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[webfact]

Don't rip off tourists - be good hosts! - Pattaya tourism leader implores Thais

 

 

A Pattaya business and tourism leader has implored his compatriots not to rip off visitors. 

 

And he has reminded Thais to be good hosts if they want to see tourism improve. 

 

Ekkasit Ngampichet was speaking to Pattaya News about plans for the year ahead.

 

But amid the figures and projections it was his stark message to operators and locals in Pattaya that stood out:

 

The president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association said: "Be good hosts and don't take advantage of visitors". 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-01-15

[ezzra]

Yeah right.. like this is going to help.. a voice in wilderness it is.. it is an inherited traits in humans to cheat and gauge others regardless of race or religions, some more that others, and Thailand has got a gig share of this going around...

Edited January 15, 2019 by ezzra

[Justgrazing]

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

Be good hosts and don't take advantage of visitors". 

" but we can ('t) help ourselves " came the resounding reply .. 

[robblok]

19 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Yeah right.. like this is going to help.. a voice in wilderness it is.. it is an inherited traits in humans to cheat and gauge others regardless of race or religions, some more that others, and Thailand has got a gig share of this going around...

Yes but at least it has been said the guy names the problem so instead of burning him down applaud him for what he is saying. Some people have to be negative about Thais all the time.

[balo]

Good hosts indeed.

"It's high season so all prices are now increased."  

[seahorse]

Good luck with that. 

[jacko45k]

Tell it to the cat!

[grumbleweed]

How dare he cast aspersions on the good people of Pattaya?

He shouldn't tar all of them with the same brush when we know it's only the ones with naturally black hair that we have to be wary of

[mok199]

last week ''don't use plastics or foam ''this week ''don't rip off tourists'' next week ''don't forget to brush after meals''....children !

[hansnl]

3 hours ago, ezzra said:

Yeah right.. like this is going to help.. a voice in wilderness it is.. it is an inherited traits in humans to cheat and gauge others regardless of race or religions, some more that others, and Thailand has got a gig share of this going around...

It reminds me of a speech made by a former governor of Khon Kaen.

We need western tourists and most of all western expats in this province, they bring money, knowledge and jobs.

For every expat two Thai people have a job!

[baansgr]

Maybe have some regulation about issanians getting their tirak to build multi million baht homes in the jungle would be a good step in the right direction

[holy cow cm]

It does seem to be a bit out of control down in the Pattaya jungle. But then again when in a real jungle it dangerous too and only some get bit.

[Lemonltr]

4 hours ago, robblok said:

Yes but at least it has been said the guy names the problem so instead of burning him down applaud him for what he is saying. Some people have to be negative about Thais all the time.

The applause will start when they DO something. We are always hearing words only and we're now cynical. 

[Benmart]

4 hours ago, robblok said:

Yes but at least it has been said the guy names the problem so instead of burning him down applaud him for what he is saying. Some people have to be negative about Thais all the time.

There are plenty of negatives and positives to go around. Start by trying to get a Pattaya taxi to use a meter. Lots of positivity there. Same for baht buses hired as private taxis. Three hundred baht with buy all the overcharged honesty one could hope for. Yes, the man deserves to be applauded. Sadly his voice is a single one, lost in a sea of greedy sharks.

[NoshowJones]

6 hours ago, balo said:

Good hosts indeed.

"It's high season so all prices are now increased."  

Yes, look at some of the hotels and guesthouses, some have even put their prices up on 1st October instead of 1st November for the beginning of the high season.

[AlexCanada]

Has this guy personally spoken to the taxi drivers and baht bus 'taxi' drivers?  200 baht minimum to anywhere now in a taxi.   Such an easy group to control with some pricing laws yet nothing is ever done about it.  

 

Yes I know the taxi drivers argue they can not be as cheap as Bangkok because there aren't as many customers.  Maybe there aren't as many customers because the taxi prices are WAY TOO HIGH in Pattaya.  I know I would take taxis daily if pricing were at Bangkok levels but now I take taxis once per month only if I have to get to a place not easily accessible by baht bus or walking.

Edited January 15, 2019 by AlexCanada

[DukSiam1]

Mark down this guy's name and see if he has a government job is 1 month.

[chama]

He's right, the word is getting out and the tourist are looking for other areas to is it but the rip off is just too deeply ingrained into the culture and it is unlikely to change. For the few brave ones that try they may see growth of their business at the expense of their competition.

[atyclb]

49 minutes ago, chama said:

He's right, the word is getting out and the tourist are looking for other areas to is it but the rip off is just too deeply ingrained into the culture and it is unlikely to change. For the few brave ones that try they may see growth of their business at the expense of their competition.

 

cheating and scamming in society is akin to the bios hardwired into a computer motherboard

[KittenKong]

2 hours ago, AlexCanada said:

Has this guy personally spoken to the taxi drivers and baht bus 'taxi' drivers?  200 baht minimum to anywhere now in a taxi. 

I thought the starting price on Grab was cheaper than that.

