Realistic Thailand Budget

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Th4ndo

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Planning a trip out there in November with three friends and need to know how much to save. So far booked accommodation for 7 nights R3 275 ( near Nai Yang Beach and Patong Beach).

How much can I expect to spend on food, drinks, and transport to different popular spots? Not look to eat at fancy places or get chauffeured around.

So far looks like tours are R3900, are any recommendation would be appreciated.

Also want to spend a day shopping bangkok get a clothes for the whole trip, will R1000 be too little/much?
 
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/subscribes

What is that website of one of the forum members with the prices of their trip?
 
Th4ndo said:
Planning a trip out there in November with three friends and need to know how much to save. So far booked accommodation for 7 nights R3 275 ( near Nai Yang Beach and Paying Beach).

How much can I expect to spend on food, drinks, and transport to different popular spots? Not look to eat at fancy places or get chauffeured around.

So far looks like tours are R3900, are any recommendation would be appreciated.

Also want to spend a day shopping bangkok get a clothes for the whole trip, will R1000 be too little/much?
Click to expand...

Thailand is an awesome place to visit. I went there last Nov with a bunch of friends. November is the best time to go - just before the peak (expensive) season and the weather is good at this time.

Food - do not go to restaurants - overpriced. Eat at markets. You can have dinner for as little as 50 baht (about R20)
Drinks - beer is generally the go to drink. They sell large beers in 7/11's which are litterally every 50m or so
Transport - if you're brave enough, rent a scooter. It'll be the cheapest way around. They require you to give in your passport as deposit. Will cost about R100/day
 
Thor187 said:
/subscribes

What is that website of one of the forum members with the prices of their trip?
Click to expand...
If you're refer to thailandtips.co.za, I used their tip to book Nai Yang but considered the prices may be out of date.
 
Have a look at my website. http://www.thailandtips.co.za/

Have a look at the Khao Lak section, November will be great there. (I wrote that section last weekend)

Are you looking for parties or are you going to laze on the beach?

Nai Yang is very nice but relatively quiet and it is right next to the airport, the other beaches like Patong are a 45 minute drive away. You are going to spend a lot on taxis. There is a taxi mafia in Phuket.

Don't book any trips from here, go book it there at one of the many road side kiosks. Bargain the prices down especially if you are 4 people.

DO NOT RENT A SCOOTER. Phuket has one of the highest road fatality figures in the world.

To have a great time you can budget on R1000 per day, you will then be able to do anything you want.

Edit: Did not see your reply above.

My prices are relatively up to date. Prices do not go up a lot in Thailand.
 
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I think a scooter is a must, have been to Phuket twice in the last few years. Had scooters both times. It's the best and cheapest way to see the island.
 
Th4ndo said:
Planning a trip out there in November with three friends and need to know how much to save. So far booked accommodation for 7 nights R3 275 ( near Nai Yang Beach and Paying Beach).

How much can I expect to spend on food, drinks, and transport to different popular spots? Not look to eat at fancy places or get chauffeured around.

So far looks like tours are R3900, are any recommendation would be appreciated.

Also want to spend a day shopping bangkok get a clothes for the whole trip, will R1000 be too little/much?
Click to expand...

T-shirts are great buys in Bangkok. Prescription drugs are also a good buy.
If you're there on the weekend go to Chatuchak market (JJ market).
If not, then one of the dodgy evening markets next to the hooker bars eg Patpong

http://bk.asia-city.com/shopping/article/bangkok-night-markets has a review of some of the newer ones.

R1000 is enough, although can easily spend more.

Outside BKK, hire a moped, as stated. Cheap and easy. Take photo's of the moped before you take it away so that they can't claim money for scratches that already existed. Less of a scam than say in Philippines, but still happens. So prepare.

Food is cheap, and good pretty much everywhere in Thailand. I've had the best food in outside places in alleyways. Fresh, tasty, good, fast and cheap.

