Fair prices in थाईलैंड — what things really cost

The Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to the city is only 35-45 baht and takes about 30 minutes, connecting to the MRT at Makkasan and the BTS at Phaya Thai. It is by far the cheapest way in and skips the traffic, though you may need a short taxi at the far end to reach your hotel.

A metered public taxi from Suvarnabhumi runs roughly 300-450 baht on the meter, but the real total is about 450-650 baht once you add the mandatory 50 baht airport surcharge and the expressway tolls you pay in cash. Always insist on the meter and use the official taxi rank downstairs, never a driver who approaches you in the terminal.

A plate of pad thai, noodles or rice from a street stall is 40-80 baht in local areas, rising toward 80-120 baht on tourist strips like Khao San or Yaowarat. Eat where locals queue for the best food and the fairest price, and step one lane off the main tourist road to pay far less.

A sweet Thai iced tea or iced coffee from a street cart or local shop is 25-50 baht; the same drink in an air-conditioned cafe or mall chain costs several times more. The street version is the authentic one and part of the experience.

A single BTS or MRT ride is roughly 17-65 baht depending on distance, and both are fast, cool and beat the road traffic completely. Buy a stored-value card or use a contactless payment to skip the ticket queues, and use the elevated Skytrain to cross the modern city.

A bottle of water is about 10-15 baht from a 7-Eleven or street shop — buy it there, not from your hotel minibar or a tourist-spot vendor who may charge several times more. Tap water is not safe to drink, so keep a bottle on you in the heat.

A sit-down dinner at a decent mid-range Thai restaurant is around 300-800 baht per person, still excellent value for the quality. Prices climb sharply at riverside and rooftop tourist restaurants, so a good local air-conditioned restaurant gives you far more for your money.

The Grab app shows a fixed price upfront and removes the meter arguments, making it the easy, honest way to get a car or motorbike taxi across the city — a typical ride is a few dollars. It is usually cheaper and less stressful than negotiating with a tuk-tuk for the same trip.

The red shared trucks are the cheapest way around, with a flat local fare for short hops inside and around the Old City. Tell the driver your destination before boarding and pay the standard fare on arrival rather than a quoted 'tourist' price.

The airport is only a few kilometres out. Use the official taxi counter in arrivals or book a Grab for a clear, fair fare, and ignore touts inside quoting far more.

Tuk-tuks are pricier than the shared songthaews and always negotiated. Agree the fare before getting in, and for a fixed price with no haggling use a Grab instead.

The famous northern curry noodle is cheapest and best at a busy local shop rather than a tourist restaurant. A bowl costs little; look for places packed with Thai diners at lunchtime.

Chiang Mai is cheap to eat well in. Local canteens and market food courts are cheapest, while air-conditioned restaurants and cafes cost a little more but remain great value.

Northern-style Thai massage is inexpensive and widely available. Prices are usually posted; pick a clean, reputable shop and agree the length and price first.

Genuine no-riding sanctuaries cost more than roadside riding camps, and that is the point. The price should include hotel pickup, a guide and a meal; book directly or through a reputable operator and confirm there is no riding.

The red and blue songthaew pickup trucks run set loops around the ring road and are the cheapest way to travel. Confirm the fare and that it is a shared ride before boarding, as drivers may try to charge tourists a private-hire price. Have small notes ready and press the buzzer to stop.

Samui's airport taxis charge fixed, and fairly high, island rates rather than a meter, so agree the price at the official desk before setting off. A ride-hailing app or a pre-booked hotel transfer is usually cheaper for the short hop to Chaweng or Bophut.

Scooters are cheap and the easiest way to explore, but rent from a reputable shop, wear a helmet and carry a valid licence, as police checkpoints do fine tourists. Photograph and film the bike for existing scratches before you ride to avoid inflated damage claims on return.

A sit-down meal at a mid-range or beachfront restaurant is good value by Western standards. Places one street back from the beach cost less than the seafront terraces, and many venues add a service charge and VAT to the bill.

Local markets, night markets and roadside stalls serve excellent pad thai, curries and grilled skewers for a fraction of resort prices. The Fisherman's Village Friday market and the daily local markets in Maenam and Nathon are cheap, busy and authentic.

