GREAT SUCCESS [to quote Borat]

Today's Bangkok Post reports that over 926,000 folks visited National Parks over the NY period - generating over 31million Baht in revenue.

This represents an average of some 33.5 baht per visitor.

Given the 10 Times disparity between Thai & Farang fees, the only conclusion to be drawn is that Farangs generally don't choose to visit National Parks. Perhaps reducing that disparity may result in more visitors and higher revenues.

Maybe having honest people collecting the fees could also help. We used to get my wifes grand son on weekends and school holidays every year. So I've been to many national parks in Thailand. Apart from a few many aren't even worth going to let alone paying for.

I went one time to a national park near Chiang Dio and that was the last time I don’t like having to pay 10 times or whatever it is more and it wasn’t worth it Tyler just wants to rip off the Tourist in a long time residency that live here that’s why I totally understand why Vietnam will overtake this place if it wasn’t for the prostitution I should refrain that talent doesn’t have any prostitution that wasn’t for the girls for higher I think they would lose most of their visitors I mean this place has gone real expensive not to mention the hassle with the visas and 90 day reporting etc. etc. mismanagement that’s what I can base it on TIT

54 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

I went one time to a national park near Chiang Dio and that was the last time I don’t like having to pay 10 times or whatever it is more and it wasn’t worth it Tyler just wants to rip off the Tourist in a long time residency that live here that’s why I totally understand why Vietnam will overtake this place if it wasn’t for the prostitution I should refrain that talent doesn’t have any prostitution that wasn’t for the girls for higher I think they would lose most of their visitors I mean this place has gone real expensive not to mention the hassle with the visas and 90 day reporting etc. etc. mismanagement that’s what I can base it on TIT

Try these . ,

Every spot where you can hike has become a "national park". With few exceptions, national parks are just a money-printing scheme. And the foreigner pri ce is not just twice the Thai price, it is often 5 or 10 times the Thai price.

Fancy you live somewhere near a National Park. The national park is the only area where you can do jogging or have long walks. And each time you go for a walk you need to shell out 200-400 baht.

If at least they had season tickets.

1 hour ago, JackGats said:

Every spot where you can hike has become a "national park". With few exceptions, national parks are just a money-printing scheme. And the foreigner pri ce is not just twice the Thai price, it is often 5 or 10 times the Thai price.

Fancy you live somewhere near a National Park. The national park is the only area where you can do jogging or have long walks. And each time you go for a walk you need to shell out 200-400 baht.

If at least they had season tickets.

Nonsense, there is a 15 km walking/jogging/cycling area in Phuket around one of the dams, we have been walking there for years, hundreds of Thais walk around it from 4pm in the afternoon on a daily basis, I have been using it for twenty plus years.

I am surprised how many Thais walk/ride/jog as they make up 95% of the crowd, there are just a few of us farangs, the rest are probably sitting at home sulking. 😃

I went to the to the largest aquarium in Thailand last week which is in Phuket, locals pay about 650 baht as do long term farang residents, tourists pay double, but they do not mind due to the hight standard of the aquarium, tourists are not bothered about paying a few extra bob, well the ones who visit Phuket don't it seems, they still think it is really cheap compared to Europe.

There are lots of free attractions here you can walk around for free.

1 hour ago, JackGats said:

If at least they had season tickets.

Last year, I went with the GF to the Sam Roi Yot NP north of Prachuap. We started off at the park HQ and then did a boat trip into the mountains and a little way out to sea for a better view, all very pleasant. I also wanted to spend an hour or two on the other side of the park at the lotus lake, but we didn't have time. I noticed that the park ticket said it was valid for five days, so we went to the lotus place (almost impossible to find as there are no road signs and Maps got totally lost) two days later, driving down from Hua Hin. I showed our tickets but the lady in the ticket office said nope, the five days only counts if you stay in the park, not if you leave it and come back later (at least that's how the GF translated what she said). If they'd been organised and had some boats there to take you on a tour around the lake I might have coughed up twice, but the place was deserted and the woman didn't seem to know when someone with a boat might come to take us on a tour, so we gave up and drove up the coast to Pran Buri instead. Not a NP, maybe, but no entry fee and a pleasant boat trip through mangroves and along the river, which wasn't expensive.

17 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

I am surprised how many Thais walk/ride/jog as they make up 95% of the crowd, there are just a few of us farangs, the rest are probably sitting at home sulking.

Naw, I and many others are walking in the morning: Rawai Beach, Laem Promthep, Nai Harn around the lake and back via Sai Yuan. 16K, nice walk. Start at 5, home 07.30, not busy yet.

Anything worth seeing in Thailand they've fenced off and you pay to look, usually up to 10 times what the locals pay if you have a white face.

On 1/6/2026 at 1:20 AM, dinga said:

Given the 10 Times disparity between Thai & Farang fees, the only conclusion to be drawn is that Farangs generally don't choose to visit National Parks.

"Generally" might be only "some", others don't mind paying the listed entrance fee – in my view it's fair enough that entrance is cheap or free for the nation's citizens, while we aliens that can afford to pay an entrance fee also pays it – it's just like in USA, where foreigners now also pays a higher entrance fee...

