This out of date "backpackers bible" has created a generation of cynical, safety first scum who do nothing to embrace local culture or impress the 'locals".
In fact visiting Big Johns is a painful experience nowadays when you gotta battle flabby arsed fisherman trouser wearing backpackers from Torquay for conversation with the great man.
John should record a series of tapes with himself repeating himself to all the "the locals are out to get me" tosspots as they head for the floating market or the weekend market or, the Grand Palace.
Thankfully the only decent instructions of this much revered giude are the instructions on how to bugger off to the airport for the flight home. And, knowing that these imbeciles will soon fall into their career jobs upon their return or worse still, return to Thailand as a teacher. But I doubt the latter as I have never seen a backpack inside a beer bar