11 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

I am in complete agreement with dual pricing for foreigners... in any country.  (Yes, some of us have/had businesses and paid taxes. But relatively few of us, compared with the yearly tourist trade.)

Locals pay taxes all their lives. Those taxes help support national parks. When visitors come, shouldn't they, too, help support the attraction they wish to visit? Of course they should pay more than locals!  
I lived in a New England state for 25 years, 50 years ago. The cost of a resident hunting/fishing license was $7.00. The cost of an out-of-state combined license was $50. The state was not all that interested in drawing in out-of-state hunters.

That said, considering the fact that Thailand's major economic draw is tourism, perhaps Thailand does go a bit overboard on what they think foreigners should pay.

And that perhaps is the crux of the issue, if you ask the foreigner to pay double I doubt that very many foreigners would object, especially when it comes to National Parks. I would be happy to support the national parks on that level but when you ask me to pay 10 to 20 times what a Thai pays it feels abusive, disrespectful, and downright unappreciative of the support that we expats bring to the nation on countless levels. Perhaps we wouldn't feel so strongly if they would honor the system put in place long ago that allows expats to pay the local price if we can prove that we live here with a pink card or a driver's license, but since that's rarely ever honored it just deepens the wound. 

 

As far as the amount required for tourists, that is likely easier to debate than the fee asked of expats. 

2 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Do tell. Was in NYC earlier this year and it was packed with visitors.

 

That's nice. Unfortunately, for the USA, foreign origin tourism keeps declining.  It was down in 2024 and now the U.S. Travel Association report forecasts a 3.2 per cent decline in international tourism spending in the country for 2025, a loss of $5.7 billion US compared to the previous year.  The association largely attributes the loss to a decline in the number of Canadian visitors  - a trend that has persisted since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office. 

 

In the latest data for October, the number of return trips among Canadians travelling to the U.S. dropped by 24 per cent for air travel and by 30 per cent for land travel, compared with the same time last year. Canadians traditionally make up the largest group of international tourists to the U.S., totalling 28 per cent of its 72.4 million visitors in 2024. 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/u-s-canadian-travel-loss-9.6974240

 

The foreigners who visit  US national parks are typically Canadians who do road trips. The fee hikes will kill off the Canadian road trippers.  I don't think the plan is going to be popular in the towns that depend on these foreign tourists.

2 hours ago, Purdey said:

Call it what it is. Racist pricing.

I'll call your comment stupid, bringing up the racist card for no reason whatsoever.

 

Anyone without a Thai citizen ID card or proof of residency (eg, Thai driver's licence) pays the foreigner rate. That includes SE Asians and all other Asians. How is that racist?

36 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Seems Trump is following the Thai example - when demand drops, raise prices.

 

More like controlling the crowds, too many park visitors.

20 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

And that perhaps is the crux of the issue, if you ask the foreigner to pay double I doubt that very many foreigners would object, especially when it comes to National Parks. I would be happy to support the national parks on that level but when you ask me to pay 10 to 20 times what a Thai pays it feels abusive, disrespectful, and downright unappreciative of the support that we expats bring to the nation on countless levels. Perhaps we wouldn't feel so strongly if they would honor the system put in place long ago that allows expats to pay the local price if we can prove that we live here with a pink card or a driver's license, but since that's rarely ever honored it just deepens the wound. 

 

As far as the amount required for tourists, that is likely easier to debate than the fee asked of expats. 

The National Park System is perhaps one of AMerica's greatest achievements. And it was a bargain at only $80 for an all year pass to every property in the system- for ALL the people in one vehicle. So, family of 4 made it only twenty bucks a piece. $250 is still a bargain.  

 

As a contrast, a one week pass to Angkor Wat is $72 per person. Also well worth it IMHO. 

For Cambodian citizens, it is free. 

What they might want to do in Thailand is ensure that when a foreigner pays for a group of Thai people, they get the same rate. That's when dual pricing seems excessive and unfair, when you're paying for a group of Thais.

