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

[Thailand]

We don't go where there is dual pricing. that said we often have visitors from overseas.

We tell them why we don't go but leave the decision up to them.

I guess on average half take our view the others are quite happy to pay to see particular attractions.

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

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. 

Did you try already neighbouring countries? I mean there, where you don't have to pay taxes and different prices than the locals? 😳

[richard_smith237]

26 minutes ago, Chongalulu said:

4 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Well, for a start they would actually have to get in to a western country first wouldnt they. 
Thais can not simply buy an air ticket and fly over to the west. We don’t let them.

 

We make them pay to apply for a visa, often traveling hundreds of kms to our embassies , which is non refundable when we reject them.

 

I never hear them carrying on how racist and discriminatory we are. 
None of the woke BS

It is commonplace all over the world for different nationalities to have differing rules for entry . It is based on the practicalities relating to likelihood of them failing to return/ overstay their visas. Obviously those from poorer countries ( and historical experience) do that more often - Thailand is one of those unfortunately 

 

Exactly...    but add to this - Thai's have a relatively easy access to British Citizenship, especially those who are married. 

 

Conversely, unless working in Thailand, access to Thai citizenship for a foreigner is impossible. 

 

But, none of that is about 'dual charging' the flawed 'examples' are used to stray off track by people who are unintelligent enough to grasp the subject of 'dual charging'... 

 

In Thailand - Dual charging is based on Nationality and not residency, and this is why its wrong.

 

The arguments which are used by some apologists highlight dual charing exists in many or our home countries always includes the flawed 'use' of charging based on residency and its a flawed comparison. 

 

[Tomtomtom69]

9 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

You use this example many times... You were not a resident of the area. A Thai (or any other national) who could prove local residency would get the local price - thus that is not dual-charging. 

 

Thailand exercises dual charging based on nationality, many others (including yourself) are using dual charging based on residency as a comparison which is flawed. 

 

Another flawed example of yours below: 

 

You / Your daughter pays the 'non-Resident' price - if you / she had lived in the UK for three years leading up to Uni, she'd be paying the UK Resident Price.

Equally so, If a Thai family (or any other nationality) Live in the UK (as residents) for 3 years leading to Uni, they also would get the the UK resident price.

 

 

 

 

 

The UK must be the only country in the world to discriminate against their own citizens. 

 

In Thailand, a returning Thai would always be treated as a Thai by showing their ID card or passport, regardless of whether they live here or haven't lived here for a long time.

 

Normally, an ID card or passport is enough to prove entitlement to avail oneself of certain services without having to do something as ridiculous as "prove residency". Not surprised Britain is doing that to its own citizens,we are talking about a country that is throwing out elderly people from seniors homes to make way for illegals and refugees.

[richard_smith237]

29 minutes ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

3 hours ago, Neeranam said:

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

 

Then clearly you're doing something wrong. If she's British, she should be paying the local price.

 

There is a requirement to have lived in the UK for at least 3 years to secure British Resident rates at Uni - this is for 'any nationality'. 

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

The UK must be the only country in the world to discriminate against their own citizens. 

 

In Thailand, a returning Thai would always be treated as a Thai by showing their ID card or passport, regardless of whether they live here or haven't lived here for a long time.

 

Normally, an ID card or passport is enough to prove entitlement to avail oneself of certain services without having to do something as ridiculous as "residency". Not surprised Britain is doing that to its own citizens,we are talking about a country that is throwing out elderly people from seniors homes to make way for illegals and refugees.

 

Uninformed, emotional and exaggerated bias - hardly the grounds of a solid argument. 

 

 

[Tomtomtom69]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

There is a requirement to have lived in the UK for at least 3 years to secure British Resident rates at Uni - this is for 'any nationality'. 

 

So discrimination against their own citizens. A most bizarre concept, but par for the course in a country where foreigners have more rights than locals.

[Tomtomtom69]

Just now, richard_smith237 said:

 

Uninformed, emotional and exaggerated bias - hardly the grounds of a solid argument. 

 

 

 Informed, accurate and honest. 

[richard_smith237]

6 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Did you try already neighbouring countries? I mean there, where you don't have to pay taxes and different prices than the locals? 😳

 

We probably do... But that still does not make the policy of Dual Charging based on nationality right... 

IMO its a despicable act - particularly in hospitals. 

[Tomtomtom69]

Just now, richard_smith237 said:

 

We probably do... But that still does not make the policy of Dual Charging based on nationality right... 

IMO its a despicable act - particularly in hospitals. 

 

Lol, considering the UK discriminates against its own citizens, not sure why you're complaining. 

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

So discrimination against their own citizens. A most bizarre concept, but par for the course in a country where foreigners have more rights than locals.

 

No discrimination at all - If I have not lived in the UK and paid taxes, why should I get the UK resident rate. 

Meanwhile, if a Thai has lived in the UK as a resident and Paid Taxes they get the resident rate.

 

Thats perfectly fair....    

 

 

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

Lol, considering the UK discriminates against its own citizens, not sure why you're complaining. 

 

No.. .You are arguing the UK discriminates against its own citizens...     that is not true.

 

Though I do agree how some will 'suspect't his when reading the Sun news paper.

[Montnoveau]

My wife has more often than not successfully argued that I'm not a tourist or if we are a group of people, we just send one of the locals to buy the tickets... 

 

About those foreigners, one wonders if they count other Asians as such as well? 

Or are only "white" western foreigners targeted?

[Tomtomtom69]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

No.. .You are arguing the UK discriminates against its own citizens...     that is not true.

 

Though I do agree how some will 'suspect't his when reading the Sun news paper.

