Double pricing system in Thailand

[villager]

When you think that I make about 65-70000 us dollars a year compared to a Thai who makes about 2-3000 dollars a year I dont see a problem. Why should a Thai not be able to go to a national treasure spot cheaper than we pay? We are talking a small amout of money for us so everybody quit whinning about it or just stay home and dont make your self upset about it. Enjoy your vacation without the extra stress. I joke with the collectors about it and get smiles all the time. Its worth a couple of bucks to have a little fun. I went to the hospital in Korat once and for seeing the Doctor and a perscription it cost me almost $10!!! In the US it would have been closer to $100. You also have the ability to bargin when buying things. Offer half of what they want if they wont come down then walk away and most of the time the merchant will call you back with a better offer.

nguhao
Your argument assumes that all foreigners [we/us] are making about 65-70000 US dollars a year and consequently the total cost is minimal. Clearly that is not the case. Many tourists earn less than that as do many foreign residents in Thailand - retired or working. Increase my salary to 70000 dollars a year and I might enjoy throwing a bit of it about like you do, but I'd still object in principle to discrimination by double pricing.

Quite correct Noaksy, but there is positive discrimination amongst Thai,s themselves,s by the way of skin colour , one only has to look at the TV adds for all the skin whitening potion,s and soaps , also look at all the actors on TV soaps ,all "milk bottles" if two Thai women applied for a office job in BKK both with the same credentials but one was very dark the other a "milk bottle" in nearly every case the "milk bottle "would get the job, the sickening part of it is these kids up here believe all that drivel as is plainly in evidence every morning as they hide their face from the sun with their exercise books on the way to our local school .

[asiascharlie]

Double pricing is wrong .When the government via the national parks or major sights like the grand palace charges foreigners more its sends the message that its ok to rip off tourists .Private business follows .Thais wouldnt like it if it was done to them so dont do it to others .

[pachangamac042]

One more. One day we went to the waterfall national park duda thing near Chaiyaphum. We were 7 locals and me. So when we got to the entrance, the cashier spotted me and wanted to charge me 200 Bath, while the 7 locals had to pay 20 Bath each only.

One of the locals, was one of Chaiyaphum's richest, and it was him who leaned out of the pick up truck to complain about the 200 Bath farang rip off. When they recognized him, they let the 8 of us in for free and they even offered us free drinks and food.

So much about farangs have more money than Thais and should therefore pay more, but Thais who could easily afford to buy the places go in for free. Amazing Thailand…

[dynamitetom]

Actually if you live and work in Thailand legally just show your Thai drivers licence and you can enter most places at the Thai price.

[pachangamac042]

Noaksy, as per my experience is it a local thing. A Phuket driver license may get you Thai prizes in Phuket, but can be ignored in Chiang Mai, just as an example. But generally, I think it just depends on the person selling you the ticket. At the end, with or without Thai driver license, you pay what they want or you are not going in.

One thing is for sure, a Thai drivers license does NOT guarantee you the lower Thai entrance prize. And tourist police can not help neither, if the license is not accepted for a reduction.

[Chaem]

@Double pricing system in Thailand
by morelam on Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:24 pm [130.83.47.xx]


During school-holidays (university) I usually get out my taxi-drivers-license and try to earn a little extra money. Although my government pays for a lot of things, there is no end to what a student needs.
Being human, I also have some 'pet-hates' one being discriminated. Sometimes when driving around I will have a Thai in my cab. Very often I am tempted to let her/him feel the racism of two-tier-pricing.
Add some special "Tax " to the fare. (a Thai-Alien in my Country 'Tax' ) But up to now I have never done it.
And why not? It would be a stupid thing to do. He /she probably would'nt get the point, yet I should , when caught get my licence revoked. I live under a truly democratic and honest government, you see --------

However, when I come to Thail. for my holidays, I come once a year for 4 years now, I have no choice but (in Pattaya) to take a bathtaxi and pay for even a very short distance 25 Baht. This against the 5 Baht everybody else pays.
I can tell you, it does not make me feel good ! And one of these days, I will spend my holidays in another country ___________

[brent.bowler]

It is unfortunate that Americans complain about the pricing system. Some of their comments about pricining in America are not exactly true about either. For instance, if you live outside the city and want to use the city's library, you have to pay extra. If you live in one state and want to go fishing in another state, you have to pay extra. At many state sponsored institutions (like museums) there is one price for a resident and another for non-residents. Even in Las Vegas, local residents pay a reduced price to get into the shows versus the tourists.

Those that are complaining have three choices:
- understand it, and be happy in a truly tropical paradise full of wonders and very friendly people
- go back home
- be miserable and miss out on the beauty and culture that Thailand has to offer.

[stilljustbrowsing]

I lived for 4 years in thailand ,I never saw a rediculous and nationalist and selfish country like that land . but the last events showed what was behind the smiles of coyots. now with no more tourists let's see to whom they will smile , to whom they will lie .................... it's only the begining of the end . thailand is standing on one leg , once it's gone , it's going to be like BURMA or worse.
I let you guess who is that leg!!!!!!!
you will get it thai people , you will get it . All countries are working hard but you still try to wash brains of farang with thai culture to get some money and you are still practicing segregation !!!! mama mamiyaaaaaa

Thie post will not last long!

[timjackelton]

If you worry about what farang teachers get paid and you think it is unfair, then I don't agree. Thai teachers should ask for more money when they apply for the job, instead, they accept anything just to have a job.
Farangs, from my observation support their wives who can't get a job, in my case I also support three Thai born children.

Thai teachers work hard and are ripped off by the Thai system, and what farangs get paid is a fraction of what they could get in their own country, or neighboring countries.

Remember farangs are only guests here and could lose their jobs at any time. Most farang teachers have one year contracts no rights or security and can not own the house they live in.

Farang teachers contribute to this wonderful country and also pay tax, more than many Thais do, so it is unfair that this issue is always raised. Thais teachers have had a raw deal for years from the education system , so it is childish that we farangs are always blamed when it really is a Thai governmental problem.

[stilljustbrowsing]

If you worry about what farang teachers get paid and you think it is unfair, then I don't agree. Thai teachers should ask for more money when they apply for the job, instead, they accept anything just to have a job.
Farangs, from my observation support their wives who can't get a job, in my case I also support three Thai born children.

Thai teachers work hard and are ripped off by the Thai system, and what farangs get paid is a fraction of what they could get in their own country, or neighboring countries.

Remember farangs are only guests here and could lose their jobs at any time. Most farang teachers have one year contracts no rights or security and can not own the house they live in.

Farang teachers contribute to this wonderful country and also pay tax, more than many Thais do, so it is unfair that this issue is always raised. Thais teachers have had a raw deal for years from the education system , so it is childish that we farangs are always blamed when it really is a Thai governmental problem.

BEST POST YET!