richard_smith237

There’s nothing wrong with making observations or holding opinions. Thailand, like every country, isn’t perfect. For most of us, the overall experience is a clear net positive – but that doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t discuss the negative aspects. Open discussion is healthy, especially when it's done in good faith. I’ve spent my entire adult life here, and I’m more than comfortable discussing all facets of life in Thailand – both the wonderful and the frustrating. What does get tiresome, however, is the attitude from some long-term expats who seem to believe that tenure alone gives them exclusive rights to pass judgement. As if anyone who hasn’t "put in the years" is somehow less entitled to voice an opinion. It’s a delusion of seniority that adds nothing constructive to the conversation.

Wrong, does not always work. Correct - it won't work in National Parks (i.e. Koh Samet) and it won't work in hospitals that have dual pricing policies.

In the end, it all comes down to the overall experience. I doubt many people would avoid Thailand solely because of dual pricing. But what can happen is a gradual erosion of goodwill - a sense that the country's attitude towards tourists is shifting in a less welcoming direction. Dual Pricing, though seemingly minor in isolation, contribute to that impression. They subtly shape the tone, encouraging other businesses to follow suit under the assumption that such behaviour is acceptable. So yes, on their own, instances of dual pricing may seem insignificant. But when they become part of a broader pattern - a series of little slights or signals - they risk becoming the final straw. It’s death by a thousand cuts. We’re seeing a similar situation unfold in Japan. Tourism policy is changing, and over the last decade, I’ve noticed a marked shift in how tourists are perceived. There’s a growing weariness among some locals. While over-tourism is a valid concern, it’s jarring to see a country promote itself as a tourist haven, only to implement official policies - including dual pricing - that suggest otherwise. I used to visit Japan every year, but I’m now in no hurry to return. That shift in attitude has had an effect.

Whats the betting that these 'cheap back-packers' have a higher weekly spend than this fool above....

Same here... While some forms of dual pricing may be difficult to completely eliminate and avoid, it’s usually easy enough to shrug it off and carry on without dwelling on it. That said, when the issue arises in public forums like this, it presents a worthwhile opportunity to voice a firm stance and draw attention to the inherent flaws in pricing policies based purely on nationality. No one appreciates being exploited. For many visitors, such practices leave a bitter aftertaste - and for some, it’s enough to deter them from returning. This is where I believe Thailand’s current state-sponsored dual pricing policy is fundamentally misguided. The country’s tourism economy leans heavily on repeat visitors. If anything, Thailand should be doing all it can to value and encourage their return - not alienate them. To do otherwise is poor business sense.

No... The sign is simply a poor illustration that women cannot go topless or naked, and males cannot go naked. Existing Beach wear - Shorts, Bikini etc remain perfectly acceptable... exactly as common sense would suggest.

Two people are caught sunbathing in the noddy and this triggers a crack-down ??? While I agree that the tourist should have been told in no uncertain terms to cover up correctly, the announcement of a crack-down seems an almost xenophobic over-reaction based on faux-outrage... ... there are far greater crime concerns than someones failure to dress appropriately.

You don't get the most thumbs down because your comments are different.... Different but intellectually astute comments on here are often yield a positive response... No... its not because your comments are different... you get the most 'thumbs down' because your comments are unhinged... and you are still blind to this.

Bloody whinging and whining foreigners, want to change Thailand. I like it the way it is, leave things alone. For God sake, it's a little bit of money So, by that logic, I assume you’d be fine with paying dual prices for a beer, a meal, hospital care, hotel stays, expressways, taxis, and so on? When the government endorses dual pricing, it sends a clear message to all Thai businesses: it’s open season on foreigners. That kind of message naturally leaves a sour taste. While the higher entry fees at national parks may seem trivial, they’re just the tip of the iceberg. Dual pricing in hospitals, for example, is not just unfair - it’s shameful. Its good to see that some senior figures in Thailand are starting to recognise the flaws in a pricing system based on nationality. It damages the country’s image and erodes trust. Taking steps to end dual pricing, and acknowledging that scams exist and should be addressed. This signals a more mature, forward-thinking attitude. For once, it’s refreshing to read an article that stands up for tourists and expats, instead of painting us as the problem.

