Thai This on for Size: 8 Days in Bangkok from $699, Country-Wide Tours from $999

Clever travelers are smiling with the passing of summer fares. Tourists head back to work, beaches empty, and travel prices drop to more reasonable rates. If you've never been to Thailand, for example, no time is better or more affordable than the present.

Outfitter Friendly Planet (tel. 800/555-5765; www.friendlyplanet.com) has a 13-day, five-city tour visiting Bangkok, Chiang Mai, the Golden Triangle and Ayutthaya starting from just $999 with air taxes and fuel costing up to $270 extra. The package includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco on China Airlines, all intra-Thailand travel and transfers, 11 nights in first-class hotels, full daily breakfast, a welcome dinner in Chiang Mai, a farewell dinner in Bangkok, and all tour and entrance fees. This tour flies into Chiang Mai and out of Bangkok, descending from the Northern highlands of Thailand down into the urban center of Bangkok. If you reserve before October 2, 2006, you can lock in discounts. A four-night add-on to the island of Phuket, famous for its serene beaches, is available for $449. The above prices are based on double occupancy lodging. This tour departs frequently through early 2007. Book soon though, as this popular tour can sell out quickly.

For a seven-night, two-city package taking advantage of the city and the sun, Go-Today (tel. 800/227-3235; www.go-today.com) has a trip visiting Bangkok and the original Thai beach resort, Hua Hin. Similar to other Go-Today independent trips, this package gets you there, puts you up at top-rated hotels, and let's you do the rest yourself. Included in the package is round-trip airfare from the United States, all hotels, daily breakfast and all hotel taxes. Excluding air taxes and security fees, the price of this package comes to $1,019. Travel is good from September 5 to October 22, 2006. The booking deadline for this trip is September 7, 2006, but it could be extended by the time you're reading this. Go-Today has fairly strict booking deadlines, but its trips are typically available although prices may change if you miss the original deadline.

Not to be outdone, Gate 1 (tel. 800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com) has an eight-day offer starting at just $699 with departures through October. The Bangkok-only trip includes round-trip airfare out of Los Angeles, Seattle or San Francisco; six nights at your choice of hotels; daily breakfast; and airline fuel costs. Additional nights are available for a small charge and sightseeing excursions such as day tours of the city and the nearby temples can be had for $17 and up. The Bangkok City Inn, the hotel available at the starting price, is a short walk to Bangkok's famous nightlife. The base-price of this package goes up $100 for travel between November 2006 and March 2007.

For a quick trip to Thailand with two nights in Singapore, Asian Affair Holidays (tel. 800/742-3133; www.asianaffairholidays.com) has a five-night trip starting at $1,170 for departures out of San Francisco, LA & NYC.. Travel is good through March 2007. In Thailand, you'll stay in Phuket. Your round-trip airfare, accommodations and hotel to airport transfers are included while you're in. Security taxes shouldn't go above $78. In Singapore, you'll stay at the four-star Copthorne King's Hotel where a full breakfast is included daily. The large, classic hotel has all the modern amenities one would expect such as a sauna, health club, nearby golf and a business center.

Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers on our Thailand Message Boards today.