It’s time to scrap two-tiered pricing for foreigners in Thailand: TAT spokesman

[webfact]

It’s time to scrap two-tiered pricing for foreigners in Thailand: TAT spokesman

 

File photo

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is eager to scrap the controversial two-tiered pricing entry system that is in place at some national parks and tourist attractions in Thailand.

 

Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents Club on Wednesday, when asked by popular blogger Richard Barrow, Tanes Petsuwan, the Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications at TAT, said that “it does not make sense” to charge foreigners more than Thais. 

 

Mr Tanes said TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn had recently spoken to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the government department responsible for the national parks in Thailand, about the two-tier pricing issue.

 

 

Mr Tanes went on to say that while the country is waiting for the return of tourists it “is a very good time for Thailand to reform the tourism industry structure”.

 

“What we did wrong [in the past] we must make it right this time, he added.

 

The practice of two tier pricing in Thailand sees foreigners, even expats who live and pay tax in Thailand, forced to pay much more than Thais to enter places such as national parks, museums and historical sites. 

 

While some of the reduced entry fees for Thai nationals are the result of government subsidy, many two tier pricing policies are simply in place due to the idea that foreigners can afford to absorb the higher prices and therefore should pay more. 

 

Those against the practice say not only is it discriminatory against foreigners, it is also largely futile as many foreigners are put off by the fact they have to pay more and therefore the overall number of foreigners to visit attractions where two tier pricing is in place is greatly reduced. 

 

This means the attraction doesn’t actually earn any more money and also gives foreigners a negative impression of the tourism industry in Thailand overall. 

 

Two tier pricing isn’t exclusive to Thailand. 

 

From the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal to Machu Picchu in Peru, two tier pricing is also in effect at many of the world’s most famous tourist attractions. 

 

Best known for his excellent travel content and large social media presence, Richard Barrow also operates 2pricethailand.com, a website which highlights instances where two tier pricing is in place. 

 

[bristolgeoff]

This double pricing has gone one for years,somehow i think it never change.they talk about It but nothing happens

[sammieuk1]

Great news now where is that foreigner gone???? 

[sprq]

Hurrah! Hurry it up!

[djayz]

I don't believe my eyes!!! 

[ThailandRyan]

No way, say it isn't so. Two tiered pricing, never happens, OMG. I can not believe TAT brought this up.

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

Those against the practice say not only is it discriminatory against foreigners, it is also largely futile as many foreigners are put off by the fact they have to pay more and therefore the overall number of foreigners to visit attractions where two tier pricing is in place is greatly reduced. 

Really, so has anyone else thought it was Discriminatory.  Ok yes all Sarcasm on my part.

 

Never in my wildest dreams would I believe TAT to fire this off....

[Chelseafan]

At last!! Someone in authority who not only has indentified the problem but explained the pitfalls of dual pricing.

 

Tanse Petsuwa, you've bought a tear to my eye

 

[sevenhills]

It should never have been allowed to happen in the first place.

[taxout]

"From the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal to Machu Picchu in Peru, two-tier pricing is also in effect at many of the world’s most famous tourist attractions."

 

China scrapped two-tier pricing some 15-20 years ago.

 

[Captain Monday]

[Misterwhisper]

A Thai person admitting that mistakes have been made and that a system that has been in place for decades was basically counter-productive from the start?????

 

I am lost for words.

 

 

[anterian]

There is a hidden two tier pricing everywhere, it is called Farang price. Get work done on your house, computer, TV etc there is the Thai price and the Farang price. Same with shopping in street markets in tourist areas. 

[bkk6060]

8 minutes ago, anterian said:

There is a hidden two tier pricing everywhere, it is called Farang price. Get work done on your house, computer, TV etc there is the Thai price and the Farang price. Same with shopping in street markets in tourist areas. 

Thats why its a good idea to hook up with a Thai girl.  To take care of business for you.

[sweatalot]

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

 the attraction doesn’t actually earn any more money and also gives foreigners a negative impression of the tourism industry in Thailand overall

says it all

nice insight

 

I always walk away when there is a higher price for foreigners. Not because I cannot afford - but because it is obviously discriminatory and offensive

[Orton Rd]

'From the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal to Machu Picchu in Peru, two tier pricing is also in effect at many of the world’s most famous tourist attractions. '

 

Those attractions are hardly on a par with the dumps here charging up to 10x as much if you have a white skin to get into a rubbish strewn national park or a pathetic heritage park full of concrete replicas

Edited July 2, 2020 by Orton Rd

[sweatalot]

23 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

At last!! Someone in authority who not only has indentified the problem but explained the pitfalls of dual pricing.

 

Tanse Petsuwa, you've bought a tear to my eye

 

how much are your tears?

