Of course, it is not difficult to find flower delivery services in Bangkok on the Internet. Search engines offer dozens of local and international flower delivery services. But I was unpleasantly surprised by the cost of the bouquets, which turned out to be much higher than I expected. I am not a wealthy person and I always try to choose goods and services with the best value for money, so for several hours I looked and compared all the options available.

The highest prices were found for international flower delivery services. Probably due to the presence of intermediaries and high advertising costs. A bouquet of 12 red roses, which I wanted to order for the anniversary of my acquaintance with a Thai girl, was priced from 2090 to 2693 THB. At the same time, some bouquets were made of small roses, and when choosing larger flowers, the cost became even higher. And about half of the options found did not include the cost of flower delivery in Bangkok. And this is an additional 150-300 THB.

Gallery of bouquets on the flower delivery site Flowers-Bangkok (photo from the store’s website)

The only option that stood out favorably from the others I found at the local flower shop Flowers-Bangkok.com. This store offered a bouquet of 12 roses for just THB 1,680 and included free shipping in the city. According to the description, Flowers-Bangkok uses large premium roses with long stems to create the bouquet. Since the price seemed to me very attractive (compared to other stores), I began to carefully study the reviews. The bouquet of 12 roses was in the bestseller category and all the reviews were positive.

After a short correspondence with the managers (I wrote to e-mail in English and received answers in the same language), I decided and ordered a bouquet of 12 roses for my girlfriend. I was assured of safety by the fact that the store accepts Paypal and in case of any problems I could dispute the payment and return the entire amount. It’s worth noting here that I was counting on free shipping in Bangkok as stated on the store’s website. But it turned out that the area where my girlfriend lives and works (near Don Muang Airport) belongs to the suburbs of Bangkok and I was forced to pay +149 THB for delivery.

So my advice is this: choose girls who live or work in the central areas of the city :). In my case, the distance from the store to the place of delivery exceeded 30 km, so the flower delivery cost was quite adequate. The total cost of the bouquet with delivery turned out to be 1,829 THB and this is in any case a lower price than the other options I studied. The quoted price also included a greeting card with my message, which I added during checkout. The process was simple and required me to provide my name and email address, as well as the delivery address and recipient’s phone number. By the way, most international flower deliveries charge an additional fee for the greeting card.

Lovely bouquet for my lovely girlfriend in Bangkok

During checkout you can choose a delivery date (there is delivery on the same day when ordering before 15:00) and a convenient time for delivery. Ferrero Rocher chocolate could be added to the bouquet, but in my case it was superfluous (the girl doesn’t like it). If we talk about the bouquet, the girl was delighted. The flowers were really fresh and large, and the bouquet looked very expensive and solid. I don’t know what I would get when choosing a bouquet for 2600 THB in other stores, but I don’t think I could get a better result. By the way, this photo was sent to me from the store before sending it to the recipient. In fact, the bouquet is larger than it appears in this photo.

After successful delivery, I received an email from the store with a 6% discount coupon for my next order. Since I was completely satisfied with the service and the result, I will definitely use Flowers-Bangkok’s services in the future and such a discount will be a pleasant bonus. To make my review as objective as possible, I can point out a small drawback of the Flowers-Bangkok flower delivery service. Unfortunately, they only deliver bouquets and gifts in Bangkok and the nearest neighboring provinces. Therefore, I could not send flowers to my another good friend who lives in Phuket.

Also, some may not like the choice of flowers: the store specializes in large roses, but the choice of other flowers is limited. In the shop page I saw only gerberas, sunflowers and bouquets of some small inflorescences, the names of which I did not remember. On the other hand, roses are the most popular flowers. And I am sure that many men prefer to order roses for their beloved Thai girls or wives. Therefore, I can safely recommend the flower delivery service in Bangkok Flowers-Bangkok to get the maximum result at the lowest price.

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Left luggage location at Bangkok Airport

Until 2019, there were 2 luggage lockers at the Bangkok airport, which you could find on the 2nd and 4th floors of the airport under the sign LEFT LUGGAGE. But in 2020, both left-luggage offices operate under a new brand: Bellugg Left Luggage (see photo). The first left-luggage office is located on the 2nd floor of the airport, not far from the escalator and exit No. 4. This is the arrivals area, so I advise you to use the left-luggage office on the 4th floor, because it is there that you will check in for the return flight and it is in the departure zone that buses from resorts, taxis from Bangkok and taxi transfer to Bangkok airport arrive.

Luggage storage at Suvarnabhumi Airport (4th floor)

Finding a luggage room in the departure area (4th floor) is not difficult. It is located in the area between gates 7 and 8. Having entered one of these gates, you must cross the airport building, i.e. walk past the check-in desks in zones P and Q. Another landmark is one of the huge statues of a demon with a sword from Ramayana, behind which you should notice the signature sign of the luggage storage and the Bellugg logo in the form of an elephant with a suitcase.

Bellugg Left Luggage lockers work hours – around the clock and seven days a week (24/7).

Luggage Storage Rates at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Depending on the size of your backpack, bag or suitcase, you will have to pay a different amount for storage. As you can see in the photo, the cheapest price to store things is up to 55 centimeters (or 22 inches) in size. The first day of storage of your luggage, the size of which does not exceed this limit, will cost you 100 Thai baht (about 3.1 USD). After the end of the first day, a 12-hour tariffication starts, and for each next 12 hours of storage you will be required to pay 50 THB. A bit more expensive storage a luggage, the size of which is in the range from 22 to 28 inches (from 55 to 71 cm). The first day costs 120 THB, and for the storage of each next 12 hours you will be required to pay 60 THB.

Baggage storage fares at Bangkok Airport

Finally, for storage of baggage that is larger than 28 inches (71 cm), you will be required to pay 150 THB for the first day of storage and 75 THB for each subsequent 12 hours of storage. Payment for luggage storage is not made immediately, but at the time of baggage claim, so do not forget to leave the right amount of money. For some reason, in February 2020, you could only pay in cash, but perhaps by the time you use these service at the Bangkok airport, the option to pay by credit card will already be added.

How is luggage checked in for storage

The luggage check-in process at Suvarnabhumi Airport is very simple. There are tablets in the service room with which you enter all the necessary information: your name, country, email address, phone number and, most importantly, passport number. To receive baggage, you will need to show not only a printed receipt with a QR code of your baggage, but also the passport that you specified during the registration process. In the photo below, you can see how the receipt for luggage for storage looks like. I left my main backpack and suitcase in the luggage room, so I had to pay 100 + 120 THB for the first day, although my things were stored for only 7 hours (the departure from Bangkok was at 2 a.m. and I decided to spend time after my eviction from the condo in Pattaya in Bangkok).

Tablets for filling in luggage owner details

What can not be stored at Bangkok Airport

There is a list of things that are forbidden to be left in the luggage storage of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Firstly, these are fruits like durian, which have a persistent unpleasant odor. This category also includes food products that can deteriorate during storage and smell unpleasant. Secondly, it is forbidden to leave weapons, ammunition and explosives in the storage room – for obvious reasons. For some reason, sharp objects like scissors and knives, including folding ones, have been added to this category.

Bans and restrictions for left luggage to the baggage room

Thirdly, it is forbidden to leave valuable items, money, expensive jewelry and consumer electronics in the form of laptops, cameras, phones, tablets, etc. The same category includes alcoholic beverages and glassware. I think you can leave it, but as always: the left-luggage office is not responsible for the safety of this kind of thing. Finally, it is forbidden to take luggage to the storage room, in which there are representatives of the fauna – animals and birds. Thus, there is a whole list that significantly limits the use of lockers at Bangkok Airport.

However, as often happens, the severity of the rules is compensated by the non-bindingness of their implementation. For example, in my luggage there were a lot of fruits, alcohol and several knives. However, none of this was forbidden to be left, although the entire baggage was checked with a scanner. Perhaps because I immediately said that I would pick up my things the same day. On the other hand, if you just flew to Bangkok and want to leave your belongings for a long time, you probably will not have any fruits, no alcohol, or other items that are forbidden to be left in the storage room.

Receipt for Bellugg Left Luggage

Thus, luggage storage at the Bangkok airport is a convenient service, but the cost of storage is not low, especially when used for a long time. And if your trip to Thailand lasts for two weeks, then the minimum fee for storing one piece of baggage will be 1400 THB (45 USD). Accordingly, if you flew for a month travel, then luggage storage will cost 3000-3600 THB (or 90-115 USD). This is not a small amount of money, and in some cases it is more reasonable to leave things in the country of departure (if the fee for luggage storage at your airport is lower) or even use old clothes and shoes, which will not be a pity to throw away after arriving in Bangkok.

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CONTENTS OF ARTICLE ( you can click on the link for quick transition)

• Advantages of car rental in Phuket
  

• Where you can rent a car in Phuket

• The advantages of car rental in Phuket online

• Rent a car in Phuket: practical tips

• Terms of rental car in Phuket and order of booking

Advantages of car rental in Phuket

If you are flying to Phuket as part of a group tour and you will travel for free by shuttle bus to the hotel from the airport and back. If you plan that all the time you will move around only near your hotel and in the area of nearby beach, it mean that rent a car in Phuket you definitely should not. Also, this service will not be available to you in the event that you or your companions do not know how to drive a car. But if you are an active tourist who wants to visit all the interesting places in Phuket to visit the most beautiful beaches of the island with a minimum number of tourists, or go on a fascinating trip by car to the neighboring resorts – for example, to the Krabi province – you definitely should think about renting a car Phuket. Especially that this service not only makes the vacation more complete, but also saves a lot of money.

One of the main disadvantages of Phuket – the presence of the local “mafia” of taxi drivers and tuk-tuk drivers. Local authorities, which every year promise to solve the problem of unreasonably high tariffs for travel in a taxi, in reality, nothing can change (I think they are interested in financially that nothing has changed). As a result, taxi drivers and tuk-tuks want to take from you about 8-10 USD for a ten-minute trip to the nearby beach and the same amount for the return journey. And this in a situation where the cost of renting a modern car with automatic transmission is 20-30 USD per day. Those. even for small trips to the nearby beach is more profitable to rent a car than to use local transport. And if you are going to visit the viewing platforms, lonely beaches, markets and shopping centers of the island – rent a car would be much cheaper than using a taxi for this purpose. Of course, in some cases it is convenient to use a motorbike, but there are also some nuances, which can be found on the page “What is better for rent in Phuket – car or motorbike.”

Where you can rent a car in Phuket

It is possible to rent a car in Phuket as in large international companies and small local offices for car rental. In general, car rental service is very popular in Phuket and in general in Thailand, so in the country are almost all global companies in this area: Hertz, Avis, National, Budget, Europcar, etc. Typically, most offices are located in the airport and on popular beaches also. Rent for a day is an average of 900 THB or more (depending on the vehicle class), and may be slightly reduced during long-term lease. The advantage of this option is a big fleet of modern vehicles with automatic transmission (and this is very good for the right-hand drive vehicles, especially if in the your country car steering wheel on the left side ), the availability of insurance against theft and accidents and good technical condition of vehicles.

Rent a car in Phuket – rental services in airport terminal

The second option – rent a car in small private offices, which are located on the popular beaches. The cost of renting here will be similar or even higher (possible bargain), and the technical condition of the car can be both good and bad. Among the possible problems – fraud when you return the car, when the car owner requires the  money to repair the alleged new scratches on the body or increased compensation for repair costs in case of accident. Also, some shortcoming is registration of the contract only in Thai. I do not discourage you to use a lease option in small local firms, but I advise you very carefully inspect the car before renting and fixing even minor damage on a special form (especially on the bumpers, sills, wheels and tires), carefully examine the insurance and the availability of the franchise, as well as in any case do not leave your passport as a deposit.

When renting a car on the island in large rolling offices, you can avoid most of the problems identified. It is important that rent a car in Phuket, you can immediately after arrival to the island, because the major car rental companies have offices at the airport. Think for yourself: a taxi ride to the beaches of Karon and Kata will cost you 900-1000 baht in the one direction and the same fare back. In the same amount would cost you to rent a car for a day, ie, Two days rent to some extent can be considered for free. Unlike private companies, which concerned about the maximum benefit for themselves one times, major car rental companies strive to provide the highest quality service and making you a regular customer (not just at the time of rental in Phuket, but also in other countries).

The advantages of car rental in Phuket online

The main advantage of renting a car in Phuket in large rolling offices – the possibility of online booking and big discounts for long-term lease. Also is better to book a car in Phuket Airport are not directly in a particular company, and use the services of a special broker, which has information on all available cars on your dates. That broker is an international service “Rentalcars”, through which you can in a few minutes to check the presence of vehicles on the dates you have selected at once in all rolling offices, choose your favorite model, to quickly compare prices and terms of the car rent Phuket. Using online search car rental service, you can use a number of important advantages of this service:

★ Automatically receive significant discounts on long-term lease (just check the price of rent for a day or for a week and you’ll see it);

★ An important advantage for the foreign customers – service support more than 40 popular languages and you will sign the contract for your native language. Even if you know good English, to understand some of the technical issues in their native language will be much easier and faster.

★ The ability to choose the car with full insurance with no deductible (more on this – see below);

★ Free cancellation of booking cars in Phuket (if the trip to the island fell through or otherwise);

★ The lack of limits on daily mileage;

★ The absence of a ban on travel outside of Phuket;

★ Save time – you have an opportunity for a few minutes to check the prices and conditions at once all existing rolling offices, without having to visit the office of each of them;

★ Possibility to read reviews and see ratings of car rental companies on various criteria;

★ Saving of money. Early booking allows you to select a car at the best price, while on arrival at Phuket your choice will be severely limited by the remaining cars are not the best price. In addition, lower prices than under the direct renting in a car rental company online.

★ The ability to pre-book a car with one or more children’s seats from 100 baht per day;

★ professional counseling and service in your native language.

You can trust the Rentalcars during rental car in Phuket!

Rent a car in Phuket: practical tips

As I wrote earlier, it is best to use an online service for booking Rentalcars, which has been operating for many years and is the most authoritative in the field of car rental in the world. However, you should know a few nuances, which are listed below.

The price of rent cars in Phuket is very dependent on the length of rental

Do not look for a car for one day – it’s not too rational, and you will be pleasantly surprised when you see the price of a long-term lease. For example, rent a beautiful new SUV Honda BRV with an automatic transmission for a day will be 55-60 USD, but if you rent this car for 5 days, you will pay only $ 40 per day. If the four of you, it’s only about $ 10 per day per person! If you rent this car for a month, the price will fall below 35 USD per day. The situation is similar to the low-end cars. One day rental costs about 30 USD, and when renting for at least three days, the price is reduced to 24-25 USD per day or up to 18-19 USD per day when renting for a month.

Pay attention to the presence of the franchise and its size

Almost all the cars, that you can rent in Phuket, presuppose the existence of the franchise, ie, the minimum amount that is not covered by insurance. As a rule, the amount of the franchise is from 4,000 to 10,000 Baht (or from 110 to 290 USD). This means that the insurance company reimburse all damage just over specified in the contract amount, and smaller damage of a car you must to reimburse from your wallet. Given the fact that the most frequent vehicle injuries are scratches on the body or broken lights, this is for you is not very favorable conditions. However, there is good news: if you carefully read the terms of the lease, you may notice that some car rental companies in Phuket offer insurance at “zero deductible”, ie absolutely all the damage paid by the insurance company. I recommend that you use such the lease option, even though it will cost 10-20 USD per week more.

