Tourism Foreign Tourists in Pattaya Feel "Short-Changed" Amid Local Deals

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Thailand tourism

 

As Pattaya boosts domestic tourism with exclusive deals for Thai nationals, foreign visitors express frustration over perceived unfair pricing. Government-backed discounts and co-pay perks are attracting local travellers, but expats and tourists are questioning why they face higher charges for similar experiences, from hotel stays to national park entries.

 

One disgruntled visitor posted on a Pattaya travel forum, "Should I get a local to book my hotel for October? It's annoying knowing the guest next door is paying less for the same room."

 

The promotion of "Thai Price" offers, designed to stimulate domestic travel, has reignited the dual pricing debate. Hotel operators argue these deals are necessary to boost local spending, but many foreigners find the disparity unfair.

 

A long-time expat noted, "It's been going on for 30 years. We're used to it, but that doesn't mean we like it."

 

Pattaya is well-known for dual pricing, where foreigners often pay more for baht-bus fares, boat rides, and beach attractions. Some locals defend this as a matter of business freedom. One resident remarked, "It's a free country. If you don't like the price, don't buy it."

 

However, beneath the humour and sarcasm of online jesting, many visitors are disheartened. Despite political turbulence and regional tensions, the Thai baht remains strong. Tourists feel squeezed by both exchange rates and price discrimination.

 

"Why are we paying more for everything, from national parks to bar tabs?" asked one traveller. "Vietnam's starting to look better."

 

Economists argue that weakening the baht to aid foreign tourists could worsen inflation, as much of Thailand's energy is imported in US dollars. This explanation offers little solace to travellers checking out of overpriced rooms booked via English websites, while Thai-language platforms quietly advertise local deals.

 

As Pattaya hoteliers continue pushing Thai-exclusive promotions, some argue the city might miss a valuable opportunity to make international visitors feel more welcome.

 

"It's not about freebies," an expat commented. "We just want the same price as everyone else."

 

The ongoing debate highlights a critical challenge for Pattaya: balancing the drive to stimulate local tourism with ensuring foreign visitors feel valued and fairly treated.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-30

 

 

[Smokey and the Bandit]

"Why are we paying more for everything, from national parks to bar tabs?" asked one traveller. "Vietnam's starting to look better."

 

And that just about sums it up!!

[ozz1]

Yes it's a slow season so let's put up the prices that's Thai logic and with the exchange rate people aren't getting value for money so the have to be careful or they will loose to Vietnam

[BayArea]

5 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

However, beneath the humour and sarcasm of online jesting, many visitors are disheartened. Despite political turbulence and regional tensions, the Thai baht remains strong.

the mighty baht. simply amazing!🙄

[champers]

The Thai government subsidises locals who are strapped for cash. Can they be expected to subsidise foteign tourists as well, who are far wealthier in relative terms?

[JBChiangRai]

I prefer to live in Thailand, but I prefer to holiday in Vietnam.

[DonniePeverley]

Thai's travelling to Europe also feel the pinch when their salaries and currency don't reach as far - compared to the other way round.

 

Last thing Thailand needs is more cheap tourists. Hopefully these lot go back. 

[jacko45k]

Just now, DonniePeverley said:

Last thing Thailand needs is more cheap tourists. Hopefully these lot go back. 

But that is not true is it? It's all about numbers and the cheaper end of the market seems to also be the most populated. The fact they are less discerning and will stay several to a room in any old dump helps too!

[DonniePeverley]

Just now, jacko45k said:

But that is not true is it? It's all about numbers and the cheaper end of the market seems to also be the most populated. The fact they are less discerning and will stay several to a room in any old dump helps too!

 

 

It is true. 

 

Despite the low season rhetoric - Thailand is on course to attract 40 million tourists. Almost record breaking. 

 

They need to weed out low spending cheap tourists, especially those who whinge alot that things aren't cheaper. 

 

Quality tourists don't want to be visiting Thailand with masses and masses of cheap tourists around blocking everything up. 

[jacko45k]

7 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

 

It is true. 

 

Despite the low season rhetoric - Thailand is on course to attract 40 million tourists. Almost record breaking. 

 

They need to weed out low spending cheap tourists, especially those who whinge alot that things aren't cheaper. 

 

Quality tourists don't want to be visiting Thailand with masses and masses of cheap tourists around blocking everything up. 

The peak tourist numbers came in 2019, by far the vast majority were Chinese. Followed by Malaysia, India, South Korea  and Russia.

[ChrisY1]

Thais continue to believe that foreigners are totally stupid! Double pricing is bad!

[Gsxrnz]

Capitalism by definition is discriminatory. Not racism, but classist discrimination.  The seller will set the price according to the perceived ability and willingness of the buyer to pay based on their class or affluence. The free market will determine the outcome. 

 

Every decision a person makes is discriminatory. The act of buying a particular pair of shoes discriminates against every other pair of shoes in the world.

 

Hats off to any hotelier who can squeeze a few extra baht from, or offer a discount to any socio-economic class in the course of doing business and striving for a profit. 

 

 

[actonion]

Dual pricing on everything for the  Foreigner, from your local Laundry to the International  Hospital, I  have  e- mailed  months ago   all of the International hospital's in Pattaya  asking them the reason why a Foreigner has to pay  more for all Hospital services  than a Thai person, all of my e mails remain unanswered

[lamyai3]

5 minutes ago, actonion said:

Dual pricing on everything for the  Foreigner, from your local Laundry to the International  Hospital, I  have  e- mailed  months ago   all of the International hospital's in Pattaya  asking them the reason why a Foreigner has to pay  more for all Hospital services  than a Thai person, all of my e mails remain unanswered

 

Banging your head on a brick wall. It was legalised and implemented six years ago. 

