Dual Pricing in Thai Tourism: Economic Necessity or Hidden Bias?

[tomacht8]

As a long-nosed foreigner, you pay twice to ten times as much, and not just in national parks.

- All hospitals have special billing tables for foreigners with significantly higher prices.

- Muay Thai stadiums

- Tempels

- Massage Parlors

- Thai airways flight prices

- Museums

- a.s.o.

Being able to take more money from white foreigners (that's where racial profiling begins in practice. Asian foreigners often get the Thai price) is a Thai national sport. Just think of the many taxi drivers and tuk tuk drivers with their scammer methods. Foreigners also pay more for grilled skewers or fruit at some street stalls. With their state-legalized dual-price system, the park operators are laying the foundation for rip-offs in other areas.

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

My daughter is a British citizen and pays the foreign student price in the UK. 

She obviously doesn’t meet the residence requirements.

 

But good decision getting higher education in the UK rather than Thailand.

[MalcolmB]

9 minutes ago, Albo said:

As a second career I taught at some very respectable schools here in Bangkok over 10 years. I left with a salary of 85k pm. It is what you make of it

About $3 per hour.

[ChiangmaiMax]

2 hours ago, UWEB said:

You always have the option to turn around and go if it is not worth to pay the higher prices. Have done it a couple of times and will keep on doing it.

And that's what I do

[MalcolmB]

1 minute ago, Jonathan Swift said:

The person to whom you responded is an example of the kind of hate and racism that has  no place here in Thailand. It disgusts me. The US is full of this, one of many reasons I abdicated that country. I would encourage him to go back where he came from.  

He isn’t even here. 
He is back there with nothing else better to do.

it is a weird one.

[transam]

9 minutes ago, G_Money said:

“earning more than the typical time isn't a valid reason.”

 

You lost me with that one.

 

Sad state of affairs not having 100k to your name.

 

Are you a permanent camper? AKA homeless?

Aaaah, our hi-so member is back with a put down......

 

Who is actually living in a rented flat in Pat's........................🤭

[Tomtomtom69]

3 hours ago, lordblackader said:

The problem with the article isn't that tourists are charged more; it's that people living and working in Thailand and paying taxes have to pay up to 900% more. Try charging a Thai living in a Western country who is paying income tax and who has the local equivalent of Social Security 900% more to enter a park - all hell would break loose, and you'd never hear the end of how racist and discriminatory it was. 

 

What I also find strange is how dual pricing only applies to entrance fees but not anything else. For example, what is the justification for foreigners (including resident expats) paying 200 Baht to enter the Sam Roi Yod national park while Thais pay only 40, but for the short boat ride across to the next beach, everyone pays 400? 

 

If a Thai can afford to spend 400 for a boat, they can also afford an entry fee of 200. Conversely, if 200 is too expensive for a Thai, then a 400 Baht boat ride (which goes up to 1000+, for longer boat rides) is astronomically expensive.

 

Therefore, why are Thais not paying just 10-20% for the boat ride? 

 

I'm not advocating for more dual pricing, but trying to find the logic in this absurdity.

[Jonathan Swift]

2 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Bob, you are sounding a bit woke again.

 

I like the fact that the Thais are not woke. 
 

 

Depends on how you define woke. They don't have to be "woke" because they have always been largely free of hate and bigotry against which woke came into being into other countries. Thais are inherently cautious and reluctant to rock the boat. In other words, they have nothing to be woke from, besides the fact that western terms don't even translate here. You can't superimpose western thinking onto Thailand. It's sad that in the west the term is used as an insult and treated as a dirty word just because a demographic of people are trying to move forward in ways that another demographic group objects to. And on the "woke" side, obviously there is extremism that undermines otherwise well intentioned attempts at change. But that's the nature of change - the pendulum always swings and overshoots its mark before reversing into the other direction where it also overshoots.  I find it sad and disturbing to see this western cultural civil war in which nobody wins raging on, with the casualties being peace and harmony. Thai society has largely achieved those two things, pre-empting those derogatory divisive terms. Peace to you brother, and to everyone.  

[Tomtomtom69]

12 minutes ago, tomacht8 said:

As a long-nosed foreigner, you pay twice to ten times as much, and not just in national parks.

- All hospitals have special billing tables for foreigners with significantly higher prices.

- Muay Thai stadiums

- Tempels

- Massage Parlors

- Thai airways flight prices

- Museums

- a.s.o.

Being able to take more money from white foreigners (that's where racial profiling begins in practice. Asian foreigners often get the Thai price) is a Thai national sport. Just think of the many taxi drivers and tuk tuk drivers with their scammer methods. Foreigners also pay more for grilled skewers or fruit at some street stalls. With their state-legalized dual-price system, the park operators are laying the foundation for rip-offs in other areas.