Rent a car in Phuket – look carefully the conditions of the deductible

If the selected vehicle can not be booked without any franchise, you can choose a company with a minimum deductible. And remember that the franchise is not in order to get from you as much money as possible. Rather, it is an incentive for a more responsible and careful use of car and maintain in good condition for the next customer. Therefore, it is not a reason to avoid the rental car in Phuket (unless, of course, this is not a small private hire firm with questionable quality cars and a deductible in the amount of 10-15 thousand baht). When using the recommended service online booking of cars, the presence of a franchise can be seen in the chapter  “Ts &Cs”, which can be found next to the car rental company under the photo of the selected car. By the way, for some reason most often rental without deductible available when renting SUVs.

Use your smartphone as a road navigator

Most car rental companies will offer you rent navigator. It would seem very convenient in travel to another country thing, if it were not for one circumstance. Often (but not always) rental price of this equipment is almost half the cost of renting a car, all that defies any logic. More cheap for you to buy a navigator and take it than to rent. Therefore, if you want to save money and to use this device while resting, set the mobile road navigator  on your smartphone and upload useful maps (in this case, map of Phuket or full map of Thailand). To date, there are free maps, but you can use generally Google Maps if you wish, though it will have to use the mobile Internet in Thailand.

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Better to book a car rental at Phuket airport and advance

As has been described above, early booking increases your chances of finding the right car class with attractive price. Moreover, when you try to book a car for a few days before the flight to Phuket, you can see in the search results for you sad phrase, “We’re sorry, but the companies we work with in Phuket don’t have any cars available.” By the way, almost all rental companies offer a free cancellation of the reservation 48 hours before the commencement of the lease, so you need not worry about losing money when, for whatever reason, you can not to be on holiday in Phuket or a rental car on the island.

Specify the point of receipt and return of the vehicle when searching

Although it is possible to return the car in a different place, such a possibility is often charged extra. In the case of Phuket it is possible to rent a car at the airport and return it to another location (for example, in Patong) at no additional cost. This option is useful in cases when you rent a car in Phuket is not the whole period of leave, but only for a few days. It is not always for free, so you need compare prices and decide exactly what is more important and more convenient (car return in a different place or to save money). Please note that online car booking system, the standard error may be present in some browsers. When you do not specify the item return of the car, then on any date, even in half a year, you may see a message about the lack of cars on the selected day or period. When filling out all of the search form, the cars on the same dates miraculously appear :).

Rent a car in Phuket – do not forget to put a tick or select point of return

Use a credit card to rent cars in Phuket

International experience in the field of car rental includes the use of credit card. Please note: not debit or prepaid cards, namely credit card. Of course, just the amount for a rental car in Phuket you can pay the usual bank card over the Internet. But when you show the usual banking debit card in the process of registration of the lease at the rental desk, if even on the balance of this card will be the amount of money which would be enough to buy a car entirely, you can be denied in car rentals and even pay a fine of 1-2 days car rental.

Therefore I recommend to learn the offers of banks in your area and choose a credit card with the best terms and conditions. A rental car company usually “freezes” a certain amount in the account (for example, $ 200 or $ 500) to the end of the lease. Therefore, it is desirable that your bank is not charged for such a temporary “freeze money” commission. When you return the vehicle the deposit amount is returned to the account, but this procedure sometimes takes more than a week. In some cases, you can negotiate and make a deposit in cash. In this case, immediately after the return of the car, amount will be refunded to your wallet.

Terms of rental car in Phuket and order of booking

Since each car rental company offers its own conditions for car rental in Phuket, it makes no sense to dwell on this question in this article and waste your precious time. You can get acquainted with such conditions on the corresponding tab in the search results (see. Figure). There are painted in detail the requirements for documents, credit cards, fuel policy, rules for obtaining and return lists included and not included in the price of cars in Phuket services, etc. In general, the rules are almost identical, but you can find some differences too.

Rent a car in Phuket – detailed lease terms

Once you have chosen a car that you are satisfied with the cost and terms of the lease, you must click on the button “Book Now” and select additional options if necessary. For example, you can get additional insurance with full coverage on everything damage (including glass and wheels) and theft, but in my opinion the cost of this service is too high, especially if you already have chosen cars with zero deductible. About rent road navigator I wrote above, but at rest with children in Phuket rent a baby seat will not be superfluous. On this same page, you may notice that additional options are payable in cash when receiving the car.

Next, go to the booking page and write your contact information: name, surname, email address, etc. and click on the button “Book Now”. After payment to your email arrives your full contract with the service description (with using your native language). All documents, it is desirable to print and take with you to Phuket, but can simply be stored in electronic form on the smartphone. Then you arrive at Phuket and go with the documents (passport, driving license, credit card etc.) to the selected car rental companies. Please note that vehicle inspection and final clearance is required from 30 minutes to an hour.

During the inspection (and it happens even at zero franchise) note any damage and test the air conditioner, window washer, headlights, brake lights and other lighting devices (as is done in front of safety standards). And when you will be return the car, make sure that an manager of office wrote in a sheet inspection by the fact that you returned the car without new damage (if they were not in reality), and with a full tank. This will be an additional guarantee that your deposit amount not will be written off after no “to compensation for damage”, which was not in really. However, such cases of fraud usually occur only with small private offices for car rental.

I Hope, the information in this article will allow you to cast aside all doubts and use in practice all the advantages of car rental in Phuket, raising their vacation on the island on a completely different level. Observe the traffic regulations, do not drive drunk, and enjoy your holiday. And if you’ve rented a car in Phuket before, your feedback can be left in the comments to this article. Wish you enjoyable and safe journeys!

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The post Car rental Phuket – fares, advices, best places first appeared on Thai-Rest.com - Your Best Holidays to Thailand!.

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1. Refuse to stay in expensive hotels

Unlike Egypt, Turkey, the Maldives or Mexico, in Thailand hotels, rarely does anyone spend most of their vacation. After breakfast, you will most likely go to the beach, go on an interesting excursion for the whole day or just walk around the resort. In the evening, you will go to the night market or cafe. Hotels in Thailand traditionally offer only breakfast (and not always), so most tourists use the hotel only for the sleeping, changing clothes, taking a shower and storing a suitcase or backpack. Nobody argues that living in a 5 star hotel on the first line of the sea is very nice, but the cost of such hotels is often 200-600 USD per day. At the same time, for 200 USD in Thailand you will easily find an excellent room in a 3-star hotel and this money is not enough for a day’s stay, but for a week.

An example of a hotel in Pattaya with a rating of 9 from10 and at a low price

The cost of the same hotel room may vary significantly depending on the booking system (Agoda, Booking, Trip, Hotels and dozens of others). Therefore, I always use a smart hotel search, which compares all market offers and gives the best price at the time of the search. In Pattaya and Phuket you can easily find good hotels with prices up to 20 USD per day. The main thing is to pay attention to the hotel rating in order to immediately weed out hotels with bad reviews. And if you want to save even more, you can stay in 2-star hotels for 14-18 USD per day. In fact, the classification of hotels in Thailand is somewhat arbitrary and I advise you to pay attention not to the number of stars (and not even to the photo in the search results), but to the price and rating of guests.

An example of a hotel in Pattaya with excellent reviews, price and near the beach

During the search, I always choose hotels with a rating of 7.5 / 10 and higher and always these were very good options for my money, sometimes even with a pool and breakfast. If we talk about saving money on a hotel, then I won’t even take into account cool network hotels for 200-600 USD per day (if you read this article I doubt that you consider them too). Therefore, for example, take the average hotel near the center for 1200 THB (40 USD). If you find a good hotel for 20-25 USD, then each day of your stay will save you up to 15-20 USD. And this is really an easy way to save on a vacation in Thailand without compromising the quality of your vacation.

2. Check hotel location on map

Before booking a hotel (or buying a last-minute tour to Thailand), I recommend checking the area in which a particular hotel is located. Cafes and shops you will surely find in any area of ​​Thai resorts. You can check their availability even during a virtual walk around the desired area using Google Street View. But if your hotel too far away from the beach or from the central part of the resort can lead to additional transport costs. Especially when the Songthaew route (in Pattaya) does not go near your hotel or in Phuket, where there is no inexpensive local transport at all. Therefore, all other things being equal, choose hotels closer to the center and the beach.

An example of a hotel with good price, good rating and in a good location

Even more: in practice, I was convinced that the good location of the hotel is much more important than the price. After all, a short trip to a motorcycle taxi will cost from 40 to 60 baht per passenger (in Thailand, it is customary to pay separately for each passenger by motorcycle taxi, even when you ride a motorcycle together). Those, if you want to quickly getting together to a pier, to a beach or to any shopping center, then each trip in Pattaya will cost you an average of 100 THB (3.3 USD), and in Phuket it is even more expensive. But later you will need to return to the hotel back. And such trips for various purposes may require several per day.

Good hotel with low price and high rating, but far from the beach and entertainment

I like to walk and it’s not a problem for me to walk 2-3 kilometers one way, but even it can be difficult for me to do this several times a day in the heat or in the rain. Therefore, if a hotel in a good location costs 3-5 USD more than a similar hotel far from the places you will visit every day, it makes sense to choose a hotel with a good location and save money on holidays in Thailand. For calculation, we take a hotel in a good location for 25 USD per day and a hotel for 20 USD far from the center. For two round trips on a motorcycle taxi per day, you will pay an average of 400 THB or 13 USD. And the average savings will be 8 USD per day. If you use a taxi in Phuket, the savings can even amount to tens of USD every day, because even for a short trip they often require 300 THB or more.

3. Use local transport or motobike

This way to save while relaxing in Pattaya is much like the previous one. Regardless of which area of ​​Pattaya or which beach of Phuket you live in, you will certainly need to make trips to other areas of these resorts. And the cheapest way to do this is with local transport. The most favorable situation for saving money in Pattaya. City passenger pickups (songthaew) from morning to night allow you to travel long distances in just 10-20 THB. Even in the case of several transfers on the route, you rarely need to pay more than 30 THB (1 USD). The main thing is to choose a hotel near one of the routes and you will not face high transportation costs. And daily you can spend on local transport only 100-120 THB (up to 4 USD) for two. When using a taxi or motorbike taxi in Pattaya, you would have spent 400 THB (or 13.3 USD) for similar city transfers.

Passenger pickups for 10 THB – an inexpensive way to travel in Pattaya

The situation in Phuket is more complicated, but even on this Thai island there are large open passenger buses. Such buses do not run very often, but compared to the cost of a local taxi, this is a very cheap transport. The main problem of such buses is travel time and illogical routes. For example, to get from the Patong beach area to the neighboring Karon beach with white crisp sand, you must initially get a bus for 30 THB to Phuket Town, then change the bus and get to Karon Beach for the same 30 THB. As a result, a round trip will cost 120 THB for two (4 USD). And, unfortunately, more than 2 hours on the road. Using a taxi can save time, but you will pay around 700 THB or 23 USD.

Blue open buses in Phuket – the only cheap transportation

You can save on a taxi in Phuket, but for this you have to find travel companions and divide the cost of the trip for all passengers. Then a trip between the beaches can cost as little as 100 THB per person. In other words, you can save on transport even with active travel around the resorts and the amount of daily savings can reach 10 USD and more. Renting a motorbike is also a good way to save on transport, but you need to take into account possible risks and it is better not to take a motorbike without driving experience, especially in Phuket and Pattaya. If you have the right category in your driver licence (A), then with an average rental price of 200 THB per day – only one trip of an average duration already pays for the rental price.

4. Savings on currency exchange and ATMs

Most foreigners arrive in Thailand not with Thai money, but with bank cards or the currency of another country. When it comes to US dollars, always remember that the best exchange rate for banknotes in denominations of 50 and 100 USD, and for banknotes with a lower denomination, the exchange rate will be lower. For Euro banknotes there is no such restriction on face values. If you brought cash to Thailand, it is best to make the first exchange at the airport. Only not in the arrivals area, where the bank kiosks have a very unfavorable exchange rate, but on the ground floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

About how to change currency in Bangkok (and the airport and not only), I wrote in a separate article: “Currency exchange in Bangkok – The best points in Bangkok”. I advise you to familiarize yourself with this information, because it actually will help you save money. If you are relaxing in Pattaya, it is best to exchange currency, especially USD, at the T.T. exchange network. Currency Exchange (corporate color – yellow). Due to the popularity of these exchangers, competitors began to open in Pattaya with a similar name and logos, but with a less favorable exchange rate. In Phuket, you can also find many exchange offices, the rate at which may be different. Therefore, it is better to spend a little time and check the current exchange rate in 3-5 kiosks and choose the most profitable for you.

At exchange offices T.T. Currency Exchange is almost always the best exchange rate in Pattaya

With bank cards, the situation is more complicated. With cashless payment of hotels, transport in Thailand or online purchase of excursions there are no problems. But, despite the rapid transformation of Thailand into a developed country, many many people and sllers prefer to use cache and it is difficult to do without cash money even in large cities, including Bangkok. For example, in 7Eleven stores you can use the card to pay only when purchasing goods worth more than 300 THB and only MasterCard. There are many ATMs in Thailand, but this country is also known for its high level of ATM and bank card fraud. Therefore, some western banks may block operations on your card after spending transactions in Thailand. It will be possible to solve this problem by calling, but it’s better to check with the bank’s support service about this possibility even before the trip.

You must remember that in Thailand there is no longer the possibility of withdrawing cash from ATMs without a commission. And for each cash withdrawal operation, Thai banks charge 150-200 THB. You can save on this if you will not use an ATM, but contact the bank branch and ask a living employee to give you cash from your card. Of course, for this you will need to have a passport with a name that matches the name of the card holder. There are times when a bank employee for some reason does not want to give you cash and points with his hand at a nearby ATM. Then you must either ask him again to provide the service (only without raising the vote), or use the services of another bank.

Bangla Road on Patong beach have more than 10 exchangers with different rates

5. Reasonable savings on food and drink in Thailand

Thailand can offer dozens of delicious dishes, many of which are not spicy at all and have no unpleasant odor. Therefore, I still cannot understand why, during a 2-3-week vacation in Thailand, many foreigners prefer to visit their national cafes and restaurants and order the usual pizza or hamburgers there. I have nothing against these dishes, but why pay for them so expensive in Thailand, when in a couple of weeks you will cook or buy them at home many times cheaper (more often and tastier). To save on food in Thailand, try Thai food. Moreover, there are many secrets on how to do it cheaply. You will find detailed information on the page 12 Ways to Save Money on Food in Thailand. Why pay about 250-400 THB by pizza when you can order Pad Thai with chicken or shrimp for 50-80 THB or buy other Thai dishes at a similar price.

Delicious, inexpensive, and wholesome Thai food is a good way to save money

In Thailand, it is very important to choose not only dishes, but also the place of purchase or ordering food. For example, buying food and drinks on the beach is not the best way to save. You can buy plain rice with chicken or shrimp in an outdoor cafe across the road from the beach for 60-80 THB. But if you order the same dish on the beach, then cook 150 THB. And if you also choose the time of purchase, then instead of 300-400 THB per day per person, you can eat well for 5-6 USD per day. Saving for two person per day turns out from 10 to 15 USD. The easiest way to save on alcohol in Thailand is to abandon it and consume fresh local juices and fruits. But I understand that not everyone is ready for such a step. Therefore, I can only advise you to drink local alcohol – from beer to strong. In fact, alcohol in Thailand and Thai beer (detailed information with prices on the links) are of good quality, and you will always find a variety of whiskey, rum or beer that you like.

