainer's business, my inner thoughts were never so kind.
 
I've never had a Thai friend, sex-worker, waiter, or whatever directly or indirectly suggest that my tipping practices were inappropriate or unappreciated....and, of course, it would only be their opinions that would interest me in the first place.

Come on, Z, nobody is saying that anybody shall (or your biblical "shalt") tip.  My first point is I do it because it seems natural to me and I choose to do it.  My second point, which I really didn't make very clear above, is that I don't care to hear anybody else tell me what I should or shouldn't be doing.  You don't want to tip?  Fine, that's your business.  Likewise, it's nobody else's business if somebody else chooses to do so. 
 
In my view, this isn't all that different from the comments/arguments heard for years about "over-tipping" the boys for services.  Some would bitterly argue that the over-tippers (those that paid more than some declared or perceived norm) were "ruining it for the rest of us."  While I'd respond that it was none of the complainer's business, my inner thoughts were never so kind.
 
I've never had a Thai friend, sex-worker, waiter, or whatever directly or indirectly suggest that my tipping practices were inappropriate or unappreciated....and, of course, it would only be their opinions that would interest me in the first place.

I tip in Thailand (well, almost everywhere) and I've had nobody complain about it (although have had a couple of wait staff run after me wondering why I left 20 baht or whatever on the table).  And, admittedly,  I probably do that due to my upbringing in the US.
 
As to calling tipping a "social evil" (come on, Christian, I suppose you'll next call for the death penalty for jay walking....) or complaining about how anybody else tips or doesn't tip, such comments or complaints are simply inane.

Impossible for them to screw it up worse then the men!

Have to generally agree with KhorTose.
 
While surely some intelligent and educated people voted for Brexit, I'd bet you a few pounds (for what those are worth these days!) that by and large that's not the demographic which supported the exit.  And, of course, none of them (including the "Trumpesque" Boris and others) had any clue whatsoever about the ramifications of the vote.  To the extent their property values or investments have dropped significantly in value, I have no sympathy for them.  For others, though, I do (and that includes a fair number of British expat friends of mine who are currently taking a fairly big hit because of the exchange rate).  I thought the after-the-fact headline of "Regrexit" was rather appropriate.
 
The US/UK alliance and friendship will continue and, if I were in power, I'd fast-track negotiations on a US/UK trade treaty (Obama's off-the-cuff crack a few months ago that the UK would go to the back of the line was inappropriate in my view given our relationship with the UK). 

As anonone mentioned, it's not wise to exchange your home currency for Thai baht anywhere outside of Thailand.  That includes when you wire (SWIFT or whatever) funds to your Thai account (make sure you transfer in your home currency and not Thai baht or you'll normally lose a small chunk on the conversion that happens in your home country).
 
I've had a Schwab account forever but have never used their ATM card (I actually have never used an ATM card in Thailand other than once in 2000 just to see if my bank's card would work here).  I recognize that Schwab refunds the ATM fees as many posters have mentioned that over the years; however, just out of curiosity, does anybody know what conversion rate Schwab uses (meaning, how much lower is it than what the Thai banks are giving on the conversion day)?  I'm guessing that they're making a little money off the deal somehow.

Seems like all of this is good advice although I remain puzzled as to why, for a 6-day trip, that pretty much all of the concern can't be handled by bringing cash, exchanging that at Thai banks as needed, and using the ATM or credit cards for emergency money only; however, for a 6-day trip, just about any option isn't going to bankrupt anybody.
 
US financial institutions usually make their money two ways when one uses an ATM card here in Thailand - the "international transaction fee" and a lousy conversion rate.  While the OP and some others are lucky to have no international transaction fees, I'd be suspicious that they're really making their money by a fairly lousy conversion rate. Those institutions usually are not charitable (or dumb) enough to not get a cut somewhere. 
 
Farangyai mentions correctly that Thai banks generally charge no ATM fees.....so long as you use the ATM machines of your bank in your home province (i.e., I've never known a Thai bank not to charge for using an ATM machine outside the province where you opened the account.....but perhaps things have changed?).

