Double pricing system in Thailand

[Seaserpent]

From what I understand it is due to the fact that most foreigners do not work here and these parks are also
kept in good appearances through the state by means of the tax-contributions.
Foreigners that do work here, like me, have a tax card or a driver license to show they live/work here and
pay taxes and subsequently do get in for Thai prices.
Anyway go to a similar attraction in your own home country and compare entry prices...... it should make
you happy to pay foreign prices here...

In good appearance? Not really...
Regarding your thoughts on tax-contributions, most thai do not pay tax...
And yes I do have a thai drivers licens. And no it does not alway give me a thai price... On the other hand i do not mind to pay the farrang price, but then i see national parks full of garbage I do, specially then I know the thais stands for the majority of littering in the parks and elsewhere.

[paulus]

Hi everyone.
I have been living and working here in the Kingdom for almost 7 years. Double pricing is nothing new! Lets face it the Americans have been overcharged in the UK for an eternity. Albeit not at the shop counter. If a person wants to live in a foreign country. Good luck to them. However, moaning and whinging about costs is pointless. Get a Thai driving licence and any other documentation needed. If you are one of the parasites selling property then get a work permit and pay your Thai taxes. Then you wont have any more problems! I wish the UK would take note, instead of charging the local population more to keep these scrounging foreigners in comfort!

[wrsleo]

The remark posted here such as we do not pay taxes here in Thailand is absurd. There are many Farangs who are married and support families and yes pay taxes for our families.

[wrsleo]

Microscope as a visitor here in Thailand you seem to have so much knowledge about Thailand. Tolerance and acceptance is a big factor here in Thailand. Even in a land where corruption is accepted and the norm in everyday life. Double priceing is just another form of corruption. KEEP IN MIND THAT IT IS HUNTING SEASON FOR FARANGS HERE IN THAILAND ALL YEAR ROUND.

[sibley]

Thailand the land of smiles don't make me laugh, myself my wife and daughter went for some food at my wife's cousins food shop and we were charged 25 bart more than we should have been, ok only 25 bart but what made me laugh was the same cousin who has a Farang boy friend only 1 week earlier was complaining that her and her boy friend had been ripped off by a tuk tuk driver for 20 bart, when I pointed this out to her she looked very embarrassed, loss of face springs to mind, typical Thai would rip you off as soon as look at you if they could get away with it.

[ryan_c]

Kinda sad that this post is so active. It really reinforces the mindset that all farang are complaining windbags.

Seriously, I haven't paid the double price in years. That's not to say that it doesn't exist. But taxis, motorcycles, restaurants, boats, shops, barbers, vendors, hotels, landlords, etc etc etc haven't even tried to rip me off. Never come across a situation where Thais were paying less. And I do check at times. Does double pricing happen?? YES!! At RCA, Wat Prakaeow, Ratchada Soi 8 (don't complain, you shouldn't be there anyhow), Phu Kradueng, and the smaller sites in Sukothai. Well, just don't go there, none of the above is that awesome anyhow. As for taxis, don't get in a waiting taxi or tuk-tuk in Kao San or Nana; these people are breaking the law anyhow by parking and waiting for customers (and paying a bribe to the cops). As for shops in MBK or Kao San... well tourists do like to haggle hard, so they have to give a higher price just make the Westerner feel good about haggling. My decent Thai generally brings the price down to normal levels. And I have zero tolerance for those who claim discrimination, lived in Thailand for years, and aren't semi-fluent. See if not speaking English in America doesn't get you hassled.

Everywhere else, frankly, grants me the Thai price. Museums, parks and sites generally don't even need to see my ID, just saying that I live here is enough. I really feel that most Thai people don't want the fight and really want to be fair.

So my synopsis, price discrimination is real but not the issue that people make it out to be. And I'd feel less bad about people's strong views if the issue isn't very self motivated. Why don't you windbags complain about something that matters, like the absurd concentration of wealth in Thailand, the poor state of education, the unregulated land-management and its effect upon flooding, the unfair and unending war on drug addicts, the likelihood that Bangkok will be underwater in 100 years, the rich-serving legal system, etc etc etc. At least you'd be fighting for an issue that doesn't involve you directly and shows that you value something beyond yourself.

Just saying...

[GlobalWalker]

I think it is a very bad thing, and it´s not only the the National Parks who try to use Farrang price, TukTuks, SongTew, stores like drugstores practice Farrang prices. I travel Thailand every year since 1993 and the last 10 years like 6-7 months. If I need to buy medicine I always use my Thai friends to buy it for me and normally its like 1/3 of the price than If I go to the drug store myself. There is a reason why 7/11 is so popular for Farrangs they have price tag on every products, just like the big warehouses. I hope Thai business learn to respect even farrang customers in the future and take better care of the hand that partially feed them. This year I noticed that the price level in Thailand have passed my comfort level, so next year I am going to visit Kampuchea to check out pricing and see if it´s going to be my next home away from home, in the future. At least the cost for visa and a much more friendly immigration rules.
Mr. Walker.

[sibley]

You are spot on mate, The visa and immigration rules along with the over pricing are turning a lot of people away from Thailand
some friends of mine who have visited Thailand for the last 15 years are going to give it a miss this year.

As for myself I will leave Thailand soon I'm taking my wife and daughter back to England ok it is a lot more expensive than Thailand and colder but I have had enough of Thailand there's just to much hassell, if a Thai official ever makes a mistake on your paper work they just smile and say it is not a problem but if you make a mistake it is all taken very seriously, Thailand is ok for a holiday maybe 2 or 3 weeks for some sun, sea and sex but to live it is not as good as it is cracked up to be.

[rfhendrix]

My Thai wife does all the negotiating of price when possible. Saves us a lot of money. One time though they charged her too as a Farang because she was with me and that made her furious. You have to understand that Thailand is a racist country just as the USA was for many years. Farangs are the "black" people in this case. But at least we don't have to sit in the back of the bus.

[surinfarm]

You are spot on mate, The visa and immigration rules along with the over pricing are turning a lot of people away from Thailand
some friends of mine who have visited Thailand for the last 15 years are going to give it a miss this year.

As for myself I will leave Thailand soon I'm taking my wife and daughter back to England ok it is a lot more expensive than Thailand and colder but I have had enough of Thailand there's just to much hassell, if a Thai official ever makes a mistake on your paper work they just smile and say it is not a problem but if you make a mistake it is all taken very seriously, Thailand is ok for a holiday maybe 2 or 3 weeks for some sun, sea and sex but to live it is not as good as it is cracked up to be.

Opinions will differ. Depending on one's life situation and expectations. Have a lovely life in Old Blighty.