Just had 3 nights in Sukhumvit having met my son and his family at the airport . In the evenings my son and I went for some beers . First bar the beer ( small Chang ) was 129 baht a bottle so when I asked for the bill and expecting 258 baht , no it was 303 baht . Why I asked .  The reply was vat plus a service charge . Next bar was 140 baht for same beer . The cheapest was 89 baht during their happy hour then up to 130 baht . Considering that a small Chang can be bought for about 35 baht a bottle when in a case , the price charged is extortionate . Now I understand why so many guys were buying beer from 7--11 .

8 minutes ago, superal said:

Just had 3 nights in Sukhumvit having met my son and his family at the airport . In the evenings my son and I went for some beers . First bar the beer ( small Chang ) was 129 baht a bottle so when I asked for the bill and expecting 258 baht , no it was 303 baht . Why I asked .  The reply was vat plus a service charge . Next bar was 140 baht for same beer . The cheapest was 89 baht during their happy hour then up to 130 baht . Considering that a small Chang can be bought for about 35 baht a bottle when in a case , the price charged is extortionate . Now I understand why so many guys were buying beer from 7--11 .

Oh dear! I don´t know what planet you have been living on. I come from Sweden, and it´s basically the same thing. I can buy a beer from the specific shop for 15 krona. If I go out drink, the same will cost me 65-75 krona or more. That is called going out instead of sitting in home or in a street corner. I actually thought most people had that knowledge already. If you don´t wish to pay, what you say is "extortionate" prices, then I have a good suggestion for you. Buy a box of beer and sit home and play canasta with you son listening to old AC/DC on you tube. 🤣

That's why i don't bother with Bangkok anymore just much more expensive than Pattaya

19 minutes ago, superal said:

Just had 3 nights in Sukhumvit having met my son and his family at the airport . In the evenings my son and I went for some beers . First bar the beer ( small Chang ) was 129 baht a bottle so when I asked for the bill and expecting 258 baht , no it was 303 baht . Why I asked .  The reply was vat plus a service charge . Next bar was 140 baht for same beer . The cheapest was 89 baht during their happy hour then up to 130 baht . Considering that a small Chang can be bought for about 35 baht a bottle when in a case , the price charged is extortionate . Now I understand why so many guys were buying beer from 7--11 .

 

A lot of these 'extortionate' bars cater for short term, one/two week visitors and they accept inflated prices as 'the price you pay'.

 

We tend to go out early doors during happy hour, never over 80B for a beer, plus you can be back indoors before the loons start to kick off.

The rent is often (very) expensive.

Some bars only make money in the high season and best case they break even in the low season, now.

 

I also like to pay less. But I understand that this is what they have to charge, like anybody else, to stay in business.

 

Prices do tend to vary significantly.

 

Pattaya still has a lot of bars selling at 49 baht and staff drinks around 100 baht, reasonable competition for sunshine drinkers seems to keep prices down. Lots of pluses to this where they will often more readily buy staff a drink, tip more or even ring the bell as the deal is good and a lot of the bars tend to gain regulars.

 

Bangkok used to have this in places in this model but its shifted a lot, even some of the street bars outside of 7/11 can ask for 100 baht a beer or more for a staff drink.

 

Still deals to be had though, happy hours, pound a pint, 99 baht on a friday for a pint in places, if only we went home after those places rather than popping into a couple more bars and wondering what happened to the cheap night we were having.

 

Also noticed this in more remote bars, they used to be busy most nights but prices went up and targeted the tourists for big money only to find themselves having lost the regulars and empty when they are not there, saw a guy get an 11k bill from a small bar recently, that one customer likely equaled weeks takings but he left unhappy and likely would not be back. The business thinking behind the model seems limited though.

18 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Oh dear! I don´t know what planet you have been living on. I come from Sweden, and it´s basically the same thing. I can buy a beer from the specific shop for 15 krona. If I go out drink, the same will cost me 65-75 krona or more. That is called going out instead of sitting in home or in a street corner. I actually thought most people had that knowledge already. If you don´t wish to pay, what you say is "extortionate" prices, then I have a good suggestion for you. Buy a box of beer and sit home and play canasta with you son listening to old AC/DC on you tube. 🤣

I have a suggestion for you . Keep your disparaging remarks to yourself and stop posting inappropriate comments . FYI the topic was about the price of beer in Bangkok . If you have nothing of a worthy contribution , stop wasting oxygen .

17 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

The rent is often (very) expensive.

Some bars only make money in the high season and best case they break even in the low season, now.