Seems like all of this is good advice although I remain puzzled as to why, for a 6-day trip, that pretty much all of the concern can't be handled by bringing cash, exchanging that at Thai banks as needed, and using the ATM or credit cards for emergency money only; however, for a 6-day trip, just about any option isn't going to bankrupt anybody.
 
US financial institutions usually make their money two ways when one uses an ATM card here in Thailand - the "international transaction fee" and a lousy conversion rate.  While the OP and some others are lucky to have no international transaction fees, I'd be suspicious that they're really making their money by a fairly lousy conversion rate. Those institutions usually are not charitable (or dumb) enough to not get a cut somewhere. 
 
Farangyai mentions correctly that Thai banks generally charge no ATM fees.....so long as you use the ATM machines of your bank in your home province (i.e., I've never known a Thai bank not to charge for using an ATM machine outside the province where you opened the account.....but perhaps things have changed?).

I'm not defending either the Catholic Church (been there, done that) or Buddhism in general as I generally believe that everybody is entitled to their own set of beliefs (even if I think they're all fairy tales); however, it's one thing to rail against the cost of the pre-ordination party or even the costs of weddings and funerals whereas it's quite another thing to rail (falsely) against the temples and the Church for profiting off of those events.  They don't.
 
But it's nice to know that people didn't blow money on weddings and funerals prior to 2000 years ago. 

Seems like all of this is good advice although I remain puzzled as to why, for a 6-day trip, that pretty much all of the concern can't be handled by bringing cash, exchanging that at Thai banks as needed, and using the ATM or credit cards for emergency money only; however, for a 6-day trip, just about any option isn't going to bankrupt anybody.
 
US financial institutions usually make their money two ways when one uses an ATM card here in Thailand - the "international transaction fee" and a lousy conversion rate.  While the OP and some others are lucky to have no international transaction fees, I'd be suspicious that they're really making their money by a fairly lousy conversion rate. Those institutions usually are not charitable (or dumb) enough to not get a cut somewhere. 
 
Farangyai mentions correctly that Thai banks generally charge no ATM fees.....so long as you use the ATM machines of your bank in your home province (i.e., I've never known a Thai bank not to charge for using an ATM machine outside the province where you opened the account.....but perhaps things have changed?).

That's simply untrue, Mr. Steve, as I could care what unflattering things you have to say about any religion (I've probably said worse); however, there's a difference between making legitimate criticism about Buddhism or Catholicism (or any other religion) and attempting to do it with false information.  You're not entitled to your own "facts."
 
You've claimed Buddhism/temples/monks made money on the ordination deals and that is simply untrue (and you don't support your false claim by questioning why some Thai parents choose to have a big wingding for half the village).  You've also claimed the Catholic Church made money off of weddings and funerals and that's also untrue (Koko's comment above regarding the minimal and voluntary stipend to the officiating priest is quite correct).  
 
As for being "intolerant", I am generally intolerant of posters who blather about topics they know nothing about and then use false information to attempt to back up their supposed position.  At least you're fairly consistent with that problem.

That's simply untrue, Mr. Steve, as I could care what unflattering things you have to say about any religion (I've probably said worse); however, there's a difference between making legitimate criticism about Buddhism or Catholicism (or any other religion) and attempting to do it with false information.  You're not entitled to your own "facts."
 
You've claimed Buddhism/temples/monks made money on the ordination deals and that is simply untrue (and you don't support your false claim by questioning why some Thai parents choose to have a big wingding for half the village).  You've also claimed the Catholic Church made money off of weddings and funerals and that's also untrue (Koko's comment above regarding the minimal and voluntary stipend to the officiating priest is quite correct).  
 
As for being "intolerant", I am generally intolerant of posters who blather about topics they know nothing about and then use false information to attempt to back up their supposed position.  At least you're fairly consistent with that problem.

I'm not defending either the Catholic Church (been there, done that) or Buddhism in general as I generally believe that everybody is entitled to their own set of beliefs (even if I think they're all fairy tales); however, it's one thing to rail against the cost of the pre-ordination party or even the costs of weddings and funerals whereas it's quite another thing to rail (falsely) against the temples and the Church for profiting off of those events.  They don't.
 
But it's nice to know that people didn't blow money on weddings and funerals prior to 2000 years ago. 

