Foreign man kicks up a storm over discriminatory bike rental policy in Phuket

[webfact]

The story does not include the motorcycle rental shop in this picture. | Photo by นายสองสามก้าว via The TripPacker

 

A foreign man brought to light a discriminatory practice at a foreign-owned motorcycle rental shop in Phuket. The shop refused to serve his Thai wife and other Thai customers, justifying their decision by alleging that Thais frequently engage in motorcycle theft, complain excessively, and are unable to meet the necessary deposit requirements.

 

The foreign man, using the account BlacksmithSolid2194, took to the social media platform Reddit on March 4 to share his wife’s experience at the Phuket motorcycle shop.

 

“Today my Thai wife and I went to a motorcycle rental shop in Phuket. They said Thais are not allowed to rent from them. A Thai employee went as far as to say that Thais steal motorcycles, complain too much, and are too poor to pay the deposit.

“What recourse do we have? I’ve messaged The Thaiger and the Bangkok Post in hopes of gaining coverage. I’d like to share this story with the local Thai community as well if anyone knows of any relevant Facebook groups.”

The foreigner added that he was afraid to reveal the name of the shop for fear of being sued for defamation.

 

The post attracted attention on Reddit, generating nearly 150 comments. Many users criticised the foreign man for exaggerating a non-story to create an online drama. They suggested that the man and his wife simply move to another store, as there are many in the area.

 

Foreigner prejudice

 

Some said it was not a big deal. They said it was much more outrageous when foreigners were charged double to enter any attraction in Thailand.

 

One netizen said the practice was normal in southern Thailand because the motorcycle rental shops were worried that locals would steal the bikes.

 

Others accused such operators of hiding something illegal or trying to cheat foreigners, as Thais have many ways to complain to the companies and may know the law.

Some of the Reddit users agreed with the foreign man that refusing customers due to their nationalities was considered discrimination and that foreign-owned businesses based in Thailand should not refuse to serve locals. They recounted their similar experiences in the comments.

 

“This isn’t the first time. Many Thai hotels and villas don’t allow Thais to stay, I experienced this in Lop Buri, to quote the old Thai lady ‘They are too loud and make a big mess everywhere. Many people complain about their noise’.”

 

“Once I drove around Bangkok looking for a place for my Indian friend. Several buildings refused to host Indians. I guess what goes around comes around?”

 

Thai discrimination

 

“When I was in Mae Sariang, a restaurant wouldn’t let us eat there because my friend’s girlfriend spoke in Thai. The atmosphere changed when we started speaking English. The Thai discrimination is crazy.”

 

“It’s quite common in my experience. It happens in Chiang Mai, Koh Tao, Koh Pha Ngan and Samui. The only place I have had a pleasant experience was Hua Hin.”

 

Some Thais said that it was not only the foreign-owned businesses that refused Thai customers but also those owned by locals.

 

Several Thai men asked netizens on one of Thailand’s most popular online forums, Pantip, why some massage parlours and entertainment venues in Bangkok refused to serve Thai customers. Many others asked why some hotels were turning away Thai guests.

 

One Thai woman, last year, condemned a hotel in the southern province of Krabi for discrimination, saying the hotel gave good service to foreign guests but neglected Thai visitors like her.

 

While some suggested that concerns about illegal sex services, illegal activities or theft prevention motivated these refusals, others believed that businesses targeted foreigners because of the higher potential earnings.

 

by Petch Petpailin 

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-06

 

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[Tropicalevo]

Much ado about nothing (with thanks to Bill).

[gomangosteen]

I do not accept Reddit as a credible, believable new source. 

 

Full of fabricated, exaggerated, attention -seeking posts.

 

I'm surprised Thaiger hasn't run the story of the 14 year old wanting to sue his school for discrimination as he was taller than their height chart.

 

Or yesterday the Canadian who admitted being DUI, riding his motorbike wrong side of the road, he crashed head-on and destroyed two motorbikes (his a rental), put two Thais in hospital - one with a broken arm and leg - he was seeking advice on fleeing the country as police had his passport. 