It is more profitable to buy both Thai and imported alcoholic beverages in hypermarkets

For example, I prefer Sang Som rum (4.5 USD per 0.3l bottle in hypermarkets). And it’s hard to choose your favorite beer from a variety of beers for a number of reasons. But all beer brands are produced on modern equipment and, often, by well-known world beer concerns under local brands. Imported beer costs about 30-50% more. The average tourist drinks a few bottles a day, so the savings can be noticeable. Moreover, if you want to save money, do not order beer on the beach, but buy it in advance at the store, even in the evening (alcohol sales in Thailand are limited in the daytime). For example: a bottle of beer (1 pint), which costs about 55-60 THB in a store, will be sold to you for 100 THB on the beach. As with food, the cheapest alcohol can be bought in hypermarkets. But even there, imported alcohol is expensive (about 2-2.5 times more expensive than Duty Free stores). Please, remember: you can enter only 1 liter of strong alcohol per adult person to Thailand (for exceeding – a very large fine (up to 500 USD) and confiscation of the entire volume).

6. Buy excursions and entry tickets at the best prices.

If you come to Thailand on a package tour and want to visit some interesting places in this country, it is better not to buy excursions from the hotel guide of your tour operator. In general, only the lazy did not write about it and did not tell. But if such guides still exist and continue to sell tours at very high prices, their business is still relevant. Everyone spends money as he wants, but if you want to save money on entertainment and excursions in Thailand, it is better to buy excursions not at the hotel, but book online. After all, it is important to understand here that on some excursions the presence of an English-speaking guide (or a guide speaking your other native language) is not necessary at all. Who cares who takes you to a military beach in Pattaya or to some tiger zoo and then takes you? And never buy “unique goods” on a sightseeing tour if you agreed to it.

Excursions in Thailand are better to buy online with discounts (the picture is clickable)

By the way, if you flew to Thailand on your own, you can also buy excursions, if only for the reason that it is often more profitable to visit some locations on your own. For example, I’m interested in excursions, the cost of which almost coincides with the cost of the admission ticket of the place where me will be taken and brought. It turns out a good saving on transport (especially when there is no cheap local transport). As a rule, excursions are limited in time, but I move quickly and usually manage to see everything that I planned to see. But there are interesting places in Thailand that are more profitable to visit on their own, without an excursion. On average, for two weeks of vacation in Thailand, you buy 2 not very expensive excursions or discounted tickets on the Internet. To do this, I recommend using the proven Klook service (link to the English version in the direction of Thailand), then the savings can be 30-50 USD per pair. If you plan to attend excursions and paid attractions more often, you will save even more money in Thailand under this expense item.

7. Ask for a discount in the markets

Thailand is not Egypt and the prices of goods and services were not initially overstated at times. However, a reasonable discount when buying souvenirs, clothes, shoes, beach towels, hats and other things is always appropriate. Unless, of course, we are talking about buying in the markets and in small stalls. A bargain will be especially successful if you buy not one thing, but several identical or similar ones. Beach vendors are very good at dropping the price, but the point here is rather that even after a big discount their goods will be more expensive than in the markets. Very successful is a bargain with taxi drivers, including a motorbike taxi.

Bargaining when buying food in Thailand is not accepted

It should be remembered that always and everywhere in Thailand you need to bargain correctly. You should not neglect the product, because seler know that for some reason you want to buy it. And your bargaining will always be more successful if you do it positively and with a smile. In Thailand, it is not customary to bargain when buying food and drinks, because most dishes have a fixed price and do not change for many years. It is also not accepted to bargain in massage parlors. Quite the contrary: it is recommended to tip the masseuse, because this is their main income.

How much money can you save in Thailand?

If we summarize and calculate the possible savings in Thailand with the proper planning of your trip, we get the following results per week for two in USD (for calculation I will take the minimum savings).

Hotel stay: 15 * 7 = 105 USD

Savings in transport due to choosing a hotel in the right place: 8 * 7 = 56 USD

Savings on transport during the holidays: 10 * 7 = 70 USD

Saving on food: 10 * 7 = 70 USD

Savings on excursions and entrance tickets: 30 USD

Thus, even without taking into account the savings on alcohol (I did not take them into account, because not everyone drinks alcohol), without taking into account discounts in the markets and without taking into account savings from a competent currency exchange, you can save more than 300 USD per Week. Considering that the average vacation time in Thailand is 14 days, the amount can be doubled and get 600-700 USD savings. This amount is already comparable to the cost of a regular ticket from most countries to Thailand and back. Even more. Sometimes, when you use smart search for airline tickets, you can even buy tickets for two persons to Thailand and back for similar money.

If you fly for 3 weeks or a month (my favorite vacation time in Thailand), you can save about 1000-1200 USD only by following the simple money saving rules described in the article. Also you can save on washing clothes, at hotels as a result of night transfers between resorts, etc. I would also like to add that each of your new trips to Thailand may cost you less than the previous one. And not because you need to visit fewer excursions (In Thailand a lot of interesting places will always be found), but simply because you will have personal experience and your secrets of saving during your vacation. If you can already share useful ideas, write about it in the comments. All a good vacation in Thailand at a reasonable price!

The post How to travel in Thailand cheap – best tips! first appeared on Thai-Rest.com - Your Best Holidays to Thailand!.

In order to receive a voucher from Etihad for free accommodation in Abu Dhabi hotels, you must complete the TWO CONDITIONS:

Condition number 1. You must purchase a ticket with a 2-day stop in Abu Dhabi on the Etihad Airways official website. To receive a voucher for free accommodation in hotels, the duration of the transfer should allow you to spend two nights in the UAE. Those. This is a regular ticket with a long transfer. Given that most of the routes of this airline to Asia, Africa, Europe and America in any case suggest a stop in Abu Dhabi, with this condition should not be a problem. To select such a flight, click on the link and select the item: Multiple destinations / Stopovers.

How to book a flight with stopover (Etihad Airways) – click to enlarge

After that, on the page that opens, choose flights in such a way that the first flight is to Abu Dhabi, and the second – from Abu Dhabi to the next airport. In this case, the return flight, you can choose direct, even if tis flight also implies a mandatory stop in Abu Dhabi. (see screenshot). If you have another airport on the route – you can click on the Add Another Flight button and enter the required data. If you want to flight to one way, you don’t need add a return ticket at all, it will not affect the possibility of getting a free hotel.

Multi-city booking with stopover – Etihad Airways website (click to enlarge)

Condition number 2. You must book and pay for a flight with a 2-day stop in Abu Dhabi no later than March 1, 2020. And your journey must be completed before March 31, 2020. If the trip takes place later than 31.03.2020, you can receive a second night at the hotel from Etihad Airways, and you must pay for the first one yourself (from 44 USD per night). The exception is first class flight tickets for which this promotion is perpetual.

Five star hotels in Abu Dhabi – you can stay for free in any of them!

How to choose a free hotel in Abu Dhabi

After you have booked and paid for your ticket on the Etihad Airways website with a stop in Abu Dhabi, you can follow this link to a selection of free hotels. A total of about 60 hotels are available, of which most hotels are categories of 4 and 5 stars. After clicking on the link, you will see a standard search form at the top of the page. You must select the city of Abu Dhabi and enter the dates of your 2-day stop. By default, you get 2-person toll-free numbers, but you can choose more guests (in this case the number of available hotels may be reduced).

Date Selection Form for booking free hotels in Abu Dhabi

Next you have to click on the Search Hotels button. A new page will open and you will see that the Etihad Airways special promotional code has worked (see screenshot). Now you have to choose any of the available hotels. You can see that in the column Per Night costs 0 USD. This confirms that accommodation in all available hotels will be free for you. Do not try to choose 3 or more nights – in this case hotels will not be available. For your convenience, at the top left there is a map of the city, which shows the location of hotels You can choose both city hotels and those located on the seashore (Persian Gulf).

Promotional code from Etihad Airways for free accommodation in Abu Dhabi

How To Book Free Hotel In Abu Dhabi

After you have chosen a hotel (before that you can click on the Choose a Room button to read reviews and view a hotel photo), on the hotel’s page you should click the Book This button. Next, the Etihad Holidays page opens and you will need to fill in a few fields. You can see a sample fill in the screenshot. Be sure to enter a valid email address to which you will receive a booking confirmation. Phone is indicated for emergency communication. In this form it is not necessary to indicate the data of the person who will make the trip.

Booking a hotel in Abu Dhabi – filling in the contact details

In the right sidebar you can see the real cost of living in the hotel. In my case, this is 371 USD for 2 nights. The price may vary and usually it is lower in the evening (it was 455 USD in the morning in my case). Agree, it is not every day you can get such a gift! Remember the real cost of your booking. I will write the reason for this later in this article. After filling in all the fields, you should click on the Continue button. Now you have to fill in the data of exactly those people who will make the flight and stay at the hotel. Everything is simple there: enter the name, surname, nationality and number of your account in the Etihad Guest loyalty program. The fourth field is optional. Click Continue button.

Filling in data about each passenger and hotel’s guest

The next form to fill out is flight information. The top line – PNR No – is the 6-digit number of your e-ticket. You will receive it after booking and paying for the flight. Next, you should select the city from which you arrived, the flight number and time of arrival in Abu Dhabi (note the time in 12-digit format). The next line is the city to which you will fly further from Abu Dhabi, the number of this flight and the time of departure.

Flight booking information form

The last form you need to fill out is information about your payment card. You must write the cardholder’s name, card number, 3-digit secret code (you will find it on the back of the card, next to the owner’s signature) and select the card’s expiration date (it should not end earlier than the time you stop in Abu Dhabi) . Now it remains to put a 2 tick at the bottom of the page about accepting the terms of the promotion and click Book Now. After Etihad Airways has checked all your flight information with a 2-day stopover, you will receive a voucher for free accommodation at the selected hotel for two nights (to the specified email address).

Payment details for booking free hotels in Abu-Dhabi

Surely you have a legitimate question: why do you have to provide credit card details if the hotel stay is completely free? The answer is very simple: if for some reason you do not appear at the hotel (for example, if you refuse to travel), you will have to pay the full cost of living in the selected hotel. Remember, I advised to remember the real price of the hotel? It will really hurt and offensive if you have to pay a lot of money and not live in a hotel. Therefore, I advise you to book a free hotel a few weeks before the flight. When you are 99% sure that your journey will take place. During the selection of the hotel, you can also choose varaints with free cancellation 2-3 days before the day of travel.

Free 4 star Abu Dhabi hotels are also a good option with a good location.

Additional Information

Before booking a ticket with a two-day stop in Abu Dhabi, make sure that you have the right to visit the United Arab Emirates without a visa or in advance take care to obtain a visa of this country. I also remind you that all passengers of Etihad Airways have the opportunity to reach the city center on the free shuttle bus company. You can reserve a seat on the Etihad Airways website (you need to specify the last name and PNR number of the ticket reservation). There is a possibility of free transfer to Dubai and Al Ain and back from these cities. Also, the airport has a regular bus that takes you from the airport to the city center for only 1.5-2.5 USD.

I advise you to register with Etihad loyalty program after purchasing a ticket. This registration is free and takes only a few minutes. All members of the Etihad loyalty program receive bonus miles for each flight on Etihad Airways flights, during their stay at a number of hotels, when shopping at retail stores, etc. The advantage of being a member of the Etihad Airways loyalty program is the ability to spend your bonus miles like cash. To do this, you can order a virtual or physical VISA card on the website and exchange bonus miles for real money.

I hope after reading this detailed instruction you have no questions about how you can use the gift from Etihad and spend 2 nights in one of the luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi for free! Enjoy your vacation in Abu Dhabi and the UAE and safe flights!

The post Free 2 night stopover in best Abu-Dhabi Hotels first appeared on Thai-Rest.com - Your Best Holidays to Thailand!.

CONTENTS OF ARTICLE ( you can click on the link for quick transition)

• How much to rent a motorbike in Phuket

• Rent a motobike in Phuket online

• Better places for rent a motorbike in Phuket

• Fuel for rented motorbike in Phuket – kind and where to buy
  

• When is it better not to rent a motorbike in Phuket

• Actual sizes of fines in Thailand when you drive motorbike (2018)

How much to rent a motorbike in Phuket

The average rental price for motobike in Phuket is 200-300 THB per day ($7-9) and depends mainly on several factors: model of motorbike, the physical condition and the rental term. But renting a particular model in a particular place can depend on the location of the rental office (in a busy place the price may be slightly higher than in the neighborhood in the lane where there are fewer tourists). If you have little experience of driving motobike in Thailand (but you have firmly decided that you can not do without it), I recommend choosing popular models of motorbikes with automatic transmission and not too original coloring. More details about the procedure for renting motorbikes and the preparation of the contract can be found on the page Thailand motorbike rental – rules and tips!

The most popular in all Thailand (and in Phuket including) model Honda Click will cost you 200-250 THB per day. For this money you can find a motorbike in very good condition with a small run (up to 10 000 km or so). In this case, it is better to choose a variant with engine capacity of 125 cc (there are 100 cc). And it’s not about the maximum speed and acceleration, as some might have thought, but in the best power traction of a motorbike when climbing mountain serpentines, which are found everywhere in Phuket. Especially if you plan to ride not alone on the motorbike, and its mileage is over 25,000 km. A popular model for a trip alone is a Honda Scoopy motobike with a 110-125 cc engine, but personally I do not like his retro design and a small trunk, so I prefer Honda Click. If a motorbike for rent in Phuket looks “tired” and its mileage is over 25,000 km, it is better not to rent it more than 150 THB per day or even to look for the option in the best condition.

Motorbike, which I rented in Phuket – 250 THB per day

Among motobikes with more power, the leadership is held by the Honda PCX with a 150 cc engine. This motorbike is more comfortable for long trips (more comfortable seats, wider wheels), while it looks very solid. But the cost of such a bike when renting in Phuket is from 300 to 500 THB per day for short term rent (for 300 THB it will be difficult to find a high season). Also, Yamaha bikes are often found with engines of comparable capacity and at comparable prices. For example, Yamaha Fino, Yamaha Nouvo and Yamaha Aerox (analogues of Honda Scoopy, Click and PCX respectively). I have nothing against Yamaha, but i like Honda more, so I prefer them. There are also more powerful motobikes, for example Honda Forza 300 or Yamaha T-Max, but renting such a motorbike will be more expensive than a Car rental in Phuket with all the advantages of the latter option.

With long-term rental of a motorbike in Phuket, the cost of this service is significantly reduced. For example, rental of motobike in Phuket can be 200 THB per day, but for a month (30 days) it is quite possible to rent the same motorbike for 3000 THB (or 100 THB per day). Of course, not every rental office will agree to such a discount (in a popular place it is simply more profitable for them to rent motorbikes for days). But if you visit a few places and are not afraid to bargain about the price, then everything is real.

Rent a motobike in Phuket online

From the end of 2017, it possible to rent a motorbike in Phuket online, using the services of the international company BikesBooking. As far as I know, it is currently the only company in the world specializing in the rental of motobikes, scooters, quads, motorcycles and bicycles around the world. At the beginning of 2018, about 950 rental offices are connected to the system at popular resorts. Note: in the search results, the rental price of some motorbikes seems to be overestimated if you are looking for a motobike for a day. This is due to the fact that some rental offices charge a minimum of three days. And the cost of rent for three days will be the same as for a day!