19 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Naw, I and many others are walking in the morning: Rawai Beach, Laem Promthep, Nai Harn around the lake and back via Sai Yuan. 16K, nice walk. Start at 5, home 07.30, not busy yet.

Thanks, I will look into those areas.

I like the road which runs along the sea near the large pier in Rawai.

I have not done it for a long time but we used to regularly go at about 7:30pm, buy fish, crab etc from one side of the road and take it into the restaurants on the other side and have the food cooked while sipping on a few cold Changs, great food.

17 minutes ago, garzhe said:

Anything worth seeing in Thailand they've fenced off and you pay to look, usually up to 10 times what the locals pay if you have a white face.

Or brown, black, etc if you are a tourist but still dirt cheap, I don't know of any farang tourist who has ever complained about the cheap prices.

When I went to Iguazu, they had a large price board with specific continents and countries listed and different prices for each. For example, North Americans and Europeans paid more than Japanese visitors, who paid more than other Asian countries, who paid more than Central Americans and Mexicans, who paid more than South Americans, etc.. It was quite a long list. Now they seem to have streamlined it. It didn't bother me, but I found it interesting:

"Yes, major Brazilian parks, especially Iguazu National Park, have different ticket prices based on nationality, with residents from Brazil paying less, Mercosur citizens (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay) paying a middle rate, and international visitors paying the full, highest price. Children often have free or reduced entry, and discounts are available for seniors or students with proper ID. 

Example: Iguazu National Park (Brazil Side - 2025 Prices)

• Brazilian Nationals: R$ 97 (Full Price)

• Mercosur Citizens: R$ 104 (Requires ID)

• International Visitors: R$ 130 (Full Price)

• Children (up to 6 years): Free"

4 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

Thanks, I will look into those areas.

The hill between Yanui and Nai Harn is a hard one, but you can avoid that one by turning right opposite Yanui and still have a very nice exercise.

Just my two baht here but as much as I love Thailand it is an institutionally racist society led by the government

Last week I won 2,000 on the lottery, went to the vendor and was told only KTB bank will cash tickets. Lovely says I so off I toodle to reap my millions. Nope, was told only Thai leople can redeem lottery.

Nuf said.

2 hours ago, stevenl said:

The hill between Yanui and Nai Harn is a hard one, but you can avoid that one by turning right opposite Yanui and still have a very nice exercise.

Cheers, I will look on a map.

26 minutes ago, Can samui said:

Just my two baht here but as much as I love Thailand it is an institutionally racist society led by the government

Last week I won 2,000 on the lottery, went to the vendor and was told only KTB bank will cash tickets. Lovely says I so off I toodle to reap my millions. Nope, was told only Thai leople can redeem lottery.

Nuf said.

You could get on a rubber boat in France, go over to England, say the word 'asylum' be taxied off to a nice hotel by the sea for a year or two, free food and free money, English lessons, table tennis and the rest all for free, paid for by me and the rest of the tax paying population.

I think I prefer the Thai system where we have to pay to stay here, are never allowed to be permanent instead of attraction hundreds of thousands of riff raff as is the case in the UK, that way the Thais do not resent us as they know we do not have a free ride.

Just give the ticket to a Thai and get the money that way, easy to do.

Living here knowing we are not equal politically or culturally is fine by me, I can alway get on a plane back home if I want to as I know my annual visa extension is temporary each time, that is clear for us all to see so I do not understand why farangs get upset about such things, we are told from the outset we are always regarded as visitors?

8 hours ago, JackGats said:

Every spot where you can hike has become a "national park". With few exceptions, national parks are just a money-printing scheme. And the foreigner pri ce is not just twice the Thai price, it is often 5 or 10 times the Thai price.

Same in Turkiye except there the foreigner price is often 20 times the price for Turkish citizens.

Oh no not this topic again, get over it! . Foreigners pay more to visit some attractions in the nationals home country. If you don't like it don't go. And who gives a <deleted> if they could attract more people. Most attractions should have less visitors not more to keep it better condition.

Can we please put this nonsense to rest. Who cares if you have to pay a little extra. Extra charges are common all over the world.

United States

Example attractions: Major National Parks (Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, etc.)
Non-residents: Recently introduced $100 surcharge on top of standard fees; annual pass for foreigners can be ~$250 vs ~$80 (pre-surcharge)

France (cultural institutions)

Example: Louvre Museum (Paris)
EU/EEA visitors: lower standard rate (~€22)
Non-EU visitors: higher (~€32) starting 2026
~€10 extra for non-EU visitors.

(Similar proposed differential pricing at Versailles and other French monuments.)


Egypt

Example attractions: Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum
Fee difference: Foreign visitors often pay significantly higher than locals. Specific official published figures vary by site, but tourists can pay several times more than Egyptian residents.


Ecuador

Example: Galápagos Islands
Locals: ≈ $30
Foreign tourists: ≈ $200
Foreigners pay ~6–7× more than Ecuadorian nationals.


