Tourism Thailand Vows to End Dual Pricing Amid Growing Tourist Backlash

[pimmmm]

1 hour ago, Free the 115 said:

https://www.timeout.com/london/news/londoners-can-get-50-percent-off-loads-of-the-citys-biggest-attractions-right-now-042924
 

took me less than a minute to find.. and probably less than the time it took you to type your “request”

Note that it's a discount for Londoners, not for British citizens who live in London.  People have a problem with the race based discount/increased charge.  

[BritManToo]

9 minutes ago, stix40 said:

Are you sure over 60s are free for farang price ? 

 

They certainly are at Huay Tung Tao lake, and Queen Siri?? Botanical gardens in Chiang Mai.

I don't think they are bothered what colour skin the foreigners have, just over 60.

[Thungrat]

1 hour ago, Unamerican said:

Where/what are these? — examples please! 

do your own research

[kwilco]

6 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

 

 

 

looks like he hasn't really got a grip on the situation and has in effect promised nothing.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, Unamerican said:

Where/what are these? — examples please! 

Science museum, Victoria and Albert museum, Natural History museum, British museum, Hyde Park, Kensington gardens ......... I never visit anywhere else.

[kwilco]

6 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

In London you have attractions and places that offer discounts for locals, and those not from the area pay more.

An exceptiona;lly benal and misinformed comment.  We are not talking discounts for locals here we are talking visitors be asked to pat TEN TIMES MORE than the national fee - that's not a discount it is a dual pricing policy.

[CCesar]

6 hours 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. 

If you want to compare Thailand with Western Countries you should consider the different environmental circumstances too, but it will never make dual pricing right, because it is basically called discrimination against others, and has nothing to do with being cheap or not. You are absolutely missing the point!

[madone]

6 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

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

don't know where you have been spending time, but many areas of Thailand are very much on par with "western" pricing.

On some of the islands, room rates have tripled since COVID

 

[KannikaP]

15 minutes ago, DaRoadrunner said:

They can start by ending dual pricing at hospitals. I will believe it when I see it.

I use Nauresan University Hospital in Phitsanulok. I get charged the same for tests, seeing the Dr, procedures, and medications as Thais. 

I have compared my invoices to other patients = same!

[ujayujay]

Every year the same thing happens and nothing happens! The lies continue and in 10 years again: Thailand vows to end dual pricing🤪🤪🤪

[CLW]

5 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

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 

No, it's about the principle. And also that lame attempt to fool foreigners with announcing the Thai prices in Thai script 

[cedel]

8 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Did you pay the park warden direct?

The guides like to charge the foreigner price, then give the warden the Thai price.

 

The last time I went to Koh Samet I refused to pay the park price on the boat, they phoned the park warden to meet the boat as they had a problem foreigner. I handed the park warden my Thai D/L and the Thai price, as I exited the boat, which he took, returned my D/L and walked away.

no, but at 1st, I refused to pay the 200, and the guide said he was not aware that I could pay also 40 B with a thai DL, so he said he will phone and enquire.. after 10 minutes, he said that it does not work, and that I had to pay 200 B... I did not want to start to make problems for 5-€..so, I paid.. 

[CLW]

Should do it as in most countries of the world. Locals (based on their address on ID card) pay discounted ticket prices, other Thais and foreigners pay the normal price. Hell, even China has this system. 

[Naroge]

The Headline and article don't match. The article doesn't mention anything about Vowing to end dual pricing. Only the Headline does.

[sambum]

"Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to tackling notorious dual pricing practices"

 

Didn't they promise to do this a few years ago, or am I dreaming that it was just another off the cuff "positive" remark by TAT? 🤔

[CCesar]

1 hour ago, Peterphuket said:

Here another one, for long time already.

Yep, can do without, and will not support discrimination, since I am being ripped in many other ways just because of being a foreigner.

 

1 hour ago, DualSportBiker said:

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.

It is happening in some places and works for me, since I will never enter any park having to pay more.

[impulse]

That would be a shame, because I support dual pricing. 

 

If everyone had to pay the foreign price, the places would be almost empty, and they couldn't afford to maintain the resource to a standard that western tourists demand.  If everyone paid the Thai price, the places would be packed and still they couldn't afford to maintain the resource to a high standard.

 

It's about overhead absorption and incremental business.

 

That said, there have been a time or two that I passed on a National Park because I was only planning to drive through and check it out for a short time, so the 400 baht wasn't worth it.  But I've gladly paid that when I planned to spend some time. Same with some of the tourist traps in Bangkok itself.  Aquarium comes to mind. 