Rent a motorbike in Phuket online – Honda PCX 150 for 3 days

Speaking directly about Phuket, I want to mention the most important advantages of this service.

– Motobike delivery to the hotel. Having reserved motobike online, your motorbike will be delivered to the hotel after your arrival to the island, and after the end of the lease term you can leave motorbike in another chosen place. All this contributes to saving time on your vacation. Unfortunately, in 2018 I noticed that some rental companies started to charge money for shipping – 10 euros. But you can always choose an office where this service will be free same before.

– There is no need to leave a passport as a deposit. At the end of 2017, when I was on vacation in Phuket for the last time, I went around a few dozen rental offices around Patong beach and everywhere with me they demanded an original passport as a deposit and did not agree to a cash deposit (for more details, see “My experience of renting a motorbike in Phuket “). For BikesBooking usually enough cash deposit, while its size can be much lower than the standard – only from 1000 THB.

– The basic cost of rent is paid on a place when you will receive a motorbike. As a rule, only a small amount is prepaid online (about 1 USD per day).

– Ability to manage online booking (for example, when changing the rental date).

– All motorbikes have insurance against damage caused by third parties, and in the process of booking you can order a full insurance.

Better places for rent a motorbike in Phuket

Motorbike rental in Phuket is a very popular service that is provided both by specialized rental companies with several dozen motorbikes and small private companies that you can find literally every 50-100 meters on the popular beaches of the island. Motorbike rental is also often offered by expensive and budget hotels, guesthouses and cafes, for which this service is an additional source of income. Personally, I prefer to choose motobike for rent at a price, vehicle condition and the terms of the rent, regardless of who specifically offers this service.

As it was already written above, motorbike rental is presented in Phuket everywhere. But, unlike car rental in Phuket, such an option is not available at the island’s international airport. In most cases this is justified, because many tourists fly to the island with suitcases, and driving a motorbike and simultaneously carrying a heavy and large suitcase is not only uncomfortable, but also dangerous. On the other hand, if you flew to Phuket with a not very large backpack and do not want to take a minibus or a popular taxi transfer from Phuket Airport to Patong Beach or another island beach, you can rent a motorbike in the nearest village. However, for this you will have to make a walk of 15-25 minutes. Leaving the terminal, you need to move south to the village of Nai Yang (see map).

Village, nearest to the Phuket airoprt, where you can rent a motorbike

The distance to the village is about 1.5 km, but walking in the heat with a backpack is not very pleasant, especially since you will spend extra time searching for a place with a rental of motobikes and, most likely, you will visit several rental offices before making your choice. You also need to remember that before the return flight from the island you will also have to leave a motorbike in the village and walk to the airport with things that are have much more weight because of souvenirs, fruits, Thai alcohol and new clothes, than on the day of arrival to Phuket. Of course, you can take motorbike taxi from the village to airport, but then there will be practically no savings from renting a motorbike.

The second option is to take a motorbike for rent in Phuket after you got to Phuket Town from the International airport. The advantage of this option is that in the main island settlement there is practically no seasonal price, i. Rent a motobike will cost about 200-250 THB per day at any time of the year (for a daily rent for a motobike with a mileage of up to 10,000 km). Among the shortcomings of the option can be noted only that you in most cases will have to immediately participate in busy urban traffic. If you have experience riding a bike in Thailand, there should not be any problems. But if you for the first time decided to use a rented motobike for traveling around the island and there is no experience in driving a motorbike – a similar situation is fraught with a little stress and can be dangerous. Again, the option does not fit, if you just arrived in Phuket and you have a suitcase with you.

Motorbike rental in Phuket – the choice is huge, the cost varies!

Finally, there is the option of renting a bike in Phuket directly at the resorts. This option is convenient because you can rent a motobike after you have left things in your room and generally do not do it right after you arrive in Phuket. For example, the next day or even on any of the days of your holiday, when there will be a need to drive motobike. Among the shortcomings of the option can be noted a slightly higher price of renting a bike in Phuket during the high season. However, for today the high competition among tenants of motorbikes does not allow them to overestimate the prices. So you can rent an motorbike online or choose a motorbike rental location in Phuket based on your personal preferences and capabilities.

Fuel for rented motorbike in Phuket – kind and where to buy

Modern motobikes are very economical. For example, Honda Click with a 125 cc engine. on average consumes about 2.5 liters of fuel per 100 km of run. A Honda PCX with a motor 150 cc. for the same distance should not use more than 3 liters. Of course, if you weigh 120 kg and together with you a passenger with the same weight, and if you will travel a lot along serpentines, fuel consumption will be great. I specifically used the word “fuel” in the article and not gasoline, because in Thailand it is customary to call fuel “gasoline”. In reality, gasoline is a real fuel without impurities. And what is poured into motobikes now is a Gasohol – a mixture of gasoline (90%) and ethanol (10%). But the Thais still call this fuel gasoline and this is the name you most often see along roads where such bottled fuel is sold.

Stand with gasoline from bottles along the road in Phuket

A small nuance: the fuel can be both green and red-orange, depending on the gasoline underlying it. The first option – Gazohol 91, and the second – Gazohol 95. In reality, you can fill in the rental motobike both kinds and do not be afraid to mix them in any combination. At the same time, it is difficult to notice any difference in dynamics. But if you want do absolutely right already, then if you are able to choose it is better to use the fuel recommended by the motorbike manufacturer or the employee of the rental office. Often, right next to the fuel tank cap, the fuel grade to be used is indicated. But if you noticed on the dashboard that the fuel is already at zero, I recommend not to hesitate and buy any fuel at the nearest roadside point, even let it be more expensive per liter.

It should be remembered that the cost of fuel in bottles can be 2 times higher than at gas stations. For example, in Phuket, the minimum price I met was 30 THB, but more often 35-40 THB per bottle is found on the island roads, in which about 0.6 liters of fuel or even a little less is poured. For comparison, at large gas stations the price of 1 liter of gashead is slightly less than 30 THB. Large refuelings, where employee in uniform will fill your motorbike (you only pay money) when you traveling between the beaches of Phuket are really rare. But sometimes you can see on the sidelines small automatic gasoline station selling, where there is a choice of several brands of fuel or only one kind and you can pay with both Thai coins and banknotes. Just remember that the such machines can not give change for you.

A small automatic gasoline station selling near Patong Beach in Phuket

Thus, if you plan to travel a lot around Phuket on a rented motobike, you must plan in your recreation budget for fuel costs of 150 baht per 100 km when refueling “from bottles” or about 75 baht when you visit official filling stations.

When is it better not to rent a motorbike in Phuket

Motorbike rental in Phuket provides a lot of opportunities and gives an unforgettable experience. Independence from an unnecessarily expensive taxi, the ability to quickly reach neighboring and remote beaches, the pleasure of driving on the beautiful roads of the island and from self-visit several attractions – all this is possible with the help of a motorbike rented. However, there is a “fly in the ointment” in this barrel of honey. Despite the availability of rental motorbike in Phuket, you should clearly realize that the final cost of rent can be much higher for a number of reasons. In this article, I will not focus on the consequences for health and life in inaccurate driving, only on monetary issues.

First, currently in Thailand, the traffic police has become much more actively monitor the observance of traffic rules by tourists and the availability of their driver’s license. Earlier on such “pranks” as driving without a helmet or without a driver’s license, in many cases, eyes were closed (except for special events on the roads). Now it’s hard for me to remember the day when I did not see mobile patrols that stop motorbikes literally dozens to check documents. Also often in the city traffic there are police officers on powerful motobikes, and i saw that several times they stopped the violators of traffic rules.

Police stop and penalize even Thai girls without helmets

As a rule, 95% of tourists who rent a motobike in Phuket or other resorts of the country do not have international or Thai driving licenses to drive motorbike, and riding without a helmet is still a common phenomenon, so fines are a good addition to local budgets. Given that most traffic police officers use action cameras (fixed on the helmet) during such raids, it will not be possible to “negotiate” by giving a small bribe – only the official payment of a fine in the police department, and this is precious time spent on vacation and a spoiled mood.

Actual sizes of fines in Thailand (2018)

– Driving a motorbike without driving license – 500 THB;
– Penalty for driving without a helmet in Phuket for driver/passenger 600/400 THB;
– Penalty for traveling to the oncoming lane 450 THB;
– Penalty for speeding 500 THB;
– Penalty for crossing the intersection to a red traffic signal 1000 THB;
– Penalty for a turn on the road in a prohibited place 400 THB.
– Penalty for parking in a prohibited place 400-600 THB.

As you can see, the amount of fines is several times higher than the cost of renting motorbike per day. In view of the fact that police patrols, which massively stop motorbike drivers, are often installed in the most popular directions (for example, on the route between the beaches of Patong and Karon), there is a possibility that you can stop on motobike even several times a day. In a situation where you did not violate any rules (the speed regime was observed, you were wearing a helmet, your passenger was also wearing a helmet, you were not intoxicated) and you “just” have no Thai or international driving license to drive motobike, you you will have to pay a fine of 500 THB.

Parking motorbike in Phuket in the forbidden place (red and white markings)

It is necessary to keep the receipt and you will not be fined this day again. But with the cost of renting a motorbike in Phuket 200-300 THB, all the pleasure of riding two wheels will cost 700-800 THB per day, which is comparable to the cost of renting a car in Phuket. In the article “My experience of renting a motorbike in Phuket” I shared some secrets that allow me to avoid a fine, but they are not a panacea and can not work in every situation. You should be careful while parking a bike in Phuket along the roads: places where parking is prohibited are marked with a red and white curb. Leaving the motorbike in such a place, do not be surprised when you find chains on wheels and a receipt with a fine. Chains will be withdrawn only after paying a fine in the police station, to which you will have to get yourself. Also you can not park motorbike along have yellow and white curbs – these are special areas for taxi parking.

It is also necessary to remember that riding a motobike in Thailand without the necessary experience can result in a fall. If you do not take into account the health consequences (at least bruises, scratches, bruises and abrasions), you will need to pay for repair of the motorbike. Motobike on average weighs about 100 kg, so when falling on the asphalt while driving, even with a slight speed on the plastic parts are deep scratches and scuffs. And in the event of a collision even with a small obstacle, the glass that cover the front light fixtures are very easily broken. Unlike car rental, rental motobikes usually do not have insurance. This means that you will have to pay for repairs from your own pocket.

Parking motorbike in Phuket in the permitted place (curbs are not painted)

Even if you do not apply to the office, where you rented motorbike, but to a third-party service (this is usually cheaper, although this is a violation of the lease agreement), the amount can be not very small. In a third-party workshop, small scratches on the plastic can be removed approximately 70-100 THB (multiply by their number), and the replacement of the glass will cost about 200-300 THB (when renting a popular motorbike model in Phuket). If the damage is more serious and the plastic parts of the motorbike body are cracked or crumbled into pieces, a complete replacement with color selection may be required, which will cost several thousand baht. Finally, even the most neat ride is not a guarantee that you will avoid puncturing the wheel. In most cases, repair or replacement of the camera will cost 150-250 THB, and replacement of the torn tire will cost an additional 700-800 THB.

I do not in any way want to dissuade anyone from rent a motorbike in Phuket, because these are really cool feelings and freedom. I just want to remind you that when driving a motorbike you need to be extremely careful and attentive, because not everything on the road depends solely on you. But if you are not confident in your abilities, do not have any experience managing the bike or you do not have a cash reserve to cover possible damage – Phuket is not the best place to study and it’s better to rent a car. Car rental in Phuket is the availability of full insurance, protection from the sun and rain, a large trunk and a lack of interest to you from the police. In any case, the choice is yours. I wish you pleasant trips and safe roads!

The post Motorbike rental in Phuket – prices and secrets! first appeared on Thai-Rest.com - Your Best Holidays to Thailand!.

 In general, earlier on the site there was already an article “What to take to Thailand for the rest”, and this article not bad revealed the topic of what can be required on vacation for the average person. But more than two years have passed since the publication of that article, so my personal views on the process of preparing for the trip have changed somewhat, and the list of things has changed in the direction of reduction. As in view of the fact that some things that previously took with them to Thailand, were unclaimed, and because it is better and more correct to buy them on the spot. So here is just my personal set of things with an explanation of why they are important to me on vacation and the reasons why they can be useful to you. Also at the end of the article I will give a brief list of things that I have ceased to bring to Thailand and why. For clarity, all the things before the trip were placed on the table and photographed, and later numbered from 1 to 26.

Important information: even for a long vacation in Thailand, I fly with 1 backpack in hand luggage, so my Thailand packing list, with which I prefer to take to travel is limited to the rules of carrying things in the cabin of the airplane (means the limit of hand luggage and prohibition to transport in the cockpit of the plane are some things, that could be useful to me in Thailand).

My Thailand packing list – what I prefer to take to Thailand

What I prefer to take to Thailand – personal experience

1. Beach towel. The usual beach towel, which I traditionally use only when traveling. Purchased in the distant 2012 in Crimea (Ukraine). The towel absorbs water well and dries not very long, which is important on vacation. But I plan to replace it with something even lighter and quick-drying if I find something from more modern materials. Interesting fact: in December 2017 on the beach of Samaye Beach (Ko Lan, Pattaya) next to me on a lounger was a woman from Greece with a similar towel. The only difference is the inscription Corfu under the dolphins (I have no inscriptions).

2. Charger and cable for smartphone. And, actually, the smartphone itself, which was made a photo with things on the table. During his last trip to Singapore and Thailand i am used the Samsung Galaxy S7. I chose this model because of its small size, fast charging and still a great camera, because take something more dimensional and heavy (like a mirror camera), my type of rest does not imply.

3. Headphones for smartphone. Not from box with smartphone, but not too expensive headphones, the average sound quality. I ordered in China, I use only on travel (in transport or on the beach). For their own purposes I’m satisfied, easy, flat wiring is easy to unravel, it’s not too bad to lose.

Reliable Power Bank – the right thing in Thailand packing list

4. Power bank Xiaomi 10 000 mAh. One of the most important things in the journey, which i am used almost daily. Must have in your Thailand packing list! Recently, I shot a lot of video in Full HD, and for the smartphone this mode is very energy-intensive (the battery charge decreases very quickly). Full charge Power Bank Xiaomi 10 000 mAh enough to charge the Samsung Galaxy S7 2.5 times almost from scratch. Very important that this device supports fast charging. Also i am used this power bank for charge the selfie monopod. I ordered it on AliExpress, in the Xiaomi brand store, so I did not worry that I would be sent a fake (although just in case I checked). Older models were smaller, but thick. I ordered a new, more flat and easy to use. The transportation of such products (external batteries) is permitted only in hand luggage.

5. Mini-tripod with flexible legs. Was used only a few times, for shooting time-laps video of sunsets and sunrises. Despite this, I do not regret what I took with me to Thailand, tk. The tripod is compact and almost weighs nothing. I bought in this store for 1.5 USD, there are other colors. Carving on a tripod of plastic, which is rather a disadvantage, but so far everything is holding tight. And for this price it is difficult to find something better.

