Budget for Your Travel in Thailand - Focusing on Koh Phangan

As I was planning my first vacation in Thailand, I’ve heard from my Thailand veteran friends two things that almost spoiled my whole trip. The first one was a promise that Thailand is a paradise. Of course, Thailand is extraordinary beautiful, the people are warm and honest, and the food is delicious. But if you expect to land in “Paradise” – nothing will really excite you. The second obstructive factor was budget estimation. Some of my best friends told me, that with a 40,000 baht budget I’d have the ability to travel “as a queen” in Thailand. What can I say? I never met such a modest, unpretentious queen… So here a word of advice: base your budget on more concrete information not on the estimations of someone who visited Thailand 10 years ago as a backpacker.

It a fact: the expenses gaps in Thailand can be huge. These are the gaps between cheaper North and more expensive island resorts; differences between basic accommodation and “western standard” accommodation; and gaps between a backpacker’s budget and a spoiled tourist’s one. The following information may be useful for you, if you are interested in planning your budget in Koh Phangan in advance and… the right way!

The costs of getting to Koh Phangan from Bangkok can vary from about 4,000 baht (if your transportation choice includes a flight to Koh Samui with “Bangkok Air” and sailing to Koh Phangan from Koh Samui by a ferry) to 650 baht (if you prefer to get there by a night bus).

The costs of accommodation depend on many factors, including the distance to the sea beach, season (a period between December and February considered as a high season, due to the wonderful weather conditions) air conditioning in the bungalow, access to hot water and other general factors. Air-conditioned bungalows on the front of the beach in high standard resorts such as Cocohut in Leela beach, Phangan Utopia in Haad Thong Lang, or Panviman in Thong Nai Pan will cost you in the high season about 2100 to 3500 baht per night (including a breakfast). The smallest bungalows, with no air condition and only cold water in the shower, quite far from the sea – could be as cheap as 200 baht per night. It should be mentioned, that the price refers to a whole bungalow, which could always be shared by two people. (Note that in most cases even three people can share a bungalow for additional pay).

Food is inexpensive in Koh Phangan – if you know how to choose the right place for your meal. The less you pay for your food In Thailand – the more you enjoy it. For the best meals in Koh Phangan I paid as little as 100 - 150 baht per meal, including the soup, salad and beverages. On the other hand, in a fancy restaurant you could end up paying up to 500 baht and the food wouldn’t necessarily be better (of better quality or taste). One beer costs 40-50 baht (the small one) or 60 – 70 (the big one); one cocktail costs about 130 – 150 baht, and for single aperitif drink you could be charged up to 250 baht.

Thailand is widely known for its traditional body massage, so don’t skip it during your stay in Koh Phangan. The usual costs vary from 200 baht (for the food massage) to 300 baht (for the Thai Traditional herb massage; Oil massage; or Swedish massage).

If you came to the island and you’re not suitably dressed for the beach life – you can purchase everything you need in Thongsala or Haad Rin shops. T-shirt will cost you 100 – 300 baht, pants or skirt – 250 – 600 baht, cheap sunglasses about 200 baht, and a pair of sandals – 130 – 400 baht. Try not to pay more than the prices above, because you’ll probably never use any of your new clothes again.

Taxi fares depend on the distances and amount of passengers. For example, traveling from Haad Rin to Thongsala in a jeep full of passengers will cost you about 50 baht, whereas traveling alone from Haad Rin to Thong Nai Pan could be as expensive as 300 baht. Long tail more information about transportation options and prices within the island territory can be found here. Information about special activities and their costs can be found here.