Thailand spending money help

shoe_gal_84

My partner and I are off to Thailand in a couple of weeks on our honeymoon.

We are doing 3 nights in Bangkok, 4 nights in Chiang Mai and 8 nights in Koh Samui. We have 5* hotels booked throughout (all bed and breakfast) and private taxi transfers from all flights. We don't do luxury very often but are treating ourselves for our honeymoon.

I'm really struggling to work out how much spending money to take. We have worked out that the elephant and zip wire excursion and cookery class will cost around £500 in total. But how much more do we take? We will need to pay for all lunches and dinners for the duration, as well as entry into temples etc, other excursions and souvenirs.

Happy to try eating streetfood etc and won't be extravagent, but would like a few 'posh' meals out to celebrate.

Also, what's the best way to get the money as don't want to take all cash. I've applied for a credit card (on MSE's advice), but don't want to rely on that.

Any help gratefully appreciated.

Horace

I wore a body belt containing money and am trying to remember how much I took although I was only there 2 days on stopover...some excursions were included in my trip.

I had to remember that I kept money back - I think it was 50baht so that I could pay for an exit visa at the airport.

I went to see the Reclining Buddha, the Marble Buddha and the Golden Buddha. I also went to a huge gemmology place and bought some jewellery for my friends and bought myself some white gold & sapphire earrings as well as an 18ct yellow gold, star ruby and diamond ring - all the stones are certificated. I think I spent around £200 in all but can't swear to it as it was so long ago (2003).

My tip is to keep money and cards in a money belt under your t-shirt that way you are not getting your wallet or purse pinched - and the locals do steal when tourists are getting merry.

Avoid drugs of any kind - don't even accept a spliff from anyone as that will be enough to land you with a prison sentence. I am not saying that you will but it is something you should be warned about.

Moneywise 2000 baht is equivalent to £30

Doshwaster

shoe_gal_84 wrote: »

My partner and I are off to Thailand in a couple of weeks on our honeymoon.

We are doing 3 nights in Bangkok, 4 nights in Chiang Mai and 8 nights in Koh Samui. We have 5* hotels booked throughout (all bed and breakfast) and private taxi transfers from all flights. We don't do luxury very often but are treating ourselves for our honeymoon.

Fantastic! That trip seems the perfect way to see all sides of Thailand - city, north country and island beach. Each is totally different but wonderful in its own way.

For day to day spending Thailand is still very much a cash society so you need to make sure you have sufficient on you but cash machines are everywhere. I don't even change any money before going - I just walk straight to the first ATM I see at BKK airport.

I go to Thailand regularly and keep a credit card for emergencies and any major purchases otherwise I take a pre-paid currency card and then withdraw cash every few days. All Thai banks charge 150BHT (about £3) for withdrawals so make sure you take out £100-200 at a time.

I hope you enjoy the luxury, but do get out to try to street stalls and markets. One of the joys of Thailand is that it can be done so cheaply - watching the world go by in bustling night market with a bowl of noodles and a bottle of cold beer for less than £2.

shoe_gal_84

Thanks both for your helpful comments.

I have just done some research on the Travelex prepaid card, this seems as though it will be the best option for us.

no1catman

Doshwaster - seems to be the 'expert'. I've been there twice - the first time Bangkok & The River Kwai was in 1980, and the second Pattaya in 1987!

Then I found the Banks there give better rates than getter exchange before you go - easy getting money at the Thai Military Bank (I wonder if it's still going?) at the airport, I just changed Sterling travellers cheques!

I do remember the Temple Tour was good, and the Rose Garden. Singha beer is ok, otherwise soft drinks - I had Sprite there before it came here.
Do be wary of what you buy e.g. silk is fine, but I heard of someone who was so impressed with the carving on some furniture - ordered it to be shipped home - which incurred extra expenses and then unpacked - no carvings bare wood!!

Good look.

Thailand is a wonderful country, warm, english is the second language, and the people are friendly, so enjoy and take plenty of pictures.

TakeThis

shoe_gal_84 wrote: »

Thanks both for your helpful comments.

I have just done some research on the Travelex prepaid card, this seems as though it will be the best option for us.

Remember that it is the GLOBE card that you need. Also check that your current bank card does not charge you to load Prepaid cards.
A better bet is to obtain Sterling Travellers cheques commission free from Lloyds Bank. Order online or by phone and pick up in branch.

Doshwaster

no1catman wrote: »

Doshwaster - seems to be the 'expert'. I've been there twice - the first time Bangkok & The River Kwai was in 1980, and the second Pattaya in 1987!

I wouldn't call myself an "expert" but I have been to Thailand 5 times in the last 7 years (shame the exchange rate isn't what it was then 75 BHT to the pound!) and it's my favourite place in the world - but there are still big parts of the country left to explore.

I'm not sure you'd recognise Bangkok and Pattaya if you went back now.

SaveTheEuro

shoe_gal_84 wrote: »

how much more do we take?

Happy to try eating streetfood etc and won't be extravagent, but would like a few 'posh' meals out to celebrate.

You can pick up street food for 20p and a decent restaurant meal for a few pounds. The joy of Thailand is cheap living.

TakeThis

SaveTheEuro wrote: »

You can pick up street food for 20p and a decent restaurant meal for a few pounds. The joy of Thailand is cheap living.

It's not all cheap.
Whilst you can eat 'low end', you won't find too many meals for 20p. Perhaps a stick with a few scraps of barbecued meat on it.

If they are staying on Sukhumvit whilst in Bangkok, they can visit the Kinnaree or Cabbages and Condoms.

Banglamphu has quite a few options. If wanting to splash out, they can head for a rooftop experience at Vertigo/Banyan Tree or Lebua.

sharpee

We went to Thailand for out Honeymoon in February. We stayed in a 5" resort too on B&B basis.


For 7 nights we took

£150 in Thai Baht
£400 in Travellers Cheques

We went on 2 excursions which we paid for on our Credit Card.

We ate in our resorts many restuarants which we put on our bill and settled at the end of our holiday. We weren't extravegant and event with two 5000 baht spa treatments and eating for 7 nights our bill at the hotel came to around £500, which we paid for with our travellers cheques and the balance on our credit card.

Hope that helps

Doshwaster

SaveTheEuro wrote: »

You can pick up street food for 20p and a decent restaurant meal for a few pounds. The joy of Thailand is cheap living.

Actually, I would say the joy of Thailand is that you can have a great time whatever your budget. At the cheaper end of the market you can find accommodation for less than £10/night and a meal for £2, in the middle market, say £50/night, you can get affordable luxury for the price you pay for a dodgy B&B here and at the top end there's some of the most luxurious hotels and spas in the world.