6. Selfi monopod for the smartphone. Very successful model, quickly became a hit. I have a wireless model (there are models with Wi-Fi and a wire). I ordered it in a checked shop in China. I used monopod almost daily, because I traveled a lot alone. It is much more convenient to shoot photos and videos than from hands. In addition, there is no risk of dropping the smartphone while shooting while riding a bike, boat, pick-up, etc., because fixing the smartphone (especially in the bumper) is very reliable. In the folded state only 22 cm, it was easy to fit into a small bag on the chest (about it below on the page). Automatically turns off when there is no activity (I always forgot to turn off Wi-Fi). Therefore, for a month I charged this monopod three times (rather “just in case”, than because of the complete discharge). At the bottom there is a thread for the tripod (used in conjunction with its mini tripod). Since the product contains a lithium-ion battery, transportation is allowed only in hand luggage. Although it is better to purchase an inexpensive and functional hand-held gimbal so that the videos look professional and the horizon does not fall on every your photo.

Selfie stick for smartphone – important device in Thailand packing list

7. Mount for a smartphone on the neck. It’s a very good decision when you need to make a video recording while riding a motorbike, bike, kayak or just free your hands. It is easy to set the right angle, reliable fixation of any modern smartphone (the mount is identical to what is used in my selfie monopod). Several times at the beginning of use the video was not recorded, because The screen touched the skin and the camera turned off. Later i made a different angle of tilt of the smartphone and the problem disappeared, although I periodically checked: whether the recording is on. Again, I ordered this device in a chinese store with best price.

8. Fitness bracelet Xiaomi. I use more than 7 months and everything suits. Completely replaced for me the wristwatch plus the function of the bracelet fitness (steps, pulse, smart alarm, notifications from the smartphone, etc.). The full charge of the battery on my Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is enough for about 25 days. My trip to Singapore and Thailand is longer, so I need add to my Thailand packing list a special cable to charge from USB (to the right of the bracelet in the photo). I ordered a bracelet in a Chinese store at the lowest price. At present, there are many analogues that perform similar functions, although they are more expensive.

9. Pen and pencil for notes. I am used to notice all costs of my travel. In principle, these things can be bought in any country in the world inexpensively, but if i have their own and they occupy a minimum of a place in a backpack or bag, I take them from home.

10. Backpack for travel. All the things that you see in the photo were placed in this backpack. In the article “How to choose a backpack for travel” I already wrote that I use the model Deuter Trans Alpine 30 from a well-known German brand. Impressions from using the backpack are positive, everything is done tightly and reliably. In this backpack there are many compartments for things, it keeps well on the back, there is lumbar and thoracic support. Despite the ventilation system, the back still sweated a little with prolonged walking. But this is probably not the problem of the backpack, and the Thai heat is to blame and in +32 will not save any ventilation. This backpack is not the cheapest, but I’m sure that it will serve me for many years without problems. In any case, choose a model that will exactly fit all the things from your Thailand packing list!

11. Sealed Ocean Pack bag. I’ve been using it for several years to go to the beach, ride kayaks, boats and boats, in the conditions of rain, waves, dust and sand. A bag made of special PVC tarpaulin has excellent tightness and even in heavy rain or when, during a sea excursion in Thailand, splashes from the waves cover all the passengers, I am calm for my things (smartphone, camera, selfie stick, money, documents, food and clothes). I bought in Ao Nang (Krabi province) and I chose an average size of 10 liters. Also sold on AliExpress at similar prices and with a large number of colors (in Thailand there were only yellow and blue). In my opinion, 10 liters is the optimal size for one person. There are also options for 5 and 20 liters, but the first is too small, and the second is not convenient to use in situations where you have few things. In addition, a large bag weighs more and takes up a lot of useful space in the backpack during the crossings. If you buy, I advise you to choose bright colors, so that the bag can be seen from afar. Those. Even if you swam to the buoys, you can control your bag on the beach. It is especially important for single travelers. Now on sale i can see waterproof backpacks from nylon which cost even more cheaply, and in the combined condition are located in a palm, and weigh only 75 grammes. I want to order and test, because according to reviews like a worthwhile thing.

A proven thing to travel to in Thailand is a waterproof Ocean pack

12. Waterproof case for smartphone. One of two things that did not come in handy for me on a trip. I planned to use it for additional protection of the smartphone during a kayak trip on the islands near the island of Koh Chang and underwater photography there. But for a number of reasons this voyage did not take place (although i am rested in Ko Chang). During normal rains i not used this waterproof case, because on the smartphone there is protection IP 68 from water and dust. I bought in China for 1.1 USD a few years ago, now sold everywhere in Thailand, so if necessary, you can buy on the spot.

13. Magnetic cover for Galaxy S7. The second thing I did not use on the trip. An interesting version of the case for a smartphone, which is made of leather. In this case, the cover with pockets for bank cards and money is fastened with magnets to the leather bumper of the smartphone (that is, the smartphone in the bumper cover can be easily removed from the cover and placed on the monopod). I did not use it, because i am lost my bank card on the day of arrival to Thailand, and used a more robust bumper cover for protection, to the disadvantages of which can be attributed only large dimensions (a leather version without a cover would hardly add to the size of a smartphone).

14. Sunglasses in protect case. Beautiful glasses that were used in Thailand only a few times before they broke. Probably, the backpack was too full and the semi-rigid cover could not withstand the load. Earlier in the trips, he did not fail. Points were inexpensive, and I generally do not use them, so there’s no problem, I’ll buy new ones.

15. Bitter chocolate. Just to have some food on the road with a long absence of suitable food. Ate 1/3 in Singapore and as always forgot about the rest of this chocolate. Found in a backpack in three weeks in Thailand, was very opportunely.

16. A small first-aid kit. Adhesive plasters and proven tablets that are not prohibited from being imported into Thailand. For each of the travelers it will be your own set, which you will take with you to Thailand, so I can only advise you to read the article with the recommendations “What medicines to take to Thailand”. I took a minimum, almost nothing, fortunately, did not come in handy.

17. Coffee Nescafe 3 in 1. I took with me to Thailand for use in the first days in the morning. Given the low prices in my country and low weight, next time I will take more. In Thailand, in 7/11, slightly larger packages are sold at a price of 14-16 THB, i.е. almost 0.5 USD per serving, which is almost 5 times more expensive. If you live not in private apartments, but in good hotels, you not need bother, because coffee will be either included in the price of the room breakfast, or a kettle with such bags you can find in your room.

18. Candy “Stolichnye” with vodka. Just an original souvenir from Belarus. In Thailand, there is no such thing and the locals were very surprised. I give this sweets for familiar girls and hotel workers. It is better to do this in the first days after coming to the country, because later the sweets can melt from the heat and become substandard. This, by the way, applies to all chocolate products.

19. Two packages with summer clothes. I am took with him to Thailand three t-shirts, denim and fabric shorts, 5 underpants and 3 pairs of socks. In general, all this can be bought on the spot, and the socks i am again first time used only at the airport before the flight from Thailand to Abu Dhabi, i.e. in Thailand and Singapore did not use. But a few T-shirts or T-shirts are exactly necessary, because the first will become wet very soon, even for go to the store or on the market there will be nothing to wear.

20. Wallet with money. Here, I think, and do not need to explain. Part of cash, bank card. Money for travel it is main thing in your Thailand packing list! Because money in Thailand does not happen much, rather the opposite, so take more, just do not store everything together. I lost my card at the cash machine at the Ekkamai bus terminal in Bangkok on the arrival night, so I had to block it. Also in my wallet there was always a business card-knife (I like to clean Thai fruit like mangoes), but I was need give away from him at the Singapore airport. Earlier the security service at the many airports could not find this knife in my backpack.

External hard drive – I advise you to take with you if you shoot a lot of videos

21. External HDD drive Toshiba. Another useful thing for those who want to shoot a lot of videos on the road. For example, when you are a video blogger, but traveling without a laptop. The external disk is worth a little more than a good (with a high write speed) memory card 128 Gb, while its capacity is 7 times larger. Given the large “weight” of Full HD and 4K video, even an external disk is filled very quickly. If you are shooting on a smartphone, you must first make sure that it supports the OTG function and you can easily transfer video from the phone or memory card memory to an external drive. Sometimes this may require installing additional software. For Samsung Galaxy S7, this is not necessary. The external hard drive should be a 2.5-inch format (standard for a PC can require additional power, the smartphone’s power is not enough). The external disk of Toshiba is packed in a protective bag with air pockets, in which it is better to store it for security purposes.

22. Chest bag for travel. You can not walk all the time with your big backpack. Therefore, in your Thailand packing list there should be a small bag for things and documents. This bag I bought specifically for carrying important things and documents while traveling. Despite the small size, the bag is very functional. Inside there are two open pockets, where it is convenient to carry documents, a smartphone and other useful items that you better not leave unattended or which you will often use. For example, I save money and documents in this bag of selfie-stick for smartphone, power bank and headphones, as well as sometimes a sun cream and a hand sanitizer. Also, someone might be interested in the information that even a 0.5 liter bottle can be placed in this bag, although it is better if it is flat and not very high, although the standard vodka is also can be placed. Finally, in an open, but very deep outer pocket, it is convenient to carry a city map and Thai coins. I bought a bag in China from a trusted seller, the price is about 10 USD. At me dark blue, happen black and brown colour. For a month of extreme use in Thailand (and 5 months before this at home and on other trips), the bag has kept its original appearance and only a few threads have been torn at the end of one zipper. The truth before that I went a bit too far with the volume, when there was an overweight of the backpack in Singapore and I tried to stuff as many things into this bag as possible. A small five-minute repair returned the bag the first look and functionality.

23. Men’s swimming trunks in the package. Going on holiday in Thailand, you will almost certainly capture your favorite swimming trunks. You can buy and on the spot, but I had new ones (bought also in China), so I took them. Swimming trunks have an interesting design, classy externally, pleasant to the touch and strong fabric, dry quickly. Perhaps next time I will order one more in the same store, only a different color, so that they can be second and i can swim without problems several times a day.

I took these swimming trunks with me to Thailand – I recommend

24. Printouts. In a separate file, i placed a printout of air tickets and hotel reservations (just in case), as well as copies of the main pages of the passport. There is also travel insurance, an approximate travel plan and a form for recording expenses. Well, that’s it.

25. Passport. Here everything also does not require explanations. In my country, until 2019, there is a single passport (both domestic and foreign), so he took it. In the passport there is a valid Thai visa (it is possible that you do not need a visa for your country). The passport was later placed in a transparent bag with a clasp, for better safety (because the previous my passport was spoiled while traveling).

26. Beautician bag. As the actual rules for carrying liquids in the cabin of the aircraft require, they are all placed together in a transparent package. Plus other cosmetics and items. Shaving foam, sanitizer for hands, toothpaste, wet wipes, deodorant (spray, not gas), chlorhexadine, hair products, sunscreen, etc. To make the backpack easier, some items I take in minimum quantities, and then I buy in Thailand. This, above all, refers to toothpaste and sunblock and deodorants. I buy these things later in 7Eleven stores inexpensively and even bring some quantity to my home.

Another separately took a sandwich to the way, to have a snack before the plane, tk. to the airport I need to get about 5 hours plus a few hours immediately before departure andtime before lunch in aircraft cabine. The last time I took a little risk and went on a trip without any winter things at all. Since it was the middle of November and the temperature was about zero, i put on light jeans, sneakers, a T-shirt and a light jacket. In principle, everything went smoothly: in transport it is not cold, and along the street it was necessary to go a couple of hundred meters, but saved a lot of space in the backpack. Previously, I am travel to Thailand in a winter jacket, winter boots, etc., and then had to store it somewhere or carry it with him, which is very inconvenient for a large number of crossings.

When I thought of writing this article, I had no purpose to convince someone that my Thailand packing list is the only true thing for everyone. This is more likely one of the options and an attempt to show that traveling can be comfortable even with a minimum of things, when you know exactly what thing you need and can not do without it. There is a simple rule when drawing up a list of things on the road: “If you doubt the need for a thing, do not take it!”. But it’s easier said than done. Therefore, when going to Thailand for the first time, many will surely take with them something superfluous of things. The main thing after returning home and planning the next trip is to remember these things so as not to repeat your mistakes and take with you to Thailand only those things without which you definitely will not get along. Enjoy your travels!

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Thailand motorbike rental

CONTENTS OF ARTICLE ( you can click on the link for quick transition)

• Thailand motorbike rental – features and prices

• How to choose a motorbike for rent in Thailand

• The process of renting motorbike in Thailand

• Documents for rent motobike in Thailand

• What to do if you damaged motorbike for rent

• Useful tips for renting a motorbike in Thailand

Thailand motorbike rental – features and prices

In a number of articles from the section “Transport in Thailand” at specific resorts, I already wrote that it is rather expensive to move around cities and islands even on public transport, especially after dusk, which occurs in Thailand soon after six o’clock in the evening. And this is in view of the fact that the movement is carried out on standard routes. If you want to slightly correct the traffic route, public transport will automatically turn into a taxi with very high rates. Therefore renting a motorbike in Thailand is a great way to save on transport and feel a greater degree of freedom.

Thailand motorcycle rental means renting is not classic in the view of many sports motorcycle, but a vehicle that is a cross between a small motorcycle and a scooter. In contrast to the classic scooters in Europe with engines up to 50 cc in size, motorbikes in Thailand have much more powerful engines (usually from 110 to 250 cc), which is due to the presence in many places of the country of mountain serpentines with long lifts and the need transportation of several passengers on one motorbike. In addition, Thai motorbikes are equipped with wheels with a larger diameter.

Appearance and way of landing on most motorbikes corresponds to the classic scooter: fully manual control, automatic gearbox and landing like a “stool” (the driver’s legs are located not on the sides of the bike, but on the ground in front of the seat). Of course, classic sportbikes with 400 cc or more engines are also available in Thailand in a good assortment, but this article is very firstly written for those tourists who have a modest experience of driving a bike or do not have such experience in the past. In such cases, it is better to choose motorbike models with a fully automatic gearbox and pay more attention to the road situation itself. Although if you are confident in your abilities, you can find in Thailand and models of motobikes with semi-automatic transmission (by the way, renting such motorbikes costs a little less).

However, I’m a little distracted from the direct Thailand motorcycle rental and the distinctive features of this process in the resorts. The sign “Motorbike for rent” can be found, probably, in any city of Thailand, and in the popular tourist centers, which include the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Chang, Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi, etc. such signs are found practically at every step. As a rule, in the immediate vicinity of this sign are parked the bikes themselves, which are leased, and there is a price list on which the cost of renting a motorbike is written depending on the volume of its engine or the brand of motorcycles. Sometimes the inscription is shortened to “For rent”, and sometimes it’s just a series of similar motorbikes, next to which in the shadow is a rental employee.

Motorbikes store – do not confuse with rental office!

Just do not mix it with the store for the sale of new motobikes, there are also a lot of them (see the photo above). It must be remembered that the price is indicated for the 24 hours, so if you want to rent a motorbike for a longer period, you can and should bargain. Under a longer period, I mean at least a week, because when renting for a few days usually do not want to bargain and the possible discount will be quite small. Another thing when it comes to renting a motorbike for a month. The average cost of renting a normal motorbike, for example, Honda Click, is 150 -200 baht per day. However, when renting the same motorbike for a week or a month, the amount will be approximately 1000 baht and 3000 baht respectively. Agree, the benefits are obvious!

