Double pricing system in Thailand

[Harry m]

First I like to say ,Thank you for allowing me and my family to visit Thailand many times.
The truth is that thai's have become greedy and think all foreigners are rich, maybe by your standards.

But unfortunately what brought you wealth and good economics is going to bring you down . Your government officials are corrupt and Thailand has come to cross roads once again in its history. It is not all foreigners are evil or bad its the greed that you can not wait to take.

The Fee's to come to Thailand, are very costly, and the double dip system of charging foreigner one price and thai's another does not go over well with foreigner.

Now to give you another heads up, most people who I travel with have started to head for other countries that favored and love us just as well, It's a lot cheaper and our money goes further by 3times what we where getting in Thailand.

I'm real sorry for Thailand and its wonderful people, but the truth is there are other exotic countries in Central America and South America that open us with open Arms and warmth as well.

Fare well my Thailand Farewell These farangs are out of there.

[overhaul38]

I don't see this pricing system any different to system in other countries where you have concessions for the Elderly, Students or the Low income earners.... Compared the average income of foreigners to how much a normal average thai makes then you will understand.. A typical tourist attractions are mainly to cater for foreigners therefore why not charge the tourist rate however making it affordable and accessable for the general thais...(I don't thinks the rich silom thais are interested in visiting these attractions anyway, they would rather use their money on international travel and brandnames...) therefore think about others when you think its your problem....

What about when we travel aboard, you might have one prices but times it with our baht, we are paying most of our weekly pay....

LET ME POINT OUT THE DIFFERENCE. The double pricing in Thailand is based PURELY on race and NOT income. Only the Caucasian race is charged. Korean, Chinese, Japanese and other brown skinned tourists pass because staff is only trained to pick out the white face for direction to the premium counter. In other countries the elderly, students or low income earners are given a price break REGARDLESS OF RACE. Can you understand the difference? In spite of your off handed dismissal, the rich Silom Thais do visit attractions. is Khao Yai a typical tourist attraction mainly to cater to foreigners? If you visit another country I hope they pull you out of line to pay the premium admission because you are a rich Thai.

[grass-seed]

Different prices are annoying. I have lived in Thailand for many years and I am now a permanent resident. No more visas etc for the rest of my life.

But I am still a foreigner when it comes to parks etc. Two weeks ago I visited Panom Rung temple in Burirum. I showed the ticket lady my permanent resident book but it was useless. One must have a Thai ID card to get the Thai rate. So I avoid these places.

Elsewhere in Northeast Thailand where I live (Ubon Ratchathani) I have no problems. Being able to speak Thai is a tremendous advantage as some other foreigners I know always seem to be getting ripped off or having misunderstandings.

However, speaking Thai and being a permanent resident was of no benefit at Panom Rung Temple in Burirum.

[overhaul38]

The westeners who have an advantage, are tourists: people who depend from a Thai stipend are in a different position. That distinction should somehow be kept in mind during this discussion, otherwise the arguments may be indeed flawed.

Please enlighten us as to what advantage the westerners have? Your comments make no sense but seem to indicate that you feel that Thais make less money so only Western tourists should pay the premium. You may not be aware but you have many, many rich Thais and the double pricing is not based on income but strictly RACE. No double pricing or discounts in any Western country is based on race. I assure you that you will never be pulled out of line at an attraction, facility, event or function in any Western country and required to pay a premium because you are a Thai tourist or have a high income. Have the moral integrity to admit that it is a racist fine and stop the feeble attempts to justify the practice.

[Silaworld]

I truly think it makes no sense to go on and on with this discussion. Thai people are very stubborn and will not change their attitude because of reason; their parents told them they are the best and that's it. If you feel bad about being cheated because of your skin-colour; just stay away from those places. Maybe, who knows,one day Thai will come to their senses and stop their shamefull and ridiculous behaviour. Anyway, the places we are talking about, are not worth being visited. Do not forget; prathet Thai is just a tiny place in the whole world of wondrous places-to-be.
But I must admit, it is a pity , as I have so many Thai friends who do not understand about this discrimination and they might feel they are thrown in the same disgusting-melting-pot where the responsables for this shamefull behaviour factually belong.

