Here are some tips when looking at guesthouses on the lower end of the spectrum.

1. Get Off the Beaten Track

Of course, I always advocate this and you might be tired of hearing it, but it pays not only due to the experience but in terms of baht as well. The farther you get from tourist areas, the cheaper the rooms and the more you get at the lower prices.

2. Always Look At the Room

Never, ever—no matter how tired and road-worn you are—rent a room in Thailand without looking first. In fact, ask to see a few of them. You will be amazed at how different two rooms in one guesthouse are—not to mention just how horrible they can sometimes be.

3. Always Check Out the Bed

For me, the bed is the most important part of any room. It doesn’t have to be pretty, but it does have to be soft. And beds in Thai guesthouses can be hard as a rock. Also, they can sometimes have bed bugs, so if you wake up with bites, it’s a good idea to change rooms or change guesthouses.

4. Check the Water Pressure

Another important one for me is water pressure. Check the temperature while you’re at it. In many of the lower-end guesthouses, there will be no hot water, but if there is supposed to be, make sure it’s actually hot. After all, you’re paying for it.
Nothing is so priceless on the backpacker trail as a good shower—other than the bed I mentioned above, that is.

5. Is There a Place to Store Valuables?

It’s also important to see if they have a place to keep your valuables. Many times, this will be a safe in the room or lobby. Sometimes, a room with plenty of great hiding spots is good enough for me, and it’s something I always keep an eye out for.

6. Stay Near a Market

Staying near a market—and maybe some pubs (not too close if noise is an issue)—is always a good idea. Less tuk tuk rides and plenty of adventure within walking distance.

They say living in a walkable neighborhood adds significant years to a person’s life, and when you live as a traveler, you may not be getting the fitness you need. So it’s a good decision for your health, your budget, and your sense of a good time.

Sleep well!

One such attraction is the Wat Banan. It is located approximately 20 kilometres southwest of Battambang City and is a popular spot with the locals. Many families go to Wat Banan of a weekend to sit at the top of the hill, eat some lunch and admire their beautiful country. It is a place of serenity with deep cultural and religious significance. Indeed, it is still in use as a Buddhist shrine. As a visitor, you may think that it will be crowded with tourists but it still remains less visited than the temples of Angkor.

You can either reach Wat Banan by taking a hire car, taxi, or moto from Battambang, the cheapest of which is the moto, which will cost you around US$1. You may find that many of the local children will offer to be your guide around the temple site; they generally only ask for their moto fare home as payment! Through this you can gain a lot more local knowledge of the site; but you may just wish to go there by yourself and take in the unique atmosphere. There is also a dirt road from Phnom Sampeou to Wat Banan, which takes you through some of the most scenic countryside in Cambodia. Once at Wat Banan, you will notice that it is quite a steep ascent! The temples sit atop a seventy metre high hill and there are 359 laterite steps to navigate to reach them. This may seem like a daunting task but I promise you that what awaits you at the top is well worth the effort!

Once you reach the summit you will be able to wander around the five “corn-on-the-cob” style buildings. Wat Banan is deemed to be one of the best preserved temple sites in the region and you will be able to see intricate artwork and beautifully ornate apsaras on the buildings. Indeed, it is claimed that the work that can be seen on Wat Banan inspired the works at the temples of Angkor.

One thing you will notice is that Wat Banan is not immaculate and well kept. This lends to the charm of the place and as stated, it is still one of the best examples of temple art and design to be seen in Cambodia. Instead, it is best to take in the differing experiences that the eye can behold here; dotted along the pathways are beheaded statues and some dilapidated carvings which can all be enjoyed in the relative peacefulness of this site. Not only this, but with its elevation, you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area. You can also glimpse nearby Phnom Sampeou from the summit of Wat Banan.

Bangkok has plenty of cheap digs for travelers on a budget, but if you want to treat yourself and spend a little bit more of your hard-earned cash, get one of the hotels by the river and enjoy that view. One of the best is the Shangri-La. For Southeast Asia, Shangri-La does have somewhat higher prices than the rest, but it’s a five-star hotel—and compared to other five-star hotels in the US or Europe, it’s a real bargain, and compares favorably to the finest five-star accommodations in London or Paris that cost three times as much. The lush, green environment is especially enjoyable, and you can take a stroll around the grounds just to enjoy the scent of jasmine flowers that permeates the air all around the hotel.