 

A shout-out to Pattaya Park Tower: They charge 200 baht more for foreigners to eat in the revolving restaurant, and for most other activities. It's a bit annoying if you're also paying for a group of Thai people to eat or partake in other activities there. It's not like you're going to refuse if you're with the girlfriend's family.

1 hour ago, gargamon said:

A lot of the yanks don't like being recognized as yanks too. Some even put Canadian flags on their clothes/luggage.

I'm not sure which is most embarrassing?

Add to that the $250 integrity charge for tourist visas, and I imagine tourists will soon be flocking to the US.

48 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

And that perhaps is the crux of the issue, if you ask the foreigner to pay double I doubt that very many foreigners would object, especially when it comes to National Parks. I would be happy to support the national parks on that level but when you ask me to pay 10 to 20 times what a Thai pays it feels abusive, disrespectful, and downright unappreciative of the support that we expats bring to the nation on countless levels. Perhaps we wouldn't feel so strongly if they would honor the system put in place long ago that allows expats to pay the local price if we can prove that we live here with a pink card or a driver's license, but since that's rarely ever honored it just deepens the wound. 

 

As far as the amount required for tourists, that is likely easier to debate than the fee asked of expats. 

You missed the part where out of state residents had to pay 7 times the amount paid by locals.
At the time, I was working in a sporting goods store that sold hunting licenses. I rarely heard the out of state visitors complain. Some did. Most just accepted the fact if they wanted to use the state’s resources. 
Like it? I doubt it. Neither do we. But they wanted to hunt and fish so they paid. When I want to visit a national park here, I’ll pay the long price despite having lived here 25 years and run a business. Even if the price goes higher.  It’s just not that big of a deal. 
 

2 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Not me. 

 

 

 

Going to our favorite park this season I'll be there seven weeks, my wife only 2.5 bc she needs to work. 

 

Daily

Me: 280b

Her: 100b

Stop bitching about other people

42 minutes ago, Hanaguma said:

The National Park System is perhaps one of AMerica's greatest achievements.

Is this the National Park System that Trump is opening up to drilling/mining?

2 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Another illegal order. He does not have the right to set fee schedules.

The National Parks do, though, even if what you say is right (I doubt that it is) and it is that entity that will be implementing the 2026 fees.

Just now, Liverpool Lou said:

The National Parks do, though, even if what you say is right (I doubt that it is) and it is that entity that will be implementing the 2026 fees.

What he says is not right. The National Parks are part of the Executive Branch, which reports to the president.

 

The 2026 fee schedule, and (I think) the $250 for non-residents is already on the website. 

 

 

1 hour ago, In Full Agreement said:

He probably thinks so.

No, he thinks Americans are WASPs and everyone else needs to leave, except for underage Russian models, of course.

5 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Is this the National Park System that Trump is opening up to drilling/mining?

Yes. It is so vast that opening some small parts to exploration for resources will have zero impact on the system as a whole.  The benefits are potentially vast. 

3 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

Are you not able to tell locals from visitors in Australia without asking? 

 

I can generally tell Europeans from Americans in Bangkok just from looking. 

I can spot a yank just by listening, hearing protection is often necessary 

The long ongoing 'Dual Pricing debate'... 

 

There is a difference between dual pricing based on Nationality and Dual Pricing based on Residency...

 

This new Trump Policy (suggestion) will not be based on Nationality - the reporting is lazy in its use of 'foreigners'...  

 

USA / Local Residents of 'any nationality' will receive a local 'discount' it is those unable to prove residency who will face higher fee's.

 

Meanwhile 'dual pricing' in Thailand is based on Nationality - thus, a foreign resident in Thailand (someone on a Non-Imm Visa, or a work permit etc) will be discriminated against based on Nationality. 

 

There is a big difference and thats why people complain about dual pricing.

 

But, in these discussions a lot of people miss that simple nuance. 

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

if we can prove that we live here with a pink card or a driver's license, but since that's rarely ever honored it just deepens the wound. 

possession of a pink card or driving licence does not prove that one actually  lives here , anymore than having a non o visa or a yellow book.  

