DD1, we have been succesful with all of the bureaucrats, some were more difficult than others, but eventually they all come around. As I said we usually give them fish, some we have over for lunch, some we let fish, for some we buy perfume from Hong Kong, it varies.
Theo, I can't spell it in Thai but is called "tea money" which is meant to sound like a very small amount so as to sound like a thank you, as opposed to, if you don't pay you don't get. However the later is always true.
Dave, pond shape is based on land shape, trying to get the most water out of the size, we are going to try to break up the lines with the shoal and by pushing one of the houses over the water's edge. I am going to try to keep the foliage at a lower height than the first pond, hoping to keep a more wide open look. I, just today, found a mangrove tree for sale and will plant a couple of them on the shoal.
