Foodcourts in Supermarkets like TescoLotus or BigC are not more expensive, have also Thai food of course as most people eating there are Thai people.tamdrin12 wrote:zboy1.. I think street food will be ok in Thailand.. compared to India or Nepal.. I have a pretty good stomach I think a lot of foreigners eat street food in Thailand... plus I want to eat cheap and I know all those western chains will be more expensive for not necessarily better quality..
However the foodcourts are much cleaner compared to street food stalls.
As I said before, no rats or dogs or flies etc., because of air conditioning and stainless kitchen stalls, there is clean water supply and clean restrooms. Plates and cutlery are washed much more carefully, there is no direct sunlight, dust of the street which might be harmful for the food quality.
To eat unclean food from outdoor food stalls using dirty plates etc. does not make any sense, in case of a serious infection, the hospital bill will be far higher than food from food courts.
What is really expensive in Thailand is imported food in upper class department-stores. There is no need to buy that, there is plenty of similar local food in supermarkets available which is at least 3 to 4 times cheaper.
Examples I see every time while in Thailand are sausages, honey, fruits, rice, bread, jam, butter, mineral water etc. etc.
Always compare the prices before you take items to the cashier. Cheap Thai food products are often in the lowest shelf, and the most expensive foreign imports are exactly in front of your eyes. Thai people are quite good in business.