A lot of Western's think that Thailand is so corrupt they can get a driver's license without actually being present. They certainly don't think it's possible in their country so why are they so willing to think it's ok to skirt the law by paying someone to get the licence for them in Thailand.

@Frances *******

Sounds about right. Healthcare in the US is ridiculous. I pay $800 to Kaiser every month for poor service. In Thailand or India i can get top notch care and get seen right away.

I think these days you have to use an agent to help you open a bank account.. It's getting very difficult to open one. It's very useful to have a local account to do payments to others using bank to bank transfers and also for shopping using the banks app.

@Bob ********

It's still very useful to have a bank account since you can make those payments using the QR code and also payments to others rather than use your debit card or wise especially because with Schwab the debit card seems to get compromised every time I'm overseas and then they block it.

why can't you pay ahead? That way you don't need to worry

@Casey ********

wow what an ahole

@Nick ******

also remember when you are at the hotel asking for a room you are captive they don't have to give you a discount

@Michael *******

Makes sense.. but the op seems to think if you go direct it should be cheaper... ironically it might be more possible in Thailand then other places.

All the people who are jumping in and saying TIT should know this is the case in the USA as well. Due to the complex pricing..yield demand dynamic pricing..corporate discounts..bulk booking rates.. and individual Hotel cannot often offer the best price since they have to go with their price list. I had her telling telling me to book online to get the best price. This has happened several times when I booked in the US.

@Arun *********

..I don't think you even follow what's happening