How to choose a motorbike for rent in Thailand

Since the cost of Thailand motorcycle rental is approximately the same in most rental offices (150-250 baht per day), it makes sense to choose the rental location for the following parameters: the lease terms and technical condition of the motorbikes themselves. Personally, I always started with a survey of vehicles in the parking lot, and found out the terms of the lease only in the case when there were motorbikes in good condition. One of the most important parameters, which everyone is advised to pay attention to, is the motobike run. It is desirable that it was as small as possible, especially if you are planning a long-term lease. Speaking of figures, it is less than 20 thousand kilometers, and if possible – it is better to choose models with a range of up to 10 thousand kilometers. In general, modern models of Japanese motobikes (in Thailand you will most likely drive to Honda or Yamaha) can serve much longer, but you should understand that motobikes from hire are often operated by people with no corresponding experience, so by 25-30 thousand kilometers of mileage, ethor already very “tired” model.

If you do not have the experience of riding a motorbike in Thailand, I also do not advise you to hire completely new vehicles with a minimum mileage (up to 3-5 thousand kilometers). This is due to the fact that even with minor damages (for example, scratches on the plastic case when falling), you will have to pay very high for repairs. Therefore, choose motobikes in good condition and average mileage. This is really worthwhile advice, and the number of enough “fresh” motorbikes in the rental offices allows him to follow. The truth is increasingly common motorbikes with an electronic scoreboard on the panel, where the mileage can be seen only by inserting the ignition key. The second parameter is the external state of the bike. It is advisable to choose without strong visible damage, indicating that motobike has been in serious trouble. The presence of small scratches is not critical, but all of them must be fixed in the lease.

Typical rental office for motorbikes in Thailand

The third important aspect is the terms of the lease: the need to leave a passport or cash deposit as security. Preferably, of course, the second option. Moreover, I advise in no case to leave the original passport at the box office, because it is fraught with serious problems even with minor damage to the motorbike rented. There is a big risk that by keeping your passport in bail, the owner of the bike will show unreasonable and obviously overstated claims for repairs, reaching up to 20,000 or even 30,000 Thai baht. And to return your passport and fly home you will have to fork out! Therefore, only a photocopy of the passport and a cash deposit, which is not more than a few thousand baht (usually this amount (3000-5000 THB) is more than enough for repairs).

Perhaps, this item should be put even in the first place, i.e. you should not waste time inspecting the motobike, and immediately ask: is it necessary to have a passport or will it be enough to leave a sane deposit and if you can not do without a passport, you can simply pass by. Unfortunately, at the present time (2018) ever less rental offices agree to provide motorbike for rent without a pledge of the original passport. Especially in this regard, the unfavorable situation in Phuket. In December 2017, I visited more than 20 rental offices, but none agreed to a copy of the passport and cash deposit. In this situation, you can use the rental of motobikes in Thailand online, where most offices agree only on a cash deposit, without the original passport. Just remember that the online booking of motobike is only possible 2-3 days before the start of the lease.

The process of renting motorbike in Thailand

If you are satisfied with the terms of the lease, and motorbikes themselves are “fresh” and not “killed” externally, you can proceed with the formalization of the lease. But first we must conduct, so to speak, drive trials, i.e. to conduct a small test. To do this, you can leave your passport and make a small circle, passing through a nearby street. First of all, you need to make sure that the motorbike does not not go to the side when you hold the steering wheel straight, and also the fact that the brakes are working properly. I do not even know if it’s worth to conduct a test with a complete lack of riding skills – decide for yourself. Personally, I did not do the test for the first time (and next travels also) but every time before drive to the street with big traffic, I prefere spend some time to littlr bit study in a quiet street or yard near the rental office.

Yamaha and Honda – the main motorbikes for rent in Thailand

If there are no obvious shortcomings during the inspection, you can proceed with the formalization of the lease agreement. Do not sign it, if it is completely in Thai, which you probably do not know. There should be either a fully English version or a version where the fields are signed in two languages. In the last couple of years in tourist places you can find rentals of motobikes, which belong to expats. As a rule, the rent in them is slightly higher, but in the contract there may even be a your native language. Also, when renting, you can contact the your language-speaking intermediaries, which are easy to find on the Internet and which, for a fee, will help you sort out the rent.

In the process of renting motobike in Thailand, it is necessary to photograph all external damages (or even better – shoot everything on video). Of course, the pictures or video should be in high resolution, so that all the scratches and cracks on the plastic are clearly visible. If you are shooting on video, try to see in the same video file the employee of hire who gave out to you motobike was visible. And all the scratches and cracks on the plastic is better not just to comment, but also to point the finger of a free hand. In general, I talked with people living in Thailand for a long time, and many of them stated that in reality it is not so easy to prove something with the help of pictures and video. I think this is more necessary in order to show the employee of the hire that you are not quite a idiot whom he will later be able to “throw for money.” By the way, I already wrote about this in the article “The main ways of fraud in Thailand.”

Only the marks on the state of transport made in the lease agreement have legal effect, therefore it is better to write in the special column the noticed shortcomings of the leased transport. If the rental employee does not know English well, you can use a regular electronic translator Google Translate. In the latter case, try to avoid long and complex phrases, because translators are not perfect and the meaning of phrases can have a double or completely opposite meaning. Just write “crack on the headlight,” “incision on the seat,” “scratch on the right mirror,” “dent on the muffler,” etc. In some rentals there are printed images of a motorbike, on which damage can be indicated schematically by a handle, which is very convenient. Having filled and signed all documents, it is possible to make payment and, using the helmet given out in hire, start driving of motorbike.

Motorbikes for rent in Thailand – better to choose with automatic transmission

Some tourists carefully choose rental motorbikes in Thailand, make out a lease, and after they receive the keysб they just stay near rented motorbike and just look at it, because they do not know how to handle this transport. In order not to get into this unpleasant situation, it is necessary to memorize a few fairly elementary rules and repeat them on the eve of the first trip, so as not to forget anything. In order not to overload this already long article with information, a short theoretical course with photographs is described in a separate article on the site: “Motorbike riding in Thailand: how to quickly learn to drive.”

Documents for rent motobike in Thailand

As I already wrote, usually in the process of registration only your passport is required, a copy of which will have to be left in the rental office. It often happens that way, that the search for rental offices without mandatory pledge of the original passport did not bring any result. If your country has in addition to a foreign passport a national passport, you can try to leave it at the rental company. In case of damage to the motorbike and extortion of an unreasonably high amount for repairs with such a passport, you can simply part, easily recovering it after returning to your country. But if in your country there is no division into a national and a foreign passport, this option is not suitable.

What is striking, some rental offices, for example, on Koh Samui, may be asked to leave as a deposit directly the driver’s license. The driver’s experience and driver’s license with the presence of the appropriate category “A” in them is usually not checked by anyone, but it is implied that you have such a license, i.e. rental ofice does not bear any responsibility for the fact that you rent a motobike without a driver’s license and driving experience. Agree, a very convenient scheme for everyone. Otherwise, customers in the rental offices would be many times less, and the traffic police could not receive fines for driving motobike without a driver’s license. But still the ideal option – when you really have the international driver licence for motorcycle or Thai driving license.

In the article “Road traffic in Thailand” I wrote that the country signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and undertakes to recognize the driver’s license not only of the international standard, but also of the old national one. However, in practice it is difficult to prove this fact to the Thai road police and they demand to show only Thai or international drive licence (by the way, you can get it even with a tourist visa), so you have to pay a fine of 500 baht. Earlier you could save your time and just give the traffic police officer a bribe (a similar amount). But now rules is much stricter, and road policemen use in their work special action cameras, which are attached to them on a helmet. Therefore, the fine must be paid at the police station, which you will have to travel by foot or by taxi (the keys to the motobike are taken by the police until you show the receipt for payment of the fine).

The same must be done in a situation where there is no driver’s license at all, or when you drive a motorbike without a helmet. When you renting a motorbike in Thailand on the islands of Koh Chang or KohSamui, the risk that you will be stopped by police on the road is small, but in Pattaya and especially on the island of Phuket everything is much more difficult: foreigners often stop and check not only documents but also the condition (alcoholic intoxication). On the roads of the island of Phuket, mass checks of farang documents are carried out at all, and even search of things for the presence of narcotic drugs (often when you leave the beach of Phuket Island Patong in the direction of Karon Beach).

What to do if you damaged motorbike for rent

Situations in which foreigners become guilty and just participants in large and minor accidents with damage to the motorbike are not uncommon. Since this article is about renting a motorbike in Thailand, I will not write about the consequences that arise as a result of an accident involving other vehicles and citizens of Thailand, since I am not very competent in this matter and only know that such incidents should be avoided and be very careful on the road. As for the damage of the motorbike for rent, in this situation there are two main options: to tell all situation to owner of the motorbike or try to repair it yourself (in a third-party service).

On the one hand, the first option is more correct and honest: you confess in your error and accept the amount of compensation for repairs. By the way, this behavior is usually indicated in the lease agreement. But there is one big disadvantage: often owners of a rental motobike, especially if the original passport is left as a deposit, can begin a natural extortion, demanding for not too complicated repairs an amount that is almost equal to the cost of a new motorbike. Therefore, experienced travelers to Thailand and those foreigners who live there for a long time, are advised to contact a third-party service, where the cost of repairs will be several times lower.

The fall on motorbike – the main way to damage a rented motorbike in Thailand

Most often, as a result of minor accidents, which include falling bike (when the driver failed to control), plastic parts of the motorbike body, mirrors, lighting equipment suffer. In reality, all these details stand even on the official service a little, and in many cases it is easy to pick up even the right color of the part being replaced. paintwork is not needed. By the way,that’s why it’s better to choose those motobikes that have standard colors, without complicated unique drawings, during the rental of motobike in Thailand. Service centers and repair shops in Thai cities are many, so it is not difficult to find them (you can ask local residents or mototaxists). Even on small islands like Ko Chang there are Honda and Yamaha service centers.

Due to the fact that many rental companies stick stickers on their motorbikes with their logo and phones, there is a certain probability that the car repair worker will call the specified number and inform the motorbike owner about your visit. But the probability of this is small, and the sticker, if it is glued to the part being replaced, can be gently peeled off with an industrial hair dryer and re-glued to a new part. As a result, such repairs will rarely cost more than 3000 – 7000 baht, while at the rental office they can demand from 15,000 to 25,000 baht. The difference in money is palpable, but you will not worsen your karma, because the bike will be restored no worse than what the owner would have done on a similar service. For more information on the cost of repairing motorbike (prices for plastic parts and tires), please visit page Motorbike rental in Phuket – prices and secrets!

Useful tips for renting a motorbike in Thailand

Not to frighten you, but for warning, I remind you that the traffic in Thailand is quite intense, while a considerable number of foreigners per year die on the roads of the country (only about 300 per year in Phuket). In order to understand how serious everything is, writer into Google search the phrase “Crash motorbike in Thailand” and see the photo. Only immediately I warn – the spectacle is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s sobering and it makes me think about my safety. Following some simple tips often neglected by tourists will save you not only from unnecessary expenses, but also help to save your life and your health when renting a motorbike in Thailand.

★ Be cautious and do not ride during alcohol or narcotic intoxication. Not because of fear of the police and fine, but because of fear of parting with their own lives and health.

★ Be sure to use helmets. These head protection products are provided at the rental office for free for the driver of a motorbike and a passenger if you are going to ride together.

★ If you disdain to use the helmet after many other tourists and take a motorbike not for a couple of days, you can buy an inexpensive new one, and after use sell it to one of the rental offices for half the cost.

★ If you buy a helmet – choose a model with a visor (can be removable) that will protect the eyes from possible insects from driving at night and pebbles that can fly out from under the wheels of moving ahead in the course of traffic.

★ Do not race on a bike in Thailand, even if you feel confident that you have acquired the skills to manage this transport. Remember about safe speed limit!

★ In the early days try not to drive faster than 40 km / h. And spit on what other participants in the movement will think about you: life and health are more expensive.

★ When renting a motorbike for a long time, you need to drive it once a month to the rental office, where you have to change the oil in the engine and thoroughly wash the bike. It is must be free for you!

★ Use the fuel type that is recommended for your motorbike model.

★ Before you go to Thailand, you must buy insurance for active recreation

★ Record the registration number of the bike so that it can be easier to find it in the parking lot. Believe me, there will be a lot of similar motorbikes, so sometimes tourists simply can not find their motorbike in a big parking lot and they tell the police that their motorbike was kidnapped.

★ Attentively cross the intersections and do not forget that the movement in Thailand is left-sided.

★ Do not leave the motorbike in the wrong places, from where it can be taken to the parking lot (at bus stops, pedestrian crossings, in the places that prohibit parking signs). The main sign that parking is prohibited is red and white curbs along the road.

In any situation, keep a sober head and do not panic. Then Thailand motorbike rental will not cause a headache, but a great way to qualitatively diversify your vacation, feel real freedom of movement and get a lot of new positive impressions. And remember that if you are not sure of yourself and are afraid to ride a motorbike, you always have an alternative in the form of a car for rent in Thailand. Good luck on the roads and have a good rest!

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CONTENTS OF ARTICLE ( you can click on the link for quick transition)

• How not to burn skin in the sun in Thailand

• What includes the right tan in Thailand

• What to do when you got sunburn in Thailand

How not to burn skin in the sun in Thailand

The main danger of the sun in Thailand is that its activity in the country is so high that almost any time of the year you can get serious sunburn even during cloudy weather and rainy season in Thailand. Many of the tourists believe that the sun hidden behind the clouds is not at all dangerous for them and they stop using sunscreen even if they always use it during beach trips. This is the main mistake: ultraviolet rays easily penetrate through the clouds, so you can burn your skin almost as much as in sunny weather, especially near water.

The following recommendations for the right tan in Thailand are especially important to follow, immediately after you arrive in the country, especially if you have been sunbathing almost a year ago or less, but your skin is white enough and poorly protected from the sun. When you stay in Thailand, you should always use sunscreen with the degree of protection that is recommended for your skin type and condition of sunburn. People with very light skin should initially use protective creams or sprays with a higher degree of protection, for example, 50+. And vice versa: people with dark skin or light skin, which is well preserved tan from the previous rest, you can use the means for protection from the sun with a degree of protection of not less than 20+.

Many tourists after a few days of rest in Thailand with the use of sunscreens notice that their tan is not as good as those who rest on the neighboring sun loungers. As a rule, as a result, a crazy thought appears in the brain: “If I will continue use protective creams, until the end of thai rest I will not get the required degree of sunburn and return home pale.” As a result, many completely refuse the creams and as a result, by the evening they discover that their skin is unpleasantly reddened, and even light touches to it cause painful sensations.

Do not spend a lot of hours on the beach during the first days of holiday in Thailand

In reality, you just have to accept the fact that maybe your skin will never become the same color as the skin of tourists from Italy, Spain and the United States. Therefore, instead of sunbathing, it is better to find for yourself a good sunscreen with the effect of enhancing the tan, which at the same time protects you from the harmful effects of sunlight and will sooner achieve a smooth and beautiful sunburn. In order to tan in Thailand correctly, you need to apply the cream on the skin about half an hour before going out, but in any case, it’s better late, than never.

All owners of light skin should remember that the optimal time for sunburn for them is till 10:00 in the morning and from 15:00 until sunset in the evening. This time period also better to choose for tanning in general for all those who want to get tan after a long break, regardless of the type of skin. However, such a schedule is difficult to observe, resting in Pattaya and getting from Pattaya to Koh Larn by the ferry or boat just in time, when the sun becomes too active and leaving the island soon after solar activity becomes optimal for sunburn.