 

https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/thai-public-hospitals-ordered-to-implement-dual-pricing-for-foreigners/

[actonion]

1 minute ago, lamyai3 said:

 

Banging your head on a brick wall. It was legalised and implemented six years ago. 

 

https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/thai-public-hospitals-ordered-to-implement-dual-pricing-for-foreigners/

Legal or not i still would like to know.... WHY

[cdemundo]

Cheap Charlies,

[jvs]

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

Despite the low season rhetoric - Thailand is on course to attract 40 million tourists. Almost record breaking. 

 

That is if you believe everything TAT tells us.

[jacko45k]

14 minutes ago, actonion said:

Legal or not i still would like to know.... WHY

I suspect it is subsidized for the locals at only 35 baht!

I can't criticize a country for looking after its nationals over and above foreigners, I wish it was the case where I hail from!

[newbee2022]

That's not a Pattaya specific problem.

It's everywhere in Thailand though maybe not so extreme as in Pattaya.

With my Thai wife I won't feel it, but it's annoying to know being 2. class people here (1. Class in being exploited😂)

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Government-backed discounts and co-pay perks are attracting local travellers, but expats and tourists are questioning why they face higher charges for similar experiences, from hotel stays to national park entries.

It's the way Thailand has always acted... Foreigners are perceived to be ultra rich and therefore a target to get ripped off.

[captain_shane]

9 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I suspect it is subsidized for the locals at only 35 baht!

I can't criticize a country for looking after its nationals over and above foreigners, I wish it was the case where I hail from!

Obviously it's subsidized. This guy wants subsidized health care as well. The people on this forum are mad they can't do all kinds of things thai people can do like buy land. Then they have the balls to complain about foreigners buying up land in their home countries. Very entitled posters on here.

[technoronin]

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

 

It is true. 

 

Despite the low season rhetoric - Thailand is on course to attract 40 million tourists. Almost record breaking. 

 

They need to weed out low spending cheap tourists, especially those who whinge alot that things aren't cheaper. 

 

Quality tourists don't want to be visiting Thailand with masses and masses of cheap tourists around blocking everything up. 

 

I'm not going to be one of those tourists.  It's not the dual pricing that has driven me away, it's all of the other restrictions and paperwork that have been added just this year.  The BS about "quality tourists" never seems to actually define what a quality tourist is.  Someone who stays in the Hilton and only eats in steakhouses?  That really doesn't help all of the middle of the road restaurants or ordinary hotels.  When I visit I spend between 100,000 and 200,000 baht per month for 4-6 months at a time.  Not a big spender, but not a cheap charlie either.  Thailand doesn't seem to want visitors like me anymore, so I will spend my money elsewhere.

[captain_shane]

Just now, hotchilli said:

ripped off.

How are you getting ripped off? Are you getting ripped off at bars during ladies nights where they get in free and men have to pay? You're a guest in their country, why would you expect to be treated the same as them? Why would they even want you here if you aren't bringing them more money than a regular thai person can?

[Purdey]

It's just racism. Foreigners are rich and can pay the 400 Baht entry but a Thai kid in a Maserati or Ferrari is too poor and should pay 20 Baht.

I usually review parks in Google maps and always mention the anti foreigner racist entry charges.

[Olof Karlsson]

I read some time ago that the thai governement should stop all double provins.

[mikebell]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

"Vietnam's starting to look better."

And they make it easy to enter by keeping things simple.  No unnecessary TDAC for Vietnam.

[captain_shane]

Just now, technoronin said:

 

I'm not going to be one of those tourists.  It's not the dual pricing that has driven me away, it's all of the other restrictions and paperwork that have been added just this year.  The BS about "quality tourists" never seems to actually define what a quality tourist is.  Someone who stays in the Hilton and only eats in steakhouses?  That really doesn't help all of the middle of the road restaurants or ordinary hotels.  When I visit I spend between 100,000 and 200,000 baht per month for 4-6 months at a time.  Not a big spender, but not a cheap charlie either.  Thailand doesn't seem to want visitors like me anymore, so I will spend my money elsewhere.

You aren't who they're talking about. Why do you think they created the dtv visa, it's for people like you.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, champers said:

The Thai government subsidises locals who are strapped for cash. Can they be expected to subsidise foteign tourists as well, who are far wealthier in relative terms?

Most of the users of the 50/50 scheme are civil servants who enjoy a reasonable salary and take all the national holidays given, or the wealthier upper class who don't work.

Cash strapped locals tend to be self employed day workers who never go on holidays.

 

[captain_shane]

Just now, mikebell said:

And they make it easy to enter by keeping things simple.  No unnecessary TDAC for Vietnam.

A 3 min form to fill out is too hard for you? Go to vietnam then, why are you here in thailand, it's 1400 baht to fly, why not leave? Oh wait, no one actually likes vietnam in reality.

[hotchilli]

6 minutes ago, captain_shane said:

How are you getting ripped off? Are you getting ripped off at bars during ladies nights where they get in free and men have to pay? You're a guest in their country, why would you expect to be treated the same as them? Why would they even want you here if you aren't bringing them more money than a regular thai person can?

Illogical argument

How would you feel if you went to a foreign country and had to pay more for everything than the locals.

Just because you can afford to fly somewhere doesn't mean you are rich.

All people should pay a fair price and an equal one.