FEBRUARY 2023
OVERVIEW
Thailand, currently offers most major country passport holders a 45 day Tourist Visa On Arrival (VOA).
At the time of writing, Thailand had no COVID-19, Travel Insurance, nor Exit Ticket requirements. Thailand was open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists.
So, what can you do with those 45 days?
… In this blog, I summarise a SCUBA Dive Liveaboard with some island hopping down to Langkawi, Malaysia … then, I suggest a 30 day Island Hopping itinerary …
EXCHANGE RATE
The currency in Thailand is the Baht (or the ‘THB’). At the time of writing, the exchange rates for the major currencies were:
| US$1 | EU€1 | GB£1 | |
| Published Wholesale Rate | 34.24 | 36.66 | 41.40 |
| Actual Exchange Rate (Wise Debit Card) | 34.00 | 36.40 | 41.11 |
| Actual Exchange Rate (Typical Credit Card) | 33.21 | 35.56 | 40.16 |
| Actual Exchange Rate (ATM) | 33.04 | 35.38 | 39.95 |
You will NOT get this Wholesale Rate … you will get the Actual Exchange Rate:
- Expect to lose about 0.70% if you use a Wise Debit Card.
- Expect to lose about 3.00% if you use a typical Credit Card.
- Expect to lose about 3.50% if you take (the maximum allowed) cash out of an ATM.
In general, you should not have a problem changing a THB1,000 (US$30) note. For simplicity, think of a THB100 note as being US$3.
PLEASE NOTE: Over time, these exchange rates will change. It is also early 2023 … so inflation will need to be taken into account. Please check the current rates.
MONEY / ATMs
ATM Fees in Thailand are ‘high’ compared to other countries. Foreigners are charged THB220 / US$6.40 to use an ATM. This is in addition to your normal inter-bank transaction and conversion fees.
On a (typical) maximum single ATM withdrawal of THB20,000 expect to lose 3.50%. To keep costs down, use an ATM in a bank. ATMs in ‘convenient locations’ can charge higher fees.
WISE DEBIT CARD
I keep my costs down by using a Wise Debit Card.
RECOMMENDATION: I highly recommend the Wise Debit Card to all travelers.
GETTING THERE
It is advised that you check out iVisa before you travel to get the latest entry requirements.
PLEASE NOTE: Requirements may change from time to time without prior notice. Please continue checking with iVisa for the complete current list of entry requirements.
I flew from Boracay Island, Philippines (via Manila and Bangkok) to Krabi. You will, probably, either arrive in Krabi or Phucket.
Check out 12Go to have a look at your ‘getting there’ options:
WHEN TO GO
There are two seasons: The ‘hot and dry season’ (‘High Season’) from December to April and the ‘rainy season’ (‘Off Season’) from May to November.
The weather for the ‘shoulder’ months (May and November) is ‘unpredictable’.
INTERNET / WIFI
Unlike in some other countries, the prices for a new SIM Card & Package at the airport are not ‘inflated’. You can buy on arrival if you see one that you like … but, if you wait, you could do better.
AIS
The AIS Telewiz store in Krabi offered a new 5G SIM (THB50) with a 70GB data plan at full speed (THB300). So, for THB350, I got an excellent and much better plan. 
RECOMMENDATION: Do not get a ‘traveler SIM’ … they are over-priced. If you are staying in Thailand for more than 1 month, download the AIS Mobile App.
AIS are the major provider in Thailand. I had no trouble getting a 4G signal … even in remote places on the islands.
MY ITINERARY
Here is a detailed write up of my 39 days in the Andaman Sea:
- Krabi / Khao Lak / SCUBA Liveaboard: Andaman Sea – Thailand – SCUBA Liveaboard – Living Ideas – GRANDPAcking;
- Ko Lanta: Ko Lanta – Thailand – Information – GRANDPAcking;
- Ko Mook: Koh Mook – Thailand – Information – GRANDPAcking;
- Ko Lipe: Ko Lipe – Thailand – Information – GRANDPAcking.
GRANDPAcking COSTS
Read About – GRANDPAcking Costs if you don’t know how to interpret my figures.
In summary, costs are broken down into Cost Of Existence (COE) and Cost Of Living (COL):
- COE: Is the basic costs of just being there;
- COL: Is the additional costs that make being there fun.
MY GRANDPAcking COSTS
AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE / TOP SECTION
I lost an average of 3.68% on cash that I took out of ATMs. I used my Wise Debit Card to pay for flights and accommodation whenever I could.
COST OF EXISTENCE (COE) / MIDDLE SECTION
ACCOMMODATION
I did amazingly well on my accommodation costs … only because I put the work in. In some locations, I managed to get discounts of 50% or more. My super-cheap accommodation on Ko Lanta, Ko Mook, and Ko Lipe helped to bring my average hotel cost down to THB500 / US$14.50 per night.
