Tourism Thailand Vows to End Dual Pricing Amid Growing Tourist Backlash

[webfact]

FILE photo for reference only

 

Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to tackling notorious dual pricing practices following widespread complaints from foreign tourists. Minister Sorawong Thienthong vowed to eliminate unfair pricing schemes after a significant meeting with tourism industry leaders and assorted agencies on Wednesday.

 

The ministry's heightened response stemmed from a viral social media article entitled “Where Have Foreign Tourists Gone?” published last April, which showcased concerns from foreigners and expats. The article was sparked by a Bangkok Post piece on dipping tourist numbers and drew over 1,800 comments on Facebook.

 

Complaints pointed at various issues, including tourists' safety fears, widespread overcharging, and ongoing intimidation by transnational crime groups in popular tourist hotspots.

 

In a move to address these issues promptly, Minister Sorawong has set up direct case reporting from police to his desk for all tourist-related incidents. Tourists can also use the Thailand Tourist Police app or visit the designated tourist assistance centres now operational in each province for support.

 

 

Acknowledging the grievances, particularly about higher accommodation fees, Mr Sorawong cited seasonal price fluctuations and global airfare increases due to aircraft shortages as contributing factors.

 

The minister assured better regulation of tourism scams and pledged to ensure equitable pricing for both Thai citizens and international visitors by scrapping dual pricing altogether.

 

Despite a slight 0.2% dip in foreign tourist arrivals over the past four months, tourism revenue has risen by 5% year-on-year, as shown by ministry data.

 

The ministry has also responded to the Airlines Association of Thailand's call for more governmental support by requesting the Ministry of Transport to expand flight slots at major airports, including options for chartered flights.

 

In conclusion, while tourist arrival numbers have waned slightly, efforts are being made to boost fairness and safety in the tourist experience, promising a brighter outlook for Thailand's tourism industry.

 

Related topic:

Rising Prices, Broken Systems Dim Thailand’s Tourist Charm

https://aseannow.com/topic/1359304-rising-prices-broken-systems-dim-thailand’s-tourist-charm/

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-01

 

 

[daveAustin]

Will never happen. National parks etc. Next!

[Gsxrnz]

Bit of a gouge. 40 baht and 20 baht.

 

Try this - Rock up with your Thai license, and a stern DFWM look on your face, hand over the Thai price exactly, change your DFWM look to a toothy widemouth smile, and tell them in Thai you're a Thai person. Works more often than not and usually elicits a laugh from the ticket issuer,   

[DonniePeverley]

Dual pricing only effects cheap backpacker type tourists and sensitive souls. Thailand in no way should appease cheap backpackers who offer nothing to the economy, but take up valuable space. Not only should they put the prices up for foreigners but ban anyone with a back pack from coming into a national park. Furthermore ban hostels. 

 

The prices for these places are still cheap compared to western standards. 

 

Thailand simply needs to adjust the wording and image of the dual pricing. For example, if you see a price on the wall, but then offers Thais a reduction it may look better than showing two prices on board and you get the dreaded sensitive police brigrade crying dual pricing. 

 

In London you have attractions and places that offer discounts for locals, and those not from the area pay more. I see no moral outrage there. Imagine being a local Thai and seeing lovely national parks destroyed by mass cheap tourists, throwing rubbish everywhere, crowds, and the enviromental damage it does to your locality. Letting them in cheaply offers some compensation. 

 

Aren't the also planning this for the BTS - where by locals in Bangkok may get a set fare of 20 Baht per person, but others will pay full fares. Wording makes it okay. 

[BritManToo]

7 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

Bit of a gouge. 40 baht and 20 baht.

 

Try this - Rock up with your Thai license, and a stern DFWM look on your face, hand over the Thai price exactly, change your DFWM look to a toothy widemouth smile, and tell them in Thai you're a Thai person. Works more often than not and usually elicits a laugh from the ticket issuer,   

I always do the I'm over 60 so it's free, the Thais all have to pay and I don't.

Much unhappiness as rich foreigner doesn't have to pay!

[BritManToo]

8 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

In London you have attractions and places that offer discounts for locals, and those not from the area pay more. I see no moral outrage there. 

London museums and parks all free for everyone.

[watchcat]

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to tackling notorious dual pricing practices following widespread complaints from foreign tourists. Minister Sorawong Thienthong vowed to eliminate unfair pricing schemes after a significant meeting with tourism industry leaders and assorted agencies on Wednesday.

 

While your at it adjust the triple prise for hospital visits.

