On 3/19/2026 at 4:49 PM, snoop1130 said:

She compared Thailand unfavorably with other Asian destinations, noting that even the cheapest hostel was priced at 600 baht per night, which she found expensive for a backpacker.

On what planet is that expensive?

Just before Covid I went to Kuala Lumpur for a short break with the wife. Look at the price of hotels and thought there was something wrong. When looking at 3 or 4 star I thought I was getting 1 or 2 star flea pits. No hotels in KL were just far, far cheaper than Bangkok. Much better transport system to boot. I have to disagree, Thailand, Bangkok at least is bl00dy expensive for most things aimed at tourists. Add to that how unwelcome you are made to feel once to arrive at the airport, the general attitude of Thais towards tourists now, then if I didn't have commitments to Thailand then I would be looking else where also.

On 3/19/2026 at 2:49 AM, snoop1130 said:

She compared Thailand unfavorably with other Asian destinations, noting that even the cheapest hostel was priced at 600 baht per night, which she found expensive for a backpacker. She was also critical of Thai food, citing instances where her friends suffered from food poisoning. She expressed dissatisfaction with the food, describing it as sweet, oily, and causing her to feel bloated.

She would probably be better off comparing the Burger Kings in LOS to the those in other countries.

Generally speaking, the backpackers don't get much respect from the Thais. And it seems that the majority of the BPers don't really try to understand the locals (which could be said of nearly any tourists anywhere ). Visit a place like KSR, and imagine what your LOS experience would be like if places like that is all you've experienced of the country.

OTOH I recall sitting around with a bunch of expats having a p!ssing match over who had spent the most time here, knows the place best, etc. Later on a few of us piled into a taxi, and the guy who claimed the most seniority was revealed not able to even count from 1 to 10 in Thai.

2 hours ago, bendejo said:

OTOH I recall sitting around with a bunch of expats having a p!ssing match over who had spent the most time here, knows the place best, etc. Later on a few of us piled into a taxi, and the guy who claimed the most seniority was revealed not able to even count from 1 to 10 in Thai.

I assume these guys are married to Thais or have a Thai gf. Why have a dog and bark yourself.

"Overrated" is overused by young people. Its just to get attention in the sea of online information. It's a tiresome cliche now.

Sprinkle in unrealistic expectations. Things didn't fit her world view. Instead of acceptance, resorted to criticism.

Been to Europe a few times, because of family, and I don't care for it. I'd rather be in Asia any day. The food is pretty boring in Germany and Austria in particular. US is best of course for variety.

On 3/19/2026 at 6:11 PM, BritManToo said:

Disagree with her comments on accomodation, I can find plenty of rooms for 500bht.

Yeah in your area maybe, you would not even get a dorm room for that down south. Unless you would stay in the middle of nowhere while then compensating the difference on transportation costs or half the experience. Even in BKK outskirts a bare bone room is 700+.

People not come on holiday to stay at some <deleted>ty room while having paid already before the oil escalation, high prices to get here, to then on top be paying the same as you effectively do in Europe. This is the entire reason European presence is in decline since a decade.

Like even the most boring possible scenario today: you stay at a 700 room, you spend 200 on transport for sightseeing that is free, you just have 2 amazon coffees 100 baht, 3 real meals 80 each = 240 baht, some snacks or water etc 100 baht, you are down 1340 baht already doing absolute nothing and the most budget possible way eating local food. Add 2 beers and it's 45,000 a month. That is just beyond realistic, and then people wonder why restaurants and bars are empty. In Vietnam that same money would be epic.

Many of you guys here seem to really stick your head in the mud, just to defend your own position.

I doubt she ventured outside of the normal backpacker haunts. Khao San Road -> Koh Phangan -> Khao San Road.

Just now, Briggsy said:

I doubt she ventured outside of the normal backpacker haunts. Khao San Road -> Koh Phangan -> Khao San Road.

If she complains like this she could not even afford Phangan, you clearly have no clue what you talk about. Phangan is one of the most expensive places to go since 1-2 years. A bamboo hut without toilet or AC costs 15K. Street food is 80 baht too.