Needless to say, the food is exquisite. Shangri-La’s Shang Palace offers traditional Chinese cuisine, so you can enjoy dim sum in the afternoon. If you’ve never enjoyed a dim sum meal, don’t pass this up. Oh, and while you’re there, sample one of their mooncakes. They’re all fresh made, and they go a little beyond the traditional mooncake you’ll get in Chinatown bakeries, with several innovative fillings, including bird’s nest. And if you’ve never tried bird’s nest yet, this is a good way to give it a try. Yes, it’s really made from bird’s nests, but it’s surprisingly delicious.  But Shangri-La has other restaurants as well, offering traditional Thai cuisine at the Salathip restaurant that’s absolutely perfect, delivering exquisitely-prepared Thai dishes to suit the Western palate. If you’re in the mood for European, there’s a full Italian menu at the Angelini—which also boasts a very well-stocked wine cellar. Or, for something even more exotic, you can take dinner on their private river cruise.

If you’re in Bangkok for the first time, a river cruise is a great way to see parts of Bangkok that you wouldn’t otherwise see, and if you’re staying at the Shangri-La, then by all means, take the cruise. It’s well worth the extra money. You’ll cruise down the mighty Chao Phraya and get an up-close look at many of the magnificent Buddhist temples, float under the stately suspension bridges named after the kings of Thailand. You’ll also get a look at some of the older ramshackle riverbank homes up on stilts, and see children diving right off their back door into the water.

Another big part of your trip to Thailand is experiencing the vigorous traditional massage at one of the incredible spas, and the Shangri-La has that too. Their incredible Ch’i spa will give you a fantastic introduction to this practice, which dates back thousands of years.

Driving in Bangkok can be a maddening experience, so don’t bother renting a car—Shangri-La is right next to the skytrain, which makes it incredibly accessible, and a perfect location from which to explore the city.

But even though staying in guest houses across Thailand is a bargain at about $9 per night, it gets much cheaper than that if you are staying for a month or more. It’s all about settling into one location and really getting to know it for a while.

Personally, when I’m traveling around the world, I don’t like to spend any less than one month in any one location, and if you’ve been following my Funding the Thailand Dream series, than you know this is well within the reach of the modern traveler.

In Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, you can find fully furnished condos with 14 story views, on-site pool, and a luxury style for under 10,000 baht (about $300). It gets a lot cheaper than that though if you don’t need all those Western comforts. Right now, I pay $60 a month for a partly furnished condo in the Payap University area. It’s an old building, but with air conditioning, free cable, a refrigerator, and balcony with a 9-story view, I surely cannot complain. Add in the restaurant and bar downstairs and I’m sitting pretty.

If you want to shoot for the middle, you can get a very well-equipped modern apartment for $150. For $600 a month, you will get the chicest accommodation you can find, with on-site pools and fitness centers, key-coded entry, and 24 hour guards on site.

Stand-alone houses, usually on the outskirts of town, get even cheaper. 3 bedroom houses with furniture and a garage go from $200 and up. I saw some very decent ones in my searches for $450. Personally, I’d rather have the condo because it keeps you in the middle of town and I’m always busy with my business, so I don’t want to worry about the upkeep associated with running a house.

So what prices can you expect in other parts of Thailand? In Koh Samui, I had a brand new apartment with balcony, a/c, hot water, cable, Internet, and modern furnishings for $150 per month. In Koh Tao, I had a very big, older place for $90 a month, and some of the ones I looked at for $150 were everything you would could ask for in a bungalow. At $200, you can stay right in the Sairee beach area.

The prices are pretty uniform all across Thailand, but if you get out in the small towns you are really paying next to nothing, and if you live in Phuket, Bangkok, or Pattaya you will likely pay quite a bit more, though the rock-bottom deals can still be found if you put in the effort searching.

Here are some tips to get you set up for long-term housing.

1. Wait until you arrive

Don’t ever book monthly housing over the Internet before you get to your destination. You don’t know the area yet and have no idea how convenient or inconvenient the spot you have picked.

Show up first, backpack in hand, and get a cheap hostel in the center of town. This is going to be your home base for the first few days. It’s tough to commit to finding a home in the first few days of a new location, but its also going to give you a great command of how the town is laid out. Rent a motorbike or hire a tuk tuk to take you around—you’ll need a good map of course.

2. Use an Agent

If you want an even easier job of it, most real estate agencies double as rental agents and many will drive you around to show you what they’ve got on hand. They’ll be charging a commission or raising the rate and taking their cut, but its still pretty cheap.