In this situation, you should be careful not to be exposed to sunlight for 5-6 hours in a row. It is better to take sunbaths dosed, for example, being in the sun for 15 minutes and resting in the shade after this for at least half an hour. In this case, the shadow should be normal, and not a beach umbrella on the first line from the sea, where you are also exposed to sun rays (not direct ones, but reflected ones). Do not forget that after bathing in the sea, sunscreen should be applied repeatedly, even if the instructions to it say that the cream is not washed off with water. In the following days, the time spent in the sun can be gradually increased.

The fastest skin burn from the sun can be obtained near the water

If you relax on one of the islands of the country or on the city beaches of Pattaya, sunbathing in Thailand is correctly somewhat easier. It is better to spend several hours with maximum sun activity in your hotel or to do shopping at this time, good in Phuket and in Pattaya for this all conditions are created, and after lunch again return to the beach. The most extreme option – in the early days not to visit beaches at all, but to take short sunbaths by the pool at the hotel. The truth is not always in the hotel can be a swimming pool, especially if you have independently booked a hotel in Thailand and your budget is limited.

In addition, many people, including myself, will never agree to the replacement of the sea by the pool, no matter how good it is. But I personally know people who rested in Pattaya for 12 days and only twice visited the beach, and all the rest of the time they rest near the pool at the hotel. Wherever you are sunbathing, always drink as much liquid as possible. Just do not take an example from the Thais themselves, which add a large amount of ice to Thailand’s soft drinks: lying on a bed for a couple of days with a sore throat and fever is no less unpleasant than with sunburn.

What includes the right tan in Thailand

The right tan in Thailand includes not only protecting the skin from burns. Always remember that your hair also needs protection, because the scorching Thai sun spoils them, making them dry and brittle. To protect your hair, use a hat, bandana or cap that can simultaneously be stylish beach accessories. In addition, recently a lot of lines of special cosmetics for hair with UV-filters appeared, which, according to the manufacturers, also protect hair from sunlight. Also take care of your own lips: the usual hygienic lipstick should save them from cracking.

The right tan in Thailand includes eye and hair protection

All owners of the eyes of light colors (blue, green, blue or gray) should take care of their protection from sunlight. In this case, one should not expect that the glasses purchased for $ 5 will reliably protect your eyes from the bright Thai sun. Vision is the most important and most valuable of all the senses, so saving on your own eyes is more expensive. I advise you to buy special glasses with UV-filters, as evidenced by a special marking applied directly to the glass or to the arches of such glasses. If you are the owner of dark eyes, then in this matter you were more lucky, because they are much less susceptible to the sun.

Sunbathing in Thailand is right, when you uses certain foods that help preserve moisture in the skin and improve its color when sunbathing. First of all, we are talking about the use of citrus fruits and juices from these fruits, as well as other fruits of Thailand and vegetables with a high content of vitamin C. Only not the juices that are sold everywhere in Thai stores in the form of nectars and reconstituted from juice concentrates with chemical additives, but freshly squeezed, preferably directly with you.

A good remedy for dehydration is lime juice, a small amount of which can be added to ordinary drinking water. Earlier, I repeatedly read that the substances contained in beer contribute to a more beautiful shade of tan and generally accelerate it. Really I not sure in it, but i know that sometimes t is very difficult to refusefrom a bottle of cold Thai beer of on the beach, although beer speeds up the withdrawal of liquid from the body.

To take sun baths in Thailand correctly and get a beautiful tan, you should abandon the classic felting on beach beds, because even a constant change of position does not guarantee that the tan will lie flat on all parts of the body. The best choice will be to participate in active beach activities – playing with the ball, with a plate, or just a long run on the beach, preferably morning and evening. In other words, you must constantly be in motion and watch that your body is not facing the sun with only one side.

What to do when you got sunburn in Thailand

Compliance with the above rules will allow you to get tan in Thailand correctly, but if the trouble for any reason has occurred and youк skin was burned, you must immediately take a number of steps that will eliminate the effects of sunburn as soon as possible and reduce pain. If there is a suspicion of sunburn, you need to hide from the sun as soon as possible and take a cold, fresh shower, carefully washing off the sea salt from the burnt skin.

Wrong tan in Thailand leads to redness of skin and pain

Many tourists after receiving sunburn mistakenly believe that being in seawater in shallow water facilitates their position. In reality, this is not entirely true, because the skin is a universal human shell that protects it from most bacteria and viruses, and damage to the skin, this protective barrier, can lead to the fact that any dangerous infection can enter the body. Therefore, no matter how sad it may sound, it’s better to refuse from further sunbathing and beach entertainment in general for a few days.

In the article “What medicines to take to Thailand,” I already wrote that Panthenol is an effective and proven remedy for burns, which are available in several forms and allow accelerating the process of skin regeneration after burns. Aloe vera gel also has a good effect, which in Thailand can be purchased almost everywhere, from small shops to large supermarkets and markets. This gel also contributes to the early regeneration of the skin, and also creates a pleasant cooling effect, which significantly reduces the pain from sunburn.

Finally, you can use to rub the body with natural coconut oil in Thailand, which generally has many useful properties. By the way, you can use coconut oil in the process of sunbathing, because it promotes a more even tan and a beautiful shade of tanned skin. Just remember that the protective properties of coconut oil do not allow you to completely do without the use of sunscreen, although such recommendations can be found on some sites for tourists.

Aloe vera gel and natural coconut oil will reduce pain after sunburn

If the resulting sunburn is not so strong that any touch to the skin causes a strong attack of pain, it makes sense to order a special massage in one of the Thai massage parlors, which is called “After sun” massage. This massage is based on gentle rubbing into the skin of special gels that relieve pain and moisturize it. While in the hotel, you can apply a towel, soaked in cold, fresh water, to the burnt areas of the body. What can not be done with burns, it is to use alcohol-containing solutions, including cosmetic products made with the use of alcohol.

After receiving abundant sunburn by the evening, most people get fever, and many begin to shiver. In this case, you must take an effective antipyretic. In any case, even when there is no fever, use as many liquids as possible for burns. Timely and proper care for the scorched skin will allow the next day to get rid of most of the painful sensations. Most likely, the skin will begin to climb, but you should still have time to improve your tan and i hope later you will sunbathe in Thailand correctly.

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Currency Exchange at Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi)

Most foreigners arrives to Bangkok’s main airport – Suvarnabhumi. And immediately after passport control you are met by numerous currency exchange points. You can check all of them and make sure that the exchange rate is the same everywhere. A lot of tourists iun this situation begin to change the currency, because cash is needed to pay for the first purchases in Thailand (water or Thai beer in 7Eleven or Family Mart stores at the airport, food in the food courts, taxi, train or bus to the center of Bangkok or to Pattaya.

Currency exchange rate at the arrivals area of Suvarnabhumi Airport

However, this is the main trap for tourists. The exchange rate at these exchange points is very disadvantageous for foreigners. And the notification that “no commission” at these exchange points sounds like a joke. In order not to be unfounded, I will give specific examples. In the photo you can see the exchange rates in the arrivals area of Suvarnabhumi Airport on 11/18/2018. The list of currencies is very large (in the photo only the first part of the list), but for an example I will take the most popular world currencies – USD, EURO and GBR.

So, for 1 USD you will receive 31.05 THB, for 1 EURO you will receive 34.82 THB, and for 1 GBR (British Pound) you will be given 39.36 THB. In reality, this is a bad, very bad exchange rate and even at the worst exchange points in Thai resorts you will find a more favorable exchange rate. But while you are at the Bangkok airport, you have the best solution: currency exchange points on the ground floor of the airport. To do this, you must follow the blue signs to Train to City and go down several escalators. On the lower (basement) floor of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport you will find a number of exchange offices with a good exchange rate.

Currency exchange rate on the ground floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport

As in the arrivals area, the exchange rate at all exchange points is the same or very similar. However, this is actually the best rate not only at the airport, but also one of the best in all of Thailand (with the exception of several exchange points in the center of Bangkok). Therefore, I advise you to change the currency to Thai cash only here (at least for the next few days). There are also no additional fees at these exchange points, so you make the exchange at the rate indicated on the bulletin board. Above on the page you can see two photos with currency exchange rates on the same day, 11/18/2018. In order for you to better see the difference in the exchange rate, I will give a few examples.

If you exchange 100 USD in the arrivals area, you will receive 3105 THB. And on the ground floor of the airport for the same 100 USD you get 3270 THB. Simple calculations show that the difference is 165 THB (more than 5 USD). This amount is enough for a train ride from the airport and back for two people. And this difference is only 100 USD. When you relax in Thailand together, you can exchange 500 USD on the lower floor of Suvanapum Airport and receive 25 USD more than when exchanging the same amount in the arrival area. And this amount is already enough to pay a decent hotel in Bangkok or in the resorts of Thailand.

VASU EXCHANGE – the best exchange office in Bangkok

Especially if you use the smart search from Hotellook and pre-compare the cost of rooms immediately in all the main hotel reservation systems. A similar situation with other currencies. The difference for every 100 Euro is 228 THB (6.15 EURO), and for every 100 GBR – 244 THB (more than 6 pounds). With all other currencies the situation is identical. Of course, exchange rates are constantly changing and at the time of your arrival in Thailand they will be different. But you can be sure that the difference between the courses in the arrivals area and in the train departure area to Bangkok will always be very noticeable. Therefore, use this opportunity and exchange money in the right place!

Best Currency Exchange in Bangkok (in the city)

Often there are situations when you need to make a currency exchange directly in Bangkok city. In the central areas of the capital of Thailand, you can see many street currency exchange points, a large number of banks. Currency exchange points can also be found in Bangkok’s malls. However, not everywhere the course will be the same and good for you. I advise you to pay attention not to traditional banking or hotel currency exchange points, but to network and independent exchange points. They are located in various areas of Bangkok and have different modes of operation.

Currency Exchange Rates at VASU EXCHANGE (Bangkok)

As a rule, the most favorable exchange rate in Bangkok is not offered by banks, but by several specialized companies with branches in various areas of the Thai capital. For your convenience, I will post information on the location of such currency exchange points in Bangkok and their opening hours. Always remember that you must have a passport for currency exchange in Thailand (photocopies are often enough at resorts or you can persuade a cashier to exchange money without a passport).

VASU EXCHANGE – the best exchange office in Bangkok

This exchange office is located in the area of ​​the Nana Station BTS Skytrain. This is the business center of the Sukhumvit district in Bangkok and nearby there are many hotels of various price categories. During my stay in Bangkok, I usually choose this area and visited the VASU EXCHANGE exchange office several times. According to my many years of observations, this exchange office offers the highest purchase rates for USD, so if you want to change a large amount of money, choose it. The EURO rate is also good, but the GBR exchange rate is not the most profitable. It is an independent exchange point and has no other branches in Bangkok.

Address: Sukhumvit Soi 7/1.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday from 09:00 to 18:00, Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00.
Closed: Sunday
The current exchange rate is always on the official website.

Location of VASU EXCHANGE currency exchange in Bangkok

The exchange office is located on the ground floor of the building, located at the intersection of Sukhumvit Rd and 7/1 lane. If you arrived at the Nana station by train, you must go down via exit number 1. There you can easily find the building you need: on the brown facade are large gold letters VASU EXCHANGE and Chinese characters. This currency exchange in Bangkok is very popular and there may be a queue inside, especially immediately after opening in the morning. Currency exchange is somewhat intricate: the first employee will check for a passport and make a photocopy of it. After that, you will receive an electronic queue ticket with a currency exchange number.

Super Rich Thailand – The Best Exchange offices Network

This oldest network of currency exchange points in Bangkok has been operating for over 50 years and includes a head office and 14 branches in the city. Most branches offer a not very profitable exchange rate, the same as in traditional Thai banks. But there are branches of Super Rich Thailand with a very interesting course. In most exchange offices you have the opportunity to exchange 35-40 types of currencies for Thai Baht (including travelers checks). The brand color of the network is green. Below on the page I have listed three branches of SuperRich Bangkok with the best exchange rates.

Currency exchange rate in the SuperRich Thailand network (Bangkok)

Super Rich Thailand – Head Office at Soi Rajdamri 1

Address: 45 Rajdamri 1 Rajdamri Rd. Lumpini Patumwan Bangkok 10330
Opening hours: Monday-Friday from 09:00 to 18:00, Saturday and holidays from 09:30 to 17:00.
Closed: Sunday
Location on the map:

Currency exchange office SuperRich Thailand – Soi Rajdamri 1

Super Rich Thailand – Branch Office at Vibhavadi 22

Address: 18/4 Vibhavadi 22 Vibhavadi – Rangsit Rd. Chompon Chatuchak Bangkok 10900
Opening hours: Monday-Friday from 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday and holidays from 10:00 to 16:00.
Closed: Sunday
Location on the map:

Currency exchange SuperRich Thailand – Vibhavadi 22

Super Rich Thailand – Jewelry Trade Center

Address: 919 1 Si Lom, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500 Jewelry Trade Center, 3rd Floor, Bangkok Fashion Outlet zone
Opening hours: Monday-Friday from 10:00 to 18:30, Saturday and holidays from 10:00 to 17:00.
Closed: Sunday
Location on the map:

SuperRich Thailand Currency Exchange – Jewelry Trade Center

SuperRich 1965 – the biggest network of exchange points in Bangkok

The largest network of currency exchange points in Bangkok, which has been operating since 1965. Currently, in various areas of Bangkok, you can find about 40 branches. The corporate color of the SuperRich 1965 is orange, so you will notice the stalls of this network from afar. On the official website of the company, you can choose any of the branches and see the current exchange rate and all currencies that you can change. Please note that the course is not the same everywhere. For example, at the time of this writing, the best exchange rate was 30.68 THB for 1 USD (Silom district), while the worst was 30.53 THB for 1 USD (at most metro stations, large hypermarkets and shopping centers).

Difference in exchange rates depending on the location of the SuperRich 1695 office

In other words, not in every ofice of SuperRich 1965 currency exchange you will find the best exchange rate and it makes sense to initially choose the right branch. To see the current exchange rate, I advise you to visit the official website of SuperRich 1965 and choose the nearest currency exchange office of this company with a favorable rate. And to see the actual location of the currency exchange in the city, I advise you to go down to the bottom side of the official website and select it from the list. After it you will see map of bangkok with selected currency exchange office, which will be marked with a marker.

Sia Money Exchange in Bangkok – exchange rates

SIA Money Exchange

This company allows you to make a currency exchange in Bangkok at one of the best rates in the city. You can trust SIA MONEY EXCHANGE, because this company has been operating in the market for more than 30 years and is part of Golden Wall Travel Service Co. Having visited the main office of SIA MONEY EXCHANGE, you have the opportunity to exchange about 30 currencies (including travelers checks) for Thai cash. This currency exchange office is convenient to use if you live in Bangkok in the Makassan area (between Ratchaprarop and Makassan stations at the Bangkok Airport Railway Link).

Address: 1091 / 156-7 Soi Petchburi 33, New Petchburi Road, Makkasan, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday and holidays from 09:00 to 18:00.
Closed: Sunday
The current exchange rate is always on the official website.
Location on the map:

Sia Money Exchange in Bangkok – the location of the currency exchange office on the map

Thus, you can use the networks and private currency exchange offices located on the ground floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport and in various areas of the city for currency exchange in Bangkok. Of course, if you want to exchange only 50 or 100 USD or GBR, it does not make sense to go to the other end of the city to the best exchange point, because the difference will not pay off your expenses for city transport or taxi  service in Bangkok. But if you live near exchange offices with a good exchange rate, it makes sense to contact them and save, therefore, your money. And, as you probably already understood from this article, it’s better not to change money in the arrival area of ​​Suvarnabhumi airport, where the most unprofitable rate for all currencies.

