welcome and enjoy but keep both your brains switched on

I don't think I take enough pictures to go on one of those trips

boy Pattaya sounds fun

If you're on a fixed budget, treat it the same as you did with the old 18-30 holiday when you were under so much pressure to sign up for everything when you arrived and spent way too much money at the beginning. Essentially, you'll be better off keeping more money for the second half of your holiday or the last few days when time is at a premium and you can blow the cash without having to think where your next meal (or shag) is coming from.

Soapies were always loved or hated but as the price of lady drinks and barfines and then the girls' tips rises and rises in the bars and go-gos, I would say they offer a sort of fixed price 90 minutes experience which may be hard to beat, price wise.

If cost really is an issue, then some things can be trimmed down without it making a large difference. Where you stay could cost Bt5000 a day or less than Bt500. If it has aircon, a hot shower, clean bathroom, half decent bed and clean linen then it is acceptable. how much you need over that depends on how you value your creature comforts.

Some on here will be able to tell you the latest best places for cheap booze but you don't have to shuffle draft piss or have every beer costing you top whack.