3. Contact the Owners Before the Building Staff

You can also find places on Craigslist, thaivisa.com classifieds, and other online sources. These are nice because you can often contact the owner directly and get a far better deal, though Craigslist can sometimes be overpriced.

Keep in mind that if you show up to a condo building and have the desk help show you around, the rooms are going to be overpriced and low on quality. If you go directly to the owners you will often be shown quality rooms with all the Western comforts at a much cheaper price.

4. Check the Mattress

Always check out the bed when renting a place in Thailand. The beds out here are notorious for being about as comfortable as sleeping on the floor, and at the cheaper rates you will have to search long and hard to find a bed worth sleeping in. I have always managed to find one in my budget range, but it does take some searching.

5. Consider Living Out of the Centers

Some older travelers or simply mellower people prefer living outside of town where you can get much cheaper housing with all the amenities—most places in Thailand you can rent a motorbike for 2000 baht per month, so it isn’t hard to get out on the town when you want to.

If driving a motorbike in this life-threatening Asian traffic doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, or if, like me, you simply like being in walking-distance of the action (living in a walkable neighborhood adds significant years to your life span), then you may want to fork out the extra dough for a place in town.

So settle in and stay for a while. I’m all for life on the road, but moving around from place to place is a matter of quantity experience over quality. Constantly moving around accrues transportation fees, and lodging is always pricier for short-stays. For the comfort you get out of a cheap-long-stay dwelling, it is well worth saving the money.

Enjoy your Stay!

Well serviced by buses to most of major tourist spots in Thailand, many backpackers uses Khao San road as the focal point to begin their exploration of exotic Thailand. In addition, the Khao San road boast of a proliferation of bars and pubs with their street-side sound systems blasting away into the night letting revelers drown their night with the alcohol soaked ambiance. Love it or loath it, the ambiance here is undeniably electric. Here you can find everything imaginable or unimaginable. Upscale or downscale, there is always something for everyone in Khao San road.

History of Khao San road:

Established in 1782, the center of Bangkok city was the Grand Palace and for over two hundred years, Khao San road was just a quiet residential area. Today, the tranquility of this road is shattered by the bustling tourist trade as result of the Bangkok’s bicentennial anniversary in 1982. Hugely successful then in drawing visitors from all over the world, the hotels in Bangkok were saturated with bookings.

Backpackers unable to find any accommodations managed to persuade the residents of Khao San road to rent out their spare rooms as the most spectacular celebrations were held at the Grand Palace. Generating more profits than any aspiring entrepreneurs could anticipated, the guest houses business have molded Khao San road into what it is today, a mecca for weary travelers of different nationalities to meet and discuss and plan their travel adventures.

The Sights:   

The Markets – Despite the veneer of commercialization, Khao San road has not lost its charms. One of the things that give Khao San road its character are its markets, both day and night markets. Here, shoppers can find a diverse assortment of goods that range from pirated CDs, DVDs, handicrafts, T-shirts to realistic looking Guccis or Louis Vuitton or anything that a backpacker traveler will ever need. For the famished, they will be spoilt for choice with the culinary delights that can be found here, from fried insects to curries tamed for the western palate.

In addition to Khao San road markets, visitors who want to savor markets that caters more for the locals can hop to Banglamphu Market at Jakkapong Road, just north of Khao San Road. This market is opened from 8am to 6pm daily and is a place for bargain Thai goods that ranges from clothing to footwear. There are also several internet cafes and second hand bookstores here as well, a good place to start digging for information to plan your excursion in Thailand.

Moving on, just a stone throw away from Khao San road are the main cultural sites like Wat Chanasongkram or ‘Victory in War’ temple, the Golden Mount Temple, the National Gallery, the Grand Palace, the National Museum and Wat Phra Kaew.  Those of you who want to explore Bangkok’s waterways can head up to Phra Arthit road, a mere 10 minutes walk away from Khao San road, which runs to the Chao Phraya River. There is a water taxi pier located here and is an excellent location to start your exploration of the “Venice of the East.”

Eating:

The one thing that travelers to Thailand never have to worry about is food. Eating is a way of life for the Thais. Central to their philosophy of life is the concept of “sànùk” which means fun. Everyday is celebrated with food and banters. These friendly and hospitable people simply love to “gin lên” (eat for fun). For the uninitiated, take heart, food in Thailand is an adventure in itself.