Londoner, if possible, ask your boyfriend to itemize or breakdown (or estimate the best he can) the amount you mentioned (70,000 baht). For example:
(1)  The proposed monk is required to get and pay for a medical exam....which I'd guess is about 500 or less baht in most places.
(2)  The proposed monk is normally required to buy his own robes (I'd guess 4 of them maybe cost 3,000 baht at most) although some temples will provide them (used or new) for free.
(3)  The big expense, I'm told, is to pay for the pre-ordination party.  For 20 people (relatives and shirt-tail relatives), I suppose that might run 10,000 baht (depending on how much alcohol is downed, I suppose).  On the other hand, if you're entertaining half the local village, then obviously more.
(4)  To my knowledge, there is no (zero) payment to the temple.  
 
Edit:  Just asked my bf of 15+ years to detail the costs for him becoming a monk when he was a young teen (he was in the temple for two and a half years).  He said that back then (this would have been 24-25 years ago) no medical certificate was required but it is required now, that normally the temple provides the robes (plus he added they don't cost very much), that there is no payment to the temple, and that the big cost is the party for the family or villagers.  He also said that if the person/family has little money, then they just have a small party for the immediate family and that usually runs several thousand baht; if, however, it's a big party (with 100+ villagers attending), he said it is much more although usually most of those attending chip in to help pay for it.  A huge party, he said, might even cost as much as 100,000 baht nowadays although he again added that the attendees often chip in a big portion of that cost.

The figures you quote floor me (i.e., I don't believe what your bf is saying for a nanosecond).  Other than buying some robes and paying for the family party which usually precedes the temple ordination, what exactly are the additional costs?  I'd certainly ask and expect a detailed answer.
 
Somewhere here in Chiangmai province there is some program where westerners become a "monk for a month" at a temple and I've seen the cost of that stay (which I believe involve sleeping quarters a bit more comfy than what regular novices receive) quoted at $700.00 (about 24,500 baht).  I simply can't believe a Thai is charged that much (in fact, other than buying the robes and the cost of any family party, I can't believe there is any cost other than some very minimal money for personal expenses).

Londoner, if possible, ask your boyfriend to itemize or breakdown (or estimate the best he can) the amount you mentioned (70,000 baht). For example:
(1)  The proposed monk is required to get and pay for a medical exam....which I'd guess is about 500 or less baht in most places.
(2)  The proposed monk is normally required to buy his own robes (I'd guess 4 of them maybe cost 3,000 baht at most) although some temples will provide them (used or new) for free.
(3)  The big expense, I'm told, is to pay for the pre-ordination party.  For 20 people (relatives and shirt-tail relatives), I suppose that might run 10,000 baht (depending on how much alcohol is downed, I suppose).  On the other hand, if you're entertaining half the local village, then obviously more.
(4)  To my knowledge, there is no (zero) payment to the temple.  
 
Edit:  Just asked my bf of 15+ years to detail the costs for him becoming a monk when he was a young teen (he was in the temple for two and a half years).  He said that back then (this would have been 24-25 years ago) no medical certificate was required but it is required now, that normally the temple provides the robes (plus he added they don't cost very much), that there is no payment to the temple, and that the big cost is the party for the family or villagers.  He also said that if the person/family has little money, then they just have a small party for the immediate family and that usually runs several thousand baht; if, however, it's a big party (with 100+ villagers attending), he said it is much more although usually most of those attending chip in to help pay for it.  A huge party, he said, might even cost as much as 100,000 baht nowadays although he again added that the attendees often chip in a big portion of that cost.

The figures you quote floor me (i.e., I don't believe what your bf is saying for a nanosecond).  Other than buying some robes and paying for the family party which usually precedes the temple ordination, what exactly are the additional costs?  I'd certainly ask and expect a detailed answer.
 
Somewhere here in Chiangmai province there is some program where westerners become a "monk for a month" at a temple and I've seen the cost of that stay (which I believe involve sleeping quarters a bit more comfy than what regular novices receive) quoted at $700.00 (about 24,500 baht).  I simply can't believe a Thai is charged that much (in fact, other than buying the robes and the cost of any family party, I can't believe there is any cost other than some very minimal money for personal expenses).