How much spending money will a couple need in Thailand for two weeks over Christmas & New Years?

Question

My partner and I are flying from the UK to Bangkok on Christmas day. We are in Bangkok for three days, and then we fly north to Chaing Mai for another three days. The final part of out holiday is going to be spent in Phuket.

All accommodation and flights are paid for, we are staying in four and five star hotels. We have breakfast provided for us in Phuket but the rest of our meals will need to be paid for.

We would like to soak up the culture and see some of the sights. We also are desperate to go on an elephant trek through the forest.

Bearing all of this in mind, how much would you estimate that we will need for our holiday?

Answer 1

If you are worried about the price, you can not afford it.  Thailand has such a thing called ATMs so you don't have to arrive in Thailand with 5000 pounds on the hopes you don't run out of money (like you had to do 20 years ago).  ATMs are in all major cities.  As a ball park figure, you can spend a little as 300 baht/day (eat local) to 30,000 baht/day (eat toursist, buy everything in site).  Food is fairly cheap.  I budget US$100/day for everything including room but I'm single.  

Answer 2

Well in Thailand you don't have to spent much , I was in Thailand for christmas and New Year almost every year ,I stay for about 2 week , from Bangkok to Phuket. I spend about $2000 Singapore dollars for the whole trip including hotels ,transport etc... I guess you don't have to spend much as your accommodation has already being paid. I would say about 800pound would be more than enough.

Answer 3

Enough to do all the things you want to do.  

Answer 4

Not everyone spends money the same way.  Your hotel and flights are already paid for so you will probably spend money on tours, food, entertainment, local transportation and souvenirs.  

Some travelers must eat in places where a cheap meal is 1000 baht and there are other tourists that spend only 100 baht a day on food.  There is no one answer for you.

Tours are pretty cheap and easy to get in Thailand. (Keep in mind that Christmas and New Years holidays are the most expensive times of the year to travel in Thailand!)   Travel agencies act as tour brokers.  Find the nearest travel agency to your hotel and look at their menu selection of tours and choose what you want.  

Change your money over after you get to Thailand for your best exchange rate.  Always have small bills for paying for taxi rides and cheap purchases in stores.  

How much do you need is really up to how you normally spend money back home.  If you don't care about how much something costs and you buy it anyway then you will need more money than the average tourist.  Have a debit card available to get money out of an ATM if you run out of money.  Bring 500-800 pounds with you and if you need more because you spend too much - use the ATM for more money.  Any Thai money left over you can convert back to your home currency at the airport when you depart for home.  

P.S. Remember to notify your bank that you will be overseas if you intend to use debit or credit cards.  Otherwise the ATM withdrawal may be refused because of suspected credit card fraud.  Always use the safety box in your hotel to safeguard your extra cash.  Only take enough money with you to see you through one or two days of spending.  Remember to have small bills for cheap purchases.  Even a 500 baht note may be too large for some people to change.

Good luck.