Thailand: A budget traveller's heaven

A plate of chicken and pad thai noodles will cost you around Rs.65 only. However, if you’re not up for walking, hop on to a boat and shop at the Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa floating markets.

Visit ancient monuments and immerse yourself in Thai culture

From ancient ruins to spectacular religious sites, Thailand’s monuments give you a glimpse into its history and traditions. The most thorough way to explore its past is to sign up for a tour. Tours to Bangkok’s Grand Palace start at around Rs.2,600 per head, while a visit to Phuket’s Grand Palace costs around Rs.1,500 per person. Likewise, you can learn about Thailand’s wartime history through a day-long railway tour that costs approximately Rs.5,000 per head. If palaces and shrines of yesteryears seem equally captivating, make a trip to Ayutthaya, Thailand’s former capital.

Enjoy Thailand’s turquoise waters

Be it kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving, or swimming, if you’re keen on water sports, Thailand has plenty of options to choose from. If you’re looking for an all-inclusive package, visit the Ang Thong National Marine Park. An 8-hour tour will take you past scenic islands, warm lagoons and reefs. Best of all, you get ample opportunities to go kayaking and snorkelling during the one-day trip for around Rs.4,100 per head. Other places you can visit include Phi Phi Islands, Koh Samui Island, and Similan Islands.

Experience the best that nature has to offer

Thailand is home to tigers, pangolins, binturongs, King cobras, Tokay geckos, gibbons and of course, elephants! Feed, bathe, walk and play with elephants at the Krabi Elephant Sanctuary or Phang Nga Elephant Park, or enjoy a jungle safari around Koh Samui. You can also try your hand at rock climbing at Railay, or sign up for a hike and bike tour around Doi Suthep Pui National Park. A budget of Rs.4,000 should cover a day-long adventure.

While Thailand is an affordable holiday destination, you can make the trip even more pocket-friendly by taking a personal loan. The personal loan for travel from Bajaj Finserv, for example, offers assistance of up to Rs.25 lakh at nominal travel loan interest rates. The flexi loan makes financing your holiday easy as it allows you to borrow from your approved sanction in parts and pay interest only on the amount you have used. Moreover, on approval, the money is disbursed to your bank in just 24 hours. To fasten the process of obtaining finances via this travel loan scheme, check your pre-approved offer when you apply.