| A few simple tips to keep your holiday expenses | | | | are also a few stinkers. |
| down when arranging and making your trip to | | | | If you do not want to take a shot on an |
| Phuket and Thailand. | | | | unknown tour company, you could book your |
| While we mainly aim this article at visitors to our | | | | tours in advance with target="_blank" |
| part of the world in Phuket, Thailand, you can | | | | class="a1">Viators. Their prices are only a little |
| apply a lot of the advice to holidays anywhere in | | | | above what you will find at the local tour shops |
| the world. | | | | and you have the benefit of knowing you are |
| One of the great attractions of Thailand is that it | | | | dealing with reputable tour operators. |
| is cheap. The Tourism Authority of Thailand can | | | | Tipping |
| carry on pushing their vision of Thailand as a | | | | Tipping was never really a part of Thai culture. It |
| millionaire's playground for as long as they want | | | | is a custom that we visiting westerners have |
| but still the majority of visitors will be people who | | | | introduced and which Thai customers have now |
| have a limited budget. | | | | taken up. Most western visitors over-tip. |
| In this article, we will give a few simple tips to | | | | The normal tip in Thailand at restaurants or bars |
| help you make your money go further. We are | | | | is 20 baht. That may seem like a derisory sum to |
| not talking about the sort of penny-pinching | | | | leave by western standards but in Thailand they |
| measures that backpackers use to make their | | | | do not expect any more. You are not being |
| tiny budget stretch a year. We are not going to | | | | tightfisted by leaving so little. In fact, some claim |
| suggest you eat noodles every day. After all, you | | | | that westerners who come here and tip big are |
| are on holiday and holidays are meant to be | | | | actually causing problems for everybody else. |
| enjoyed. However, most people have worked | | | | They are creating an expectancy of big tips from |
| hard for their two-week holiday in the land of | | | | westerners that never used to exist. |
| smiles and there is no reason why they should | | | | Getting Around |
| not get the best from their money. Here are a | | | | The tuk-tuks have earned themselves a bad |
| few simple tips to make the money go a bit | | | | reputation for both prices and service. They are |
| further. | | | | now charging a ridiculous 200-baht for short trips |
| Accommodation | | | | around Patong. Unfortunately, if you have bags or |
| If you want budget accommodation then usually | | | | want to make a long journey then there is often |
| you can find good deals just by walking in off the | | | | no choice but to use them. All we would say is |
| street. Walk around the side streets of any of | | | | make sure you agree a price before starting the |
| Phuket's beach resorts and you will find | | | | journey. Considering the prices they charge, there |
| guesthouses. During peak high-season (Xmas & | | | | is no reason to give a tip. |
| January) it is better to book in advance as there | | | | There are motorcycle taxis everywhere. You can |
| may not be any rooms available. Whatever you | | | | recognise them from their coloured vests. A |
| do, do not ask a tuk-tuk driver for a | | | | short trip around town should cost 20-40 baht. |
| recommendation. They will just take you | | | | You can hire a motorcycle for 200 baht a day. |
| somewhere that pays them commission. | | | | They are a great way to get around town and |
| If you want mid to high range accommodation | | | | see a bit of the island. Drive carefully and always |
| then you should book in advance. If you walk in | | | | wear a helmet. Bring an International Driving |
| off the street, you will pay more for your room. | | | | License and carry it whenever you are driving. If |
| It may seem strange but it is cheaper to book in | | | | you do not carry an IDL, you may end up paying |
| advance through a travel agent or | | | | the police a few 300-baht fines. |
| internet-booking site. The internet booking sites | | | | You can hire jeeps from independent renters for |
| have the best rates. An excellent tool for finding | | | | 800 baht a day (but with very little insurance) or |
| the best rates is target="_blank" >Hotels | | | | cars from reputable hire companies from 1,400 |
| Combined. This Australian based website does a | | | | baht a day. |
| price comparison across 30 internet-booking sites | | | | Restaurants |
| and finds the cheapest available rates. | | | | Eating out is remarkably cheap in Phuket. There |
| If you are on a longer-term holiday of a month or | | | | are so many restaurants that there is a lot of |