[CHdiver]

Breaking news: Tanes Petsuwan, former Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications at TAT has been moved temporarily to an inactive post. 

[Mavideol]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Tanes Petsuwan, the Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications at TAT, said that “it does not make sense” to charge foreigners more than Thais.

I am skeptical and will believe it when I see it....but, since it was not Anutin making the statement it may be a little more credible

[Matzzon]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Tanes Petsuwan, the Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications at TAT, said that “it does not make sense” to charge foreigners more than Thais.

That must be the smartest one of the group.

[drbeach]

50 minutes ago, taxout said:

"From the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal to Machu Picchu in Peru, two-tier pricing is also in effect at many of the world’s most famous tourist attractions."

 

China scrapped two-tier pricing some 15-20 years ago.

 

I understand that local residents are able to receive a discount, while Chinese from other parts of the country and foreigners, expat or visitors, pay the same higher rate. The local rate, which is sometimes free, is often unpublished.

 

Groups also receive discounts. This means if you arrive with a guide or if a minimum number of people arrive, each one pays less than if you visit in a smaller group or alone. Not sure how many people constitutes a group or whether a guide must organize things...I think it depends on the attraction.

 

I remember encountering this practice on at least two occasions: both times in Yunnan: Shangri-la: visited some spa with my Norwegian friend and his Chinese girlfriend. Our local friend and a driver also joined us. Myself, my Norwegian friend, the driver and girlfriend paid the same, while our local Shangrila native paid nothing.

 

At some temple in Mangshi, near the Myanmar border we had a driver who paid nothing to enter, while everyone else, foreign and Chinese alike, paid the same rate.

[thequietman]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is eager to scrap the controversial two-tiered pricing entry system that is in place at some national parks and tourist attractions in Thailand.

No, they're not!

 

[drbeach]

30 minutes ago, CHdiver said:

Breaking news: Tanes Petsuwan, former Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications at TAT has been moved temporarily to an inactive post. 

LOL. I like your sarcasm, but in all seriousness, Thailand can only shoot itself in the foot for so long, which is why I'm confident this time around some changes will be made, seeing that tourism is at a record low. There were more visitors to Thailand in the 1950s than there have been over the past few months and competition once tourism is allowed to recover, will be fierce.

[dwcrist]

I am all for two tiered pricing; 1 tier for tourists (either from out of country or out of province), and 1 tier for local residents, all regardless of race and nationality.

[drbeach]

7 hours ago, thequietman said:

No, they're not!

 

Maybe you don't believe them, but I've seen attitudes at the TAT shift over the past few months that I never thought possible: for one, the TAT now finally wants to see fewer, higher spending tourists (quality over quantity) which they would have never ever said before April.

 

Anything is possible...and I truly believe dual pricing will go the way of the dodo - the only question is how it will happen and when. Now would be a good time to make these changes...

[JensenZ]

Good morning! They finally woke up. 

 

IMO it's more about the signal it sends tourists and local expats than the cash difference. It leaves a bad taste in the mouths of foreign visitors for any one of a number of reasons.

 

I wouldn't be against local Thai residents living in the area of these attractions being offered a discount when they prove they are local, but Thais who travel from other areas in their shiny new cars for recreational purposes can afford to pay the full price.

 

 

[George Bowman]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

many two tier pricing policies are simply in place due to the idea that foreigners can afford to absorb the higher prices and therefore should pay more. 

Throughout the years, I have been one to complain and at times refused to visit such places. Unfortunately, such practices are not limited to Thailand. Even in my home country of America, not only is there two tier pricing but in some places the entrance fee is almost three times as high. Especially, in state run universities.

 

My daughter is wanting to transfer from a Thai university to an American one. Yes, I told her from the get go to head to the states for school, but I lost that debate. Anyway, this is where it gets expensive. Even though she is an American citizen, she has been away from the states for more than three years and as such is no longer is a resident of any state. Therefore, if she did not want live in the state and acquire residency, she (me) would have to pay out of state tuition which is often double the rate of students that are residents of the state.

 

If she enrolled as an international student using her Thai passport, then the fees are almost three times higher. Like I said, Thailand is not the only gang that takes advantage of outsiders...

 

[JonnyF]

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

If it does happen (unlikely) it will be temporary. Once things return to normal after C19, the classic combination of stupidity and hubris will also return and they'll revert back to 2 tiered pricing.

 

 

[CNXexpat]

They will discuss it for the next years in many government groups but nothing will change. Too much money to make.

[newcomer71]

This has been said the day after government need every foreigner to enter Thailand a 100k USD health coverage.

Too little, too late buddy.

[sahibji]

1 hour ago, bristolgeoff said:

This double pricing has gone one for years,somehow i think it never change.they talk about It but nothing happens

it is never too late to change for the better.