Like everywhere in the world you pay more for the best locations. If you look a little bit inland there are fantastic deals to be had. So if you are coming as an independent traveller book a hotel for three days and find somewhere cheaper and better. Target guide price about £10 - $20 a night for hotel room. Out in the sticks if you like adventuring, you can get a bamboo hut for £3 a night! If you like seafood Thailand is great. Completely international food available at resorts. You can get a lobster meal in Patong, ‘Savoey Seafood’ for under £6 or you can pay £15 at some posher places.
Cars & Bikes
Use the booking service for taxis at the airport. You will get a metered cab and the driver will probably know the way. Try and get the address of your hotel/destination in both English & Thai. Most Thais speak some English but can’t read it. Your motivation to travel far will soon be sapped by the heat and probably you won’t go anywhere unless you hire a car or a bike. You will soon get fed up with buses or being ripped off by Tuk Tuk drivers.
If you MUST get a bike there is NO INSURANCE. If there is an accident as a foreigner ‘Farang’ its your fault, no question about it. A Thai on a bike or in a car is not the polite person you meet on the street. They are maniacs! When driving, expect random unexpected behaviour, like cats that run across the road without looking and hope for the best! Hire an automatic start/gears bike or scooter unless you are an experienced rider.
The Motor Cycle taxis run 24 hours for short journeys just 40 baht. Only use official ones that wear blue tops in Phuket and I think its red/orange ones in Bangkok. This is not the safest option but these guys have had some kind of ‘official testing’ – you hope!
Thai Girls
You are a single guy and a pretty girl starts chatting to you, yes she may even like & even fancy you – but probably she likes your wallet even more! If you have seen the Film ET - ‘Phone Home’, The Thailand version is ‘Send Money Home’. You are considered a farang ATM machine and they will not sleep with you for free. So be sure of her and your intentions before proceeding.
There should be an academy award for some of these girls because they are superb actresses! "My mothers cow is sick it might die, she can’t afford the vets bills" Etc Etc. You don’t want to end up being one of her ten blokes sending money every month! Many a romance has developed from the GFE and sometimes it develops into the WE (wife experience). This may be followed by the DE (divorce experience) and the going home with no money experience.
Remember the song "Will you still love me tomorrow." As long as you realise it’s a very different culture from home, don’t try and fight against it, go with it, enjoy it and you will have a great time. Finally take usual precautions, if you get my drift!
Airport Departure Tax
Remember you need to pay 700 Baht in cash before they will let you leave Thailand! Currency left over? If you come back via Emirates Dubai or Abu Dhabi they will take any currency you have in payment. All the cashiers have calculators and know the current exchange rates. I paid for a sandwich and a drink half in Thai money and half in sterling!
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