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1. Street food instead of restaurants

The street food industry in Thailand is so widely developed that literally every tenth resident of this country somehow takes part in this business. If you want to save on food in Thailand – street cafes, mini markets and mobile hawker stalls – your choice. Speaking of street cafes, I mean traditional cafes for local residents, not street cafes for foreigners in resorts. Cafe for locals is easy to distinguish by a simple interior (often plastic tables and chairs) and a small selection of simple dishes. Often on the tables there may be jugs with drinking water, and next to the cooking place there is a container with ice.

These three dishes cost less than 100 THB (Bangkok street cafe)

On mini-markets, usually prepared dishes of chicken, pork, beef, fish and seafood, as well as many soups in large containers. And, of course, local residents dine in institutions for local residents. To find such places, you don’t need to visit any areas remote from tourist places, because you can find street cafes even in the side streets on Walking Street in Pattaya, on Bangla Road in Phuket and next to Nana Plaza (Soi 4 ​​Sukhumvit) in Bangkok. And mobile hawker stalls are generally found everywhere in Thailand and you can buy meat and fish dishes, traditional salads, soups and many types of BBQ.

Mobile hawker stalls with bbq – an opportunity to buy meat dishes cheaply

As for prices, small skewers of chicken on skewers (satay) usually sell from 10 THB, pork skewers from 20 THB, a large piece of chicken on a bamboo skewer – 50-60 THB, a plate of delicious Pad Thai fried noodles – from 50 THB. Spicy papaya salad (Som Tam) from 30 THB. Prices are for tourist destinations, and if you move further away from them, the cost of dishes will be even lower. For example, I spent several days in Bangkok (the good and affordable At Mind Executive Suites) and ate at street cafes on Sukhumvit Road. I took fried rice with chicken and vegetables or Pad Thai with chicken, and my girlfriend a spicy salad or something else from meat and vegetables. For this food and 2 bottles of drinking water, we rarely paid more than 110 THB (3.5 USD). Delicious Thai fruits are also better to buy in mini markets outside of tourist places or at supermarket sales (more on this below).

Mobile stall, where you can buy delicious Pad Thai for 60 THB

2. Refuse food on the beaches

Buying food at beach cafes and from merchants who walk along the beach and offer you to buy fish, shrimp, fruits, BBQ and drinks is very convenient. You get the opportunity to get food right on the spot, but you pay too much for it. Therefore, if you want to save on food – you have to abandon the purchase of food on the beach. Surely on the way to the beach you will pass a grocery store where you can buy food and drinks at a good price. I recommend having breakfast in a Thai cafe before visiting the beach, and the next time you can get a good meal after leaving the beach. Do you remember that spending too much time on the beach is bad for your health and you know, how to sunbathe in Thailand correctly?

3. Cook for yourself

You may find this advice somewhat strange. Not only in large cities of the country, but also in small Thai villages, many people almost never cook for themselves and their families. It is often really cheaper to buy inexpensive street food. But my long trips to Thailand have proved that self-cooking does save a lot of time and money. Of course, if you live in a standard hotel room, the possibility of cooking is very limited. But if you prefer to live in private apartments, as I do with Airbnb (here you can get a bonus of 41 USD for registration in this app), then you will have a full kitchen. This means that in addition to the microwave oven, you will have a gas or electric stove, often a toaster, a set of dishes (at least a pot and frying pan), plates and cutlery.

Cooking in your own kitchen is always an economical option.

It is not at all necessary to cook for yourself three times a day and spend the precious time of your vacation at sea on cooking. But you can always cook a simple breakfast for yourself and your family using products from 7Eleven or Thai supermarkets Tesco Lotus, Big C or Macro. For example, I often cook omelet with sausages or chicken for breakfast, adding fresh vegetables to it. It turns out quickly and very inexpensively. It is very convenient that in Thailand you can buy raw eggs not only in 10 pieces, but also in packages of 2, 4 or 6 eggs. I also sometimes indulge myself with french fries, which in cafes and markets in Thailand are usually not very cheap (a portion costs from 50 THB, while in the supermarket you can buy 1 kg of frozen french fries for 60-70 THB , and this is about 5 servings.

Another option for a delicious and inexpensive breakfast prepared by yourself

4. Ready meals at 7Eleven and Family Mart

You will find these two chains of convenience stores in all Thai cities and large villages. And if we are talking about Thai resorts, then these shops are often located every 50-200 meters. The advantage of shops is that in addition to products, classic snacks and bottled drinks, you can buy ready-made portioned dishes there. As a rule, these are dishes based on rice or noodles with the addition of various types of meat, fish and seafood. Not all of them are equally tasty and healthy: some are too spicy and have a strange taste due to the use of exotic spices and herbs. But there are dishes that I personally really like and that I could eat every day.

My favorite 7Eleven dish – is rice with crab and egg. Tasty and satisfying

For example, I really like fried rice with crab and egg. This dish could be packed in round or rectangular plates, but it is always very fresh and tasty. The composition of the dish includes natural crab meat, not crab sticks (as you might think). The cost of one portion is 40-45 THB, while the store cashier will warm up the dish for free in the microwave and add a disposable spoon and fork. I also really like the taste of scrambled eggs with shrimps (peeled). This dish costs even less, about 35 THB (a little over 1 USD). Still sometimes I buy rice with fish, but this dish is suitable only for those who like spicy food. But I don’t like ready-made pork dishes in 7Eleven, because instead of meat there is minced meat and a lot of unpleasant spices. Also at 7Eleven you can cook a burger, warm up ready-made sandwiches with fillings, make instant soup, etc.

The result of going to the night market and products from 7Eleven

5. Cooked Food at Supermarkets Big C and Tesco Lotus

Big C is my favorite Thailand supermarket chain, not least because of the wide selection of ready-made meals. Every morning after the opening of large Big C supermarkets, you will find many prepared portioned dishes in disposable containers. These are rice dishes, and fish, and spaghetti with additives, and stuffed omelettes, and much more. The cost is very affordable for everyone! You can use the microwave to warm up the food or ask a store employee to help you with this. A very important advantage of supermarkets is the ability to cook fresh fish right in front of you. This service is FREE and you pay only for fish, and not for the cooking process. I advise you to pay attention that the cost of fish and seafood can be indicated both per unit and per 100 grams or 1 kilogram. The situation is similar in a many Tesco Lotus supermarkets.

Omelette with sausage from Big C- 25% off in the evening time

6. Evening discounts in supermarkets

In Thailand, it is not customary to re-stick labels and change production dates on products (deceive customers). Large supermarkets try to sell all finished products on the day of manufacture. To do this, a big sale is held in the evening. You can find small tables with packs of prepared food right at the entrance to the supermarket. After 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. (depending on the particular supermarket), yellow price tags with a new price are pasted on the packages with ready-made food. Usually the initial discount is 25% of the original price. But if after an hour the goods remained unsold, the store employees again paste new price tags with an even lower price (50% discount).

Some Price Labels is Yellow – Big C Evening Sale

You can find discounted products, first of all, in the culinary department. You are waiting for fried fish, rice dishes, omelettes, noodles, pieces of pork or chicken, boiled eggs with salads, sushi sets, etc. In the bakery department you will find bread, rolls, donuts and other flour products. It is very profitable to come to supermarkets in the evening for fruit. You can find many fruit plates with sliced ​​fruit at a good price. Most often, sold at a discount are chopped watermelons, pineapples, ripe papaya, mangoes, dragon fruit, jackfruit, and fruit platter. I often buy packaged clusters of large grapes.

Tesco Lotus Evening Sale – 50% off

You can often find drinks at discounted prices. For example, I bought my favorite chocolate milk in large bottles several times. The discount in this case was due to the fact that several days remained before the expiration date. I hope you understand how profitable it is to visit Big C supermarkets in Thailand in the evening. Unfortunately, the choice of my favorite dishes is not always available there, and by the end of the first hour of the sale, the assortment may narrow significantly, so it is better to come to the beginning of the sale.

7. Thai buffets – a feast for the belly

Sometimes in Thailand you want to not only satisfy your hunger, but also try a lot of varied food. In such cases, I recommend visiting Thai buffets called mookata (self cook BBQ buffet). The essence of such institutions is as follows: you pay a fixed amount of money and cook for yourself on an individual grill pan in the center of the table. The grill pan is universal: the top is suitable for frying meat, and in the container around the perimeter you can simultaneously cook a delicious soup. At the same time, you can pick up various types of meat, vegetables, herbs, noodles, etc. without restrictions. There is also something like a buffet with ready-made dishes (french fries, pasta, rice, salads, fruit slices, desserts, pastries, etc.). Sometimes for large fish and seafood you must use a large common roasting pan (BBQ) and periodically turn the fish over so that it does not burn on the coals.

Mookata grill pan in unlimited thai buffet. Eat as much as you like

As you probably already understood, this is the best way to fill your stomach and have fun at the same time, because cooking in such establishments is very exciting. And if something doesn’t work out for you, employees of the establishment will always come to the rescue and show how best to cook this or that dish. The cost of visiting this kind of Thai buffets starts from 150 THB, but in the largest and most popular buffets it can be 199-249 THB. The disadvantage of this type of institution is the need to pay for drinks separately. Also keep in mind that in some buffets you have to eat everything you have gained (if you ruined a lot of food and didn’t eat half of it, you will have to pay a small fine).

In addition to the classic street buffet, which I talked about, in Thailand there are specialized buffets. The cost of visiting the latter is usually higher and can reach up to 1000 THB, especially when it comes to seafood buffets. More often such buffets are located in the area of ​​popular beaches and are designed for tourists. Some hotel’s buffets specialize in breakfasts. The cost of visiting in such cases is often 99-150 THB, but the choice of dishes is not too large. Finally, you can find interesting buffets in large shopping centers. Often in such establishments, visit times may be limited. For example, in the popular network of Japanese buffets, you can eat any dish in any quantity, but within 1 hour, for 300-350 THB.

8. Carefully check the menu in cafes and restaurants

In some Thai cafes and restaurants, the cost of dishes on the menu can be indicated without taxes and fees. As a result, the bill for dinner can be significantly higher than you originally expected. Therefore, carefully study the menu before ordering: at the bottom of each page in small print it can be indicated that prices are without service tax (+ 10%) and VAT (+ 7%). In fact, I came across this only once on the island of Samui, but now I always check the menu. On the Internet you can also find information about cases when before the order tourists are shown one menu, and after billing – another, with higher prices. To protect yourself from this kind of fraud, you can take a picture of the menu before ordering or shoot it on video.

In markets, prices are usually indicated for all fish; in restaurants, for 100g.

When checking the menu, pay attention to the serving size. In some fish restaurants and cafes with seafood, it is customary to indicate the cost per 100 grams. Those. if you ordered a large fish that weighs 400-500 grams, then you will have to pay 4-5 times more. Usually the menu indicates that the price is per 100 grams. But if in doubt, you can always ask the seller or waiter how much all the fish or lobster will cost. The cost per 100 grams is often written on the shelves in the form of boats with ice, which are located along the sidewalks in Thai resorts.

Give Up Western Fast Food

Fast food restaurants are not very popular in Thailand, and you rarely see a large line in Thai McDonalds. Due to the great popularity of street food and the low prices of products in the open-air stores, western fast food is not very popular. For Thais it is expensive and not very tasty, but for tourists it may not be very interesting. Moreover, the cost of ready meals in and KFC, Burger King or McDonalds is about 1.5 times more expensive than the average cost of dishes in Thai cafes. It was really very strange and unusual, but several times I was the only visitor to McDonalds in the evening in Pattaya when I bought ice cream there.

Eating western fast food restaurants is expensive and not very healthy

Choose Thai Restaurants

Resting in Thailand and wanting to save on food, it is better to order Thai dishes and generally choose Thai cafes. This is due to the fact that such establishments use local products. But Italian pizzerias or steakhouses can use imported semi-finished products, which is why your score will be two to three times higher than in a Thai restaurant. This rule is noticeable even on french fries, which costs 70-100 THB in a cafe for a not very large portion, because made from imported frozen potatoes. For the same reason, you will have to refuse to visit such famous chain cafes as Hard Rock and Hooters.

My most expensive breakfast for 740 THB. Expensive because the hotel restaurant

How to save on water in Thailand

Thailand is located in the tropics and it is a country of eternal summer. Therefore, even in the winter months, you will consume a lot of drinking water and drinks daily. Drinking tap water in Thailand is not recommended. And the minimum cost of 0.5 liters of bottled water is 6-7 THB in 7Eleven stores or 10 THB in cafes and restaurants. Locals often sell the same bottles on the street (in ice containers) at 15 THB. It’s a bit more profitable to buy bottles of water with a volume of 1.5 liters (from 20 THB) and large bottles of 5 liters (from 30 THB) in stores. But this is not the most profitable option. Even more profitable is to buy packages of 12-20 bottles in supermarkets, but this is not the most convenient option for an ordinary tourist. Thais and experienced tourists prefer to buy water in special vending machines with water.

In 7Eleven often promotions – 2 bottles of a drink for the price of one

Drinking water is sold for bottling to your own bottles. Just drop the coins and use your bottles. The cost of 1 liter of water in water vending machines ranges from 0.5 THB in areas without tourists and up to 2 THB in popular tourist places. But the most popular price is 1 THB for 1 liter of water. You can read more about this on the page “Drinking water in Thailand.” By simply comparing prices, you can calculate the approximate savings on water in cases when you buy it in water vending machines and when in stores. Unfortunately, it is not always convenient to carry water with you during your holidays in Thailand, even when you use a good backpack for traveling. Therefore, I prefer to use bottled water for use in a condo (for making tea) and I can take small bottles with me to the beach that are pre-chilled in the refrigerator.

Saving on alcohol

Many tourists can not imagine their holidays in Thailand without drinking Thai alcohol and Thai beer. Therefore, I will tell you how you can save on this item of expenditure. Strong alcohol in Thailand is best purchased in supermarkets, where prices are much lower. This can be seen even on small bottles. For example, you can buy my favorite Thai rum in 7Eleven stores for 155 THB (0.3l), while the same bottle in Big C or Tesco Lotus will cost 139 THB. The difference is only 16 THB per bottle and it’s not worth it to go to the supermarket specifically for 1 bottle (transport will cost more). But if in any case you will drink alcohol, you can buy it in advance while visiting the supermarket.

It is more profitable to buy both Thai and imported alcoholic beverages in hypermarkets

The situation is similar with Thai beer. It is most beneficial to purchase local brands in hypermarkets, especially in packages of 6-12 cans or bottles. Even in Family Mart and 7 Eleven, you can find mini packs of 2 cans or bottles that cost less than 2 bottles separately. Imported beers are more expensive in shops and bars, so if you want to save money, choose local beers. When visiting the bars, you can save by ordering draft beer instead of bottled beer. In the evening (until 22:00) in many bars and night clubs you can buy Thai beer at a special low price (happy hour), which is slightly higher than in the store. Often such conditions and for the purchase of low alcohol cocktails.

Using all of the above travel tips, you can save a significant amount of money while relaxing in Thailand. And saving on food does not mean that you should go hungry, spend half a day by the stove or refuse to visit cafes and restaurants. If you will be use in practice at least part of the knowledge gained here, and you can save money even when traveling to Thailand alone. And if you are traveling in a large company or family, the savings will be even more noticeable and enjoyable. Have a good rest and enjoy your meal!

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