Just my personal contribution as a new poster and a newcomer to the forums but for me ... well, i had trouble understanding the very concise manner of his reporting and still don't understand parts of it. It may read as boastful at first but after re-reading it a few times I've come to the conclusion that I may have read the intent in error. I am, however learning alot from the numbers (judged estimate) because I can translate it over my own countrys' currency and determining for myself what I intended to budget or tip was outside or within my means of spending (for my very first trip to Thailand). Personally I found it useful to have a comparative, so thank you for sharing the information.
On that note, 5000 baht for shoes, regardless of excellent quality would be well outside my personal expenditures for buying something on holiday. Nonetheless, all information can be of use to someone, no matter how trivial it may be for others.
Please forgive any oversight or violate intrusion on my behalf with this post. I do not intend to create dissent among the forumites and I apologize if it has caused some.