 

I also like to pay less. But I understand that this is what they have to charge, like anybody else, to stay in business.

 

High rent , yes I get that but when you consider that a box of 24 Chang works out at 33 baht a bottle and a bar wants on average 130 baht a small bottle , that is 400 % profit .That is excessive but as long as the 2 week millionaires continue to buy , then it will continue . Similar price as many UK bars but I think that most ex-pats will not pay that price in Thailand . My lady has a restaurant and a small Chang is 45 baht and a large bottle is 70 baht and same for Leo . Roughly 33% profit and that is in an air-con restaurant . Of course her main income source is from food sales but we also have customers who come to drink only . BTW some of the Bangkok bars I drank in also sold food . My Bangkok hotel sold small Leo & Chang at 90 baht a small bottle . I did notice that many Bangkok bars had very few customers but the streets were full of tourists . 7-11 s were always busy .

19 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Oh dear! I don´t know what planet you have been living on. I come from Sweden, and it´s basically the same thing. I can buy a beer from the specific shop for 15 krona. If I go out drink, the same will cost me 65-75 krona or more. That is called going out instead of sitting in home or in a street corner. I actually thought most people had that knowledge already. If you don´t wish to pay, what you say is "extortionate" prices, then I have a good suggestion for you. Buy a box of beer and sit home and play canasta with you son listening to old AC/DC on you tube. 🤣

 

52 minutes ago, superal said:

I have a suggestion for you . Keep your disparaging remarks to yourself and stop posting inappropriate comments . FYI the topic was about the price of beer in Bangkok . If you have nothing of a worthy contribution , stop wasting oxygen .

He`s a knob superal......ignore him

6 minutes ago, superal said:

High rent , yes I get that but when you consider that a box of 24 Chang works out at 33 baht a bottle and a bar wants on average 130 baht a small bottle , that is 400 % profit .That is excessive but as long as the 2 week millionaires continue to buy , then it will continue . Similar price as many UK bars but I think that most ex-pats will not pay that price in Thailand . My lady has a restaurant and a small Chang is 45 baht and a large bottle is 70 baht and same for Leo . Roughly 33% profit and that is in an air-con restaurant . Of course her main income source is from food sales but we also have customers who come to drink only . BTW some of the Bangkok bars I drank in also sold food . My Bangkok hotel sold small Leo & Chang at 90 baht a small bottle . I did notice that many Bangkok bars had very few customers but the streets were full of tourists . 7-11 s were always busy .

Do you also complain about the price of cola and water?

If bars and restaurants (in the same location) could make lots of money by selling cheaper and getting all the customers, then they would do it.

But apparently the don't do it, because selling with a low margin does not bring in enough money. It is obvious. Or not?

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Do you also complain about the price of cola and water?

If bars and restaurants (in the same location) could make lots of money by selling cheaper and getting all the customers, then they would do it.

But apparently the don't do it, because selling with a low margin does not bring in enough money. It is obvious. Or not?

Typical Thai mentality is if not making enough money through lack of customers , put the price up . Not good business acumen .

1 minute ago, superal said:

Typical Thai mentality is if not making enough money through lack of customers , put the price up . Not good business acumen .

Sat outside Twisters and checked my bill.....180B for Singha.

 

I asked the mamasan why have you charged me the price for sitting inside......because we don't have many customers at the moment.

16 minutes ago, superal said:

Typical Thai mentality is if not making enough money through lack of customers , put the price up . Not good business acumen .

Lots of restaurants and bars have a farang in charge, some of them even know what they are doing.

And lowering the prices and making less profit is obviously not a winning concept. 

12 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Sat outside Twisters and checked my bill.....180B for Singha.

 

I asked the mamasan why have you charged me the price for sitting inside......because we don't have many customers at the moment.

Probably now more of the girls of that place are hanging around outside talking to each other. Because there are only few customers in the bar.

And these days most of the girls on stage don't even try to dance or move their body. They talk to each other just like outside.

So, you get the same "show" inside and outside. 

Just now, OneMoreFarang said:

Probably now more of the girls of that place are hanging around outside talking to each other. Because there are only few customers in the bar.

And these days most of the girls on stage don't even try to dance or move their body. They talk to each other just like outside.

So, you get the same "show" inside and outside. 

Couldn't agree more......I thought why go inside?....the show is better here...555

22 hours ago, superal said:

First bar the beer ( small Chang ) was 129 baht a bottle so when I asked for the bill and expecting 258 baht , no it was 303 baht . Why I asked .  The reply was vat plus a service charge .