And that doesn't mean it is cheap elsewhere, it is already over priced in the cheapest places. Even Chiang Mai is over priced, quite ironically but it is even cheaper in quiet southern areas than it is in Chiang Mai, with beers average just being 60 baht too.

As well it is just BS to say, there is places where food is 50 baht, yeah 1/100 if you walk 15 miutes for it in 38 celcius, on holiday. We not talk about what is still possible if you lived here long-term in some 3K crack room.

There is simply way way to many people eating from the same cake in restaurants/hotels/tourism business. With proper regulation on licensing in areas that would never happened to begin with, Vietnam does do that.

And for some reason virtually none of the existing owners sees the light to start doing it the right way again, it could still be done way cheaper. If vietnam can do that, so does Thailand. The rent in commercial areas in Vietnam is even way higher than it is here. But here people expect to be handed money offering mediocre quality and service, the money grows on trees syndrome.

I can't even find a consistent good haircut for less than 600 baht here, all over Thailand, in 15 years changing shops 4x a year. In cambodia i pay 1 dollar on the street and it's done better, that's 20 haircuts. Same with bars, playing the same loud obnoxious bad music on the quality of 15 years ago. There is just barely any effort or skill to be found in any business. Nobody even tries to sell beers for 60 baht and get busy daily in BKK/CM etc, which is weird, the profit margin is way higher than it is in Europe for a beer.

And then the few that do do that, think that is suddenly a Premium feature, to then charge insane prices.

This in times of AI, they better change very fast or it is permanently too late.

19 hours ago, Bruce Aussie said:

Yep, main think in Thailand that annoys me is lack of rubbish bins. 8 know they probably still prefer to throw on ground or decorate trees with plastic bags of rubbish. Even in shopping centres is easier to find a pro than a bin.

My understanding at least for Pattaya and Khao Yai is you Pay for garbage collection on a pay as you go type system.

I have never seen anyone ticketed for littering. I have seen people and businesses post signs about fine of X baht for depositing garbage in another persons bin.

Unfortunately the many factors of no public bin close by, no enforcement of littering and conflict and fine for use of someone else's bin leading to just litter and move on.

I don't believe the thought of how litter looks ever crosses most people's minds.

Foreigner see cleanliness as someone who cares and takes pride in their community

1 hour ago, BuffaloRider said:

Yeah in your area maybe, you would not even get a dorm room for that down south. Unless you would stay in the middle of nowhere while then compensating the difference on transportation costs or half the experience.

Maggie Mays gentlemans club and pool resort in Jomtien.

Stardard room 500bht/night (for stays over 1 month)

Two room (bedroom + living room with jacuzzi 800bht/night (stays over 1 month)

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Maggie Mays gentlemans club and pool resort in Jomtien.

Stardard room 500bht/night (for stays over 1 month)

Two room (bedroom + living room with jacuzzi 800bht/night (stays over 1 month)

Maggie May's has moved over the road there lounge/bar, seems nicer spot, no idea of the resort.

3 hours ago, BuffaloRider said:

you clearly have no clue what you talk about. Phangan is one of the most expensive places to go since 1-2 years.

3 hours ago, BuffaloRider said:

Phangan is one of the most expensive places to go since 1-2 years. A bamboo hut without toilet or AC costs 15K.

LOL. You have no idea what you are talking about. Have you been drinking? 15,000 a night for a bamboo hut! Dorm beds are from 400 Baht a night on Koh Phangan and can be found cheaper.

If you don't know what you are talking about, and don't know anything about Thailand, please stick to talking about Vietnam. Don't come on posting clear rubbish.

My two Pennie’s worth. I love Thailand and have since 1984.

The main problems are ( for me) visible trash. I don’t see why the local authorities can’t have a service that deals with this.

I still see kids throwing their food rest etc on the ground. Maybe enough trash cans on every road would help , or educate more , signs , TV ,schools ?

