Chiang Mai is a nice laidback and liveable city for me. And it seemed to be the perfect place as well to start building some of the domains that I bought. I couldn’t explain how excited I was. Maybe because all of these stuff were new to me. Honestly, I have no clue yet on how I could make these new sites work because the business model is entirely different from blogging, but I guess the basics are still the same that’s why I’m giving it a try. And also, I love new challenges, it keeps me from being sane and away from being bored.
Anyway, here’s how much I spent in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Bear in mind that this cost does not include the transportation from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai because I already included that in my expense report for Luang Prabang.
Also, this expense report includes the 3 Day stay in Chiang Rai and Overnight Stay in Bangkok.
Accommodation
The room cost 3500 Baht per month excluding electricity, but since we did not spend the entire 30 days, the owner or gave us a 200 Baht discount. Electricy consumption was only 400 Baht. All in all, it was 3900 Baht, and we split the cost that’s why I only paid 1950 Baht. There are even cheaper rooms available outside the old city if you’re thinking of staying long term in Chiang Mai. Check out my last post about Chiang Mai for more information.
I splurged though in Bangkok since I’ve been itching to have a swim, I booked a room in a hotel that has a rooftop swimming pool. Rewarding myself for all those tough, butt-numbing overland travels I had in the past months.
Food and Drinks
Food and drinks consisted of fried rice and other rice meals freshly cooked as we ordered in one small local restaurant near Tha Pae Gate. We also refilled our water bottles in that restaurant every time we eat there. There’s also a water refill machine near our hostel that just cost 1 Baht/liter. A big spurge on ice coffee being sold at 7-11. It really tasted so good. I think I consumed one large cup/day, maybe this explains why I was always awake until the wee hours of the morning when I was in Chiang Mai.
Transportation
Local transportation cost was kept at a minimum since we usually walk if we want to visit different temples within the Old City. Transport within Chiang Mai is cheap, 20 Baht per way on a minivan.
Miscellaneous
Spent on one time laundry (first day in Chiang Mai) and washed my own clothes after that. I bought some new tshirts, they’re on sale at only 69 baht a piece and a 2nd hand leather bag. I also spent some money on phone credits because I called Citibank to cancel my Premier Miles Card (it’s expired and they don’t ship credit cards to my location). Best buy in Chiang Mai were the flag patches, I have not stitched them up yet in my bag though.
Unnecessary Cost
I did not checked the entry stamp I got from Chiang Khong and I thought I got 30 days. It turned out to be just 15 days and I overstayed for one day. Since we already paid for a month of stay in our hostel, we just did a visa run to get another 15 days. That process costed me P1550 Baht (550 Baht for RT Transport, 500 baht for Overstay and 500 Baht at the Myanmar Immigration).
Tip: Myanmar Immigration charges $10 or 500 Baht. You might be able to save 200 Baht if you bring a ten dollar bill with you. As of writing $10 is only 300 Baht.
I like Chiang Mai, I really do and I’m even thinking of calling Chiang Mai as my second home. I don’t have definite plans yet though but I’m sure I’ll be back in this nice city.
“Travelling does not need to be expensive”
i really admire how you can spend so little in one month. and here i am thinking three weeks in thailand would cost me 30K plus in PHP! i gotta read more of your “how much did i spend…” posts. haha.
the cost depends on one’s choices
i really need to be careful with my expense since i dont have a job to rely on 
and i want to travel for as long as i can 
Are you heading into Myanmar? If so, you will find Myanmar to be more expensive (by a few, PRISTINE dollar bills per day) than Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
thanks for the heads up Jodi… yes im heading to myanmar by the end of this year… and i heard that they only accept crisp dollar notes!!!
I will be returning to Myanmar on 18 December 2011 and venturing about until 3 January 2012. If this happens to coincide with your schedule, drop me an email and perhaps we can meet up somewhere!
ill surely drop you an email, though im not in myanmar at that time but probably we could meet somewhere near… love to hear your travel stories…
aha. that’s why you’re reading up on how to go to places of conflict eh?
ironically even if i traveled alone from Inle Lake to Yangon, i do felt real safe inside the country and people are so much more genuinely nicer (except in May Fair Inn so I don’t suggest to go there). But we were following the tourist trail so you really never know what’s going on if you go out of the track. Take care and travel safe.
thanks for the warm wishes
Made up my mind na Flip. Next year
dont bring that much stuff because there’s a huge night market hehe… you’ll enjoy shopping
We had same experiences Flip! We also thought we would get 30 days crossing from Cambodia to Thailand by land transfer. Sa flights lang pala yung 30 days. We realized it too late and we ran to the closest border which was Myanmar. Buti na lang I brought dollars in small bills din. Sakto!
Panalo yung pool splurge ah! Looks inviting!
Rambutrri Village yan sa Khao San
hahaha… it was nerve wrecking to find out that I overstayed… good thing it was only for a day so I just paid 500 baht sa immigration…. wheeew!!! wala ako small bills sa dollars and paid 500 baht sa Myanmar… lesson learned… now im keeping dollars in small denomination…
nice. i’m planning on a month-long vacation in north of thailand end of this year. i’ll definitely stay at banwiang. such a good value for money!
more options here:
Heading towards Thailand soon from Vietnam. And was just thinking that I need to take a two or three week break somewhere from traveling. Sounds like Chiang Mai might be the perfect place for it
Still, spending $300 for 25 days is pretty good!
thanks man… im quite tight with my budget these days lol need to make things work despite of my small travel funds
You really have a talent for keeping your travel expenses down. I’m glad you liked Chiang Mai. I had a good time when I was there too.
haha.. not really a talent but a necessity on my part… im trying to live within my means so I could travel longer
… although sometimes i do bust my budget… lol
WoW! I’m impressed Flip. I’ve been reading a few other budgets from CM and you’ve come in at the lowest. As a stingy guy myself, you deserve recognition for this. I was particularly impressed with how cheap you were able to find a room for the month. I’ve been to CM several times but I’ve never based myself here for weeks on end. During my next backpacking trip that’s going to change
thanks man.. just trying to live within my means