A few years ago I could get the Thai Price on Samet (with my Pink ID card)... But no longer (the last couple of times I went)... When arriving on the 'normal / slow ferry'... we pay at the pier after alighting the boat and 'entering' - Koh Samet - the Park staff have been very clear... Foreigner price only.

https://www.timeout.com/london/news/londoners-can-get-50-percent-off-loads-of-the-citys-biggest-attractions-right-now-042924 took me less than a minute to find.. and probably less than the time it took you to type your “request” Thats not 'dual pricing'... Its resident discount: Thai's or any resident of London of any nationality can get the same discounts.... its not based on nationality alone.

..Because that won't spark a two-page debate about nationality - let alone the five or six pages we’ve seen in other threads. Forums like this are inherently Western-centric, and more precisely, tailored to an English-speaking audience; that is, people like us. Threads concerning an Iranian national simply don’t resonate in the same way or attract the same level of interest...

Whether French, Swiss, British etc... whenever there is a thread that announces the Nationality, then with a Name such as Alsawari, Farhadi, Al-Shammari.. etc... there's this on going debate about nationality... Its so obvious, its so clear I'm at a loss as to how some can be so deliberately obtuse. Nationality is clearly dictated by Passport - thats it, its a legal definition. People can have dual nationality, so someone can very easily Australian AND Iranain. Its also very clear that those with such names have Middle Eastern or North African origins. Its also very clear that there a clear pattern is emerging: - Arabs and North Africans - come to Thailand and ride in reckless manner showing off to their mates. - Westerners Passport holders Middle Easter and North African origins, also come to Thailand and ride in reckless manner showing off to their mates.

All valid comments and complaints: When renewing both my son's and my own passports last year, I encountered several minor yet frustrating issues. Firstly, in regard to your comment: “They rejected proof of address as it was in your name and not your daughter's.” For my son (under 16), proof of address in my name has always been acceptable. Perhaps the issue arose because your daughter is 16, in which case, proof of address might need to be in her name? - What did you end up using ? Regarding payment: I raised concerns about the practice of writing down our card details on paper, including the security code, as I believe this poses a security risk. A more secure method should be implemented. Despite my complaint, I had no choice but to comply. However, a few weeks later, I received an email stating that the payment was rejected (UK card), and I was subsequently directed to an online payment portal. This prompts the question: Why was this secure payment portal not utilised from the outset? Finally, my passport photo was also rejected, necessitating the mailing of another photo to the UK.

You’re like an arsonist complaining about the smoke. You claim to be outraged when others show unprovoked hostility towards me, yet you jumped into a conversation that had nothing to do with you, radiating hostility from the start. This isn’t new behaviour from you. You throw the first punch, then act scandalised when someone calls you out. If you can’t handle the echo, don’t shout into the void. If you're going to come at forum members with your usual hostility - often being the one to light the fuse, the don't play innocent victim after throwing the first punch, it doesn't quite sell. And that’s fine - engage as you like - but what’s telling is your complete lack of balance. Just like a couple of the usual suspects (and the forum knows exactly who), your contributions appear only when the target is a foreigner, never a Thai. The anti-foreigner bias isn’t just obvious, it’s borderline unhinged. You’ve seriously over-egged it. Most of us here have families and manage not to spiral into outrage over the trivial. You post as though the mere sight of a naked man and woman is going to leave children emotionally scarred for life. This kind of theatrical moral panic doesn’t make you look principled - just wildly out of touch and a bit desperate to score points that no one’s awarding.