 

"All hospitals". No, just most public hospitals.

 

Thai Airways flight prices - nonsense!

 

Massage parlors?? Again, nonsense. Never had a massage anywhere, where I'm paying more than a Thai.

 

The rest of your post I agree with; sadly, it's true that mostly farang are affected by dual pricing in Thailand. Asian foreigners typically pay the Thai price.

 

Perhaps they should be more honest and put up signs saying: "Price for Asians" and "price for westerners".

[bkk_mike]

2 hours ago, UWEB said:

You always have the option to turn around and go if it is not worth to pay the higher prices. Have done it a couple of times and will keep on doing it.

Haven't been to Safari World for decades. Despite my house being very near to it.

Wife can still go with the "kids" (all in their 20s now) with no issues as they have Thai ID cards.

Of course, they spend less money inside the park than if I (and my wallet) was with them.

 

National parks is one thing, where it's taxpayers money funding them. Private businesses with dual pricing on the other hand...

[Jonathan Swift]

2 hours ago, mdr224 said:

You accept the muslims into your country because you are a sorry excuse of a british national. I dont wish to lose my country to terrorism. Take note that muslims arent charged a different price for anything in your country, the way a civilized society works

Your'e comment is disgusting in its bigotry and racist hatred. You don't belong here, so please self deport. Meanwhile, when your comment gets deleted because it is offensive, I am the one who reported it. Yup, point the finger at me, I am proud to stand for the values I was raised on, and which the Thai people embrace. Don't go away mad, just go away. 

[EVENKEEL]

3 hours ago, BarBoy said:

It's a disgrace and should be named and shamed at every possible opportunity.

 

Disgusting practice that can completely ruin a family day out.

Only if you let it. Pay with a smile and have a good time.

[Rolo89]

When there's children with 1 Thai parent and one non-Thai parent it's very pot luck and time consuming to decide what the child will be charged. Usually they'll go off how they look and if they look Thai enough.

[Tomtomtom69]

17 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

No, because you are not Thai.

Chinese, Indians, Arabs and blacks are charged the same as farang 

 

Chinese are usually charged the Thai rate as they look Thai. Burmese, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Laotians, Singaporeans, Malays and Filipinos = typically charged the Thai rate.

 

Arabs are usually considered to be farang. Indians = 50/50. Sometimes, charged the Thai rate (mainly in more rural, less touristy places), while in Bangkok, Chiang Mai etc they're treated as farang and charged the farang rate.

[Purdey]

Glad to hear it isn't discrimination. 🤔 I suppose many people know that a whole website has been set up to inform which attractions have a dual price policy.

 

Home | 2PriceThailand

 

 

[tomacht8]

1 minute ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

 

"All hospitals". No, just most public hospitals.

 

Thai Airways flight prices - nonsense!

 

Massage parlors?? Again, nonsense. Never had a massage anywhere, where I'm paying more than a Thai.

 

The rest of your post I agree with; sadly, it's true that mostly farang are affected by dual pricing in Thailand. Asian foreigners typically pay the Thai price.

 

Perhaps they should be more honest and put up signs saying: "Price for Asians" and "price for westerners".

Maybe you do not know.

- Thai airways have special prices for Thais.

- I am talking about Massage Parlours in Huai Kwang. There exist of course a foreigner sur charge.

[Tomtomtom69]

1 minute ago, Rolo89 said:

When there's children with 1 Thai parent and one non-Thai parent it's very pot luck and time consuming to decide what the child will be charged. Usually they'll go off how they look and if they look Thai enough.

 

Nonsense. Bring along the kids ID card or passport and they'll be charged the Thai rate of course. If there's any dispute about it, call the police.

[Tomtomtom69]

2 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Only if you let it. Pay with a smile and have a good time.

 

Rofl. Paying more for being white makes me unhappy and thus no possibility of having a good time. I'll have a much better time if I don't go.

[thailand49]

None of the reasons stated in article really!  

 

Their Supreme court ruled!  in the case put forth by the foreigners in regards to duel pricing in Hospital even government. The court ruling was not by law!  But clearly stated that foreigners are better off so it is to reason they can pay more! 

 

There are laws against this practice, years prior to his death, the Man use to get up Dec 5th, and make a speech to the people once spoke how this practice gives Thailand a black eye.  The former PM  Chan O, also stated this in one of his speeches did anyone listen NO!

A former MP once stupidly stated in the Bangkok Post, you want a better life " marry a foreigner "  he was slowly outcast for his view!

