Thailand has officially published the regulations ending its 60-day visa exemption scheme. Starting September 15, 2026, nationals of 60 countries and territories, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, will be allowed to stay visa-free for up to 30 days. Citizens of two countries will receive a 15-day visa exemption, while three nationalities will remain eligible for a Visa on Arrival.   Source:
https://visasnews.com/en/thailand-to-officially-cut-visa-free-stay-to-30-days-on-september-15-2026/    

I specifically booked the balcony suite with a lake view. After all, the ladyboys should have a great view, too :-)

Hahaha ... with the right girl, you can give away a nice show on the balcony for the construction workers 

Like @Raul says I have stayed in "Our hotel is a totally non smoking hotel" places all through Thailand and if there isn't an ashtray on the balcony I just contact the front desk and ask them to bring one up.  They always bring one. Or the safest way to ease your mind is to email the hotel directly ahead of time and clarify their smoking rules. Or do what @Denbosch1971 suggested.  Don't say a word and just smoke on the balcony using an empty drink bottle or something to use as an ashtray so you don't make a mess. You might find the bottle gone the next day and it being replaced by an ashtray.  Sounds good, but if it were me, they would probably give me a room on the backside of the hotel overlooking a construction zone, haha

Thanks for your feedback.   I read somewhere online that there are now many hotels that are generally smoke-free, regardless of whether they have balconies or not.   I’m going to try my luck, though.   The idea of having a cute ladyboy with a view of Benjakitti right in my room is just too tempting to pass up—I’d rather not look for another hotel :-)