 

I hope he tries.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

Pot calling the Kettle black 🤣

 

Recently (high season) our local golf club increased their prices for 'foreigners' and withdrew the bonus lunch vouncher. It costs me 450 Baht more than the wife, and she gets a 150 Baht voucher.  The wife questioned them saying I was not a tourist and that I lived here (with her) - but TiT and we all just have to accept it (legal or not).  Although I do accept it, this is just one of the many reasons why I will not pay income taxes in Thailand.

[PJ71]

47 minutes ago, gomangosteen said:

I do not accept Reddit as a credible, believable new source

They must be gutted.

[NoDisplayName]

Foreign man kicks up a storm

 

 

I see what you did there.

[Mike Lister]

A post that contravenes forum rules has been removed. 

[Will B Good]

Never ceases to amaze me the reaction of white caucasian, highly entitled, arrogant westerns to the slightest hint of racism that might affect their live's.......yet they are more than happy to discount racism towards others as pure fabrication.

[cnx101]

So what up to them who they rent their motorcycles to, many years ago I was involved with renting out cars and motorcycles and the Thai owner wouldn’t rent them to Thais only certain ones because she had same problems with Thais stealing them not wanting to pay after returning them late.

[klauskunkel]

don't refuse to serve Thais, instead charge them 10x the rate for foreigners...

[brianthainess]

Is this a new thing leaving a deposit? I haven't rented one for years, but never had to pay a deposit. Photo copy of ID should be enough.

[BestB]

I wonder if he also needs his wife to hold his hand to go to 7-11

 

It is not a myth or discrimination, it is a fact, Thai will take the bike and sell off all genuine parts

Thai have no need to rent a bike when they can easily buy, in many cases with no deposit at all

 

Even some bike repair shops, use to go rent a bike, take it back to their garage, strip off all the good parts, replace it with copies or badly used and return it.

 

Everything gets stripped, even rims and rubber

 

It is not foreign owned places but ALL places, do not rent to Thai

[Chongalulu]

My local rental shop has a sign " No blacks,no dogs,no Irish ”. Owner says he bought it as a souvenir on a trip to England in the 50s....

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The foreigner added that he was afraid to reveal the name of the shop for fear of being sued for defamation.

 

So stay quiet better.

Edited March 6 by hotchilli

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“What recourse do we have?

Go to one of the other hundred or more rental shops an stop bitching.

[cdemundo]

2 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Pot calling the Kettle black 🤣

 

Recently (high season) our local golf club increased their prices for 'foreigners' and withdrew the bonus lunch vouncher. It costs me 450 Baht more than the wife, and she gets a 150 Baht voucher.  The wife questioned them saying I was not a tourist and that I lived here (with her) - but TiT and we all just have to accept it (legal or not).  Although I do accept it, this is just one of the many reasons why I will not pay income taxes in Thailand.

I can't hold back the tears.

The injustice... the unfairness.

So glad Groucho isn't alive to see this tragedy.

[johng]

If they are Thai foreign couple and the shop won't rent to a Thai then why didn't the foreigner rent it

or even better just go to another shop.

[ThaiFelix]

I knew a guy who had a restaurant in Bangkok in an area busy with farang expats and teachers.  He charged Thais more, double I think, saying it was a club and members get a discount.  Somehow Thais somehow never got accepted as members.

[Scouse123]

2 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

.  Although I do accept it, this is just one of the many reasons why I will not pay income taxes in Thailand.

 

What's your plan to avoid paying?

 

You have to be registered with a Thai tax ID to pay income tax and there is a degree of scaremongering going on at the moment.

 

According to a friend of mine who knows more than many, works for a Thai newspaper, and is a long-term resident, reckons for now, just ignore all the hype completely, and await solid announcements.

[Frankie baby]

Doesn't have to be racist or anything else. Their his bikes, his property, his business & his responsibility. His judgement should dictate who he hires to. I don't normally give tips, but Id pass on the Arabs as well.   