[hotsun]

9 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Dual pricing only effects cheap backpacker type tourists and sensitive souls. Thailand in no way should appease cheap backpackers who offer nothing to the economy, but take up valuable space. Not only should they put the prices up for foreigners but ban anyone with a back pack from coming into a national park. Furthermore ban hostels. 

 

The prices for these places are still cheap compared to western standards. 

 

Thailand simply needs to adjust the wording and image of the dual pricing. For example, if you see a price on the wall, but then offers Thais a reduction it may look better than showing two prices on board and you get the dreaded sensitive police brigrade crying dual pricing. 

 

In London you have attractions and places that offer discounts for locals, and those not from the area pay more. I see no moral outrage there. Imagine being a local Thai and seeing lovely national parks destroyed by mass cheap tourists, throwing rubbish everywhere, crowds, and the enviromental damage it does to your locality. Letting them in cheaply offers some compensation. 

 

Aren't the also planning this for the BTS - where by locals in Bangkok may get a set fare of 20 Baht per person, but others will pay full fares. Wording makes it okay. 

Why are you condoning discrimination when your home country charges everyone the same price

[blaze master]

Special for you. 

[SAFETY FIRST]

57 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand Vows to End Dual Pricing Amid Growing Tourist Backlash 

Bloody whinging and whining foreigners, want to change Thailand. 

 

I like it the way it is, leave things alone. 

For God sake, it's a little bit of money 

[ikke1959]

The greed will be paid back... but it is too late... Other Asian countries are already winning and Thailand have to invest and renew and it will take years to recover the tourist industry

[Gottfrid]

That will only remain a dream. They will fight for a week, and then just give up and forget until next guy get a great idea!

[spidermike007]

Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthongn will work on this for two weeks, then it will be forgotten. The dual pricing, especially at National parks is beyond obnoxious. 30 baht vs. 300 baht? Please. All that should be required is the showing of a pink card or a Thai DL to prove you live here. I stopped supporting the parks long ago. 

[Trip Hop]

4 hours ago, hotsun said:

Why are you condoning discrimination when your home country charges everyone the same price

 

If you're a refugee or asylum seeker in the UK, you get free entry to all English Heritage sites.  Wales have gone one further and you can get free bus travel there and back!

[Peterphuket]

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthongn will work on this for two weeks, then it will be forgotten. The dual pricing, especially at National parks is beyond obnoxious. 30 baht vs. 300 baht? Please. All that should be required is the showing of a pink card or a Thai DL to prove you live here. I stopped supporting the parks long ago. 

Here another one, for long time already.

[Joe32]

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthongn will work on this for two weeks, then it will be forgotten. The dual pricing, especially at National parks is beyond obnoxious. 30 baht vs. 300 baht? Please. All that should be required is the showing of a pink card or a Thai DL to prove you live here. I stopped supporting the parks long ago. 

I can show my DL whatever I want but only happened once with a very friendly security guard that they let me through. Any other parks I have to pay the foreigner price while I'm here for about 12 years

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Minister Sorawong Thienthong vowed to eliminate unfair pricing schemes after a significant meeting with tourism industry leaders and assorted agencies on Wednesday.

Heard it all before, it's still in place.

[vivananahuahin]

a balloon.

[Unamerican]

5 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

In London you have attractions and places that offer discounts for locals,

Where/what are these? — examples please! 

[Unamerican]

12 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I stopped supporting the parks long ago. 

Supporting parks!  Now what exactly,ought that involve??? 

[bbbbooboo]

hmmm… sure, and i’m going to be the next pm of Thailand

[kuzmabruk]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

over 1,800 comments on Facebook

Out of 40 million tourists.   Who cares.  Fix infrastructure.  That will make locals and foreigners happy 

[Unamerican]

11 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

Here another one, for long time already.

Another what exactly ? How long is this? 

[Unamerican]

And why can I not use emojis: is there a general problem with them? 

[Free the 115]

I have no problem with dual pricing. 
if their wages were on a par with mine, I might do, …..but they aren’t……so I don’t 

I would like to wager that the majority of the complainants are student types, who get discounted heavily in their home countries and expect similar here. 
I know that there are certain locations that extract the urine with the pricing, but to me it’s simple. I don’t enter.

Moving on to food, if someone buys food every day from me, of course I am going to offer them better prices than someone I see a few times a year, so again I have no problem with that.

[Dave0206]

I've been to the Palace 2x once with a thai 2nd time with Filipino ( keep your mouth shut and walk through thai side) the entrance fee didn't change my life more annoying was the elephant pants I had to rent or buy outside gate.

[findlay13]

Start with the National Parks

[DualSportBiker]

I think they should run an experiment. Put up content explaining the short-fall in funding for National Parks, tell non-Thais it is free to enter, but donations welcome. See how that goes. Some will donate nothing or nothing serious, but I am confident that many will make serious donations. Run this at a few popular locations with tourists and see if visits and collections change in a good way.