A large bottle of Chang, Leo or Singha is cheap from a shop or a local eatery, but beach clubs and hotel bars charge several times more. Buying from a 7-Eleven or a local restaurant is the budget option, and neither price is a scam.

Samui is a coconut island, so a chilled young coconut to drink is cheap and everywhere, from beach vendors to markets. Confirm the price before it is opened, as some beachfront sellers quote a higher tourist rate.

The standard shared daytime fare is per person and boats leave once they fill with around eight to ten passengers. Pay the going rate at the beach ticket point, and expect a higher charge or a private-charter fee after dark.

The shared airport shuttle bus is the cheapest way into Ao Nang, sold at a fixed per-person fare at the airport counter. It is slower than a taxi but a fraction of the price.

Book a prepaid private taxi at the official airport counter for a fixed per-car fare, ideal for groups or lots of luggage. Ignore touts quoting more, and confirm the price covers the whole car, not per person.

The shared longtail tour is the cheapest way to island-hop, with the speedboat version a little more. Check whether lunch, water and gear are included, and remember the national park fee is usually added separately.

Many island and Emerald Pool tours quote a price that excludes the government national park fee, which is collected separately from foreign visitors. Ask upfront whether it is included so it is not a surprise on the day.

Beachfront and town massage shops are inexpensive and plentiful, with prices usually posted on a board. Pick a clean, reputable-looking place and agree the length and price before you start.

Krabi's Andaman seafood is a highlight; prices vary a lot with the catch and are often sold by weight. Confirm the price per 100 grams and the total before it is cooked, and eat where locals do for better value than the tourist-strip restaurants.

A direct bus from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya costs roughly 140 baht and takes about two hours. Buy the ticket at the marked counter on the airport's lower floor; it is far cheaper than a private car and drops you near the city centre.

The blue pickup trucks running fixed loops along Beach Road and Second Road are the local bus. A short hop is about 10 baht; press the buzzer to get off and pay the driver at the window. Confirm it is a shared ride, not a private charter, before hopping on.

Ride-hailing apps like Grab and Bolt fix the fare in advance and are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a car. Locals use them too. They are the simplest way to avoid meter arguments for longer trips across town or out to the malls.

Beachside and market stalls grill fresh prawns, squid and fish to order for very little. Check whether seafood is priced by weight before ordering, watch it weighed, and eat where locals queue for the freshest catch and fairest prices.

A sit-down Thai meal at a mid-range restaurant is excellent value. Street stalls and simple shophouse kitchens are cheaper still; look for busy local spots, and note that some tourist-facing venues add a service charge to the bill.

This sweet of ripe mango, sticky rice and coconut milk is sold cheaply at markets and stalls, best in mango season around April and May. Buy it freshly assembled rather than pre-packed, and expect to pay only a dollar or two.

Traditional Thai massage is a Pattaya staple and very affordable, often around 200 to 300 baht an hour at a simple shop. Beachfront and hotel spas charge more. Agree the type and length before starting, and a small tip is normal for good service.

Phuket tuk-tuk fares are notoriously fixed high by local operators and rarely negotiable to a truly cheap level. A ride-hailing app or metered taxi is often better value for longer distances.

Book through the official airport taxi counter for a fixed, posted price rather than accepting an offer from someone approaching you in the arrivals hall.

Prices vary by boat type, group size and inclusions like lunch and snorkelling gear, with premium power-catamaran tours costing noticeably more than a standard shared speedboat. Book through an established agency with clear reviews rather than the cheapest street-side offer.

Local Thai restaurants away from the main beach roads are noticeably cheaper than beachfront tourist restaurants for the same or better food.

Massage shops are everywhere and prices are usually posted, with tourist-strip shops in Patong pricier than local shops in Rawai or Chalong. Choose a clean, busy-looking shop and agree the price and duration before you start.

Rent from a reputable shop, photograph the scooter for existing damage before you take it, and always wear a helmet, which is required by law and checked at police stops.

Only rent from a registered counter with clear signage and a rental agreement. Video the jet-ski from every angle with the operator present before you take it out, so you have proof against a false damage claim on return.