Maybe OP is just messing with us?
If you start here you'll see that he is in the embryonic stages of travel planning. Maybe even the zygotic stage ;-) . My guess is his priorities are "warm" and "cheap" and he hasn't contemplated much beyond that yet.
Yeah, sorry for being vague and naive guys, so stop trying to crucify me :) I'm just trying to get some information from people who have done it before to clarify different strategies I've been told about before. I figured it would be wisest to talk to people with experience before I take someone for their word that camping is a good option. My friends backpacked through Costa Rica and Panama, and they camped out quite often without being pestered, so I was curious if that's a good idea, or if they were just lucky. And I've already figured the daily budget, I've had plenty of people tell me I can expect to pay what you guys told me for lodging.
Just encountered a tourist where i am at that asked for 100 baht because he ran out of money months ago. Just goes to prove that many here are over their heads or just plain idiots. This fellow is 50 years old and sleeping in a temple. You need a serious reality check if you think you can live on pennies a day. As i mentioned before the government really needs to start checking the tourists for criminal records , lack of money and just plain lack of common sense before being allowed to enter.
Oh yes, speaking of peniless tourists in Thailand - was leaving Haad Rin and shared a pick up truck taxi with a 30 something year old English guy who had spent the past few days doing mushrooms and sleeping on the beach like a hobo.
As I was late for my ferry and no other truck was in sight, he seemed to think letting me get on was a very gallant gesture on his part. He had no idea where he was going though and no money, I would not be surprised if he was just looking for a new place on the island to pass out on, so don't think the reroute made any real dent in his plans.
In the last two days two tourists were tossed out of apartments they were renting for getting out of hand and told not to come back. They made a attempt to rent esle where and were told to get lost. Both from europe and both drunks of course. One thai woman mentioned to me she did,nt care about the money just wanted them gone. One less scum bag tourist to deal with. Can,t stand most of them who visit here. If you can not behave here or support yourself GET LOST!