TAT mulls ‘expat card’ in bid to end dual pricing

 

File photo for reference only

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has touted a new card for expats that could be used to help stop the practice of dual pricing in Thailand.

 

Citing TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn, Daily News briefly reported on the proposal saying discussions will be held with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about issuing expats in Thailand with a card that they can present at tourist attractions in order to be charged the same entrance fee as Thai nationals. 

 

Cardholders would also be offered other incentives to travel domestically in Thailand. 

 

It is not known if the ‘expat card’ would be different to the so-called 'pink ID card' that is already available to expats in Thailand. 

 

According to the Daily News report, there are up to two million expats in Thailand, with many of them being regarded as “business people”, who are not a COVID-19 risk as they live in Thailand full time. 

 

Thaivisa understands that TAT has made ending the practice of dual pricing across the tourism industry in Thailand a top priority and is in discussions with various government departments, state agencies and private sector organisations regarding the matter.

 

Responding to a question by popular blogger Richard Barrow asked at the Foreign Correspondents Club in July, 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 dual pricing issue.

 

 

News of the ‘expat card’ proposal came at the end of a report on tourism in Thailand over the Songkran substitution holiday which gets underway today (4 Sept) until 7 September.

 

The long weekend will see Thailand “bustling” with people travelling all over the country, the report said.

 

Chiang Mai, and provinces not far from Bangkok such as  Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Chonburi, Rayong, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima are set to see the greatest influx of domestic tourists.

 

Source: Daily News

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-09-04

 

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Do I have to go to immigration in order to get one? Then, no thanks. 

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

TAT mulls ‘expat card’ in bid to end dual pricing

Just have one set entrance price for EVERYONE regardless of nationality, or residential status.

Job sorted !

Why on earth not just end dual pricing then there is zero need for an 'Expat Card'?

4 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Do I have to go to immigration in order to get one? Then, no thanks. 

And perhaps you have to renew it every 90 days... 

Same hassle to get this card as getting a pink ID card? No thank you, I rather waive visiting all those spectacular wonders of nature they call national parks.  

Another monumentous brain fart. You do not need a card. Just stop these ridiculous rip offs. One price for all. And if you are a local in need give them a discount or free service. That's all in place already.

1 minute ago, Shuya said:

Same hassle to get this card as getting a pink ID card? No thank you, I rather waive visiting all those spectacular wonders of nature they call national parks.  

I showed my Thai driving license and so far it worked to get a Thai price. But I always was with my Thai girlfriend and perhaps this helped in addition. 

Was told with thai driving licence get in thai price. So just need to tell the attractions.venues

24 minutes ago, webfact said:

end dual pricing

It's not the end of dual pricing. This move only proves that they want to keep it. 

but they can't make a card like this with ATM level security you can swipe at immigration for 90 day reporting?

insert card, pin number, push 90 day reporting button, receipt. done.  

 

and with a number you can use for the various times you need a Thai ID number like for utility apps and kiosks like True? 

Evert time i read the word "mull" i think of Paul McCartney song "mull of kintyre".. not sure why...

9 minutes ago, Oldie said:

I showed my Thai driving license and so far it worked to get a Thai price. But I always was with my Thai girlfriend and perhaps this helped in addition. 

That worked last time 5 years ago or so with a driver license.

21 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

but they can't make a card like this with ATM level security you can swipe at immigration for 90 day reporting?

insert card, pin number, push 90 day reporting button, receipt. done.  

 

and with a number you can use for the various times you need a Thai ID number like for utility apps and kiosks like True? 

Please stop being so sensible

28 minutes ago, yeahbutif said:

Was told with thai driving licence get in thai price. So just need to tell the attractions.venues

Really?, who told you that?  ????????

32 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

but they can't make a card like this with ATM level security you can swipe at immigration for 90 day reporting?

insert card, pin number, push 90 day reporting button, receipt. done.  

 

and with a number you can use for the various times you need a Thai ID number like for utility apps and kiosks like True? 

