What's the price of goodwill?

BREEZYMONDAY

Published: 4 Jun 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Life

It's been a while since I've been to the beach, and so a visit to Hat Nang Rong in Sattahip was a pleasant experience for me. After the high rise condominiums, modern shopping complexes and ladyboys of Pattaya, it was a relief to find a beach that was pristine, with clear blue water, white sand and no mushroom umbrellas and 50 baht beach chairs, or even somtam vendors at that.

The reason for this under-development is simply because the area is under the auspices of the Royal Thai Navy, which has been a blessing in disguise for the area.

That's not to say that the public is not allowed in the area; it just means that the area will continue to remain free from 60-storey condominiums, shopping malls and beer bars.

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pointoffew
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Discussion 41 : 22 Jul 2012 at 18.4541
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Article 1 of the Thai Constitution prohibits this discrimination - but then, who cares about the law, and there's no one to uphold it. Moreover, Thai law - in the eyes of some - only applies to Thais, which again is... a violation of Article 1 of the Thai Constitution.
Do note that some Thai National Parks charge foreigners the same as Thais, where others charge foreigners as much as 10 times the price Thais pay.
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Ian
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Discussion 40 : 17 Jul 2012 at 13.2340
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What I find entertaining is that many decent Thais are unaware of this double standards system. Last year my Thai bank manager had his knuckles rapped severely by head office. He had committed the terrible sin of giving me the same deposit interest rate as a Thai, rather than the much lower rate available to foreigners. So naturally I hold on deposit just enough to keep the visa people happy when I buy my permit to live in Amazing Thailand for another year.
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wangsuda
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Discussion 39 : 05 Jun 2012 at 04.3039
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#38: that is just not true. I am from Southern California. Disneyland has one price of admission and it is not based on skin color. Occasionally, Disneyland will run specials for people who live in the same zip code, or people who belong to a certain credit union, or people who belong to a certain union or other organization. But there is no sign that says "Thai tourists and foreigners pay more." In fact, the opposite is true. According to Disneyland's website (http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/) tourists can apply for discounts and special packages.
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donduck
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Discussion 38 : 04 Jun 2012 at 21.1538
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Do you really think that people in California pay the same as Thai tourists to get into Disneyland? Of course they don't. They get discounts, and Thai tourists pay a LOT more to get into Disneyland than local people. The difference is that Disneyland doesn't put up a big sign at the gate to rub it in and annoy Thais, who don't realise how much more they pay.
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fundeena
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Discussion 37 : 04 Jun 2012 at 20.5137
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Discussion 27 :In the UK and Eu Discrimination Law governs the right of individuals not be treated less favourably than others on grounds that include sex, race and disability.

Same.same Canada and the US. I avoid dual-priced government tourist traps and flat-fare taxis. Tuk-tuks, I just try to avoid altogether.
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englishbob
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Discussion 36 : 04 Jun 2012 at 19.2236
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The dual pricing for studying is due to the fact that foreign students need more facilities - visa help, accommodation, translation services, guidance etc.

Those saying 'It's just 100 baht' are missing the point of the article. Tourists are guests in the Kingdom. Treat them with respect and fairness and they'll come back and bring their friends.
I meet so many tourists through my work and almost without exception they have been scammed and dual-priced. That's a double whammy.
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Alien Asia
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Discussion 35 : 04 Jun 2012 at 19.1235
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On 29 May 11am, I board a taxi at Bangbon (opposite Max Valu). I instructed the taxi driver to Survarnabumi Airport. After Rama Bridge, the taxi exit the expressway and suddently stop.The driver open the engine comparment and pretend his car has problem. He then help me to stop a nearby taxi and ask me to get out ! I continue my journey to Airport safely with another Taxi. It costs me double.
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3rivers
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Discussion 34 : 04 Jun 2012 at 15.2134
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The Thai government does not bid on it's own currency, so on PPP the Thai Baht is extremely undervalued against the US dollar. Everyone might not understand or agree with why this is so, or that it doesn't matter in the short term but everyone does know something is fishy with the paper dollar and other advanced country currenecies, and export economies that don't bid on their own currency, such as the Thai Baht. So until currencies ajdust, such as when China fully opens its current accounts and (a big if) the Euro currency zone gets it's act together in one way or another.... it's more like 15 paper Bahts is worth one US dollar, not 31, and so prices are adjsuted likewise. It's the exchange rate that is messed up, not the two different prices for paying in two different originatin currencies. As for expats versus toursists, that it's not fair for the very few expats who earn local currency... life just ain't fair. No big deal. Really. let's get with it.
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calvin

Discussion 33 : 04 Jun 2012 at 14.5233
That's a well written article.
from iPhone application.
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dao
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Discussion 32 : 04 Jun 2012 at 13.1732
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Maybe putting a clear sign in front of businesses that like to over charge stating how much foreigners are being charged and how Thais are and let the public decide instead of trying to hide the fact using Thai numbers .
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