 

They are, because a British citizen has to pay more than a foreigner if said British citizen has previously resided abroad. That's discrimination and just absurd. If I was British, I'd sue the government for imposing such a ridiculous policy

 

[Tomtomtom69]

Just now, Montnoveau said:

My wife has more often than not successfully argued that I'm not a tourist or if we are a group of people, we just send one of the locals to buy the tickets... 

 

About those foreigners, one wonders if they count other Asians as such as well? 

Or are only "white" western foreigners targeted?

 

It's mostly white people being targeted.

[NicoBKK]

5 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. 

I remember there's been a relatively recent change towards this policy.. in places like Kao Yai as resident foreigner you could pay as a Thai. I was surprised last time in Kao Yai couple of years ago had to pay Farang's fare showing work permit, and they told me that that was changed from previous times.  

[renaissanc]

4 hours ago, Albo said:

 

Sure, I'll take it. 100k

 

Thai terms ok?

 

[Tomtomtom69]

5 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

No discrimination at all - If I have not lived in the UK and paid taxes, why should I get the UK resident rate. 

Meanwhile, if a Thai has lived in the UK as a resident and Paid Taxes they get the resident rate.

 

Thats perfectly fair....    

 

 

 

No, it's not fair. Whats the point of citizenship then if citizens are treated so poorly? Better to be a foreigner, as you'll have more rights.

[HOOD Robin]

5 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.

 

I did this once about 15 years ago in Nakhon Si Thammarat. I said to my (ex) GF and her family, "OK guys, you enter the park and have a nice time, I will stay outside and wait for you." Which I did! Of course, the family could not understand, as they all thought I was a Rockefeller member. I could easily afford the entrance fee, but for me, it's all about the principle!

[J Branche]

I am okay with it when it is slightly more.  This is 7.5 times higher.  They did try to hide it by write then numbers in Thai. Khao Yai is 5 times higher.

 

A well known beach in Sattahip is more reasonable at 2 times.  

 

Some places accept the Retirement Visa for the Thai price.

[renaissanc]

I don't mind paying 10% more, if there really has to be a dual-pricing system, but there doesn't have to be one. It's a system based on disrespect. If I became Prime  Minister I would fire in disgrace on Day 1 the Minister of National Parks (or whatever it is called) for disrespecting millions of tourists and resident foreigners. 

[NaaKap]

Skin Tax. No use moaning it is never going to go away I'm sure that's why Thailand is called the land of smiles. Always a grin when taking your money. 

[richard_smith237]

8 minutes ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

They are, because a British citizen has to pay more than a foreigner if said British citizen has previously resided abroad. That's discrimination and just absurd. If I was British, I'd sue the government for imposing such a ridiculous policy

 

Its fortunate that the British education system is of a somewhat higher standard than that of whichever country you originate.... for you fail to comprehend the basics...    But just imagine, had your parents lived in the UK as residents for 3 years, you too would have been able to receive a better education at the UK Residents fees and then perhaps been able to 'grasp this simple concept'... 

 

If I have not paid tax and a resident has - they they 'deserve' the rights that that tax has afforded them. 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

6 minutes ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

No, it's not fair. Whats the point of citizenship then if citizens are treated so poorly? Better to be a foreigner, as you'll have more rights.

 

Foreigners don't have 'more rights'...    repeating that mantra does not make it right, it just means in arguing with you I'm getting dragged down to the level of inane bias and stupidity and you'll beat be into submission with experience...  

... in fact you already have - only sensible and intelligent discussion is worthy of a response from here on in.

[Gcart]

2 hours 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.

Right, the taxi and tuk-tuk drivers probably learned their pricing tactics from the government. How can they be condemned for charging foreigners higher prices when government-run places do the same? There's no consideration for resident taxpayers. Getting into a national park or other venue with my Thai ID card or driving license is harder than convincing a Bangkok taxi driver to use his meter

 

[quake]

No one, would give a toss if it was say 10 Baht more.

But it's not. Rip, Rip Thailand.

Same , Same but Same. 

TIT, -4.0 

[loong]

5 hours ago, actonion said:

06.00pm what kind of time is that

 

24 hour is 18:00 

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, renaissanc said:

I don't mind paying 10% more, if there really has to be a dual-pricing system, but there doesn't have to be one. It's a system based on disrespect. If I became Prime  Minister I would fire in disgrace on Day 1 the Minister of National Parks (or whatever it is called) for disrespecting millions of tourists and resident foreigners. 

 

There are two facets to the dual charging: 

 

1) Where 'toursts' are ripped off - I think that is unfair and as you highlight, disrespectful to those who the nation so actively covets.

 

2) Where 'residents' are charged more - even though they can show residency, live here, have spent money here over decades, have paid taxes etc - yet are still treated with what can be interpreted as a degree of prejudice - its not enough to spoil my day or even bother about - but when there is a discussion, I have an opinion on how wrong this is.

[renaissanc]

I see that several foreigners are supporting the system. Are they aware that condominiums have a foreigner's price? The Sales Agent won't tell you about it, of course. Thais pay less for condominiums in these new blocks. If you live in a condominium perhaps you got screwed without knowing. Do you still support dual pricing now?

[Tomtomtom69]

4 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Its fortunate that the British education system is of a somewhat higher standard than that of whichever country you originate.... for you fail to comprehend the basics...    But just imagine, had your parents lived in the UK as residents for 3 years, you too would have been able to receive a better education at the UK Residents fees and then perhaps been able to 'grasp this simple concept'... 

 

If I have not paid tax and a resident has - they they 'deserve' the rights that that tax has afforded them. 

 

 

 

Thankfully, I didn't get indoctrinated at a woke British university that discriminates against British people.