 

Edit:  But they should give foreigner kids the Thai price.

 

[NorthernRyland]

1 hour ago, Free the 115 said:

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 hope you're applying that same 10x pricing to any rent or housing. 30k/month rent should be 300,000 for you. It's only fair right? 

[Jerry777]

Sometimes purposefully I will drive up to the gate smile and leave. Screw them.

 

Let me add a sad story. A beautiful place up past Doi Suthep was full of the most beautiful ancient hardwoods. Until last week when the staff cut down 15 of the most beautiful spiritually life giving trees. I thought jeez, were they dangerous? Then I drove up a bit further and saw all the cut trees stacked up for export to China or maybe Bankgok, who knows. I was blown away, what person can do this? OK, ya starving but they are not. Doesn't take Government employees any where to start to think they own the park and the last thing they want is anyone visiting their private space.

[TheFishman1]

Once I hear this but they’re gonna do it with the dual pricing I don’t think it’s ever gonna happen TIT

[garzhe]

7 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

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, Free the 115 said:

2 hours ago, Unamerican said:

Where/what are these? — examples please! 

https://www.timeout.com/london/news/londoners-can-get-50-percent-off-loads-of-the-citys-biggest-attractions-right-now-042924
 

took me less than a minute to find.. and probably less than the time it took you to type your “request”

 

Thats not 'dual pricing'...  Its resident discount: Thai's or any resident of London of any nationality can get the same discounts.... its not based on nationality alone.

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

49 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Did you pay the park warden direct?

The guides like to charge the foreigner price, then give the warden the Thai price.

 

The last time I went to Koh Samet I refused to pay the park price on the boat, they phoned the park warden to meet the boat as they had a problem foreigner. I handed the park warden my Thai D/L and the Thai price, as I exited the boat, which he took, returned my D/L and walked away.

 

A few years ago I could get the Thai Price on Samet (with my Pink ID card)...   But no longer (the last couple of times I went)...    When arriving on the 'normal / slow ferry'...    we pay at the pier after alighting the boat and 'entering' - Koh Samet - the Park staff have been very clear...  Foreigner price only.

 

 

 

 

[garzhe]

Dual Pricing has got worse in recent years. I used to get into most places showing my Pink Thai ID card. Now not so easy. National Parks are the worst, most wont accept a driving Licence or  ID card.  It's considered a scam if Taxis or other private enterprises charge more to foreigners but where did they learn it from.  Cant see it changing anytime soon.

[richard_smith237]

6 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

7 hours 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 

 

So, by that logic, I assume you’d be fine with paying dual prices for a beer, a meal, hospital care, hotel stays, expressways, taxis, and so on?

 

When the government endorses dual pricing, it sends a clear message to all Thai businesses: it’s open season on foreigners. That kind of message naturally leaves a sour taste.

 

While the higher entry fees at national parks may seem trivial, they’re just the tip of the iceberg. Dual pricing in hospitals, for example, is not just unfair - it’s shameful.

 

Its good to see that some senior figures in Thailand are starting to recognise the flaws in a pricing system based on nationality. It damages the country’s image and erodes trust. Taking steps to end dual pricing, and acknowledging that scams exist and should be addressed. This signals a more mature, forward-thinking attitude.

 

For once, it’s refreshing to read an article that stands up for tourists and expats, instead of painting us as the problem.

 

 

 

 

 

[kwilco]

55 minutes ago, kwilco said:

An exceptiona;lly benal and misinformed comment.  We are not talking discounts for locals here we are talking visitors be asked to pat TEN TIMES MORE than the national fee - that's not a discount it is a dual pricing policy.

Sorry I need to edit this.....An exceptionally banal and misinformed comment.  We are not talking discounts for locals here we are talking visitors be asked to pay TEN TIMES MORE than the national fee - that's not a discount it is a dual pricing policy.

[GregKeo]

7 hours 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,   

Even worse than you think ..... ฿30 and ฿20 .... 10x more.

[renaissanc]

It sounds like everyone will be told to have one price for Thais and foreigners, but national parks will continue to have two prices. I've not been in a Thai national park since 1980 because of the two-tier system. 

[VBF]

7 hours 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 did that once.

I'd borrowed a friend's car and went with TGF of the time to Nong Nooch.

On the way there, my friend's licence fell out of the sun visor, so when we arrived at NN, I showed it and got the Thai price.

TGF looks at me and says "you don't look like Peter (my friend)"

I couldn't resist it......my reply was "We all look the same to you lot" 😎

[smew]

Would be nice