[NICKMONDO1]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

FILE photo for reference only

 

Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to tackling notorious dual pricing practices following widespread complaints from foreign tourists. Minister Sorawong Thienthong vowed to eliminate unfair pricing schemes after a significant meeting with tourism industry leaders and assorted agencies on Wednesday.

 

The ministry's heightened response stemmed from a viral social media article entitled “Where Have Foreign Tourists Gone?” published last April, which showcased concerns from foreigners and expats. The article was sparked by a Bangkok Post piece on dipping tourist numbers and drew over 1,800 comments on Facebook.

 

Complaints pointed at various issues, including tourists' safety fears, widespread overcharging, and ongoing intimidation by transnational crime groups in popular tourist hotspots.

 

In a move to address these issues promptly, Minister Sorawong has set up direct case reporting from police to his desk for all tourist-related incidents. Tourists can also use the Thailand Tourist Police app or visit the designated tourist assistance centres now operational in each province for support.

 

 

Acknowledging the grievances, particularly about higher accommodation fees, Mr Sorawong cited seasonal price fluctuations and global airfare increases due to aircraft shortages as contributing factors.

 

The minister assured better regulation of tourism scams and pledged to ensure equitable pricing for both Thai citizens and international visitors by scrapping dual pricing altogether.

 

Despite a slight 0.2% dip in foreign tourist arrivals over the past four months, tourism revenue has risen by 5% year-on-year, as shown by ministry data.

 

The ministry has also responded to the Airlines Association of Thailand's call for more governmental support by requesting the Ministry of Transport to expand flight slots at major airports, including options for chartered flights.

 

In conclusion, while tourist arrival numbers have waned slightly, efforts are being made to boost fairness and safety in the tourist experience, promising a brighter outlook for Thailand's tourism industry.

 

Related topic:

Rising Prices, Broken Systems Dim Thailand’s Tourist Charm

https://aseannow.com/topic/1359304-rising-prices-broken-systems-dim-thailand’s-tourist-charm/

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-01

 

 

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

FILE photo for reference only

 

Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to tackling notorious dual pricing practices following widespread complaints from foreign tourists. Minister Sorawong Thienthong vowed to eliminate unfair pricing schemes after a significant meeting with tourism industry leaders and assorted agencies on Wednesday.

 

The ministry's heightened response stemmed from a viral social media article entitled “Where Have Foreign Tourists Gone?” published last April, which showcased concerns from foreigners and expats. The article was sparked by a Bangkok Post piece on dipping tourist numbers and drew over 1,800 comments on Facebook.

 

Complaints pointed at various issues, including tourists' safety fears, widespread overcharging, and ongoing intimidation by transnational crime groups in popular tourist hotspots.

 

In a move to address these issues promptly, Minister Sorawong has set up direct case reporting from police to his desk for all tourist-related incidents. Tourists can also use the Thailand Tourist Police app or visit the designated tourist assistance centres now operational in each province for support.

 

 

Acknowledging the grievances, particularly about higher accommodation fees, Mr Sorawong cited seasonal price fluctuations and global airfare increases due to aircraft shortages as contributing factors.

 

The minister assured better regulation of tourism scams and pledged to ensure equitable pricing for both Thai citizens and international visitors by scrapping dual pricing altogether.

 

Despite a slight 0.2% dip in foreign tourist arrivals over the past four months, tourism revenue has risen by 5% year-on-year, as shown by ministry data.

 

The ministry has also responded to the Airlines Association of Thailand's call for more governmental support by requesting the Ministry of Transport to expand flight slots at major airports, including options for chartered flights.

 

In conclusion, while tourist arrival numbers have waned slightly, efforts are being made to boost fairness and safety in the tourist experience, promising a brighter outlook for Thailand's tourism industry.

 

Related topic:

Rising Prices, Broken Systems Dim Thailand’s Tourist Charm

https://aseannow.com/topic/1359304-rising-prices-broken-systems-dim-thailand’s-tourist-charm/

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-01

 

 

yeh.........right.........we believe you

[KannikaP]

5 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Thailand simply needs to adjust the wording and image of the dual pricing. For example, if you see a price on the wall, but then offers Thais a reduction it may look better than showing two prices on board and you get the dreaded sensitive police brigrade crying dual pricing. 

Yes, the way it is worded needs looking at.

Same as signs on highways say 'SLOW traffic keep left'  No-one wants to be classed as SLOW.

Change it to ALL traffic keep left unless overtaking.