Dual pricing coming?

[GypsyT]

Saw this today;

 

"Pretty soon, Thailand is set to introduce 2 levels of pricing across the hospitality sector in a bid to revitalize its Covid-struck economy: one for tourists, and another for locals and residents. Yep, that’s right. In the future, you will be expected to pay more for accommodation when visiting Thailand… Only because you’re a tourist."

"What’s Behind The Government’s Decision?

When it comes to hospitality, the Tourism Ministry will ask hotels to implement a ‘dual-tariff structure’ policy, requiring foreigners to be charged rates that are similar, or sometimes even more expensive, than 2019 levels, in order to ‘support a faster recovery of the industry’. The news were confirmed by government spokeswoman Traisureee Taisaranakul."

 

Link;  https://www.traveloffpath.com/thailand-to-introduce-2-levels-of-pricing-one-for-tourists-and-one-for-locals/

 

I kind of understand it. Thais don't make much. In Isan it's even much less.

 

"Besides a weaker currency in general, the minimum wage in Thailand is roughly USD 194.84 per month, a negligible amount most solo travelers working remotely make in a day. Unless they come from more affluent backgrounds, or have saved enough Baht for a vacation, traveling can be extremely challenging for Thais in this crisis – even if it’s domestic travel."

 

 

[Mike Lister]

Plenty of countries in the West and even globally, add a charge or tax to tourist room rates, its very common practise.

[marin]

OP, you say you saw this today? How old is it though. Seeing this makes me think this is old news indeed.

 

"However, now that some of their most important markets (e.g. Russia and China) will probably remain closed indefinitely, seriously hurting businesses."

 

These markets have been open for months, and in fact both the Russians and Chinese have had the visa entry requirements reduced.

 

This was not an op-ed but a advertisement for something as you can see so many links to various businesses and services.  

 

I would not put any thought into this article. 

[Bunny Silverhand]

This is a joke anyway.

The day they try it, you just book through a VPN to trick the booking site into believing you're Thai and then you pay online in THB using a Wise card to avoid surcharge.

Done!

 

Alternatively, don't come to Thailand anymore. I'm in Vietnam right now and it's pretty cool !

Edited October 20, 2023 by Bunny Silverhand

[scottiejohn]

52 minutes ago, marin said:

How old is it though. Seeing this makes me think this is old news indeed.

The link says it was updated in July 2022!

[Will B Good]

So I get my Thai wife to book our hotels with her ID......and I get to stay at the lower price?

 

Sweet.

[sandyf]

55 minutes ago, Bunny Silverhand said:

Alternatively, don't come to Thailand anymore. I'm in Vietnam right now and it's pretty cool !

I  went in a bar in Vung Tau and they had 2 prices, locals and foreigners, guess what we had to pay.

[connda]

1 hour ago, Mike Lister said:

Plenty of countries in the West and even globally, add a charge or tax to tourist room rates, its very common practise.

Actually it will be an Ethnic Tax.  Non-Thais get taxed based on ethnicity. It will be a tax on any non-Thai. No country in the West would get away with that.  There would be a public and government uproar heard around the world.

[sandyf]

7 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

So I get my Thai wife to book our hotels with her ID......and I get to stay at the lower price?

 

Sweet.

We do that as a matter of course, very seldom do they look at my ID on check in.

[bkk6060]

Interesting there have been reports on here of folks booking hotels then when they try to pay, a higher rate is listed with added fees.  I wonder if this is what they are doing?

 

[sandyf]

12 minutes ago, connda said:

Actually it will be an Ethnic Tax.  Non-Thais get taxed based on ethnicity. It will be a tax on any non-Thai. No country in the West would get away with that.  There would be a public and government uproar heard around the world.

Please explain the difference between "Non-EU Citizens" and Non-Thai Citizens".

You are distorting the rhetoric in claiming all Thai nationals have the same ethnicity.

 

The European Union is going to introduce a €7 visitor visa fee in 2024. Non-EU citizens and travellers from outside the Schengen zone, including the British, will have to pay a €7 application to enter.

https://www.rossmartin.co.uk/sme-tax-news/7012-europe-introduces-tourist-tax

[Adumbration]

Not important news for this forum.  Most of the new fake members posting here are going to stay in a tent on the beach.

[ripstanley]

Deleted

Edited October 20, 2023 by ripstanley

[Celsius]

2 hours ago, GypsyT said:

 

one for tourists, and another for locals and residents.

 

Do I have to spell this for you guys?

 

Obviously. File your tax and then you can get the "resident" rates.

[NorthernRyland]

Thailand: "Discrimination now, discrimination tomorrow, discrimination forever!"

[Bunny Silverhand]

1 hour ago, sandyf said:

I  went in a bar in Vung Tau and they had 2 prices, locals and foreigners, guess what we had to pay.

I'm not to blame if you can't read reviews on Maps...

[Bunny Silverhand]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

Interesting there have been reports on here of folks booking hotels then when they try to pay, a higher rate is listed with added fees.  I wonder if this is what they are doing?

 

No this is just typical Agoda BS. They add "lol charges" just before people proceed with payment. So the initial price included taxes and then the real final price will also include some fat jokes like "cleaning/maintenance charges" etc...

 

Best way to compensate for this is to use grab and use a coupon from their offer page. You can get anything from 2 to 7% off depending on the money you're about to spend.

 

Also it helps to unlock a VIP status. That way you'll save a couple of bucks on your nights...

Edited October 20, 2023 by Bunny Silverhand

[Mike Lister]

2 hours ago, connda said:

Actually it will be an Ethnic Tax.  Non-Thais get taxed based on ethnicity. It will be a tax on any non-Thai. No country in the West would get away with that.  There would be a public and government uproar heard around the world.

Nonsense, there are many such taxes in place, just not described the way you did.

[Tom H]

I buy me a coffee.

[Crossy]

As others have noted, the link in the OP is dated July 2022.

[NorthernRyland]

9 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

Nonsense, there are many such taxes in place, just not described the way you did.

where else does this? It's so clearly discriminatory, insulting and no way to treat a guest. Tourists get same prices in national parks in the US and certainly never heard of any dual pricing anywhere let alone hotels. If some EU country did this it would be blatantly against the spirit of their union. 

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Interesting there have been reports on here of folks booking hotels then when they try to pay, a higher rate is listed with added fees.  I wonder if this is what they are doing?

 

The OP is 15-month old garbage.

[Liverpool Lou]

2 hours ago, Celsius said:

 

Do I have to spell this for you guys?

 

Obviously. File your tax and then you can get the "resident" rates.

Does it have to be spelled out for you?  This article is old nonsense.

[Liverpool Lou]

8 minutes ago, Crossy said:

As others have noted, the link in the OP is dated July 2022.

Doesn't that make it false and misleading (trolling) information, also?

[Crossy]

Since it's an old article and we don't even have the same government now I think we can close this.

 

If anyone has any useful (updated) information please feel free to PM myself or any online mod and we will consider re-opening.