[Voice]

I suppose it quite difficult to explains why some people act as they did as regarding this issue. I believe they act out of their own individuality economy thinking when see the advantage they could take from foreigners with their currency. Not every Thais is like that I am sure. I suppose it could happen anywhere in the world. When I was in Spain they did try to cheated me out of my change because I looked different from them. Recently I was in Thailand I found the prices I paid isn't any different from my foreign counterpart. I think it depends on where you go I suppose! I also agree that there shouldn't be double standard in pricing for anyone foreign or no foreign.

[wilko]

a small amount of double pricing seems to lead to a large amount of paranoia.
shop prices restaurants and Rents etc are really down to market forces - OK - if a lot of "stupid farang" or their companies start paying too much for rents - well that's market forces too.

However, I don't approve of dual charging but the language that is used by expats seems devoid of reason and full of vitriol.

THe main problem I have is with such places as the national parks, where one might be prepared to pay a higher fee than the locals if the park itself warranted it - but sometimes with a small waterfall or similar that is far from the case.
the other problem is if you are camping at a national park they charge re-entry or by the day - and at 400 baht a throw, that makes camping more expensive than some hotels.

In reality there seems to be 2 problems
firstly the National Parks (and Zoos etc) are in total chaos when it comes to charging.
secondly there is a rather parochial attitude that "all foreigners must be rich so they can afford it.

both need changing - the National Parks are reality a national disgrace until this is sorted out.

PS - I presume most people realise that you can "negotiate" most fees on production of a Thai DL or tax card etc...in in the end no matter what the government says, it's down to the jobsworth on the gate.

[Victor]

The most 'popular' topic anywhere, I am sure, but I can assure you people that this has nothing to do with race at all because, to give an example, I was charged $5 to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangoon even though I am of the same race as the Burmese (look the same too, I may add) who can get in for free. It's a nationalistic thing, I guess.
And, when I went to school in the US, I had to pay tuition fee at a much higher rate than the in-state students, but this practice also apply to the American too, so it's not strictly a nationalistic thing.

[doiping906]

I detest the double standard in Thailand .
The fact that I and other farangs typically have more money than Thais is irrelevant: a Thai millionaire pays less than I do. It is part of a concerted effort to make sure you always feel a foreigner in Thailand. The double price standard, inability to own land, never getting the equivalent of a Green Card, having to show your face every 90 days at Immigration, etc etc are all aimed at making darn sure you are a foreigner. I came to the USA from Europe in the late 60's and NEVER have been made to feel a foreigner, stranger or someone who does not really belong. For decades I lived on a Green Card before I became a citizen. If we practiced in the US a fraction of the discrimination (because that is what it is) practiced in Thailand , there would be a huge outcry, world condemnation and protest marches on the White House!

My feeling when living in Thailand is always that I am regarded as an ATM with feet. Friendliness and the much-hyped Thai smile are rarely devoid of monetary or financial interest.

[pinto]

I'm Thai, but I'm not going to defend the double pricing system here.

The Argument that foreigners (who come to Thailand), who supposedly have more money than Thais, do have to pay more does not sound right to me. I mean these prices are not taxes that the more money you have, the more you have to pay.

I would agree that some foreigners have less money than some Thais do, but I would also agree that generally foreigners are richer than Thai. But it is not fair that some have to pay more to have a same thing.

Unfortunately, I just looked up in Google and found something about this double pricing system.
http://webboard.mthai.com/52/2008-01-22/365991.html
Sorry that it is in Thai. Anyways, it is an excerpt from Thai law saying that in national parks, all foreigners must pay twice a cost that Thais pay. This law has effected since 1st Dec 2007.