We’ve chosen seven destinations for budget travelers to consider below: Bangkok, Pattaya, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, and Pai.  These are excellent locations where you can truly enjoy Thailand, without needing to spend a fortune.

In fact, once you learn some of the basic principles of thrifty traveling in the Kingdom, they can be applied anywhere.  The trick is getting into the habit from the start with respect to your spending guidelines, and then sticking to them.

Location, for example, is indeed an important consideration: Bangkok and Pattaya are going to be more expensive than all the other destinations above.  But even more important than location is season.  The high and peak seasons between November and February will be much more expensive – and crowded – then the low season between March and October.

There are important exceptions to this rule for big national holidays, especially Songkran, the Thai New Year, in mid-April.  This is a popular time of year to visit, with incredible water festivals throughout the country; therefore, accommodation will be more difficult in the larger cities – and more expensive.

The rainy season is an excellent time to travel, as it is after the stifling heat of March through May or June, yet before the arrival of throngs of tourists – and higher prices – beginning in November and lasting for several months.

You may want to read our selections below in greater depth before deciding.  But whatever location and season you do decide on, if you want to truly save money, you’ll need to bear in mind the tips we’ve prepared for you on these pages.