| more then it may be worth looking for an | | | | competition and even the tourist restaurants will |
| apartment. If you go further back from the | | | | seem cheap to most visitors. Still there are big |
| beach (e.g. Nanai Road in Patong), you can find | | | | price differences between restaurants. Generally, |
| nice one bedroom apartments from 12,000 baht a | | | | the further you go from the beach, the lower the |
| month. | | | | prices. If you eat at one of the major restaurants |
| Flights | | | | along the beachfront then you are going to pay |
| Finding cheap airfares is a little more complicated. | | | | for the location. |
| There is a lot to be said for buying a package | | | | Thai food is cheaper than western food. It is also |
| holiday from a travel agent. They will use their | | | | very good and there is a tremendous range of |
| buying power to ensure you get good rates for | | | | dishes. You are sure to find something you like |
| your hotels and flights. However, many people | | | | and appreciating the local cuisine is part of getting |
| enjoy the flexibility and independence of booking | | | | to know the local culture. |
| their own flights. | | | | You should also consider getting out of the tourist |
| We would like to give a link to a single site that | | | | resorts and trying some real Thai style |
| provides cheap international flights across the | | | | restaurants. The difference in price and style of |
| globe. Unfortunately, it does not work like that. | | | | food can be startling. |
| The airlines do not give their cheapest tickets to | | | | Check Your Bill |
| the major international travel sites. They know | | | | Do check your restaurant or bar bill before paying. |
| that companies such as Travelocity & Priceline | | | | We would not want to say this is common but it |
| have the marketing power to sell tickets that are | | | | does occasionally happen that they add extra |
| more expensive. Therefore, while these | | | | items or total it up incorrectly to get more |
| companies sell in more countries and cover more | | | | money. Don't feel bad about it. Thai customers |
| destinations, they do not have cheap airline | | | | invariably check their bill and are not embarrassed |
| tickets. | | | | to point out 'mistakes'. |
| The airlines give their cheapest tickets to small | | | | Shopping |
| independent travel agents. These smaller agents | | | | You should avoid shopping at the tourist stalls |
| usually only sell flights that depart from their local | | | | along the beachfront and around the tourist |
| country. So for example, if you are in the UK you | | | | resorts. The quality of goods is unreliable and the |
| could check cheapflights.co.uk and they will check | | | | prices are vastly hiked. Unless of course you just |
| for the cheapest flights from a range of small | | | | want the fun of haggling and do not mind that |
| agents. You will probably find return flights to | | | | you may be buying overpriced rubbish. |
| Phuket from £500 or less. If you try the | | | | You have to be careful when asking tuk-tuk |
| major international travel agents then return | | | | drivers for recommendations. If you are looking |
| flights start from $2,000. Therefore, whatever | | | | for specialty shops (jewelry, tailors, etc) then |
| country you are in, check the internet or | | | | there are a lot of these that pay commission to |
| classifieds for your local travel agents and look | | | | tuk-tuks for bringing customers. The tuk-tuks will |
| around. | | | | take you to these shops rather than the places |
| The best international internet-booking site is This | | | | that will give you good deals. |
| site covers most major destinations and sells | | | | You should do your shopping at the department |
| tickets in most countries. While their prices are | | | | stores, shopping malls, markets or at specialty |
| not the absolute cheapest, they are very | | | | shops which are mostly in Phuket Town. The new |
| competitive. | | | | Jung Ceylon shopping mall is the best option in |
| Travel Insurance | | | | Patong. Beyond the tourist resorts are Robinsons, |
| Many visitors seem willing to travel to Thailand | | | | Central Festival, Tesco Lotus and Big C. |
| without travel insurance. The low medical costs in | | | | For cheap clothes, trinkets, accessories, etc, two |
| Thailand mean this is not such a big gamble as at | | | | good locations are the Weekend Market (Sat & |
| a destination such as the United States where | | | | Sun 3pm-10pm) on Wai-Rat-Hong-Yak Road in |
| high medical fees and a litigious society make | | | | Phuket Town and Expo Indoor Market on Tilok |
| travel insurance an essential. | | | | Uthit 2 Road, Phuket Town. |
