Dear Hillary,
This may sound silly, but I come over as a tourist from the UK three times a year, so you can see I love Thailand. The only thing I really miss is my cup of tea in the mornings. Where can I get a good cup of tea?
Jenny.

Dear Jenny,
Tea never sounds silly. In Japan they make a ceremony out of serving delicate cups of tea, Chinese green tea is said to be slimming, Indian teas are reputed to be healing, Pitta tea with its mix of Cardamom, liquorice, ginger, cinnamon and rose petals is recommended for its cooling effect and to balance the mind and body when irritable and impatient. Being a Brit, I am guessing that you are addicted to Twinings Earl Grey or Lemon Scented. My advice to you is either bring your own over, or buy it from our big supermarkets. Then again have you ever tasted the great Thai tea, a lot of little roadside restaurants make it, it is just a matter of wandering around and asking, “Cha ron mai?” that means “Hot Tea?” It comes in a glass, hot, a bright orange color with a lemony taste. Drink it without milk and just a squeeze of lemon. Enjoy.

Dear Hillary,
After 11 wonderful years I discovered that my Thai wife (legally married) had begun an affair with a guy from Isaan. She admitted it after coming home drunk one night. Thinking that it was a drunken fling I forgave her, after she said that she had started it, so she could finish it. Having been drunk on the odd occasion myself and done silly things, I forgave her.
Six weeks later she went up country for a funeral. I asked if she would be going to see him but was assured that no, she would be too busy with the funeral. She kept in daily contact and I was happy for her in having a break. Then she disappeared from the radar, phone turned off for two days. I was suspicious. After she returned, everything seemed OK and then I discovered her iPad which she had not turned off - and it was backwards and forward messages between her and the guy, complete with half naked photographs of her.
She admitted then that this was from the missing two days in Isaan. She said never again would it happen and for me to trust her. That was hard but I tried to forgive and forget.
The next episode was in July when she went to the temple for a religious ceremony. She rang later that evening to say the ceremony was still on, so she and her friends would stay the night at the temple if that was OK. I said yes and she returned the following evening. Usually she posts lots of pix of herself and the Buddhist friends, but this time none. Sure enough she did not go with lady friends, but with the guy again. Tears, tears and protestations that she wanted to be with me to look after me as I got older.
I decided to put everything behind me and give her another chance, even though I was heartbroken.
Then in October she went with friends to Bangkok. The bus got back at 11 p.m. and she said she had to go to her classmate’s place as they had to write up the event. Again I was suspicious.
The next day I saw her car outside an apartment block. I rang her and then sat in her car and waited. Sure enough, she came running out of the apartment. So I moved out, enough was enough.
Is this a “normal” way of life in Thailand? If so, I would warn every farang to consider this before hooking up with any of these Thai women. By the way, she was not a bar girl.
Roland

Dear Roland,
I hope you feel better after getting that off your chest, my Petal. It has been a very trying time for you, and I am sure everyone feels very sorry for you. Undoubtedly this was a great disappointment, but you must not think that every marriage between a farang and a Thai is like this. I get many letters from farangs who have been married to their Thai wives for much longer than you, and they are still happily married. You do not say whether there are any children of your marriage, but if there is, their welfare must be taken into account as well, even before that of you and your wife. Best of luck.

Dear Hillary,
One hears a lot about credit card fraud here in Thailand. Is it safe to buy goods or services over the internet using a credit card? I have been tempted on many occasions but cannot afford to lose a lot of money through a credit card scam.
Veesa

Dear Veesa,
When dealing with big corporations, you are fairly safe, but I would ask in the bank that issued you the credit card, rather than asking me, Petal. I don’t have enough money to have a credit card!