Lack of public transport that concerns the Thais too.

Lack of hygiene mainly concerning meat/ fish/ sushi , I mistakenly looked into a kitchen once and I nearly fainted.

The lack of driving manners and safety, I’m sure we’re all agreed to that one ?

Thai people are generally lovely people and it’s rare I come across a miserable/ nasty one. Thais are probably nicer to tourists than Europeans where you don’t often get a real smile.

Cheap hotels and hostels are what they are everywhere.

Lastly, if Bangkok had air I could breathe, I’d live there , love the place.

PS, forgot the oil and sugar in food. I always ask nicely not too much oil and no sugar.

15 hours ago, BuffaloRider said:

Yeah in your area maybe, you would not even get a dorm room for that down south. Unless you would stay in the middle of nowhere while then compensating the difference on transportation costs or half the experience. Even in BKK outskirts a bare bone room is 700+.

People not come on holiday to stay at some <deleted>ty room while having paid already before the oil escalation, high prices to get here, to then on top be paying the same as you effectively do in Europe. This is the entire reason European presence is in decline since a decade.

Like even the most boring possible scenario today: you stay at a 700 room, you spend 200 on transport for sightseeing that is free, you just have 2 amazon coffees 100 baht, 3 real meals 80 each = 240 baht, some snacks or water etc 100 baht, you are down 1340 baht already doing absolute nothing and the most budget possible way eating local food. Add 2 beers and it's 45,000 a month. That is just beyond realistic, and then people wonder why restaurants and bars are empty. In Vietnam that same money would be epic.

Many of you guys here seem to really stick your head in the mud, just to defend your own position.

But 1500 bath wasnt always the budget to have here? Plus vietnam will increase prices soon due to the demand. Are we heading to an end of a cheap travel?

15 hours ago, BuffaloRider said:

If she complains like this she could not even afford Phangan, you clearly have no clue what you talk about. Phangan is one of the most expensive places to go since 1-2 years. A bamboo hut without toilet or AC costs 15K. Street food is 80 baht too.

And that doesn't mean it is cheap elsewhere, it is already over priced in the cheapest places. Even Chiang Mai is over priced, quite ironically but it is even cheaper in quiet southern areas than it is in Chiang Mai, with beers average just being 60 baht too.

As well it is just BS to say, there is places where food is 50 baht, yeah 1/100 if you walk 15 miutes for it in 38 celcius, on holiday. We not talk about what is still possible if you lived here long-term in some 3K crack room.

There is simply way way to many people eating from the same cake in restaurants/hotels/tourism business. With proper regulation on licensing in areas that would never happened to begin with, Vietnam does do that.

And for some reason virtually none of the existing owners sees the light to start doing it the right way again, it could still be done way cheaper. If vietnam can do that, so does Thailand. The rent in commercial areas in Vietnam is even way higher than it is here. But here people expect to be handed money offering mediocre quality and service, the money grows on trees syndrome.

I can't even find a consistent good haircut for less than 600 baht here, all over Thailand, in 15 years changing shops 4x a year. In cambodia i pay 1 dollar on the street and it's done better, that's 20 haircuts. Same with bars, playing the same loud obnoxious bad music on the quality of 15 years ago. There is just barely any effort or skill to be found in any business. Nobody even tries to sell beers for 60 baht and get busy daily in BKK/CM etc, which is weird, the profit margin is way higher than it is in Europe for a beer.

And then the few that do do that, think that is suddenly a Premium feature, to then charge insane prices.

This in times of AI, they better change very fast or it is permanently too late.

Which quieter southern town you recommend ? To eat delicious local penang coconut base dish and on ?

15 hours ago, BuffaloRider said:

If she complains like this she could not even afford Phangan, you clearly have no clue what you talk about. Phangan is one of the most expensive places to go since 1-2 years. A bamboo hut without toilet or AC costs 15K. Street food is 80 baht too.

