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Known for lower spending on food, visitors in Thailand still a lot of money for food, but in Chiang Mai, most deals are just around every corner. The adventurous traveler looking for an authentic Thai experience or want to earn money for his trip to go even further, to find cheaper and often more flavorful, if you know something about us for alternatives. Many other long-term visitors are amazed when I tell them my favorite places, where I have a big plate of yellowRice with fried chicken, a cup of chowder, half a cucumber, water and ice for 50 baht (1.43 USD). And this is one of the westernmost islands in Thailand!
In Chiang Mai, is even better. There is no reason why you can not eat a full meal for 30 baht (86 cents) in this city, but also managed to hunt down places where you can eat a full meal is included with ice water for 10 baht (10 cents ) or get noodles for 3 baht (9 cents)!
After living here for eightand a half months, I have come up with these ten tips:
1: take a walk -
Give up the bike or Tuk Tuk on your first day or two at a new location. Skip the taxi and on foot. This will slow down and gives you a sense of place like no motorized traffic ever. The cheapest restaurants are often almost imperceptible, since they are often in people's homes, and signs, which are carried to the hissed attention grabber bike at walking pace. Whoah - soup noodles for 20 baht! Knowing your surroundings and You know how to best use.
2. Avoid the tourist traps -
This should be obvious, but many people are too annoyed by the wide range of options in the main tourist centers dare groped action. Even in chaotic Bangkok, has nothing to do, is just one block each side of Khao San Road, walk to a delicious meal for about 30 baht to find and full walk (including free water or iced tea). You came to Thailand to eat Thai > Food and pasta or hamburger?
3. Do not judge a book by ...
Yawn. The old saying that age again ... If you have heard ... Um. In any case, it rings true again. In Thailand, which is the dollar or two more expensive restaurants usually a reflection of a more decorative than anything else of quality. In fact, the opposite is sometimes better than a rule of thumb. If you pay more, you're paying for ambience. This is great if that's what you want, but if you look better> Food to find the lowest prices, businesses with basic needs. Plastic furniture that does not match. The absence of music. An ancient Thai TV soap opera drones. Hokey thrown together decoration. Many of these places are just extensions of the Thai business at home, restaurants and gives you a much more close to the Thai culture.
4. You Just Can not Beat the Streets -
The whole world over you see in the open air and street foodIt is usually the best value in a given area. This is particularly true in Southeast Asia. Sometimes there is the usual collection of plastic furniture in the front and full-service, but often have only a small, disposable utensils or eating are expected from a plastic bag. If it is close enough to the finger food, I tell them to plastic, save money and eat out of my hands, but of course depends on if I eat a piece of grilled chicken or chicken curry.
5. Forage onFood Markets -
Chiang Mai, more convenient location offers an extraordinary culinary adventure and markets a revelation for those who never have the pleasure. Choose your path through the various booths, sampling new dishes, or press the collection of eateries along the road that often accompany traditional markets. My favorite part of the markets in which they are open until the wee hours of the morning, so if you are on the way back to the disco club I can stop and refuel. I tell youthing - it's much better than pulling the late night Burger King drive-through in America ... The best deals are at the market in Chiang Mai.
6. Compare -
Do not be shy about walking into a restaurant, browse the menu, and then leave. Thais appreciate the competition. If you feel guilty, just smile and say, "Pop never kan (see again)." Do this for walking to a local understanding of prices and see what options you have.
7. BeAdventurous -
Try new things, even if it scares you. You might be surprised. Many foods that seem alien to Westerners are cheap because tourists avoid. It is also to rethink your idea of cleanliness. can be cleaned in the country of origin rather common, but to Thais, it is easy to wipe clean. When many people eat there, you can certainly rest assured, the food is likely. Do not blame me when you get belly Bangkok - happen to you if you follow my advice or not. StomachThe problems in Thailand are an initiation into any Western, but it is more often the result of bacteria or spices to your body, instead of using toilet facilities. Do not worry. :-)
8. When in Rome ...
Ah! Not yet a commonplace ... It should be 'where the locals go! This guideline is probably the most important and neglected to eat cheap. Many of the local Thai people are watching less than 10,000 baht per month or less, and people with more money of coursethe best food at lower prices. When I drink I want to find a new place to eat and bathe with delicious, I just go out and look for a small group of Thais eat out, but even better if you have a Thai friend of Chiang Never display.
9. Speak Thai -
In Thailand it is almost always a price to Thai and farang "price". No matter how long you stay, also applies to this - you "will" neverThai in every way. However, people open up and try to speak their language and you can often get a lower price or more parties, especially if you're a regular customer. Once in Chiang Mai aquarium, I got a big discount on the price of admission, said after the test broken Thai. Raakha thourai (what)? " I repeated that I thought was right. "You speak Thai - Thai obtain the price," she said with a smile.
10. AmendMenu -
Did you really eat meat every meal? I chose the pad Thai with chicken with vegetables instead of once, and it was) topped with an omelet the size that covered the whole court to compensate (not exactly a vegetarian, after all, lol. Ended up as one of the best I've ever Pad Thai had. They have special dishes served on rice for the individual (always a fantastic deal)? Sometimes there is no obvious motive for a price between different courts and the argumentsis a mystery. If you're on a budget choose wisely. Let's face it, everything on the menu is delicious!
And another for good measure ...
11: Lunch with the Thais -
Although you should never intentionally use these, Thais are among the most generous people in the world. Report a Thai party and you will be entered in a step to be chaired by the Thai whiskey strength and good food, well there is no reason to be if, for. Let's say you are full andDown plate is filled again and again. If this happens not to have to pay. It would be an insult, though, if less wealthy Thais accompany you to a restaurant you'd expect to pay are ready. One night while waiting to catch the morning boat across the river in Laos, I threw a Teacher's Cub karaoke buddying and end with the headmaster. We lost, "Stand by Me" sung to the audience, and he invited me to stay with his family for a long period of time. If you reallyget in good with Thai barbecue can have the pleasure of visiting a Thai delicious. Attach one or two bottles of beer. Are you in resolving the long run, you can even throw in the end some of these to your site. Do not worry - there are now many places, the piles of cheap meat and vegetables.
In Chiang Mai, are offered that you can not get hard no matter what kind of business you're looking for. Although, like restaurants, trendy bars and luxury hotels, which will surelywhere a value that far you can spend the money.
Chok Dee Khrab!
