Money and costs
The currency of Thailand is the Baht (THB). There are ATMs in all cities and even smaller towns. Most of these cashiers allow withdrawals with foreign cards. More and more sophisticated establishments – including hotels and restaurants – are also prepared for payments with credit cards.
ACCOMMODATION
Thailand is a kind of sacred territory for western backpackers. The country has received many thousands every year for a long time and it has prepared in all ways and ways to profit from its farangs. Accordingly, the number of guest houses it's abysmal, starting with Bangkok's famous Khao San Road where most of the street's upper floors serve as rooms for foreign visitors. Stays in guest houses they start at €5 in cities, €7 or €8 in the country's most reputable islands. For these values, count on a fan, shared bathroom and spartan rooms. To have a private western-style bathroom, hot water around the clock, Wi-Fi and eventually TV, add €3 to €4. Due to the abundance of guest houses, hostels are rare in Thailand.
Intermediate hotels cost between €5 to €20 per night. As a rule, they include a swimming pool, – not all – air conditioning, room service and TV.
Like all over the world, boutique hotels have flourished in recent years, also in Thailand. They almost always have few rooms but offer much more elegance, comfort and sophistication than conventional hotels. They can easily cost twice as much as conventional intermediate hotels.
The hotels appear on the next level. business, incomparably more “industrial” than boutiques but with all sorts of services and features including likely Wi-Fi in every room. Many belong to international chains and are practically indistinguishable from any hotel of this type elsewhere in the world.
Finally, there are the most highly regarded resorts in Thailand. Some of Bangkok and the bathing islands of southern Thailand are very likely the best hotels in the world and have prices to match, easily €200 to €700 per night.
FOOD
Thailand has a rich cuisine that delights even the most demanding visitor. By itself, Thai food justifies a dedicated trip.
Street food is a way of life and is almost always to be trusted. The most elementary street dish is pad thai (noodles fried food) which can cost a mere €0,60 at any stall. From there, depending on the level of the restaurant and the complexity and refinement of the meal, the price can range from €5 to €20 for a full meal in a restaurant dedicated to backpackers on Khao San Road up to €300 or €400 in the most sophisticated restaurants and famous from Bangkok or from Thailand's most desirable island resorts
INTERNET
Wi-fi is very common in hotels, guest houses, bars and restaurants in the most tourist areas of Thailand. But if you plan on traveling to places less visited by foreigners, pack a SIM card for use in smartphones unlocked or tablets or a Pen (USB stick) for use on a laptop. The brands with the greatest reputation and coverage in the country are DTAC Happy Internet, AIS One Two Call and TrueMove's.
Alternatively, you will have to rely on visits to internet cafes that continue to appear in Thailand as mushrooms. Expect to pay from €0,30 to €1,50 an hour depending on the tourist reputation of the place you are.
Islands with a large number of internet cafes include Phuket, Ko Phi Phi (Don), Ko Lanta (Yai), Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao, Ko Chang (Trat), Ko Samet (Rayong) and Ko Si Chang (Chonburi).