| However, we really would recommend that new | | | | If you are looking for gold, silver, pearls, jewelry, |
| visitors to Thailand get some form of travel | | | | art, antiques, etc then the best specialty shops |
| insurance. Things can and do go wrong and it is | | | | are in Phuket Town. The problem is finding them. |
| best to be protected. | | | | You have an extra problem here because even if |
| Do not get travel insurance from your travel | | | | you know where you want to go, your tuk-tuk |
| agent. They may offer good deals on package | | | | driver may still try to claim a commission from |
| holidays but they try to make the money back | | | | the shop. Unfortunately, the best option is to |
| on the extras and their insurance rates are | | | | drive yourself or dump your tuk-tuk after the |
| overpriced. | | | | drop off and do your shopping on foot. |
| Get your insurance from a local and reputable | | | | There are good gold & jewelry shops on Montree |
| insurance broker. There are no international | | | | Road in Phuket Town. The best art & antique |
| insurance brokers providing competitive travel | | | | shops are in the old town area of Phuket Town |
| insurance to all nationalities. Instead, you need to | | | | around Thalang Road & Dibuk Road. You should |
| go to an insurance broker in your home country. | | | | be aware that you need an export permit to |
| Price comparison sites are the quickest way to | | | | take genuine antiques out of the country. |
| find a good a good deal. You need to find a site | | | | Bartering |
| that covers your own country. So for example | | | | Bartering is part of Thai shopping culture but only |
| you could try these if you are a US Citizen or a | | | | at market stalls and independent shops. Try to |
| UK Citizen. | | | | haggle the price down a little (a lot if you are |
| Rather than just getting an insurance package for | | | | shopping at tourist stalls). It really helps if you |
| your two-week holiday, it may be a good idea to | | | | have an idea of what is a good price. Try to |
| consider an annual multi-trip insurance package. If | | | | haggle in good spirit with a smile. |
| you have more than one holiday a year or even | | | | If you can speak a little Thai, it will help. Not only |
| a few weekends away then these can be very | | | | does it create goodwill but it also gives the seller |
| good deals. | | | | the impression you know a little about Thailand |
| Money Exchange | | | | and might actually know what would be a good |
| Do not change money in your home country | | | | price. Even just an opening 'Sawatdee' may be |
| before coming to Thailand. You will get a much | | | | enough to help your cause. |
| better rate of exchange in Thailand. Bring an ATM | | | | Girls |
| card or travelers cheques. In fact, it is nice to | | | | Yes, this little section is for the guys who intend |
| have two sources of money in case of problems | | | | to play around with the bar girls. If you are not |
| so why not bring both. | | | | careful, this will rapidly become the biggest |
| Do not exchange your money at hotels. They | | | | expense of your holiday. |
| give bad rates. Exchange booths at airports also | | | | Just because you have picked up a girl at a bar, |
| give poor rates. The best way to get money | | | | that does not mean you have to buy drinks for |
| when you first arrive is to use an ATM at the | | | | every other girl at the bar. They will try their luck |
| airport | | | | and if you are a soft touch, they will keep coming |
| Tours | | | | back for more. Just say no from the start. |
| The tour prices in Phuket are generally very | | | | You do not need to ring the bell and buy |
| competitive. These organised tours are a | | | | everybody in the bar a drink. |
| convenient and reasonably priced way to see | | | | If you take a girl back to your hotel then agree |
| Phuket's tourist attractions. There are many tour | | | | the price up front (usually 1,000 to 2,000 baht). |
| shops and lots of tours so the competition keeps | | | | You do not have any responsibility to buy her |
| the prices down. Just go to any tour shop and | | | | food, drinks or pay her taxi home. It is up to you. |
| you are likely to find some good deals. | | | | Most of all, you do not have to pay for her |
| The only problem with booking tours is you do | | | | family's healthcare, sick buffalo or whatever other |
| not know the quality of the tour service. The | | | | sob-story she may tell. And you definitely do not |
| price may be competitive but if the experience is | | | | need to send her money once you have gone |
| poor then you will still be disappointed. Most of the | | | | home. |
| tour organisers provide a good service but there | | | | . |