Oggiedoggie ... yes Siam Safari was gr8 and, as I said, it was my 12yo daughters highlight of the entire trip. I did ask at all the ticket booths on the street and also at the Merlin about the elephant trek at Kok Chang, but no-one knew much about it, or perhaps it was just that they wanted to push the "Siam Safari" trip. Forumites had said that the Kok Chang one was a bit better, and easy to get to via a taxi, tuk tuk etc. So ... being a Thailand virgin, I just went with the easiest option of Siam. When we went for our drive down the coast, we actually went past the Kok Chang place, so its not far from Patong, so maybe worth looking into, to get a taxi there. On Cathys website she talks about it and has photos, so have a look www.cathyandgarystravelpages.com
I would say if you budget $100 per day per person, that mite give you an idea, but, at the same time, everyone is different in what they spend on and how much. Im only saying $100 as a figure cos that is roughly what we spent, but I did buy a LOT!
As for larger clothes for women, good luck with that! I am a size 12/14 and I had to buy a size XXL in a bikini, does that help??!! It seems they cater well to larger men, with size XXL tshirts and clothes everywhere, but not so well to larger women. I didnt buy a lot of clothes there, just some t-shirts, couple dresses, black pants and the dreaded bikini!
Anyway ... have fun looking!

Karin ... yes the hubby did get the least spent on him! He didnt need or want much, just lots of sunnies, some t-shirts and the complete 3 seasons of "My name is Earl"!!!
No ... I do not have an excellent memory! I keep a travel diary (its the Secretary in me!) and everytime Id come home from somewhere, be it shopping or a trip, Id jot down everything, prices etc. I love looking back on it (and reminiscing about the fab holiday!) plus its also helpful for when people ask me questions, like now! You dont need to go out and buy an expensive travel diary, just a small book to write things in. Its a nice keepsake too.
The $70 I spent on phone calls was way too expensive for my liking. Im very lazy when it comes to modern technology, so I just rang from the room phones. When I was in Bali and Vietnam, call costs back to oz were no where near that expensive. eg. a 5 minute phone call cost me bloody $18!!!!!!! NEVER AGAIN!!! Ill just have to learn how to email or get a thai simcard! I did however have to ring up on one of the days I was away, as it was my 23rd wedding anniversary, and I dont think hubby wd have been too happy if I didnt call on that day!!!

Cheers for now Kitty