This makes perfect sense. It's near impossible to find a Thai person who speaks English and willing to work in a hotel. I've rarely encountered a Thai person who could speak English at any of the hotels I've stayed at - that's why I had to learn Thai. No doubt the resort has to shut down every time Num goes away to entertain a customer because he is indispensable as "the only English speaker on the staff." Thanks for the brilliant explanation, a447. No wonder you're a moderator!