[foxboy]

Actually, all obvious negative comments aside.. the reason I like Pattaya so much is because you don't (generally) get ripped off. Especially when I compare it to my experiences in neighbouring Vietnam and Cambodia. I find most Thais pretty fair. Yes there are obvious 'scams' but you'd have to be wet behind the ears to fall for them.. and if you do, more fool you

[MyFriend You]

Yes, it has been said, but what this young man doesn't know is that the term "Rip Off" is not in the Thai Language  and "Taking Advantage" of Foreigners is a national sport in Thailand, as it is in every other tourist location in the world.  The service providers goal is, and should be, to separate a tourist from his/her money with due diligence.  Plain and Simple.

[MyFriend You]

22 minutes ago, foxboy said:

Actually, all obvious negative comments aside.. the reason I like Pattaya so much is because you don't (generally) get ripped off. Especially when I compare it to my experiences in neighbouring Vietnam and Cambodia. I find most Thais pretty fair. Yes there are obvious 'scams' but you'd have to be wet behind the ears to fall for them.. and if you do, more fool you

Thank You, 'cept I never get ripped off in Vietnam, I spend a lot of time there..........Cambodia??  Oh Yes.   Thai's just try to get as much for their product as you are willing to pay - today, I wanted to buy some boxing gloves for my kids..........first word out of her mouth was 500 baht each, I laughed and told her in Thai I saw them in Central for 200 baht, she insisted 500 baht.  so I went back to the stall outside Central Festioval and bought 2 pair @200 baht each and walked back and showed her  -  not to be thwarted, she immediately said "Mine are better"  500 baht...............so she lost 400 baht, trying to get 1000 baht.  they just don't think..........now I am sure there are dozens of tourists that might have paid 500 baht & more each but not me.

[AlexCanada]

1 hour ago, KittenKong said:

I thought the starting price on Grab was cheaper than that.

160 is the lowest I found for Grab.  160 baht to go 210 metres from Avenue Mall to Kiss Food.  (Yes I know no one would ever take a taxi between these 2 locations but I chose 2 locations many of us are familiar with in Central Pattaya so we get an idea on how ridiculous the prices are, even with Grab).  I use Grab in many other cities in Asia, just not Pattaya.

 

Isn't there still the possibility of getting into fights with motorbike riders and other taxi drivers by using Grab car? 

Edited January 15, 2019 by AlexCanada

[KittenKong]

4 minutes ago, AlexCanada said:

Isn't there still the possibility of getting into fights with motorbike riders and other taxi drivers by using Grab car? 

I dont know. I have a car and I never take taxis here. Sometimes going to the airport I will take a pre-booked "taxi" from the likes of Mr T, and that's a fixed 1100B for 100+km. Anyone who expects me to pay 160B to go anywhere in Pattaya is dreaming.

[AlexCanada]

6 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

. Anyone who expects me to pay 160B to go anywhere in Pattaya is dreaming.

That's exactly my point in regard to this thread.  Tourists who don't own a car or motorbike in Pattaya are being scammed by taxi drivers along with baht bus drivers who sit at the designated 'Bus Stop' areas and are not willing to take 10 baht per ride.  These baht baht drivers rather ask for amounts in line with what a taxi would ask.

Edited January 15, 2019 by AlexCanada

[marcusarelus]

31 minutes ago, TunnelRat69 said:

Yes, it has been said, but what this young man doesn't know is that the term "Rip Off" is not in the Thai Language  and "Taking Advantage" of Foreigners is a national sport in Thailand, as it is in every other tourist location in the world.  The service providers goal is, and should be, to separate a tourist from his/her money with due diligence.  Plain and Simple.

20 years never happens to me.  Wonder why?  I'm a vet ex Vietnam/Thailand.  I get good service everywhere I go.  Even Lazada gave me 200 baht plus refund for an order being messed up and told me to keep the item and credited my account in 2 hours.  I've had the same doctor for 5 years same driver for 7.  Motorcycle taxi drivers stop me and ask if I want a ride or I'm exercising. 

[KittenKong]

1 minute ago, AlexCanada said:

That's exactly my point in regard to this thread.  Tourists who don't own a car or motorbike in Pattaya are being scammed by taxi drivers along with baht bus driver who sit at the 'Bus Stop' not willing to take 10 baht rather ask for amounts in line with what a taxi would ask.

I agree. Many farangs here dont have the faintest idea what money is worth and overpay for just about everything. That includes many who live here.

[sammieuk1]

There is no scamming in Pattaya also no prostitution and no beach just a world class resort ????

[foxboy]

1 hour ago, TunnelRat69 said:

Thank You, 'cept I never get ripped off in Vietnam, I spend a lot of time there..........Cambodia??  Oh Yes.   Thai's just try to get as much for their product as you are willing to pay - today, I wanted to buy some boxing gloves for my kids..........first word out of her mouth was 500 baht each, I laughed and told her in Thai I saw them in Central for 200 baht, she insisted 500 baht.  so I went back to the stall outside Central Festioval and bought 2 pair @200 baht each and walked back and showed her  -  not to be thwarted, she immediately said "Mine are better"  500 baht...............so she lost 400 baht, trying to get 1000 baht.  they just don't think..........now I am sure there are dozens of tourists that might have paid 500 baht & more each but not me.

Yes, you're are quite right... they may ask for 'rip off prices', on the assumption that some will pay it, but I don't blame them for that, I just give my business to someone else. If like you, you're smart enough to know the right price then you just shop elsewhere. I do like the saving face comment though... "mine are better", even though they're probably exactly the same ????