Market segmentation or price discrimination

[bitchnomore]

I find that there is a lot of farangs here who are complaining about double pricing standards here in Thailand where they have to pay the often more expensive "tourist rate" rather than the "local rate".

They should simply stop \\ ////, period.

Why?
1. If you open your big colored eyes wider you can see that all other countries are doing the same thing. As a tourist in the UK, I was paying 35 pounds to get into the castle in Ediburgh and they also have a different rate for the locals with the show of ID. So it's not just Thailand that is doing this.
2. The Thais are the ones that pay taxes for maintaing these places and not the farangs so they should pay less as a result. As you can see, the sign says, "tourist rate" and not "foreigner rate". Of course it would be a different story if you live here and pay taxes to Thailand and still have to pay more simply because you are a farang.
3. There is nothing wrong with price discrimination. Western countries' standard of livings are so much higher than Thailand and do you really want to argue about the mere extra 2-3 dollars difference (Ayutthaya charges 40 baht for foreigners and 20 baht for locals). Give me a break!
4. If you can't beat the system, then be part of the system. Most Asian tourists can get away without having to pay the "tourist rates" simply because they can pass as Thais. Learn some basic Thai like, "Pom pen khon Thai krup", etc will get you a cheaper rate so why not do it to save some cash. For the farangs, well, sorry, it ain't gonna work out.

So please let the Thai earn some cash from tourists and the few extra dollars from market segmentation. After all, the white people that are here are still paid much higher than the locals with the same qualification! If you don't like it, you can sit at home with your windows opened with the ceiling fan on and continue to sip your gin and tonic while ordering your little Asian servant around to do things for you!

[Sean Moran]

Mmm, it's a toughie, BNM, but even though it goes against my better judgment to agree here, I must say that you make perfectly good sense, beneath the wild generalisations. You're fairly spot on in what yoiu say IMHO.

[DKO]

Sean regret we disagree on this one as what is said is only "on the surface"


I find what has been said by "bitchnomore" and particularly how it has been said as a xenophobic, bordering on racist, (and by the number of slashes I assume unpleasant) short sighed rant IMHO

2.) Go to http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index ... ttypes.htm there is NO suggestion of differing prices for non UK citizens NOR a quoted price anything like the 35 GBP you suggest on that or any site I have checked for prices. May I ask you to substantiate your allegations as you have chosen to write them here.

2). The UK do not have ID cards yet although to be implemented. The ID cards you were referring to were probably National trust membership discount cards or similar discount which are usually paid for up front and can used at many member locations for a discount entry fee.

2). Your comment 2, There are many, as you describe who are foreigners living and working and paying taxes IN THAILAND and subject to Thai level of wages but they STILL get double/treble charged. Maybe you should do some research

3. In the UK pricing is standard most places. The laws are quite strict in the UK of pricing. I cannot say there are not individuals who try it on BUT IT IS NOT COMMON PLACE in the UK as you imply by your example.

4. If the foreigners do not go to Thai locations with different charging tariffs for "locals and foreigners" and trust me many will not on principle (and not because they cannot afford it) you then lose their families admission fees with theirs and the vendors at the various locations will lose substantial business, hotels may also lose business due to fewer foreign visitors to some National Park locations

5. Hasn't the Military coup, the PAD with its airport closures and the Word Financial Crisis not done enough damage to Thai tourism and attraction venues without Thailand harming itself further with short sighted foreigner pricing policies. Can Thailand afford less tourists and visitors.

Thailand is not the only desirable destination in South east Asia. If you are one of these people who think Thailand can be an "island" in the current World and need nobody, then think again . We all need each other including the Genuine British Isles.

Your comment 3. about Ayutthaya is not a large extra to pay but you are being highly selective as in many places we can be talking about 100 or 200 Baht or more difference. Once again maybe you should do some research.

Additionally you cannot morally justify higher charges for foreigners (base don jealousy) just because they may have higher living standards. You do not know which do and which do not have higher living standards.

What about all the foreigners who come from lower living standard countries than Thailand should they pay less than Thais? Please do not suggest they would not be here as they cannot afford to come, as that would just be a cop out on what I am saying.

