Just replied to a thread about the silly booze prices. This thread is a continuation of that reply.
The booze is **** and it's expensive.
Thailands 100% import tax for all things not Thai has hit the consumer choice for tourists wanting decent wine or beer. The local beers and hard hooch is terrible. Some of it's drinkable only because you dont have a choice you get used to it but that's not loving the beer.
I mean it would be great if you could goto the 711 and buy a Stella right? If you had the consumer choice you would probably go nice one this is Thai beer is it. Not that good mate is it? No mate it isn't. Stella? Yeah thought you'd never ask. Get them in then your round.

Other things that are expensive are computers. Cars, anything that isn't a cheap copy. All the shopping that was a great plus of a Thai holiday you can get home cheaper in Camden Market. 53 baht to the quid and the recession and the Chinese ecconomy basically taking the copied goods market and winning hands down you don't need Thailand for that.

All in all these are harder times and more expensive times than the glory days of ole when Thailand was cheap.

It all depends on where you go. Thailand isnt a "third world country" but away from the main tourist traps you will still eat, drink, shop and be pampered for far less than at home. When was the last time you got an hours massage for 3 quid or a Pad Thai for 50p ? Or a beach side bungalow for 15 quid a night? Or a Heineken at an ocean front restaraunt for 1 quid? Or a room in a riverfront raft that slept 4 for 8 quid? Or got Laundry done for 70p a kilo? Some prices have gone up but there is still excellent value if you look. I dont go on holidays to buy a computer or a car so these things dont really effect the quality of my time in Thailand.

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I love Thailand this much

Shopping was the biggest attraction to most tourists.
Exchange rate. Thailands baht is strong. So if you went on holiday 3 yrs ago you would be more for your money right? Thats my point. Maybe you can still afford it but tourists will be thinking twice this year. Plus added to that prices are up across the board.

Anything on this table for 100 baht...Kachanubri night market June 2009..Exchange rate 28 baht to 1 Aussie dollar.



Long neck of Chang beer..70 baht at this restaurant with a view.



View from our breakfast at the Whitehouse on Choengmon Beach Samui...After pay 1 get 1 free deal, paid about 1800 baht per night including breakfast for 4 of us in a front row room.

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I love Thailand this much

These appetizer platters cost 100 baht each at a pretty swanky Samui eatery.

This plate of 4 9" prawns covered in a succulent Yellow curry was 325 baht at the same place.

This is the view we enjoyed as we devoured this amazing meal....priceless.

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I love Thailand this much

Maybe whiterabbit is from the UK? If so, yes, everythiung is a lot more expensive than it used to be, just like the whole world is more expensive that it used to be.

The main reason for that is the decline in value of the UK Pound.

The GBP has taken a battering over the past 12 months. I'm advised that this dramatic decline in the value of the GBP will continue in 2010. Therefore, the tremendous rate that the UK tourists enjoyed three or so years ago has largely evaporated.

From 80 baht to the pound a few years ago, it looks to be heading towards 45-40, so that is almost a doubling in land costs for UK tourists.

Bangkok has become somewhat of an expensive city, but it is still a long way cheaper than Hong Kong or Singapore.

Lovely photographs Shanek. Nice looking family as well.

It's all in the eye of the beholder. Depends on where you come from, the ex-rate of your home currency, and what stuff costs in your home country. I already told the tale of how prices were jacked up for tourists at the Lamai night market - 350Bt for a seabass, we said stuff that and went about 2KM away to a Thai area and got the same sized seabass for half the price (180Bt) But your average tourists would still think 350Bt is a good price. That's about $11AUD, still far cheaper than back home.

You hear people say cameras & computers are cheap in Thailand; others say they're more expensive in Thailand. All depends where you're from. However, when it comes to cost of accommodation & utilities, cost of eating, and cost of entertainment, in my opinion Thailand offers the best all round value for money.

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The Truly Wise Man Never Plays Leapfrog With A Unicorn

will you get your photos off here

whos forum is it

theres a place for your private holiday snaps