The title of this section might be a little deceiving. I chose "Thailand on $10 a day" as my header because it was a little more appealing than "Thailand on Mom's Credit Card." You can definitely live on $10 (300 baht) a day if you want to sleep on the beach at night and drink water for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I wouldn't recommend it. Thailand is known to rain every now and again and sleeping on the beach might prove uncomfortable.
$40 (about 1300 baht) is a more realistic amount of money to set aside for a daily budget. Aside from food, beverages and a beach chair, you may find yourself wanting a place to sleep at night. And if Phuket works its magic on you like it does so many other people, a month long holiday or more may be just what the doctor ordered. If that proves to be the case, then renting an apartment versus staying in a hotel is definitely the way to go.
The metal bars make me feel at home
Unlike the U.S., where credit checks, references and security deposits are the norm, in Phuket cash is king. There are a few ways to find an apartment or house here. Yes, you are able to use the internet to to search for apartments in the area, but you'll only find a fraction of what is really available out there. To discover hidden gems, the best way I have found is either word of mouth or to hop on your motorbike and cruise around yourself looking for a new place to call home. What you are looking for is simple:a sign- get ready for it- that says "FOR RENT" with a phone number listed at the bottom. If the place interests you and it's location is appealing, then all you have to do is dial the number listed while you're at the house/apartment. If the apartment isn't run by a property management company, normally the owner will drop everything and come meet you right then and there allowing you to see the interior. If it is through a rental agency, then you may have to set up an appointment to view the digs. If driving around looking for "FOR RENT" signs isn't your cup of tea, then by all means contact a realtor. One particular real estate company in Phuket that far surpasses others is Phillips Realty (www.phillips-property.com/). Dealing with the sale AND rental of properties in Phuket, they have a huge portfolio of high end places in some of the best locations around the island. They are based on the main road in Kamala and agents Dawn or Brennan can be reached by phone @ +66 (0) 76 279 280/81. They know the island like the palm of their hands. And if you are flying into Phuket looking to rent or buy a really nice place, these two people are THE go to people to help find you a perfect place.
Matching poncho sold separatelyIf you are planning on vacationing in Phuket and anticipate leaving the confines of your resort to explore everything the island has to offer, then I strongly urge you to rent a motorbike during your stay. Granted, the winding roads and seemingly non-existent traffic laws can seem daunting at first, but I promise you, after an hour of practicing on the side roads to get accustomed to the motorbike you will feel confident to go explore, and you will not regret your decision.
By renting a motorbike for the day, the week, or however long you are vacationing, you will save countless money by not having to rely on tourist trap tuk-tuks. It is common knowledge that the tuk-tuks will undoubtedly overcharge you. Simply pick up a copy of the local Phuket Gazette and you will surely see an article regarding how the tuk-tuks are singlehandedly destroying Thailand Tourism due to their disgruntled passengers feeling duped out of their money having to pay exorbitant fares. Stories of a 5 minute ride in Patong costing 500 baht are not unheard of, whereas the same distance traveled in Bangkok would cost 20 baht!
The old adage "don't drink the water" doesn't just apply to Mr. Montezuma. You can be certain
that his revenge can easily outstretch the border of Mexico into Thailand. You'll find with the
sun combined with the humidity here, you'll be needing more water - drinkable water - than you're used to back home. And if you are planning on staying longer than a week a