And that doesn't mean it is cheap elsewhere, it is already over priced in the cheapest places. Even Chiang Mai is over priced, quite ironically but it is even cheaper in quiet southern areas than it is in Chiang Mai, with beers average just being 60 baht too.

As well it is just BS to say, there is places where food is 50 baht, yeah 1/100 if you walk 15 miutes for it in 38 celcius, on holiday. We not talk about what is still possible if you lived here long-term in some 3K crack room.

There is simply way way to many people eating from the same cake in restaurants/hotels/tourism business. With proper regulation on licensing in areas that would never happened to begin with, Vietnam does do that.

And for some reason virtually none of the existing owners sees the light to start doing it the right way again, it could still be done way cheaper. If vietnam can do that, so does Thailand. The rent in commercial areas in Vietnam is even way higher than it is here. But here people expect to be handed money offering mediocre quality and service, the money grows on trees syndrome.

I can't even find a consistent good haircut for less than 600 baht here, all over Thailand, in 15 years changing shops 4x a year. In cambodia i pay 1 dollar on the street and it's done better, that's 20 haircuts. Same with bars, playing the same loud obnoxious bad music on the quality of 15 years ago. There is just barely any effort or skill to be found in any business. Nobody even tries to sell beers for 60 baht and get busy daily in BKK/CM etc, which is weird, the profit margin is way higher than it is in Europe for a beer.

And then the few that do do that, think that is suddenly a Premium feature, to then charge insane prices.

This in times of AI, they better change very fast or it is permanently too late.

I totally agree with haircuts. Never ever right i dont get it cause theres plenty of salon. Is there any reasons on this?

On 3/20/2026 at 11:03 AM, J.URIA said:

The Thailand’s biggest problem today are social media influencers and bad tourists mix with alcohol, drugs, prostitution and government doing nothing about it ..

THe latter part of your sentence has been the case for many many years here..... back to when tourism was in it's best days. I guess that just leaves us with 'bad tourists'.

5 hours ago, Maxbkkcm said:

Which quieter southern town you recommend ? To eat delicious local penang coconut base dish and on ?

Chumphon and Ranong is still entirely raw, last time I was in Chumphon a few months ago I had a entire beach for myself on a Thai restaurant charging just 40 baht a meal, sipping 50-60 baht small changs. Problem with these areas is tons of rain too, specially ranong.

5 hours ago, Maxbkkcm said:

I totally agree with haircuts. Never ever right i dont get it cause theres plenty of salon. Is there any reasons on this?

Lack of any skill and motivation, lack of creativity, lack of curiosity, there is no other explanation. It is in every business in Thailand, it is like the plague here and it is what haunts the entire economy and future on top. Their excuse is to call it culture, which it is not at all.

This to the point and level where people their baseline of what is normal or good is actually entirely distorted, even with farangs. People actually are even excited or surprised when they just get normal service, to then call the news as if it was a great special experience.

The reason for this? The system was designed that way for few to dominate and control, which also is the case and outcome. In Netherlands we actually pay employers half the wage of people who function like this. It is called being disfunctional.

The truth and numbers do not mess around with as Vietnam showed in merely 5-10 years time to do everything 2-3 times better than Thailand achieved over 4-5 decades time. The irony is that the elite of Thailand is the biggest investor in Vietnam too, this while they always speak about that Thailand needs to be number one. It shows you the real dark truth and reality.

It confuses me how everyone generally pretend their nose bleeds and sucks this up. For me it is really at the last drop to spill the glass, there is simply no future here if still being reasonable young, let alone if having or wanting a family. Unless earning big and not caring to burn money on solving all the above, which I do for now too.

Oh sorry, your question answer is: education. And now it's too late, they had 10 years ago their last window to change in time for IT/AI but Prayuth was more busy making life hard for foreigners.. Oh wait, we repeat that exact cycle again right now. ZERO was improved.

I realized, this is what has happening for decades: nothing but chair dances for personal enrichment.

Spot on about the trash. Go to any village that doesn't have trash pickup, and there are many, and the trash is burned or thrown into the nearest woods, torn apart by the ever present dogs.