[TroubleandGrumpy]

19 minutes ago, cdemundo said:

I can't hold back the tears.

The injustice... the unfairness.

So glad Groucho isn't alive to see this tragedy.

Dont worry - you'll get over it - eventually.

Have another beer mate - that will help.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

1 minute ago, Scouse123 said:

What's your plan to avoid paying?

You have to be registered with a Thai tax ID to pay income tax and there is a degree of scaremongering going on at the moment.

According to a friend of mine who knows more than many, works for a Thai newspaper, and is a long-term resident, reckons for now, just ignore all the hype completely, and await solid announcements.

 

Yes indeed - announcements and clarifications are coming - but when is the key question.

Malaysia ended up delaying this change for a few years - too many worms in the can.

Hopefully Thailand will tell all before July - but given they gave 3 months notice of change - maybe in January 2025.

 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

1 hour ago, BestB said:

I wonder if he also needs his wife to hold his hand to go to 7-11

It is not a myth or discrimination, it is a fact, Thai will take the bike and sell off all genuine parts

Thai have no need to rent a bike when they can easily buy, in many cases with no deposit at all

Even some bike repair shops, use to go rent a bike, take it back to their garage, strip off all the good parts, replace it with copies or badly used and return it.

Everything gets stripped, even rims and rubber

It is not foreign owned places but ALL places, do not rent to Thai

Remember when Bangkok joined all the greenie idiots all over the world and put in those bike lanes, and then had those rental bikes and scooters you could just grab and use (after scanning a card). They all 'disappeared' - a few people were charged - but most just said they left it xyz - they quickly learned how to remove/deactivate the GPS device/s. 

[spidermike007]

Outrage is a contemporary form of heroism for Gen Z, the weakest generation in the history of mankind. These days being a victim is considered by many to be akin to being a hero. It is a sickness, it is a disease, and we choose whether or not we want to be victims. Play the victim card all you want, you won't get any sympathy from us.

 

A shop has a policy like this, you just laugh, and you walk away and you find another shop. It really is that simple. However, if you want to make your life complicated, if you want to make yourself miserable, if you want to pretend that you're a victim, then be an outraged netizen. The weakest and most pathetic of all people. 

[Thumbs]

If its ok for hospitals, restaurants, national parks then why cant a foreigner have a similar policy?

[Surasak]

1 hour ago, Chongalulu said:

My local rental shop has a sign " No blacks,no dogs,no Irish ”. Owner says he bought it as a souvenir on a trip to England in the 50s....

I can't help but wonder, if that was in Blackpool!?

[pacovl46]

How sad does your life have to be, if you think you have to start a public outcry campaign over not getting a rental scooter? 

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, BestB said:

Even some bike repair shops, use to go rent a bike, take it back to their garage, strip off all the good parts, replace it with copies or badly used and return it.

 

Everything gets stripped, even rims and rubber

Don't suppose you've got anything to back up that accusation, have you?  Urban myth doesn't count.

[Surasak]

43 minutes ago, Frankie baby said:

Doesn't have to be racist or anything else. Their his bikes, his property, his business & his responsibility. His judgement should dictate who he hires to. I don't normally give tips, but Id pass on the Arabs as well.   

I have to ask. To whom would you pass on the Arabs? 🤣

[richard_smith237]

Well... It is discrimination.... and just like dual charging is disagreeable and discrimination against foreigners, this is an example of discrimination against Thai's...   

 

The practice of any discrimination, whether its against foreigners or Thai's is wrong - and just because Thai's practice discrimination against foreigners in many business practices here in Thailand (even hospitals etc)... that does not make the reverse any less wrong or justifiable. 

 

 

IF the Thai couple meet all the requirements. 

- Provide ID 

- Provide the required Deposit

- Show a Motorcycle license

 

Then there is no reason for the shop not to rent to them.

 

 

If there is any damage to the bike, that comes out of the deposit, if there is further damage (or nefarious goings on) the shop can involve the police. Also, surely the shop has insurance for renting out their bikes, which includes theft... no ?