Joanna James
Tipped to be one of Asia's most affordable holiday hotspots, the Thai capital is one of the few destinations that are accessible for travellers on a budget. Offering inexpensive meal options and accommodation hubs, first-timers may believe that it is unnecessary to set a budget for a month-long getaway. This couldn't be further from the truth as a long stay in Bangkok not only requires an understanding of how much commodities cost in Thailand but what you can comfortably afford.
Those who wish to put together a budget for spending a month in Thailand must first consider the timing of their trip. No other aspect will make a bigger impact on how much you must have at your disposal than the timing of the holiday as travelling during the peak season from November to March will be costly compared to holidaying in Bangkok during the off-season when most commodity prices dip. Depending on when you are travelling to the Thai capital, it is also necessary to check the exchange rate of your own currency against the Thai Baht, the national currency of Thailand. It may also prove useful to download currency conversion apps to your mobile phone to help keep track of costs in your own currency.
Since a month in Bangkok is a long tour that will incur significant expenses, it is prudent to cut back on flight costs. Those with a month to spend in Bangkok are not pressed for time and can be flexible about their arrival and departure dates. This means travel agents and online booking sites will be able to find dates on which it is cheaper to fly to Bangkok. Those with limited funds can also stretch their dollars by advance booking their flights, which is a great way to secure discounts. Looking for promotional offers is also crucial during this planning stage as flight costs are among the big-ticket items of a Bangkok getaway.
Since you have 4 weeks in Bangkok, it is wiser to find a long-term hotel or apartment or alternatively stay in a different area of the city each week to explore various neighbourhoods. You could book your first week at the Pathumwan Princess Hotel or a similar well-known Bangkok city hotel until you get a sense of the city and move on to other hospitality hubs in different regions to experience Bangkok from a new base location. Don't be anxious to cut back on accommodation expenses by staying at a property half-board or paying only the room rate as dining out can be inexpensive in Bangkok.
As one of the most affordable aspects of a Bangkok holiday, it is not necessary to go overboard and reserve a large portion of your overall holiday budget for dining out. Bangkok is renowned as a foodie's dream destination where one can grab delicious meals from food markets and street vendors for a fraction of what it would cost at home.
Entry tickets to various highlights around Bangkok including the Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, dinner cruises on the Chao Phraya River and the Bangkok museums and art galleries can set one back quite a bit. This is why it is prudent to set aside enough funds for these aspects of a Bangkok holiday. While you will not need to spend on water sports activities or similar excursions, enjoying a cultural tour of the Bangkok Riverside or a food tour in Bangkok will not only require entry fees but also funds required to reach the locations.
As another affordable aspect of Bangkok, calculate your travel and transport expenses according to the MRT and BTS SkyTrain passes available for long-stay visitors.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
