HOW MUCH $ | travarranger

FLIGHTS TO THAILAND

A return economy class flight from London to Bangkok, with a short transit will cost between £420 to £600. However a return ticket for 12-hour direct flights cost relatively more, in the range of £550 to £750. Be prepared to pay as much as £900 for direct return flights during the high season from June to August.

Flights from regional UK airports are usually more expensive than those departing London airports. Ranging from £500 to £700, flights from Manchester/Birmingham/Glasgow to Bangkok should take around 15 hours including a short transit.

ACCOMMODATION

There is always accommodation to suit every budget in Thailand. From the cheap and cheerful backpackers' dormitory to the 5 Star Hotels, you will be spoilt for choices.

A bed in a basic dormitory with shared bathroom facility in Thailand should cost around 200 to 450 Baht. Khao San Road in Bangkok is famous for its abundant supply of cheap accommdation cater to backpackers from around the World.

An ensuite double or twin room in a 3 Star hotel range from 500 to 1200 Baht (£12 to £25) per night. The price of the room often reflects the location of the hotel.

Luxurious 4 and 5 star hotels will have a published rate of between 1500 to 6000 Baht (£30 to £120).

MEALS

There is a saying : You can never eat badly in Thailand, and I can't agree more. A delicious meal on the street of Thailand can be as cheap as 30 Baht (60 pence). Street food in Bangkok and most beach and island resorts such as Pattaya and Phuket will cost slight more, between 40 to 50 Baht. I have been to Thailand for more than five times, and I have never been ill from eating street food.

Apart from street food, there are plenty of restaurants serving authentic Thai cuisine and western food. Expect to pay between 200 to 300 Baht (£4 to £6) for a Western meal such as Burger with french fries and salad.

DRINKS

One of the most popular drinks in Thailand is Cha Yen or Iced Red Tea. A typical drink of Iced Tea or bottled water from a food stall cost 10 to 15 Baht (20 to 30 pence). Special drinks like bubble milk tea and fresh fruit smoothies cost around 30 Baht (60 pence).

A large bottle of Thai beer can be bought from any 24-hour convenient shop all over Thailand for 40 to 50 Baht (80p to £1). However drinks in bars and night clubs are considerably dearer.

TRANSPORTATION

Public transport in Thailand is quite efficient, especially in the Bangkok Metropolitan area. There are regular bus services from dawn to midnight. If in doubt, ask the locals and they will be more than happy to point out the direction or which bus to take.

Bangkok has a very modern rail transit system, namely the elevated BTS Skytrain and the underground MRT. The Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link also comes in handy for travelling between downtown Bangkok and Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). A single ticket on the sleek Bangkok rail transit range from 15 to 40 Baht. Alternatively there is a 120 Baht (£2.50) Tourist Day Pass for BTS Skytrain and MRT respectively.

All taxis in Bangkok are metered with the starting fee of 35 Baht (70p) for the first 3 kilometers and then 5 Baht per Kilometer.

The best way to travel long distances in Thailand is by trains. The State Railway of Thailand runs daily express trains to Chiang Mai in the North, Haadyai and Sungei Golok in the far South, Nong Khai (bordering Loas) in the Northeast and Ubon Ratchatani in the East. A ticket for second class air-conditioned berth from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is about 900 Baht (£18).

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS ADMISSION

Most tourist attractions in Thailand charge an admission fee including museums, temples, historical sites and royal palaces. Some charges addition fee for camera and video recorder.

Here are some examples of admission fee: