Thailand trip

[Mac]

I have just returned from Thailand where I stayed in Pak Chong which is near the Koh Yai National Park near Nakhon Rachissima about 250 Km NE of Bangkok. Full details of the tour will be posted later but I have just looked at my spending after 17 days with my Thai GF and my two children.

Air Fares - EVA Delux £1,830
Hotel - Two large suite rooms - THB 45,500
Permanent 24 hour chauffeur - THB 22,100
Horseriding lessons for two kids everyday - THB 35,000
General other spending on food and CLOTHES for children - particularly my 12 year old daughter - THB 50,000

Overall cost - shown on Credit card - THB 150,000 = £2,054
Air fares £1,830
Total £ 3,884

We had an absolutely fabulous time. I realise that this board is mainly for mongerers but Thailand offers so much for families as well. The airfare is quite expensive but where else can you have such a great time, do so much and only spend £2,000 with a family of four.

On the clothes. My 12 year old daughter struggles to find clothes that fit in England. She is too big for childrens wear and two small for young adult. In Thailand she can buy anything in the adult section of any department store, as she is the same height as most Thai women and she did!! I personally think that the saving on her clothes has more or less paid for the holiday on its own!!

Thailand is definitely my number one holiday destination and I would encourage anyone with children to go there.

Mac

[tintin]

Well if i would spend so much, I do not think that I could come as often to Los....

Horse-riding 35.000 Bath

Even the cuties do not cost me that much!

Well if you can spend this and you have sanuk this way....

[hugos]

Originally Posted by tintin

Well if i would spend so much, I do not think that I could come as often to Los....

Horse-riding 35.000 Bath

Even the cuties do not cost me that much!

Well if you can spend this and you have sanuk this way....

same, same me tintin.

150.000 bath for 17 days.....

maybe i have to go work in england.....



Anyway, your right thailand is a definetly a destination for families.

Hugo

[Werwolf]

Originally Posted by dizbusta

Absolutely !! This is what I keep telling friends, family etc, as the "sordid side of things" is easily avoided if that's not what you are looking for. The airfare doesn't seem to bad for 4 persons (assuming your Thai G/F isn't a resident), but you might be able to reduce some of the other costs with a little bit of time and knowledge. Time = spent looking on the internet for better deals, knowledge = now you have some idea of what it's all about, perhaps you can negotiate a price rather than accept first offer etc.

For example, with the 24hr driver, instead of booking through an agency (my assumption for this visit) you can "hire" local guys with nice cars through a verbal agreement and offer a reduced fee which they will accept, as a guaranteed amount of work for 17 days will reap them a nice reward, whereas normally they are just another "man with a car" sometimes acting as a taxi, sometimes as driver for visits and daytrips. This comes with getting to know the place and the area where you go to. I would say that you could get a driver and car for as little as 10,000 baht for the period you were there for, but would suggest a daily fee multiplied by 17 i.e. 17 x 1,000baht or maybe consider offering a "ballpark figure" e.g. 15,000baht.

Can't comment on horse fees, elephants more suited to this big lump !! As for clothes, did you shop exclusively in big stores ?? If yes, then you might try the known markets next time, some great clothes and bargains to be had there, plus there are no doubt many shops that you will get to know in future visits that you didn't get around to this time, which may offer similar garments at lesser prices. Alternatively, did you consider having clothes made rather than buying off the peg ?? I find that trousers, suits, shirts and ties can be bought for a lot less than I would expect to pay in England and I'm sure if you have a good look around, you will find some good tailors that will also make clothes for children.

All in all, it sounds like you had a great time which is the main thing and even with the family trip as well as with the "mongering", it's still a case of getting to know how things work and where to get best value, best quality, reliability etc. when you look back you will soon forget the cost, but you will always remember the holiday to LOS !!

Cheers
Diz

Very good commentary