Food in Khao San road ranges from literally the exotic creepy crawlies to the mundane MacDonald’s. In fact, there’s a wide varieties of international menus around here due to the different nationalities that ply this road. For vegetarians, this is food paradise. Being a Buddhist country, vegetarian menus are abounding in addition to the Indian and Muslims varieties.

At Khao San road, hanging out always mean waiting and waiting in Thailand always mean eating. Sit in a café, stall or a cheap restaurant; people here spend the whole day eating. And things doesn’t get any easier who those looking to lose weight! The number of culinary heaven or hell…, depending on how you look at it, is astonishing. Apart from the roadside stalls, below is a list of some of the more popular hangouts for the budget conscious culinary aficionados:

Tom Yum Kung Restaurant

This is probably one of the top restaurants on Khao San road serving Thai food. Dishes to try included the spicy tom yum soup and papaya salad.

Address: 18 Khao San Road

Tel: + 66 (0) 2 629 1818

Hours: 12:00 – 01:30

Sunset Street Bar and Garden Restaurant

Situated in a quaint courtyard encircled by colonial buildings, this restaurant serves both Thai and western cuisines. There is also a live band playing from Thursday to Sunday.

Address: Soi Sunset Street, Khao San Road

Tel: +66 (0) 2 282 2565

Hours: 18:00 – midnight

Ethos International Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant

Highlights here included authentic tasting “meats” made from tofu. This restaurant also provides free WiFi and the prices here are actually quite cheap.

Address: 82/5 Tanao Rd

Tel: +66 (0) 2 282 2748

Hours: 09:00 – 20:00

Entertainment:

When it comes to the thrilling nightlife, Bangkok offers an unending list. Once the sun sets, you will be stunned by the exhilarating activities of the city’s nocturnal revelers. Whatever are your preferences, be it a modest affair or a boisterous one, Khao San road has something to offer to everyone. It is this enormous selection of swanky jazz clubs, electrifying discos and enchanting go-go bars that make this part of the “City of Angels” such an alluring destination.

For dance music lovers, they should check out Caf- Democ, Immortal, The Club and Lava Bar where the local energetic DJs are able to work up a storm to pull in the crowds. For those who prefer live band music to the raucous dance music can check out Brick Bar, Gazebo, Hippie De Bar, Jazz Gallery Art & Music Club and Shamrock. The other places worth checking out for those who prefer to lounge and have a round of pool include Buddy Beer, Cinnamon Bar, Gullivers and Silk Bar.

Brick Bar

Address: #265 Khao San Road, downstairs and at the back of Buddy Lodge complex

Buddy Beer

Address: #265 Khao San Road, upstairs of Buddy Lodge complex

Caf- Democ

Address:  Ratchadamnoen Road, Beside Democracy Monument

Cinnamon Bar

Address: #106 Soi Rambuttri  

Gazebo

Address: Upstairs of #44 Chakrapong Road 

Gullivers

Address: #2 Khao San Road 

Hippie De Bar

Address: #46 Khao San Road 

Immortal

Address: #249 Khao San Road, at the 1st floor of Bayon Building 

Jazz Gallery Art & Music Club

Address: The rooftop of #44 Jakrapong Road 

Lava Bar

Address: #249 Khao San Road, at the basement of Bayon building 

Shamrock

Address: The 2nd floor of Khao San Centre on Khao San Road

Silk Bar

Address: #129-#131 Khao San Road

The Club

Address: #123 Khao San Road 

Accommodations:

Naturally as a backpacker Mecca, Khao San soi (lanes) are filled with a maze of guesthouses and hotels. The listed accommodations below are the popular ones situated on Khao Sao road or just a few minutes walk away.

At Home Guesthouse

Simple and clean accommodation and reasonably priced, the lobby here boasts of an open air restaurant, big screen TV and free WiFi. Tucked away from the main hive of activities of Khao San road, this place is an excellent starting point for bar hopping or shopping without the hassles of drunken revelers or the noisy traffic. The price for a double bed room is about 500 baht per night.

Address: #117 Tanao Rd, Bangkok.

Email: athome117@hotmail.com    

New Joe Guesthouse

Just a couple minutes walk away from Khao San road, the 60 rooms New Joe Guesthouse offers a garden restaurant and a lobby equipped with a pool table. Prices range from 280 baht for a single bed and 300 to 450 baht for a double.

