Although it isn't entirely clear from the use of English on Narai Hotel's booking website, when the room says "** THAI RESIDENCE!! **", I'm guessing that this is a rate for Thais, is that true?  I have to say, I really dislike this kind of thing.  I feel that the setting of Thai and foreign prices by businesses and other institutions, sets a precedent that discrimination is acceptable and furthermore that ordinary Thais are more likely to follow it as a result.

 

I don't know why the sentence contains exclamation marks - it could mean they are saying it is a residence in Thailand, no?  What exactly does Narai Hotel mean by the comment?

 

This is common on the booking sites now.  I just select the local rate anyway and nobody has mentioned it to me yet when I've checked in.  If they did I'd ask for a refund rather than pay more, if that was refused I'd go to Agoda or whoever I booked with for the refund.  Either way they'd be getting a 1-star review.

Not sure what your dates are but it might be a temporary thing for the cremation in which case I'd give them the benefit of the doubt and just book elsewhere.

It has been common to charge a reduced rate of those who are resident in Thailand during off-season.  I recall paying lower rate more than 40 years ago at large chain hotel in Pattaya (and they checked that you did indeed live here - but expect that may vary).  Believe this allowed them to charge a lower price without violating there agreement with booking sites for normal low rates. 

I've used these "Thai resident" prices a few times. I always show my Thai driving licence rather than my passport when checking in and have never had any issues with getting the resident price.

I think the people it bothers should trade elsewhere.

 

Giving the hotel a bad rating after booking a room under (assuming) false pretenses seems unfair.

 

That said, resident means resident, it does not mean Thai.

 

Personally, I think it’s just a marketing device.