Maybe you would like a different charge for each country's residents based upon their standard of living? Maybe a means test questionnaire at each venue. Where do you pay your taxes? where do you work? do you earn more money than most Thais do? I joke but the point is valid where do you stop? Its also about time many Thais stopped this fantasy view that all Farangs are rich. Many cannot afford holidays for many years and have huge home mortgages and taxes. Do you know "bitchnomore" how much it costs for 2 spouses to fly to Thailand from Europe or the US before they even start to try to visit your dual tariff parks and attractions? I suggest you check it out coz it costs them BIG TIME

Your comment 4. is YOU suggesting the ticket collectors are 'racist" if they go by colour of skin alone and many Farangs will tell you speaking Thai will not help with a cheaper rate one little bit coz we are still foreigners and the "tourist" rate payable.


I wonder what my stepson son will have to pay. Father a farang (mother Thai),who saw him once and my stepson is THAI and only speaks Thai but he looks like a Farang (except his very Thai eyes that Thais do not often notice). Bet he would not be accepted as a Thai until he gets a Thai ID card at the appropriate age.

In you intention to protect this lovely country and its people I feel your views do the reverse in reality, causing more negatives than positives. I say this as a Foreigner living here with my Thai wife and stepson and as a person who now considers Thailand as home and only wishes the best for Thailand and its people.

May I suggest the you stick with your own alias yourself and bitchnomore . "People in glass houses" comes to mind!

[stilljustbrowsing]

The sooner "money" is abolished the better. Let's go back to the "I can help you, you can help me system!"
For those that disagree, you must be "money merchants" and can do nothing at a practical level.

[stilljustbrowsing]

So please let the Thai earn some cash from tourists and the few extra dollars from market segmentation. After all, the white people that are here are still paid much higher than the locals with the same qualification! If you don't like it, you can sit at home with your windows opened with the ceiling fan on and continue to sip your gin and tonic while ordering your little Asian servant around to do things for you!

Absolute rubbish! (at least where I work) I get a Thai salary and pay Thai taxes. (I have the documents to prove it)
So as long as I take all this stuff with me, I can go to these "special" places for free? Perhaps your "parachute" has not yet opened?
Sorry to dissappiont you scy, but in essence I agree with with you!
The barterring system is, IMHO a much better way to go.

[Ian]

I totally agree with Dave, DKO, on this one, the writer obviously has never been to Britain judging by the totally false comments, there is absolutely no double pricing in England, although as Dave points out if you pay for membership of the National trust you can get a discount, also most places will give a discount if you hold a student's card. I often get a discount as a pensioner, incidentally I get the same discount in Hong Kong and China.
Even the government indulges in double pricing in Thailand, I pay 3 times the tax/stamp duty registering a lease than a Thai does.

[stilljustbrowsing]

Hello scy, I am not content with my Thai salary.
Money has always been secondary to satisfaction and happiness of life to me.
There always is a compromise, I love it here in Thailand, as such, I will always accept what is the norm here, that does not stop me from thinking, does it?
I am employed as a result of my knowledge, being, as stated by you "Working in a profession that is outside Thai general knowledge". I do not make this as a derrogatory statement and hope, as a result of my teaching, I will, one day, become redundant. If that day ever happens, it will mean that my efforts have not been in vain.

[stilljustbrowsing]

Thank you scy, I am very contented with the work I do. I think I know at which point on the ladder to stop, I have no intention of reaching the level of "my incompetence."
Your comment has made me feel very happy, no BS, and I will argue with you on other subjects, should our veiws differ, good night, "good knight" may we we joust again tomorrow!
BTW, when I say I am not content with my salary, that only implies that if I got more, I could take care of my family better, and perhaps buy a new bicycle for myself! (ching ching)

[stilljustbrowsing]

Thanks for the info. I never bothered to look for it as such myself, having seen the syndrome at first hand.
There are those who do brilliant work, but cannot lead, others can lead, but cannot do the work themselves. There is a balance, unfortunatly most are not aware of it.
Stop mentioning Frankfurters (please) you are making me feel very hungry!
Foot note. I love my work. My father, 86 years old now, keeps telling me about retirement. I have no intention to retire!

[stilljustbrowsing]

So sorry to read of your Fathers early demise.
Hermaphroditic reconnaisance is a contradtictory term with regards to sexual requirements, would you not agree?
I still enjoy eating a good German sausage though!
Whatever happened to Iccarus?