Oh No, Thailand still cheap for the soap dodgers

[peterpan]

Stolen from Baht and Sold who stole it from someone else.

The holiday pound is worth most in Thailand, report shows
Mirror Uk Jan 3, 2009

The top 10 holiday destinations where you get most value for your money.


Tourists on Kata beach in Phuket, Thailand (Pic: Reuters)

Recession-hit Britons can make their summer holiday money go twice as far – by ditching resorts in Europe and going long-haul instead.

Hot spots in Thailand, Malaysia, South Africa and Kenya are offering families the best value as the pound slumps to a new low against the euro. Even though sterling has lost 24 per cent against the Thai baht since last January, Thailand still works out as the cheapest far-flung destination.

It is less than half the cost of Italy, the most expensive eurozone country, and 43 per cent cheaper than Spain.

South Africa – where sterling is actually slightly stronger than a year ago – is the second cheapest long-haul destination for spending money.

Researchers compared the price of popular holiday items, including a three-course evening meal with a bottle of wine, sun cream, mineral water, cigarettes, cup of coffee and can of Coke – in both long- and short-haul destinations.

They will set tourists back £84.58 in Italy but the same items cost only £39.02 in Thailand.

Andrew Spice, of Post Office travel services who carried out the research, said: “Whereas the Thai baht, Egyptian pound and Malaysian ringgit have strengthened considerably against sterling, the cost of living in these places is much cheaper so holidaymakers will find their currency stretching a lot further than in most European resorts.”

Top 10 value destinations

Thailand - £39.02

South Africa - £45.50

Malaysia - £46.26

Kenya - £53.06

Spain - £68.38

Egypt - £69.13

USA - £73.92

Greece - £74.63

France - £79.08

Portugal - £80.97

Italy - £84.58

Mexico - £102.16

Barbados - £151.61
_________________

[kingwilly]

Researchers compared the price of popular holiday items, including a three-course evening meal with a bottle of wine, sun cream, mineral water, cigarettes, cup of coffee and can of Coke – in both long- and short-haul destinations.

erm,

they forgot beers, barfine, shorttime hotel and 'taxi fare home'

[benbaaa]

Shhhh. For fuck's sake, don't tell bkkandrew.

[Gerbil]

including a three-course evening meal with a bottle of wine, sun cream, mineral water, cigarettes, cup of coffee and can of Coke

Funny evening meal that.

[sabang]

Mexico - £102.16

I thought Mexico was cheap?

[Mid]

a bottle of wine, sun cream

these two alone should have blown the figures sky high , wonder if it was the same bottle of wine in all the destinations or have we got a subjective survey ?

[dirtydog]

a three-course evening meal with a bottle of wine,

Thailand - £39.02

Obviously not including Pattaya, Jomtien and probably Bangkok for that 3 course meal

[kingwilly]

Obviously not including Pattaya, Jomtien and probably Bangkok for that 3 course meal

soup, kao pad and bananna pancake.

75 baht.

[dirtydog]

Wine menu.

Alexander Valley Wetzel Family Estate Chardonnay 2004 1700 Baht
Coastal Ridge Chardonnay 2003 1400 Baht
Duckhorn Vineyard Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2004 2200 Baht
Estrella Chardonnay 2003 850 Baht
Estrella White Zinfandel 2004 850 Baht
Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Chardonnay 2004 1750 Baht
Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Pinot Grigio 2004 1400 Baht
Grgich Hills Napa Valley Estate Grown Fume Blanc 2004 2300 Baht
Joseph Phelps Sonoma/Napa Chardonny 2004 2200 Baht
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay 2003 1600 Baht
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Riesling 2005 1700 Baht
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2004 1400 Baht
Kendall-Jackson Collage Semillon/Chardonnay 2003 1300 Baht
Pine Ridge Clarksburgh Chenin Blanc/Viognier 2003 1900 Baht
Storybook Mountain Napa Zin Gris White Zinfandel 2003 1600Baht

Manhattans Restaurant & Bar - Wines

Main course.

Tenderloin (170g / 6oz) 930 (230g / 8oz) 1260 (284g / 10oz) 1560
Rib-eye (230g / 8oz) 930 (284g / 10oz) 1130 (340g / 12oz) 1330
New York strip (200g / 7oz) 670
(284g / 10oz) 950
(340g / 12oz) 1130
Prime rib roast

Junior cut
(250g)
940

Queen cut
(350g)
1335

King cut
(284g)
1730

Prime rib roast is served with horseradish sauce, yorkshire pudding and pan juices
Park Avenue double tenderloin for two - carved tableside (450g / 16oz) 2500
Centre cut blue cheese tenderloin 140gr - 7oz
Pan fried & topped with melted blue cheese 950Baht
Two tenderloin medallions (200g / 7oz)
On wok fried vegetables with ginger & hoi sin sauce 1120 Baht

Manhattans Restaurant & Bar - Food

[Norton]

wonder if it was the same bottle of wine

Only the best Thailand has to offer.

[melvbot]

You can get a flight to spain for less than £100, costs about £500+ to get here. Its a report in the Daily Mirror, one step up from The Sun if that.

[dirtydog]

So lets have our 3 course meal in Jomtien and see if we can stay in budget.

Estrella Chardonnay 2003 850 Baht
Estrella White Zinfandel 2004 850 Baht


Yep got to make do with the cheap nasty wine at 850baht, time for a starter.

Cheapest starter I could find.
White & green asparagus, radicchio salad, balsamic dressing, shaved parmesan
260baht
But am gonna go for this
Smoked salmon, sour cream & dill on wholewheat toast 325baht

Onto desserts as I don't think there is enough money left for a main course

Fresh chilled seasonal fruit platter with home made sorbet
270baht.

[kingwilly]

snobby bastard!

[bkkandrew]

Typical journalism from the Mirror. Get a few reports that, since the collapse of the pound, its a bit pricey over the Channel, dust off old copy of 'Lonely Planet', cut'n'paste and present copy to Editor. Job done, down to pub.

[peterpan]

Just hope that it doesn't encourage more readers of the Mirror to come over here.

[filch]

Just hope that it doesn't encourage more readers of the Mirror to come over here.

Begs the question, how many TD members or people that are already here in Thailand were Mirror readers prior to coming here.

Come on, hands up.

[dirtydog]

Why would anyone read the mirror when England abounds with quality newspapers such as the sun and the sport....

[EmperorTud]

It doesn't mention that Thailand is the most dangerous tourist destination for Britons, as well as being the best value for money.

Well spotted about the wine Mid.

[spiff]

It doesn't mention how dangerous it is to stay in Britain, either.