Avoid the touristy bs eg Irish Pubs and dodgy bars and you'll be fine on budget. Phuket is cheap.
Have fun!
 
Th4ndo said:
How much can I expect to spend on food, drinks, and transport to different popular spots? Not look to eat at fancy places or get chauffeured around.
Click to expand...

Street food ranges from about R25 for half a chicken over an open fire (don't worry about getting sick, these things sell fast so it hasn't been standing too long. For R50, you can get Pad Thai which tastes real good. The prices I'm quoting are from Patong beach area so it might cost slightly less in a less popular area. Coconuts are about R35, if the coconut sells for R25, then there's a good chance that it's not fresh.

Drinks, well depends where you buy from but a normal 7/11 would have it for about R40 for one. Transport in a tuk tuk from the south of phuket to to the north of the island cost about R200 one way (you don't pay per person but for the whole tuk tuk/taxi). Around the same suburb is anything from R50 to R100.

Of course you can get cheaper but it depends on your bargaining skills I guess. We were there for 2 weeks and worked out to about R25000 each (including flight tickets/hotels/excursions), but we did all the premium activities and didn't miss out on anything.
 
jman said:
Thailand is an awesome place to visit. I went there last Nov with a bunch of friends. November is the best time to go - just before the peak (expensive) season and the weather is good at this time.

Food - do not go to restaurants - overpriced. Eat at markets. You can have dinner for as little as 50 baht (about R20)
Drinks - beer is generally the go to drink. They sell large beers in 7/11's which are litterally every 50m or so
Transport - if you're brave enough, rent a scooter. It'll be the cheapest way around. They require you to give in your passport as deposit. Will cost about R100/day
Click to expand...
Missed this original. Okay these are food cost I can get down with.

Wouldnt feel comfortable using a scooter.
 
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Thought about Khao Lak but its too far away from Phuket so stuck to the two locations.

Looking for both relax and party but mainly sightseeing.

Nai Yang will be a short stay then hopeful minimum transport cost in Patong beach.

I'm not surprised by the fatality. Those scooters get over loaded and people ride crazy.

Thanks
 
Those prescription drug could land me on an episode of banged up abroad :/
 
Wow can't even get a 1/4 chicken for that much here.
 
mbayshark said:
I think a scooter is a must, have been to Phuket twice in the last few years. Had scooters both times. It's the best and cheapest way to see the island.
Click to expand...

Bad advice! Only recommended if you a skilled rider...
 
bokka1 said:
Have a look at my website. http://www.thailandtips.co.za/

Have a look at the Khao Lak section, November will be great there. (I wrote that section last weekend)

Are you looking for parties or are you going to laze on the beach?

Nai Yang is very nice but relatively quiet and it is right next to the airport, the other beaches like Patong are a 45 minute drive away. You are going to spend a lot on taxis. There is a taxi mafia in Phuket.

Don't book any trips from here, go book it there at one of the many road side kiosks. Bargain the prices down especially if you are 4 people.

DO NOT RENT A SCOOTER. Phuket has one of the highest road fatality figures in the world.

To have a great time you can budget on R1000 per day, you will then be able to do anything you want.

Edit: Did not see your reply above.

My prices are relatively up to date. Prices do not go up a lot in Thailand.
Click to expand...
Thought about Khao Lak but its too far away from Phuket so stuck to the two locations.

Looking for both relax and party but mainly sightseeing.

Nai Yang will be a short stay then hopeful minimum transport cost in Patong beach.

I'm not surprised by the fatality. Those scooters get over loaded and people ride crazy.

Thanks
 
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RVQ said:
Bad advice! Only recommended if you a skilled rider...
Click to expand...
Well I'm no "skilled rider", and I still recommend it. First time I got on a scooter was in Phuket. Traffic there are actually very considerate towards motorcycles unlike here. Went traveling all over the island. Even from Patong to Phuket City at night for the night markets. And down to Phromthep Cape for the sunset and back to Patong afterwards. I think part of the Phuket experience on a budget is getting a scooter.
 
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