Address: #81 Trok Mayom, just off Khao San Road. 

Email: reservation@newjoe.com 

Khao San Palace Inn:

This place is more cotemporary than the traditional guesthouses that you find along Khao San road. The top floor boasts of a swimming pool and a panoramic city view. Rates range from 290 to 450 baht for a single and 400 to 750 baht for a double. Despite its more cotemporary setup, this place currently does not accept online bookings.

Address: #139 Khao San Road, Phra Nakorn (In the middle of Khao San Road)

Rambuttri House

One of the newer budget guesthouses around Khao San, the Rambuttri house is still sparkling clean and very reasonably priced at 650baht for a single and 800 baht for a double. Travelers should take note that there is another budget guesthouse with a similar name, the Rambuttri Village Inn, which is more for the upscale traveler than the budget conscious backpacker. Rooms there can cost up to 1200baht during promotional period.

Address: #323 Rambuttri Road, Taladyod, Pronakhon

Email: reserved@rambuttri-house.com

Villa Guest House

For those travelers who really want a taste of traditional Thai flavor, head to the Villa Guest House and spend a night in a quaint traditional teak house. Even the furnitures are antiques. Single rooms here cost 300baht for a single and 400 to 600 baht for a double.

Address: #230 Soi 1, Th Samsen, Bangkok

Travel Tips & Safety Issues:

As one of most touristed regions of Bangkok, Khao San road is a favorite spot for the professional con artists. Not all of them are Thais but they will definitely be smooth talkers and speak English fluently. Their usual gambit will be to trick you that the sights that you want to visit are closed for whatever reason and they will help you arrange an alternative tour. This is just a lure for the notorious gem scam. The tuk-tuk drivers are normally the most obvious perpetrators. Beware of accepting an invitation from these people. Most of the time, you will end up with more than you bargain for.

Culture Issues:

In this country, religion and the King are divine. Never make jokes or insult these two aspects of the Thai culture or you might find yourself arrested.

Lifestyle:

Being a tropical country, the weather in Thailand is naturally humid. The Thais pay great attention to personal beauty and thus if you are soap shy, you might find yourself the center of unwarranted attention especially on the bus. Use talcum powder to help you absorb the sweat and the smell during a hot day.

Hotels in Every Part of Bangkok

Bangkok is a huge city with plenty of interesting sights to see in its many neighborhoods. For tourists who already have an idea of where they want to visit, choosing a hotel nearby can make excursions much easier. Staying in Bangkok’s ‘Old City’ area puts visitors close to tourist mainstays such as the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Democracy Monument. However, for visitors who want to be centrally located and close to Bangkok’s shopping and nightlife, a place on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok’s downtown area may be best.

Bangkok on a Budget

A major factor when choosing a hotel is price and no matter where you decide to stay there are great deals to be found throughout Bangkok. Perhaps the most popular though is Khao San Road also known as the ‘Backpacker’s Mecca’. Khao San is near all the Old City attractions and a hot spot for nightlife. A stay at rustic places like the Welcome Sawasdee Inn or The Green House will cost roughly $10 per night for a private room. Deals can also be found on Sukhumvit Road, however they will likely be pricier than those found on Khao San. A stay at the Pinnacle Sukhumvit Inn in downtown Bangkok near the nightlife of Nana Road costs about $35 a night, while a stay at the very comfortable Nana Hotel costs about $40 per night.

Luxury Hotels in Bangkok

Bangkok knows how to do luxury, with its riverside high-rises bedecked with chandeliers and its resorts offering spas, pools, culinary delights and cultural tours. A night at the world-famous Mandarin Oriental Hotel can cost $500, and the price reflects its five star rating. On the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Mandarin Oriental is the epitome of elegance. The Le Meridien’s Plaza Athenee in downtown Bangkok is close to Lumpini Park, the major shopping centers, and will sate any person’s appetite for luxury. A night at the Plaza Athenee can cost about $200 a night. Meanwhile, the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, in the heart of Bangkok costs about $150 a night with plenty of amenities including a pool, lush tropical gardens, and spa services.

Enjoying Your Stay in Bangkok

Choosing the right place to stay is essential to enjoying your visit in Bangkok. Keeping in mind location and price will help narrow down your choices. Thailand’s capital has enough hostels and hotels that a listing of them all could fill a library of books, but the few mentioned here give an idea of what Bangkok has to offer. With so many options available it shouldn’t be hard to find the ideal fit for you.