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

[sahibji]

This will b a step in the right direction as it leaves a sour taste in the mouth having to pay so much higher prices for the same facility.

[GordonP]

Although packaged differently it occurs in the UK where locals can obtain a membership or the purchase of one admission allows multiple reentry during the year. 

[hanssna]

I don't see this happening so easily. Places like Similan islands, Mu Koh Phi phi etc. are huge milking cows. Don't believe they will reduce the Marine park fees. And for many other 'attractions' I see the same. And don't think they'll raise it for Thais ????

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

The bad news is they will replace it with 3 tiered pricing!!!

[Destiny1990]

Finally no more negotiating at hospitals or ?

[DavisH]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

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

Went on ym honeymoon some 20 years ago with my Thai wife. Had my mother in tow as she come over for the wedding. Went to a tourist area and the vendor thought my wife was a tour guide. The vendor wondered why my wife was haggling the price down for these tourists lol. Wife was a bit <deleted>...more about being called a tour guide more than anything else lol (she just got her PhD from Australia). Suffice to say, we didn't buy from her.

 

I'm not too fussed with the quality of Thai national parks, and have only once or twice paid to enter them. 

 

[Longchop]

TAT accepts that their favourite tourists the chinese and indians will NEVER pay ×10 so time for change

[Mr Meeseeks]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

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

Learning the language, culture and business etiquette is a far better idea.

 

More effort and too difficult for most, but the rewards are worth it IMO. 

[hansnl]

1 hour 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

 

Does that also include the double/triple pricing for foreigners in Government Hospitals, even those living longtime in Thailand and paying taxes in Thailand.

Maybe they also should do some heavy thinking how the rather worthless insurance offered for foreigners does "benefit" state hospitals?

[manta]

Never gonna happen ????????????

[GAZZPA]

Have to say never thought I would see the Thai authorities admit such a thing yet alone suggest reforming what is a nonsense policy. So many expats in Thailand have actually defended this practice, well I hope they see now that it is a stupid practice and a frequent complaint for many more sensible foreigners. I leaves a very bad impression for the foreigners and just annoys people as being unfair.

 

I don't know abut other tourist attractions in the world and other dual pricing policies but it doesn't really matter, they are all wrong in my opinion. 

 

It's a policy that simply milks the tourist or expat, nothing more. 

 

Now just get rid of the poor service, scams and corrupt cops and Thailand could turn a corner.????

[Filipplenoir]

I could understand the logic of dual prices because thais pay taxes here. But when I work in Thailand. Get paid not the highest amount. Pay tax and have to chip in 450 b to visit a forest... This is racist.... And no. Workpermit is not a valid document for a discount (stop telling me about your gf negotiation skills) 

[american2]

I would hope it was time to scrap more than just two tiered pricing.  A type O visa requires at least 800,000 Baht in a Thai Bank sixty days before visa renewal.  Meaning you must have more income to cover expenses in the sixty days leading to visa renewal.  A type O A is 400,000 Baht.  A Government employee with multi years experience and training is only earning in the neighborhood of 360,000 Baht.

Additionally a Type O visa holder is required to have insurance  which is approved (and has been invested in by the Thai Soveriegn Wealth Fund).  The cost varies by coverage and age but let us approximate the cost being 60-70,000 Baht.  The Insurance must be paid and certified prior to visa renewal.  My estimation is one must have (for a Type O Visa) 1,000,000 Baht.  I don't fault the need for Inurance.  Type O A visa holders who are not required to have Insurance are  gambling if living here uninsured.  Personally I do not frequent places with the dual pricing as it is not a payment I am willing to make.

[BritManToo]

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

Until Prayut, I always got Thai price by showing my Thai D/L.

Since Prayut stopped that, I've never paid another entrance fee.

[BritManToo]

4 minutes ago, Filipplenoir said:

I could understand the logic of dual prices because thais pay taxes here.

Only 20% of Thais have ever paid income tax.

We all pay VAT and import tax.

[LawrenceN]

1 hour ago, sweatalot said:

how much are your tears?

Depends. Are you Thai or farang?

 

BTW, farang is a racial designation meaning European-looking person. I have seen Thai people smirking about sneaking their Filipino friends in for the Thai price. The ticket-seller never asked to see Thai ID cards because the guests looked Thai, at which point it's a racial policy, not based on citizenship. Put the village idiot with a 3rd-grade education in that ticket booth, then ask for consistent enforcement of a policy. 

 

And I love ???? the sign with the prices in Thai and English, as if we can't possibly be smart enough to sort that out. Not to mention those of us who can actually read Thai. 

 

Hey, TAT. Don't miss Sankampaeng Hot Springs while you're bringing the price-gougers to heel. 

[johnray]

It makes sense.  People don't leave tips so you have to force them.

 

Foreigners should pay more.

[Grusa]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

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

But...but....but........     Mrs G (farang) won't let me!

[Fairynuff]

Less words more ****** action! 

[bbbbooboo]

Hmmm.... might be too late, the foreigner( a.k.a “alien”) has goned ?

[DrTuner]

That time was decades ago. Now it's too late, we'll remember and tell others to avoid.

[kingdong]

one easy way to stop it is for all farangs to boycott such places,its blatant racism.

[DrTuner]

2 hours ago, Misterwhisper said:

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.

All it took was a worldwide pandemic. Easier than I thought.

[off road pat]

2 hours ago, bristolgeoff said:

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

Me thinks, that you understand Thai mentality too well.....

A whole lot of talk and they completely change there mind every 2 days and nothing happens,...

[Misterwhisper]

2 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

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

I am not really sure whether that's necessarily a sensible idea. It could easily backfire big time... when she fleeces you in a month for a multiple of what you would've been paying in "farang" prices over the course of 10 years.  

Edited July 2, 2020 by Misterwhisper

[Fairynuff]

Double pricing and ripping off tourists goes on the world over, we all know that, but when it’s sanctioned AND operated by the government it enters a new league. 
It is racist or for the pedantic amongst us it’s discriminatory. Of course we also have those who tell us we’re all rich and they’re all poor, or it’s only a few hundred baht,  or that foreigners don’t pay tax..... and so it goes on

[Hayduke]

2 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

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

 

Not always. Sometimes you pay more...because she adds her own commission into the deal.

 

 

Edited July 2, 2020 by Hayduke

[Guderian]

 

That sign's a bit lax, they normally write the price in Thai script too to make sure foreigners can't grok what's going on.

 

 

 

 

[JCP108]

2 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

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

Wish it were more hidden. Went a couple of days ago to the morning market. Handed a vegetable dealer a half kilo of some greens. Sign for them said 15 Baht/kilo and he asked me for 30 Baht. Um, no. 

[drbeach]

1 hour ago, missoura said:

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...

 

That is correct - but she could just declare herself as a resident of some state and receive the "in-state" tuition fee. It's not like they would ask for proof right? And even if they do, tell her to immediately get a driver's license or proof of age card and THEN enroll. IF proof of residency is required, they only look at a driver's license.

 

I think what America is doing is a bit too PC for my liking. In Australia you have local and international rates for school tuition, rather than treating Americans from a different state the same as a foreigner.

 

If you're an Australian citizen, you automatically pay the lower fee, even if you are just coming back to take up residence after living abroad. You're an Australian after all, and should be treated as such. New Zealanders are also treated as locals and can get the local price BUT are not eligible for a loan or upfront payment discount. Permanent residents are classified in a similar vein to Australians - local price but no discount. All other foreigners pay about 4 times more.

Edited July 2, 2020 by drbeach