[LivinLOS]

I dont know what western country sells you beer in a bar for 40 baht (1 USD or 0.60 GBP etc).. Certainly none I know..

You are right that Phuket is not that cheap especially compared to many other parts of Thailand but it does have the facilities to cater to a tourist audience that most places dont..

Clothes and buying them when you get here.. If your large (not just round) then getting clothes is really tough.. Shoes often come no larger than 8 or 9 UK size.. etc.. Up in BKK you can fill a suitcase cheaply and with clothing that does not fall apart instantly but it would take up some of your vacation time to work to find it.. Why bother.. Also young Thais (even ones with some money) often like to buy junky clothing so that its wear a few times 99 baht T shirt and then on to the next fashiony item.. Leads to a very low quality of material and stitching.. If all you want is some T's and shorts ok perhaps but its not a shopping mecca for quality clothes..

Food can range from street food at 20 - 30 baht per dish to high end resturants where dropping 4k or so (with a bit of wine) is not hard to achieve.. I dont really know what Burgs big deal is as there are good food places of all types (great pizza on Nanai run by some Italian brothers.. Home made pasta daily there too..) steaks, assorted farang grub for if the craving hits you... Sure down on Bangla food quality may be lowest common denominator but I bet the best resturants back home are not right in the nightlife..

Anyway in short (too late) beer is cheap.. food is cheap.. Clothes are cheap but look it..