That is a real tourist targeted rip off, and quite common in the Irish bars.

Many will come from countries where it is mandatory for price lists to be inclusive.

12 minutes ago, sandyf said:

That is a real tourist targeted rip off, and quite common in the Irish bars.

Many will come from countries where it is mandatory for price lists to be inclusive.

In Bangkok, and probably also in the rest of Thailand, it is normal that restaurants show the price before tax and service. 

That is not a tourist thing.

Im just happy to come down to Bangkok and spend whatever it costs to have a good evening out without thinking of prices. Do not drink for months often, even a year, so it is not that important if a beer is 95 baht or 200. If the athmospere is good, people give good service I do not care. 

 

If service charge and tax included, means we do not give tip unless we had very good service and the food was over the top. 

 

 

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

In Bangkok, and probably also in the rest of Thailand, it is normal that restaurants show the price before tax and service. 

That is not a tourist thing.

In 25 years I have seen a fair amount of Thailand and would suggest that your use of the word "probably" is wrong.

It is a practice aimed at making the price of drinks look lower to catch unsuspecting tourists.

Food prices will always vary but there should be a level playing field on drinks, how difficult is it to produce an inclusive drinks menu.

The fact they don't want to says it all.

35 minutes ago, sandyf said:

In 25 years I have seen a fair amount of Thailand and would suggest that your use of the word "probably" is wrong.

It is a practice aimed at making the price of drinks look lower to catch unsuspecting tourists.

Food prices will always vary but there should be a level playing field on drinks, how difficult is it to produce an inclusive drinks menu.

The fact they don't want to says it all.

Why is it so difficult to understand the things are different in different countries?

In Thailand tax and service charge is mostly not included. Accept it.

In Europe what you see on the menu is what you have to pay. And it's up to you if you want to add a tip or not.

In the USA, as far as I know, you have to add a big tip, otherwise they will lynch you.

It should be possible for everybody to learn these basic facts within maximum a day or two.

Why do some people pretend this is difficult? Because in whatever village you come from its different? 

 

11 hours ago, petermik said:

 

He`s a knob superal......ignore him

And you seem to be a real dumb a55! 

12 hours ago, superal said:

I have a suggestion for you . Keep your disparaging remarks to yourself and stop posting inappropriate comments . FYI the topic was about the price of beer in Bangkok . If you have nothing of a worthy contribution , stop wasting oxygen .

And what is inappropriate? Didn´t I agree with you. How terrible. Yeah, I know it was about beer price in Bangkok, and my reply hinted that it´s same high in other places, and if you don´t like it stop drink!

9 hours ago, superal said:

Typical Thai mentality is if not making enough money through lack of customers , put the price up . Not good business acumen .

 

Hint : majority of the bars that cater to foreigners are run by foreigners

How much does one have to drink for this to be a big hit? Particularly when entertaining out-of-town guests? 

16 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Why is it so difficult to understand the things are different in different countries?

In Thailand tax and service charge is mostly not included. Accept it.

Why can't you understand that in the majority of Thailand drink prices are inclusive.

I can only assume you have a business ripping off tourists, when business has a choice, it will always be on the side of profit.

I totally accept they have a choice, as do I, and I choose not to frequent such places. Unfortunately those unaware get caught out, as pointed out by the OP.

The posts here are getting dumber 

41 minutes ago, Celsius said:

The posts here are getting dumber 

Are you surprised? 

A few days ago, I just came back from spending five days in Bangkok in the Sukhumvit area.  While I was there, I did the typical stuff. Lunches, dinner, maybe stop at a bar for a beer.  Nothing too crazy.

 

Anyway, I normally notice the beer prices, but since I don’t sit around drinking too much, it never really matters.  Beer in beer bars during happy hour seemed to be 80 to 100 baht or so.  Beer in restaurants and sports bars a little more.  And local beers were less than imported.  Maybe as much as 180 or so for imported beer.  I guess none of that seems unusual.  It’s pretty much the case wherever you go.  Drinking in bars and restaurants costs more than buying it at the grocery store.

On 7/27/2024 at 9:32 AM, superal said:

I have a suggestion for you . Keep your disparaging remarks to yourself and stop posting inappropriate comments . FYI the topic was about the price of beer in Bangkok . If you have nothing of a worthy contribution , stop wasting oxygen .

It is not very smart to compare prices for a product in a supermarket to the prices in a entertainment area. They have much higher cost and offer more value.

There's always the steps of seven if out drinking on a budget...