An American backpacker managed to find a place to stay in Bangkok for the astonishing price of just one dollar (Rs 84) per night even with skyrocketing prices of accommodations at tourist destinations. The budget traveller, known online as Mike Rari, documented his experience in a now-viral video, providing a glimpse into the stark reality of ultra-cheap accommodation in the Thai capital.
“This place cost me just one dollar for the night, and I’m about to take you guys inside,” Rari, who is both a content creator and prankster, declared in his video, which has since been widely shared online. The footage, originally shared by Viral Press, offers an unfiltered look at the living conditions that come with such a low price tag.
The exact location of the Airbnb is somewhat of a mystery, though it is said to be situated approximately 10 minutes away from Bangkok’s bustling Chinatown. Rari’s journey to his temporary home involved climbing a precarious ladder attached to a rickety, stilted structure.
The video shows him stepping onto a porch assembled from what appeared to be “scrap wood,” setting the tone for what awaited him inside.
Upon entering, Rari unveiled a space that could only be described as minimalistic. The room featured a simple floor cot draped in mosquito netting, a fan, a trash can, and a small drawer for valuables. In a nod to his homeland, a US flag adorned the wall, which Rari cheerfully mentioned made him feel “right at home.”
Outside the room, the amenities were no more luxurious. Rari showed off a shared outdoor area equipped with basic workout gear, a rudimentary laundry station, and a modest kitchen setup consisting of a table, rice cooker, boiler, and fridge.
The most surprising revelation, however, was the shared bathroom arrangement, where guests were required to fill a bucket and pour water over themselves in lieu of a conventional shower. Additionally, a locked cabinet was available for rent at a mere 3 cents, adding a touch of security to the otherwise bare-bones setting.
Despite the dilapidated state of the property, Rari seemed to relish the experience, stating that it offered “a lotta of Bangkok for your buck.” His enthusiasm, however, does not mask the broader reality of the budget accommodation scene, where many travellers have found themselves lured in by misleading advertisements, including a bathroom with a bed inside or a so-called “seaside view” that turned out to be nothing more than a poster on the wall.
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