 

I recently had an coversation in a small group mainly Thais, one lady stated she knows that when you are married to a foreigner you need not work!  I ask her do you know or you just heard?  because I know a few Thai women who are married to Thai men don't work like the ones you see in the soap opera drama's.  I added if that is the case doesn't speak well for your Thai men!  The remark was over their heads.  LOL. they just continue freeloading on all the food and Hong Thong.

 

This is the same thinking the police have instead of applying the law " every farang in an accident is at fault "  a caption at Jomtien Na police station I over heard him tell farang although the Thai admitted fault that he should pay because she is poor after you will feel better about yourself. 🤑

[Tomtomtom69]

1 minute ago, tomacht8 said:

Maybe you do not know.

- Thai airways have special prices for Thais.

- I am talking about Massage Parlours in Huai Kwang. There exist of course a foreigner sur charge.

 

Thai Airways doesn't have special pricing for Thais. You're making this up. 

[jippytum]

Dual pricing is common in most Asia countries. 

I think it's ok that local people should have reduced entry fees. 

The problem is the 'markup' for foreigners is so disproportionate that visitors think the officals are being too greedy and out to fleece foreign visitors.  This deters people like myself from visiting these so called attractions. 

[Tomtomtom69]

35 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Ever tried entering Singapore Gardens on the Bay as a foreigner residing in the country? Discounts are for nationals only.
 

Nobody is premium pricing foreigners, everybody is discounting for domestic nationals.

 

or so they say 🤔

 

Which is why dual pricing in Thailand, a much poorer country than Singapore, will never go away as long as wealthier countries are still practicing it. 

 

The way forward is for Thailand to drop dual pricing in some settings; reduce the price difference between foreigners and locals; impose more residency based pricing whereby Thai speaking expats holding appropriate ID that proves their residency get in for the same price as locals and finally, always ask for ID to get the Thai price. Never use racial profiling. No Thai ID = you pay the foreigner price. Period. 

[tomacht8]

1 minute ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

 

Thai Airways doesn't have special pricing for Thais. You're making this up. 

Ok. Let's say they have special flight Promotions, offert in Thai language, which are aimed exclusively at Thai speakers. My Thai wife has already been able to book many such flights. Fact.

[KhunLA]

Probably both, IF, they actually used the money to maintain the parks.  20 baht for Thais would barely pay the salaries and expenses of staff to collect the fees at most parks.

 

The big international tourist visited parks, yes, but, IF going toward the park.   From the looks of some parks, not much get put back into the park.

 

Hopefully things have changed, as haven't really been to any, the past 20 yrs.  Driven through Doi Inthanon Park area a few times since 2020, and well maintained, so kudos for that.

[Rimmer]

Multiple off topic / racist / bickering posts and replies have been removed

[marin]

20 minutes ago, tomacht8 said:

Maybe you do not know.

- Thai airways have special prices for Thais.

Stop posting false information. Twice you have done it now.

[spidermike007]

I understand the idea of charging tourists a higher price than locals, that makes sense, but there should be a policy where expats are allowed entrance for the same fee as locals. We do contribute to the economy, we're now being asked to pay taxes, and if we can show a pink card or even a driver's license we should be allowed entry at the same price of a Thai, otherwise it's racist, ugly, nasty, being a poor host, and very discriminatory. 

[Neeranam]

56 minutes ago, Albo said:

 

The path isn't  simple in fact it's pretty impossible and they like it that way. 

 

If you're not working for probably 8 years and making over 40,000 during all of it. You might have had some sort of trade which allowed you a reasonable salary and employment but most are here teaching. I talked for 10 years as a second career. I didn't make over 40K until my third year. When I left I was making 85 including my bonus. I would have had to have stayed on who knows how many years in order to be employed at the time of my application review. This among a myriad of other issues. Sorry, disingenuous post

 

Citizenship here really isn't even worth it. Although I am getting very fed up with having to apply for my annual extension to the point of thinking about leaving again

If married to a Thai, it's easy -  work for 3 years earning 40k, I was an English teacher. Applied and got it in 3 years, slight delay due to Covid. Don't even need to speak any Thai these days. Those saying it is hard are living in the 90s

If not married, yes, it's longer but quite simple, maybe not easy. 

[1happykamper]

5 hours ago, G_Money said:

If the whiners need a loan to enter the park, let me know.

Let me know when you get some principals to stick to... 

[arick]

I went into Khon Kaen Zoo last week I showed my pink ID card and I was charged exactly the Thai price as the Thai people in that vehicle.

It just shows you that a lot of this mess is from the south but say that if I went into the national park and showed my ID card and they want me to pay the foreign price.