There are a few things you might want to consider when you are about to embark on the journey of your life. Thailand is cheap by western standards but if you get caught in the tourist traps it will cost you. For example if someone wants to be your buddy and help you get the best prices for your day trip or hotel then he's obviously going to get some kind of commission. Our recommendation is to book a hotel or guest house for the first night,  and then find something you like once you are there. Avoid booking your hotel over the desk because the walk-in rate is normally a lot higher then booking through one of the many local agents around town.

Planning your trip by yourself is often the best idea to save yourself some money, obviously there are costs that are hard to get around like for example transportation and boat trips but there are alternatives.

Let me give you a few examples:

If you are planning a trip to Phi Phi islands, then you have at least 3 different choices with 3 different prices.

#1 You can go on a speed boat trip and visit a few of the most popular beaches/islands, lunch / snack is normally included with these kind of trips and it can often be arranged with the hotel you are staying at, or with a local travel agent. Prices vary a bit depending on the trip but to give you some guide lines be prepared to pay between 1200-3000baht.

#2 You can charter your own boat and decide your own destinations, prices vary depending on how far you want to go and how long you want to charter the boat. This is obviously going to be the most expensive alternative.

#3 You can go to Chalong pier, and take the ferry over to Phi Phi islands, you will then have a number of different alternatives once you get there. The cheapest alternative by far.

Here's a few cost examples for you;

Supermarket:
Chang beer - 35 baht
Heineken beer - 55 baht
A decent apartment, 10-15.000 baht /p month.
Noodles on the street, 20 baht
Guest house, from 500 baht.
Cigarettes, 60 baht

Street vendors:
Watch (Copy) 800-2000baht
Jeans (Copy) 500-800 baht
T-shirt (Copy) 200-300 baht
Bag (Copy) 200-800 baht

Accommodation:
Guesthouse, 500-800 baht per night
*** star hotel, 800-1500 baht per night
**** star hotel, 1500-3000 baht per night
***** star hotel, 3000-50.000baht per night

Clothes store: (Brand names)
Jeans, 2-7000baht
T-shirt, 1000-2000baht

Beach:
Beach chair, 100 baht
Jet-ski, 800-1000 baht (15 minutes)
Parasail, 1000 baht

In the bar or club:
Beer, 80-120baht
Drink, 100-200baht
Lady drinks, 150-200baht