The cost of this would be an enormous loss of income for some IO's.Not to mention the agent industry which surrounds this process,many will lose their jobs and income,but then there have been predictions of enormous job losses around the world due to "smart technology" replacing the need for human interaction.Why let a human do what a machine can do faster and cheaper in fact why have humans at all?It will likely end up like "Terminator".

Why can't we just use the pink card? Took me 30 minutes to get mine and at no point did I speak.

 

Have never used it, as much use as a chocolate teapot.

How much would it cost to produce a card like this? why not just send a memo, one price cover all

12 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

The cost of this would be an enormous loss of income for some IO's.Not to mention the agent industry which surrounds this process,many will lose their jobs and income,but then there have been predictions of enormous job losses around the world due to "smart technology" replacing the need for human interaction.

This is true.

In 2003 the then governor of Bangkok had a brain wave and thought why don't we computerise all the traffic lights, so no need for half (or more) Police to man them.

 

Sadly this great idea didn't go down well with the Police and they computerised the traffic lights and kept the Police. Replacing those mafia types from losing their extra income is going to take some doing.

 

Just look at the 50 baht airport tax for taxis. another example that isn't really needed but someone would be losing a lot of money.

Bargain at 1,000,000 baht to purchase. 

Oh goodie, a discount for expats using tuk tuks. When pigs fly!

1 hour ago, Thaiwrath said:

Just have one set entrance price for EVERYONE regardless of nationality, or residential status.

Job sorted !

Is'nt it great how things are so easily sorted in Thailand! ????

20 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

How much would it cost to produce a card like this? why not just send a memo, one price cover all

Yes, and trust the vendors to comply! ????

25 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

This is true.

In 2003 the then governor of Bangkok had a brain wave and thought why don't we computerise all the traffic lights, so no need for half (or more) Police to man them.

 

Sadly this great idea didn't go down well with the Police and they computerised the traffic lights and kept the Police. Replacing those mafia types from losing their extra income is going to take some doing.

 

Just look at the 50 baht airport tax for taxis. another example that isn't really needed but someone would be losing a lot of money.

2003? That old story was around in the '80s when they used to switch traffic direction on Sukhumvit and Petchburi almost by the month.

1 hour ago, Shuya said:

Same hassle to get this card as getting a pink ID card? No thank you, I rather waive visiting all those spectacular wonders of nature they call national parks.  

In my case, getting your ID card was not a problem. It takes a few minutes to sit down, have your picture taken and your ID card issued on the spot (that is is Bangkok) and valid for 10 years when one is 60 and younger, life above 61 years old. 

You might refer to the hassles linked to the issuance of the Tabien Bahn (known as Yellow Book), which, nowadays takes a few months and is necessary to get an ID card.

20 minutes ago, Pottinger said:

2003? That old story was around in the '80s when they used to switch traffic direction on Sukhumvit and Petchburi almost by the month.

I wasn't around in the 80s but I was around when it happened in the 2000s. A certain ex policeman who was PM caved in.  Although I have not been to Bangkok this year due to the Pandemic, I am told that the situation is the same.

 

So what is your point? I am talking about technology that can do a persons job but it is overlooked for the loss of income (tea money).

Well, if they finally consider us expats on the books, then the next step might be easier to get the holy grail PR status. Please don't wake me up as I am enjoying my dream.

55 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

How much would it cost to produce a card like this? why not just send a memo, one price cover all

No we need a panel to set up a committee stop trying to make things simple and logical.Does not compute.

2 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Do I have to go to immigration in order to get one? Then, no thanks. 

Not at all. Only fly back to your home country and apply for one at the Thai Embassy. You'll only need COE, Fit to fly certificate, 100k$ COVID insurance, work permit, 800k in the bank, pass mark on Thai language exam, and flying score in singing national anthem. Piece of cake. Anyone can get one so easily.

1 hour ago, Seismic said:

1 hour ago, yeahbutif said:

Was told with thai driving licence get in thai price. So just need to tell the attractions.venues

 

1 hour ago, Seismic said:

Really?, who told you that?  ????????

I've used my Thai D/L at Ban Chiang at least 3 times and it works when I visit the national parks near Sakon Nakhon. I've never paid 'falang prices.