Why should foreigners who live here pay the Thai rate ?  they are not Thai and none of them are impoverished due to working here for Thai level  wages.  No different from long stay tourists 

3 hours ago, still kicking said:

And of course, you ask everybody comes from

 

3 hours ago, still kicking said:

Oh, I see all Americans are red indians 

Do you pride yourself in stupid posts.?

3 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

possession of a pink card or driving licence does not prove that one actually  lives here , anymore than having a non o visa or a yellow book.  

Why should foreigners who live here pay the Thai rate ?  they are not Thai and none of them are impoverished due to working here for Thai level  wages.  No different from long stay tourists 

Are Thai folk in your country charged more.....?  

1 hour ago, Hanaguma said:

The National Park System is perhaps one of AMerica's greatest achievements. And it was a bargain at only $80 for an all year pass to every property in the system- for ALL the people in one vehicle. So, family of 4 made it only twenty bucks a piece. $250 is still a bargain.  

 

As a contrast, a one week pass to Angkor Wat is $72 per person. Also well worth it IMHO. 

For Cambodian citizens, it is free. 

I could not possibly agree with you more about the American Park system, it's by far the greatest in the world, and the nation should be very thankful to Roosevelt for establishing that system. And the annual pass remains a bargain if you use the parks a lot. And I believe it includes the National Forest and National Monuments too. 

 

With more than 400 national parks, 560 national wildlife refuges and nearly 250 million acres of other public lands managed by Interior department, it is the most important public land system on the planet. 

 

But I was referring to the national parks in Thailand, and the fact that expats should have a right to use them, without paying relatively exorbitant fees. 

They can charge whatever they want as far as I'm concerned, It is not compulsory to visit these places. There is little here to take one's breath away , except perhaps the air quality in certain parts at certain times of the year,   

1 minute ago, transam said:

Are Thai folk in your country charged more.....?  

I neither know nor care,   Why should I ?

1 minute ago, Bday Prang said:

They can charge whatever they want as far as I'm concerned, It is not compulsory to visit these places. There is little here to take one's breath away , except perhaps the air quality in certain parts at certain times of the year,   

Yet you are here, that's confusing.....🤫

Just now, Bday Prang said:

I neither know nor care,   Why should I ?

I gathered that, but as a comparison fact question....?  🤫

34 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Is this the National Park System that Trump is opening up to drilling/mining?

Well he proposed that in his first term and he even included national wilderness areas for mining, timber and oil, which is quite an astonishing suggestion considering the fact that these are remote areas that would be devastated by that type of development.

 

But since Trump's never been to one, and has no regard for nature, and prefers concrete, and bows down to corporate interests on a daily basis nothing like that should be considered surprising. 

Just now, spidermike007 said:

Well he proposed that in his first term and he even included national wilderness areas for mining, timber and oil, which is quite an astonishing suggestion considering the fact that these are remote areas that would be devastated by that type of development.

 

But since Trump's never been to one, and has no regard for nature, and prefers concrete, and bows down to corporate interests on a daily basis nothing like that should be considered surprising. 

Why do you always resort to lying? 

3 hours ago, gargamon said:

A lot of the yanks don't like being recognized as yanks too. Some even put Canadian flags on their clothes/luggage.

Every nationality has it's idiots.

13 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

possession of a pink card or driving licence does not prove that one actually  lives here , anymore than having a non o visa or a yellow book.  

Why should foreigners who live here pay the Thai rate ? 

 

Because its discriminatory - something that would also be discriminatory on in our home countries.

 

If one can show 'residency' (which a Yellow House Book / Pink ID does - has does a Non-Immigrant Visa, as does a Work Permit) - then a local rate based on local residency removes that discrimination based on Nationality.

 

13 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

they are not Thai and none of them are impoverished due to working here for Thai level  wages.  No different from long stay tourists 

 

Differentiation based on nationality alone is discriminatory - and the argument about wealth is flawed.

The vast majority of  Thai's I know are rather wealthy - this argument to support dual pricing based on perceived impovrishedness of Thai's is flawed.

 

The 'only' non-discriminatory way to deal with dual pricing is based on residency - and that counts everywhere, in any nation.