daveh

My wife's friend was in a very similar situation in the US. Some of the tactics used were:
o Paying below minimum wage (which is actually allowed in parts of the US for wait staff because they are expected to get tips)
o Being forced to give a healthy percentage of tips to the owner, who happens to be the one totaling up all the tips and divides it "fairly".
o Having to chip in for such things as new glassware and carpet for the restaurant.
o Having her employees participate in "share", which seems to be some kind of scheme used in Thailand where friends chip in money to a shared pool then get it out later.

She felt that it would be ungrateful to report the owner. After all, she gave her a job paying more money than she would have gotten back home. Ultimately, her husband convinced her to move on to better restaurants.

After many discussions among Thais, I am surprised how some Thais consider this type of restaurant owner as "smart" for being able to make money like this.

Finally one of her former employees reported her. The owner is now paying for a lawyer and is under investigation for human trafficking (I suppose this is for helping people get tourist visas then working illegally in the restaurant?). But given that the US justice system moves slowly (it's been over a year now). I'm betting she will be retired and living back in Thailand before there is even a hint of a trial.

I know a couple with a similar age gap, but they are both a little older than in the OP's story. Although, in their case, she can speak English very well.

They each are in different stages of their lives. They have different interests and different activity levels.


She is miserable and he doesn't even know it. I feel really sad for her.

There doesn't seem to be much of a question here.

Where are you from and how long will you be spending in Thailand?

When I got PADI certified in California, there were basically three parts. The course work and exam, the pool work, then the open water dives. The course work, was basically the instructor teaching out of the book, then there was an exam to follow. I can't remember how long this took, but no more than two days.

The pool work involved us swimming some distance (laps) without a BCD, as well as the skill drills (taking off and replacing your mask underwater, clearing your regulator, ...). And the open water was more of the same, but in the freezing cold Pacific off the coast of Monterrey.

If you will be in Thailand for a short time, then it may be better to do the course work and pool work where you are located and just do the open water in Thailand. This can save you a bit of time, but unlikely to save you any money.

connda, on 2012-01-04 20:59:29, said:

This is how I feel as well. It is a calculated risk. When I took a motorcycle safety course, they described risk with this metaphor. "Given a 20 foot ladder leaning against the wall, which rung would you feel safe to jump off of?"

It's a personal choice and so is the amount of safety equipment one decides to wear. I wear the cheap helmet they give you when you rent a motorbike. In the States I wear a heavy leather jacket and a full-face Snell/DOT helmet.

I've rarely seen anyone where a full-face helmet in Thailand, but I'm seeing more and more each year I travel there. And I've not seen anyone wear full leather.

I can imagine someone who wears full-face Snell rated helmets looking at those wearing the glorified bicycle helmets thinking to themselves, "Are those guys nuts or simply candidates for Darwin Awards?"

Connda said it right, no matter the level of protection you choose to wear, there is still a risk of death or injury. We all just choose to accept a different level of risk.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I really liked the idea of the temple ruins.