Thailand: Among the cheapest places to visit now

Thailand has a lot to offer its tourists: picture postcard beaches, cheap shopping and ornate temples. It’s also among the cheapest places to visit now.

According to Mohit Gupta, chief business officer (holidays), MakeMyTrip, four to six nights are required to cover at least two destinations, say, Bangkok and Pattaya, which is the most common trail for Indians. Here is another sample itinerary. Reserve the first two days of your holiday for Bangkok, your entry point. On the first evening, take a cruise down the Chao Phraya river.

The following day, visit Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and Jim Thompson House. On day 3, catch a flight to Phuket (Rs 2,502 one way, via Orient Thai Airlines), or if you prefer less crowds, head to Krabi (Rs 3,524 one way, via Air Asia).

On day 4, no matter where you are based, take a day trip to the Phi Phi Island. Explore local sights the following day, be it the hot springs and Khao Pra-Bang Khram Nature Reserve in Krabi, or the Amulet market, local shrines and waterfalls in Phuket. On the last day, catch a flight back to Bangkok, and to home. Alternatively, consider a Bangkok-Chiang Mai trip.


DON’T MISS: The Loy Krathong festival will be held on 17 November this year. This is Thailand’s Festival of Lights, and on this night, thousands of lights are floated on every river, lake, as well as the ocean. The belief is that if the krathong floats away from you, the coming year will bring good fortune. In Bangkok, you’ll also see spectacular 80-tonne illuminated barges lighting up the Chao Phraya river

BEST TIME TO VISIT: November to late February is the peak season in Thailand. To avoid the crowds and the hiked rates, consider visiting in early March or October.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

AIR FARE: Direct return flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Bangkok start at Rs 18,211 and Rs 19,400 per head, respectively. For travel towards the end of October, Air India is offering the lowest fares.

EXCHANGE RATE: Currently, Rs 100 will fetch 50 Thai baht (THB). While the baht has steadily appreciated in the past year, it is still a welcome deal compared to the dollar and the euro

VISA: Indians can avail of the visa on arrival facility at 23 designated international checkpoints in Thailand, including the various airports in the country. This facility is only valid for up to a 15-day stay and the visa fee is 1,000 baht (Rs 2,000) per person.

TRIP EXPENSE: For a budget trip, set aside Rs 1,000-1,200 per person, per day, covering food, stay and sightseeing. Those preferring a mid-range holiday should plan for around Rs 2,000-3,400 per head, per day. On the other hand, luxury breaks will cost upwards of Rs 10,000 per day.

ACCOMMODATION: From hostels to fancy resorts, Thailand has a lot to offer travellers in every budget. “A night at a three-star hotel typically costs Rs2,400-3,000, while four-star hotels cost around Rs 3,600-5,000. Estimate over Rs 6,000 per night for luxury hotels,” says MakeMyTrip’s Mohit Gupta.

LOCAL COMMUTE: Apart from the cheap, local buses, travellers can rely on the metro system and Skyrail to get around. A more expensive option is the tuk-tuk. Thailand also has a decent railway network, particularly if you are headed up north to Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and the Bridge on the River Kwai (River Kwae Bridge station).

SAVING TIPS

Instead of spending big bucks at restaurants, sample local cuisine at street stalls. It’s safe and hygienic, as testified by the many Thais thronging such stalls.

There’s the MRT (metro) and BTS (Skytrain) one-day pass card costing Rs240, which lets travelers use unlimited services and makes for a value buy.

Avoid hiring a taxi or even tuktuks. The local transport is much cheaper.