Thailand Other Types Of Accommodations

Hotel singles in Thailand cost about US$ 7-15 (280-600฿) per night, doubles US$ 10-20 (400-800฿). You’ll typically share a hall bathroom; a private bathroom will cost extra. Smaller guesthouses also tend to be less expensive (singles about US$5-10, 200-400฿). If you make reservations in writing, indicate your night of arrival and the number of nights you plan to stay. The hotel will send you a confirmation and may request payment for the first night.

University Dorms

Many colleges and universities open their residence halls to travelers when school is not in session; some do so even during term time. Getting a room may take a couple of phone calls and require advanced planning, but rates tend to be low and many offer free local calls and Internet access.

Home Exchanges And Hospitality Clubs

Home exchange offers the traveler various types of homes (houses, apartments, condominiums, villas, even castles in some cases), plus the opportunity to live like a native and to cut down on accommodation fees. For more information, contact HomeExchange.com Inc., P.O. Box 787, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, USA (☎+1-310 798 3864 or toll-free 800-877-8723; www.homeexchange.com) or Intervac International Home Exchange (☎+33 61 618 2022; www.intervac.com).

Hospitality clubs link their members with individuals or families abroad who are willing to host travelers for free or for a small fee to promote cultural exchange and general good karma. In exchange, members usually must be willing to host travelers in their own homes; a small fee may also be required. The Hospitality Club (www.hospitalityclub.org) is a good place to start. Servas (www.servas.org) is an established, more formal, peace-based organization, and requires a fee and an interview to join. Other hospitality organizations include GlobalFreeloaders (www.globalfreeloaders.com) and CouchSurfing International (www.couchsurfing.com). An Internet search will find many other organizations, some of which cater to special interests (e.g., women, GLBT travelers, or members of certain professions). As always, use common sense when planning to stay with or host someone you do not know.

Long-Term Accommodations

Travelers planning to stay in Thailand for extended periods of time may find it most cost-effective to rent an apartment. A basic one-bedroom (or studio) apartment in Bangkok will range 5000-25,000฿ per month, depending on quality and location. Besides the rent itself, prospective tenants are usually also required to front a security deposit (often one month’s rent) and the last month’s rent. Serviced apartments may be easier to procure but are also more expensive: expect to pay 18,000฿ or more per month.

The purchase of Thai real estate by foreigners is both increasingly common and encouraged by the government. There are a number of websites catering to foreigners; many Thai real estate companies, such as Acute Realty (www.thaiapartment.com), advertise online. A good overview of housing options can be found at www.thailandguru.com/home-housing.html.

Another option for those staying for a significant amount of time are YMCAs/YWCAs. Though not overly common, Thailand plays host to several YMCA and YWCA hostels. Listings of hostels, and contact information for the National Council of YMCAs, is available through the World Alliance of YMCAs (www.ymca.int).

Camping

It’s possible to camp in many parks and beaches, although the practice isn’t very widespread. Nearly all national parks have designated camping areas, though they almost certainly will require registration or a fee in order to camp, so be sure to check with park headquarters before pitching your tent. As always, exercise caution and don’t camp alone—women especially should be careful. For more information on outdoor activities in Thailand, see The Great Outdoors (below).