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