Because the *other media sources scour social media for news to repost... Even though this story occurred last year, it was posted by the Twitter (X) account Red Skull on April 28... [*never AN News whose dedicated news team puts in the effort to deliver quality content from various recognised and reputable news sources*]

There exists an exceptionally small minority whose genetics and biological reality place them genuinely between the traditional sexes - and they deserve understanding, compassion, and respectful treatment. But, let’s be honest: the loud, performative trans activists dominating the conversation seem entirely detached from these rare, legitimate cases.... If anything, they undermine genuine issues and do more harm than good to the cause they claim to represent.

No, it hasn’t. Hardly anyone would’ve noticed if the media hadn’t jumped on the self-manufactured outrage - triggering outrage at the outrage. It’s mostly a handful of sad, bitter boomers on forums like this, frothing over anything vaguely foreign, desperate to feel offended because they’ve nothing left but their small-minded bigotry.

When all these law abiding foreign citizens arrive in Thailand and see so many Thai's breaking the law - is it not then that they learn they can do whatever they want without fear or reproach just like so many others around them ? ... The lawless behavior of many Thai's surely contributes to the 'happy go lucky' attitudes of 'some' foreigners who come here and then develop disregard for the law... no ?

Drunk drivers should be facing far more serious charges... and those who end up killing someone should be facing far more than a potential sentence of 'up to' 5 years... We still have forum members who brag about this behavior... Abhorrent scum.

Were the 'tourists' wearing the watches ?? Or, were the watches boxed up, with stickers remaining on them, indicating that the Tourists wanted to sell them here ? There's more to this story than we are seeing, a few missing key points I'm sure...

Nonsense! Learn to read. Better still, have a look at what biology is all about. Nobody cares about 'gays' They are what they are - why drag them into it? [why drag them (gays] into it?]... The answer lies in the depths of woke absurdity and a staggering lack of critical thinking... Trans men are not women – they never will be. Biological sex is a reality that cannot be altered by belief or identity. Gender identity is one thing, but biological facts remain constant, no matter the narrative. The vast majority of society doesn’t have an issue with trans men – the problem arises when their beliefs are forced onto others. When trans men demand access to women’s and girls restrooms, or push to compete in women’s sports, it becomes a point of contention. These demands clash with the concerns of a clear majority who see this as an unfair and unnecessary disruption to established norms. Yet, for an extremely vocal minority, there’s a strange sense of entitlement that fuels these actions, and the "woke" ideology provides fertile ground for such misguided beliefs to grow. In this environment, civility and respect have been misinterpreted as weakness. The "give an inch, take a mile" mentality prevails, where even the smallest concession is viewed as an invitation for further demands. It’s a dangerous path that threatens the very principles of fairness and mutual respect. I'm so frequently surprised how much oxygen this rubbish gets.

Telling a medical professional she is a rude ignorant bxxch and can stick results up her axxe... Classy !!! Someone has major anger issues if they have to react like that.

The same complaints have existed on this forum since at least the early 2000's... There are posters who have complained that their entry was rejected after doing numerous border bounces and encountering an immigration officer who decided to enforce regulations.... ... Back then, there were fewer immigration officers who'd enforce the rules and things were more slack, but there were still regular complaints because so many more people were taking a chance. These days there is more 'consistency' in application of the regulations so people have a better understanding of 'exactly where they stand'... ... Still, such issues are only encountered by those attempting to circumnavigate the system - give our take the odd episode of silliness forced by an individual officer wanting photos a certain way etc... which has also, always been an issue.

I wonder whether this has anything to do with the Earthquake which was amplified in Bangkok.... Bangkok's elevated expressways and tollways handled this well - The Rama II elevated expressway under-construction handled this well - as soon as the quake hit, I expected news from this project. I wonder if there was some damage which went un-inspected and given a few weeks weakened further with tragic consequences. In other nations - vehicles would not be permitted to travel under an elevated road under construction, but at the same time, such construction would cause widespread delays and traffic mayhem. Another facet of this through, is how many have already died - its seems there are failings at so many levels of supervision and also inspection (or lack thereof).