Half of the time, I managed to get Breakfast included in that hotel price.
FOOD & BEVERAGES
I eat to live … I do not live to eat. I don’t eat lunch. My Food & Beverages costs are always significantly lower than other people. My average daily cost was THB222 / US$6.50 per day.
SIM CARD / MOBILE DATA
I topped up my THB350 AIS 1-month package in Ko Lipe … with 1 week unlimited data (at 2mb/s) for THB100.
VISA EXTENSION / NATIONAL PARK FEES
It cost me THB200 to land on Ko Lipe.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
My Backpacker Level Travel Insurance policy has been apportioned (calculated as 39 days of my annual rate).
TRANSPORTATION
I rented a scooter for 6 days on Ko Lanta and 1 day on Ko Mook.
On a couple of occasions, I needed transport from my Port Of Entry to / from my hotel.
COST OF LIVING (COL) / BOTTOM SECTION
ENTERTAINMENT / EXCURSIONS
My main expense was the 5 Day / 5 Night SCUBA Liveaboard that cost THB37,850 / US$1,090 inclusive of tips.
Other than that, I spent THB200 / US$5.75 per day on evening drinks and ‘personal habits’.
IN / OUT COSTS
My major cost was my flight in from Boracay at THB6,820 / US$203.
But, transport between the islands adds up too (it is not as cheap as it used to be). A couple of shuttle buses along with the island hopping all of the way to Langkawi added up to THB2,735 / US$79.
GRANDPAcking SUMMARY
I managed to keep my COE very low at only THB875 / US$25 per day (36% of my daily budget). I did this so that I could afford the SCUBA Liveaboard.
The SCUBA Liveaboard was 43% of my total 39-day budget.
That said, I could still do everything else and only overspend by US$130. This over-spend can be easily made up in other destinations.
SUMMARY
I had a fantastic 39 days SCUBA Diving and island hopping in the Andaman Sea and (almost) kept within budget.
YOUR GRANDPAcking COSTS
Your budget is just for Island Hopping … I have excluded the SCUBA Liveaboard because there is NO WAY that 2 people can do this 30-day itinerary and keep close to GRANDPAcking Budget. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t … if you want to … just bring more cash!
It is assumed that you start in either Krabi or Phucket. Your suggested route is:
2 nights in Krabi / Phucket (to get organised after you land) followed by 7 nights in each of Ko Phi Phi, Ko Lanta, Ko Mook, and Ko Lipe … before moving on to Langkawi (or returning to Krabi / Phucket).
ORANGE COLUMNS / LEFT HAND SIDE
The left of the spreadsheet (orange columns) shows the costs for a GRANDPAcking Couple living to GRANDPAcking Standard using a Standard (Home) Bank Credit / Debit Card to pay for large purchases (e.g. accommodation) and withdrawing cash from ATMs for all other “EXISTENCE’ expenses.
COST OF EXISTENCE (COE)
ACCOMMODATION
Expect to pay THB660 / US$20 per night for accommodation. Up this to THB815 / US$25 in Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lipe. All include Breakfast.
FOOD & BEVERAGES
Expect to pay an average of THB670 / US$20 per day on Lunch and Dinner (2 people) … eating in ‘local restaurants’.
SIM CARD / MOBILE DATA
A 1 month AIS 70GB package for THB350.
VISA EXTENSION
Two THB200 National Park Fees on entry to Ko Lipe.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
A typical Backpacker Level Travel Insurance policy has been apportioned (calculated as 30 days of your annual rate).
TRANSPORTATION
You will need a scooter on Ko Lanta. I have also included 1 day scooter rental (to have a quick ‘fun’ look-around) in each of Krabi, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Mook, and Ko Lipe.
Your budget is THB4,430 / US$127.50 for Minivan / Boats between locations … including your final speedboat trip to Langkawi (or back to Krabi / Phucket).
SUMMARY
Your COE is about THB1,935 per day. This is 89% of your daily budget. You have very little left to LIVE on (THB244 per day).
RIGHT HAND SIDE / PURPLE COLUMNS
Using your Wise Debit Card as much as possible helps … but does not save enough to make a big difference.
However, you can afford to ‘LIVE’ by making some small compromises:
- Finding cheaper accommodation away from the beach (with at least a fridge and a kettle);
- Grocery shopping and eating half of your Lunches (and Dinners?) at home;
- Doing fewer islands and staying a bit longer in each;
- Renting your scooters away from the main tourist areas.
GRANDPAcking SUMMARY
Money will be ‘tight’ … THB2,178 / US$64 per day may not be quite enough … an extra THB660 / US$20 per day will make a huge difference.
CONCLUSION:
This is a beautiful itinerary ... you get a nice mix of island ‘types’ with a splatter of ‘adventure’ in the ‘island hopping experience’.
Enjoy.
TTFN
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