Picture courtesy of YouTube/ 컬렌 Cullen HateBerry

 

A Thai vendor at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi province has been fined 2,000 baht after allegedly overcharging two South Korean YouTubers, prompting a public backlash and official investigation. The fine was imposed by the Ratchaburi Provincial Commercial Affairs Office after footage of the transaction went viral, sparking debate about tourist price gouging in popular destinations.

 

In the video posted on the YouTube channel 컬렌 Cullen HateBerry, influencers Cullen and Jung were seen travelling by long-tail boat along the Damnoen Saduak Canal before stopping at a riverside shop. They purchased a white dragon-embroidered shirt and a pair of elephant-patterned trousers, initially quoted at 600 and 400 baht respectively. After negotiating, they paid a total of 900 baht, a price many Thai viewers criticised as excessive compared to typical online prices of 100–200 baht for the trousers and 200–400 baht for similar shirts.

 

Fans of the pair also noted that their total one-hour visit to the floating market cost 3,340 baht, further fuelling concerns about overcharging. The viral vlog led officials to question the vendor, identified as Prapaporn, on November 11. She confirmed selling the items for 900 baht but claimed she could not recall full details as the sale occurred in October. She defended her pricing, stating the shirt was hand-embroidered and the trousers were made of high-quality material.

 

Prapaporn admitted failing to display price tags and offered to refund the YouTubers in full, apologising to both them and the public. She also said she was willing to let the men keep the clothes as apology gifts. Authorities fined her 2,000 baht for not displaying prices, in line with consumer protection regulations and advised that she could submit documentation proving her production and investment costs before any further measures were considered.

 

Thai influencer Jarukit “Judy” Sisawat, a friend of the YouTubers, later clarified on Facebook that the pair did not want a refund but hoped the case would encourage fair treatment of all tourists. The incident has reignited discussion about pricing transparency and fairness at Thailand’s most visited markets.

 

This is not the first time Cullen and Jung have faced similar issues in Thailand. In September 2023, they were charged 520 baht for six pieces of fried chicken and two boxes of rice in Songkhla province. Other tourists have also reported disputes at Damnoen Saduak, including cases of alleged overcharging for boat rides and photoshoots.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Vendor fined 2,000 baht for failing to display prices at Damnoen Saduak Market.

• South Korean YouTubers paid 900 baht for clothing widely considered overpriced.

• Case renews calls for fair pricing and stronger consumer protection in tourist areas.

 

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from TheThaiger 2025-11-13

 

 

 

 

Wonder if the Thai netizens are equally outraged over foreigners getting fleeced with 2 tier pricing at national parks, temples and tourist attractions.  

They don't sound very skilled in negotiating.

 

I worked with a Korean guy before, and he would just pay whatever the asking price was. Maybe bargaining isn't something many Koreans do.

 

The Korean won has dropped around 20% against the baht the last couple of years, so even more reason to start.

I went there years ago as a guest of some Thai friends... the boat rides are a rip-off too, charging way-too-much for a short boat ride.

The whole place including the adjacent market is a rip-off

Those youtubers should be overcharged.

On 11/13/2025 at 4:38 AM, Georgealbert said:

Prapaporn admitted failing to display price tags

 

Uhm quite common here. Walking around Bangkok yesterday with two friends from Europe, we had to ask the prices at most places. When we checked online prices, it seems that many of the vendors were quoting 3 to 5 times the online price. So negotiation skills are a must. Either that of, if you have time, order online.

What happened to let the buyer beware?

Geez a couple of dummies overpaid a bit.

Meh.

I've been there a couple of times.  I never saw any prices posted.

It's a tourist trap.  Of course you are going to get overcharged.

The same thing is happening all over Thailand. Tourists are being overcharged everywhere they go. If TAT is reading this article, they might be able to figure out, why the tourist numbers are declining. Tourists with just a little bit of common sense, would not consider to return to a country, where they are always seen as easy targets for overpricing.

You Tubers monetize their experiences. As such they wouldn't care so much about allegedly overpaying the subject clothing as is capturing the whole process on video for their paying fans. 

The vendor did have a reason for the higher sale price but did violate not posting the price. But nothing prevents anyone from doing some shopping comparison. In this case I don't think that was a concern by the You Tubers - they didn't want a refund. 

And now the cries for price gouging just furthers the video hits. Free advertising for the video.

Ok then tell me this. Wife says we should go to "Changthong Heritage Park" in Chiang Mai. Some large garden made by a private citizen and there's a cafe in there too.

 

They want 150 entrance fee for Thais and 250 for foreigners. Excuse me, why are you trying to milk me for another 100 baht to visit your retarded tourist trap? Sorry told the wife they can <deleted> off with that attitude.

 

Where are the authorities on this one? It's not a national park, just some greedy <deleted> taking advantage of a captive market.

Whenever we visit maya beach it’s 50 baht for Thais and 400 baht for foreigners. It makes you sick the level of disrespect. Sure 1-2 X but not 8X. 😅

On 11/13/2025 at 4:38 AM, Georgealbert said:

Authorities fined her 2,000 baht for not displaying prices, in line with consumer protection regulations

At many places, prices are not displayed. I thought it was to compulsory in Thailand

Shock-horror, overcharging at a fake floating market tourist trap, who would have thought?

 

They would have to pay me to go to visit them.

They should check the shelves at most of the major Thai supermarkets. A lot of the time the price labels are missing and / or the products are in the wrong place. Often I have to check the product numbers to see if they match.

Missus once brought my Korean friends to the floating market . She was told it was a weekday special so only pay half the price of normal fare. Congratulating herself on her good luck, she was disappointed upon learning that half the shops were closed on weekdays , opening only on weekends.

3 hours ago, daejung said:

At many places, prices are not displayed. I thought it was to compulsory in Thailand

Another sneaky trick is to display prices both in Arabic numerals and Thai numerals.  The Thai prices are always considerably lower but, as the average foreign tourist is unfamiliar with Thai numerals, they have no idea that they are being overcharged.

On 11/14/2025 at 11:47 AM, Olsworth said:

Whenever we visit maya beach it’s 50 baht for Thais and 400 baht for foreigners. It makes you sick the level of disrespect. Sure 1-2 X but not 8X. 😅

  "whenever we visit" ?? !!!     you mean to say you have let yourself be disrespected more than once ?  Now that is what the Thai consider a quality tourist, well done