How is that false economy? That you've never paid B700 for a haircut in Thailand does not mean that a B700 haircut is not in line with what a nice shop would charge in Bangkok. I generally pay B200, but I've paid as much as B950 and as little as B60. I just checked, and the Holiday Inn in Phuket is about the same price as the Holiday Inn in Pattaya, and the Intercontinental in Phuket is much cheaper than the Intercontinental in Pattaya. I have stayed at all four hotels, and the I think the properties in Phuket are nicer. I have not been to Phuket in in about five years, but I do not remember it being terribly expensive. When was the last time you were there? Did you have some examples of terribly high-priced things in Phuket?