Page 20 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2025 THAILAND
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INTRODUCTIONS the road for a while.
Before we left, Joe set up a group What-
Only days ago, we gathered as strangers sApp chat where we would find his daily
in our Bangkok hotel to meet each other “love notes.” These messages outlined the
and our leader Manope Sutumsirinugoon, day’s activities, what we needed to bring
nicknamed Joe OAT, a Thai native and vet- (sun screen, bug spray, etc.), and how to
eran tour guide. The room was quiet as Joe dress (shoulders and knees covered), if a
set parameters - respect each other, be on temple visit is planned. These would update
time, and avoid talking politics. (We broke and detail the extensive tour booklet sent
that last rule regularly once the group, all earlier from OAT.
Americans, discovered we were aligned po- He also explained tipping, which on some
litically.) Joe also reminded us that our ho- tours can add hundreds of dollars to the
tels and dining would be Thai - no brand- cost. OAT fees cover all tips for hotels,
name accommodations or American fast tours, and dining. The exceptions were tips
food. Ron and I shared knowing glances for hotel housekeeping and our guide, sug-
since we both get cravings when we’re on gested at $20 per day. Bottled water was
20 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025