The food also spot on, as Thailand has always had problems with food poisoning. Looking to the crowded places will ensure a lesser chance of food poisoning, as the locals know. Cooking your own food in a family setting also ensures a less chance of getting sick. Some cooks are just unhygienic.

Rooms can be had but for a back packer they might be higher than expected, so you need to go a little outside the towns.

People are friendly everywhere if you're spending money, otherwise they're much the same as all other places, in varying degrees of friendly behavior, which again is the same as most everywhere.

Going to any tourist area you'll be met with all types, as all types of people are tourists, and tourist places are going to be super crowded, of course. Getting off the beaten path to islands out of the mainstream and you'll have more solitude, which is what a back packer should be doing anyway, along with seeing the crowded popular sites. All countries have their share of crapola and good, with more of the good being away from the crowds. See the sights, enjoy the food, then onto the next country.

5 hours ago, Maxbkkcm said:

But 1500 bath wasnt always the budget to have here? Plus vietnam will increase prices soon due to the demand. Are we heading to an end of a cheap travel?

Eh 1500 baht used to be your budget as a backpacker including all activities, buckets and the fun. And that was a luxe budget, real backpackers did it on half that. I could party almost daily on barely 2K a day just 10-12 years ago. Vietnam ending cheap prices? BS.

Great you bring it up btw, this entire inflation argument in Thailand is complete horse sheit. The costs barely went up, the only thing that actually went up worth mentioning was rent, and that is a result of way too many people doing the same businesses.

Business owners then followed with their cognitive dissonance and entitlement by stating they should get by on 10 customers a day, so that is why they charge what they charge and that is what they call 'inflation'.

This while never having even improved to YouTube Premium, to say the least, to give customers more quality music, perhaps.

5 hours ago, Maxbkkcm said:

I totally agree with haircuts. Never ever right i dont get it cause theres plenty of salon. Is there any reasons on this?

When you find a place that does your hair right, stay with it, and it doesn't have to cost over 100 baht. I get great treatment from a local barber who charges 60 baht, and consistent. In the US, you can still have the same problem, as I did, with certain barbers knowing what to do, listening to what you want done, and being consistent, while others are butchers ( not literally).

Just now, fredwiggy said:

When you find a place that does your hair right, stay with it, and it doesn't have to cost over 100 baht. I get great treatment from a local barber who charges 60 baht, and consistent. In the US, you can still have the same problem, as I did, with certain barbers knowing what to do, listening to what you want done, and being consistent, while others are butchers ( not literally).

You must be living in the middle of freaking nowhere to even post that garbage. You can't even get a cheap 'reasonable messed up haircut' for less than 150 baht in any medium city, in most places it would even be 200-250 already. And there is nothing consistent about that unless all you do is make it 2MM short.

I could give you a better haircut than that and I would do it for 250 too, I pay barely 350 baht in my hometown in Europe. And I say that just from my own haircut experiences and having watched a few youtube videos. That shows you how much they lack actual will to even do it right, or to learn or improve.

This has zero to do with reality or economical reality; it should be everywhere roughly the same quality and price in the way you mention. And in terms of sticking to a good one, that is the most insane level i discovered here, even then they mess up the 5th time, after having done it 4 times right and knowing you..... Wait doesn't that sounds familiar with illogical girls here too. All same same.

1 minute ago, BuffaloRider said:

You must be living in the middle of freaking nowhere to even post that garbage. You can't even get a cheap 'reasonable messed up haircut' for less than 150 baht in any medium city, in most places it would even be 200-250 already. And there is nothing consistent about that unless all you do is make it 2MM short.

And again this has zero to do with actual reality or economical reality; it should be everywhere roughly the same quality and price in the way you mention.

In Isaan, yes, but I'm not talking about the villages but the cities. Of course in Bangkok and tourist areas you'll pay more, much the same as in the west. The man who does mine, along with a woman and man team in another barber shop, always are consistent, 60 baht, and I've seen them do many styles besides the close crop many Thai men get. Anywhere you go you'll have inconsistency, including the west.

