Golden Travel Tips

Luxury on a sensible budget in Thailand – 10 ways to get maximum value if you’re planning a luxury holiday in Thailand with a budget in mind:

1.     Avoid high season in Thailand Nov.-Feb. if possible, as everything is likely to be more expensive then, it’s when there’s more demand.  Outside the high season is going to be cheaper.

2.     Book in advance with someone who knows what things cost, even your own yacht needn’t be that expensive to hire, but you need to book in advance. Spontaneity is often rewarded with premium pricing in Thailand, as it shows desperation and prices go right up.

3.    Travelling around Bangkok and Thailand is really quite cheap, you can take taxis and public transport (Skytrain and Metro) which is actually quite good and often the quickest way to get around a busy city like Bangkok with mad traffic jams.  You can even take a taxi to Pattaya or Hua Hin, and you’ll find them relatively cheap to hire for the day.

4.    Make sure when you’re shopping that someone speaks Thai or you’ll be paying a premium for anything without a visible price tag on display, as you’re perceived as a rich tourist even if you’re dressed like a tramp, cause you’re a westerner, a farang to the Thais.

5.    Find the best hotel or holiday home and make sure you are not paying top whack for it, as deals are almost always available. My Thailand Home always prices competitively, even for the top end of the market with limited supply.

6.    Don’t use your credit card and ATM cards a lot in Thailand, because if you do you’ll be paying terrible exchange rates and bank charges on top of it, you’ll get ripped off.

7.    Don’t use your international mobile phone, either get a Sim card and put it into your unlocked phone or even buy a cheap phone in Thailand for local use. Making local calls and even calling out of Thailand can be very cheap if you’re on one of the main networks. You can even sell the phone back to a mobile phone shop when you leave, but expect to lose some money.

8.    No need to tip heavily, Thai people will take your money but only think you’re pretty stupid for giving it away so easily. Tip reasonably, fairly and considerately, but not outright foolishly.

9.    Go shopping in the markets in Thailand and pick up local stuff at a fraction of the price. You can even go to the markets where the other market guys go to, it’s quite easy to find, and it can be a lot of fun. Try not to show off your wallet or handbag when you go to these markets, as pick pockets operate as well looking for bargains.

10.  Avoid buying gems and expensive items by recommendation from people you don’t know, there are many con artists out there who’ll take you for a ride. If you feel compelled to buy jewelry buy gold, because gold is regulated in Thailand and prices are very similar wherever you go, especially as it’s as good as currency across the country, and likely to be more stable in the current climate.  Gold shops are right next to each other most of the time, so easy to check the minor differences before even buying anything.