I've gotten haircuts for over 50 years in the west and many places never get it right, and some always do. That's what I meant by sticking to one that does, and the prices here are low anyway compared to the west. 300 baht is around $9.00 USD, and you'll be hard pressed to find a haircut that cheap back home.

Quality is never the same everywhere. That's why some places get more business and repeat customers than others. There are good barbers in the country and crappy ones in the cities. Human nature.

Just now, fredwiggy said:

In Isaan, yes, but I'm not talking about the villages but the cities. Of course in Bangkok and tourist areas you'll pay more, much the same as in the west. The man who does mine, along with a woman and man team in another barber shop, always are consistent, 60 baht, and I've seen them do many styles besides the close crop many Thai men get. Anywhere you go you'll have in consistency, including the west.

I've gotten haircuts for over 50 years in the west and many places never get it right, and some always do. That's what I meant by sticking to one that does, and the prices here are low anyway compared to the west. 300 baht is around $9.00 USD, and you'll be hard pressed to find a haircut that cheap back home.

Quality is never the same everywhere. That's why some places get more business and repeat customers than others. There are good barbers in the country and crappy ones in the cities. Human nature.

So you expect tourists to go to isaan and that those prices are what they should budget for? Or this is what i should say in Bangkok? What is even your point lol. Zero. You talk about the poorest region with zero economical activity aside farms, of course it is cheap, my auntie would also cut your for 5 dollars at home in europe.

You sound like the government who want more tourists to go to isaan instead, to fix tourism. Ever realized that would just make the prices as high there as it is elsewhere today? That's called carrying water to the ocean.

The entire point is that they heavily overcharge for no reason, delivering substandard quality and service.

2 minutes ago, BuffaloRider said:

So you expect tourists to go to isaan and that those prices are what they should budget for? Or this is what i should say in Bangkok? What is even your point lol. Zero. You talk about the poorest region with zero economical activity aside farms, of course it is cheap, my auntie would also cut your for 5 dollars at home in europe.

You sound like the government who want more tourists to go to isaan instead, to fix tourism. Ever realized that would just make the prices as high there as it is elsewhere today? That's called carrying water to the ocean.

Tourists go all over a country, with country areas very popular. We're talking about a haircut here. You don't have to budget for a haircut as a tourist as you don't get one but every couple of months anyway, either before you arrive, while you're here or after you leave. My point was made. You can get a good haircut most anywhere, along with a bad one. You stick with one that does it right. Capiche?

4 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Tourists go all over a country, with country areas very popular. We're talking about a haircut here. You don't have to budget for a haircut as a tourist as you don't get one but every couple of months anyway, either before you arrive, while you're here or after you leave. My point was made. You can get a good haircut most anywhere, along with a bad one. You stick with one that does it right. Capiche?

How delusional and ignorant can you get? That was one example, it applies to everything in the same way. Your generation of expats is part of the problem to be honest, you guys boost it and justify it, that's why it kept on going for decades. It's my generation needing to fix all the mess.

Just now, BuffaloRider said:

How delusional and ignorant can you get? That was one example, it applies to everything in the same way.

You are really an annoying person. Try reading what i wrote before you comment, as my advice was spot on.

What you have been saying all along, which is only your opinion as you aren't an expert, might not match other's experience.

Do you think people here are lying when they tell their own experiences? Again, read what I originally wrote, and AGAIN, we are talking about a haircut, which usually doesn't come into a budget for a backpacker but once every few months, and you can find a cheap haircut most everywhere outside of the west. Pretty easy to understand this simple logic.

Look at the replies to your comments and you might see a pattern.

3 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

When you find a place that does your hair right, stay with it, and it doesn't have to cost over 100 baht. I get great treatment from a local barber who charges 60 baht, and consistent. In the US, you can still have the same problem, as I did, with certain barbers knowing what to do, listening to what you want done, and being consistent, while others are butchers ( not literally).

Do you know any good barber in bkk? Thanks