Sri Lanka

Example: Sigiriya (Lion Rock)
Locals: ~120 LKR (~$0.40)
Foreigners: ~$35
Tourists pay nearly 90× what Sri Lankan residents pay.


India

Example: Taj Mahal
Locals/Indian residents: much lower (often a few hundred rupees)
Foreign tourists: higher fees (several times more)
Exact rates fluctuate, but differential pricing for foreigners is well-established.


Japan

Example attractions: Some temples, parks, cultural sites
Locals vs foreigners: Plans to roll out dual pricing where foreigners pay double or more for entry in some places (e.g., locals ¥500–1,000, foreigners significantly higher).

(Note: Japan also has some private businesses/experiences reported to charge foreign customers more than locals.)


Turkey

Example: Miniatürk and other sites
Locals: ~TL 80 (~$2.62)
Foreigners: ~TL 350 (~$11.50)
Around 4× higher for tourists.


(Africa – general pattern)

Examples: Kruger National Park (South Africa), Maasai Mara (Kenya), Serengeti (Tanzania)
Locals or regional visitors: lower fees
Foreign tourists: significantly higher (hundreds of USD per visit)
Wildlife/national park fees in parts of East/Southern Africa regularly charge foreign visitors multiple-times the local rate as part of conservation funding.

23 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

if it wasn’t for the prostitution I should refrain that talent doesn’t have any prostitution that wasn’t for the girls for higher I think they would lose most of their visitors

Don’t farangs pay more for the hookers?

11 minutes ago, thjames007 said:

Oh no not this topic again, get over it! . Foreigners pay more to visit some attractions in the nationals home country. If you don't like it don't go. And who gives a <deleted> if they could attract more people. Most attractions should have less visitors not more to keep it better condition.

Great nonsensical insights, Champ.

Look at the maths. Clearly you've been in Thailand for about 10 minutes - otherwise you'd know that revenue impacts are a major consideration for many/most government decisions.

26 minutes ago, Freddy42OZ said:

Can we please put this nonsense to rest. Who cares if you have to pay a little extra. Extra charges are common all over the world.

United States

Example attractions: Major National Parks (Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, etc.)
Non-residents: Recently introduced $100 surcharge on top of standard fees; annual pass for foreigners can be ~$250 vs ~$80 (pre-surcharge)

France (cultural institutions)

Example: Louvre Museum (Paris)
EU/EEA visitors: lower standard rate (~€22)
Non-EU visitors: higher (~€32) starting 2026
~€10 extra for non-EU visitors.

(Similar proposed differential pricing at Versailles and other French monuments.)


Egypt

Example attractions: Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum
Fee difference: Foreign visitors often pay significantly higher than locals. Specific official published figures vary by site, but tourists can pay several times more than Egyptian residents.


Ecuador

Example: Galápagos Islands
Locals: ≈ $30
Foreign tourists: ≈ $200
Foreigners pay ~6–7× more than Ecuadorian nationals.


Sri Lanka

Example: Sigiriya (Lion Rock)
Locals: ~120 LKR (~$0.40)
Foreigners: ~$35
Tourists pay nearly 90× what Sri Lankan residents pay.


India

Example: Taj Mahal
Locals/Indian residents: much lower (often a few hundred rupees)
Foreign tourists: higher fees (several times more)
Exact rates fluctuate, but differential pricing for foreigners is well-established.


Japan

Example attractions: Some temples, parks, cultural sites
Locals vs foreigners: Plans to roll out dual pricing where foreigners pay double or more for entry in some places (e.g., locals ¥500–1,000, foreigners significantly higher).

(Note: Japan also has some private businesses/experiences reported to charge foreign customers more than locals.)


Turkey

Example: Miniatürk and other sites
Locals: ~TL 80 (~$2.62)
Foreigners: ~TL 350 (~$11.50)
Around 4× higher for tourists.


(Africa – general pattern)

Examples: Kruger National Park (South Africa), Maasai Mara (Kenya), Serengeti (Tanzania)
Locals or regional visitors: lower fees
Foreign tourists: significantly higher (hundreds of USD per visit)
Wildlife/national park fees in parts of East/Southern Africa regularly charge foreign visitors multiple-times the local rate as part of conservation funding.

Interesting but not relevant.

My point is that the quoted revenue collection per National Park visitor indicates that the fees have been arbitrarily set without regard to the Laffer Curve principal ie. raising rates up to a certain point increases revenue, but raising them too high can decrease revenue, leading to a drop in total income. In my view, the numbers suggest a critical review is needed of both fee levels and attractions for all visitors

On 1/8/2026 at 12:21 PM, khunPer said:

"Generally" might be only "some", others don't mind paying the listed entrance fee – in my view it's fair enough that entrance is cheap or free for the nation's citizens, while we aliens that can afford to pay an entrance fee also pays it – it's just like in USA, where foreigners now also pays a higher entrance fee...

Do foreigners pay a higher entrance in the US?

In Europe I think dual pricing is simple illegal. I wish it were otherwise. I wish there were a price for Thais and a price for "rest of the World".

On 1/8/2026 at 12:21 PM, khunPer said:

"Generally" might be only "some", others don't mind paying the listed entrance fee – in my view it's fair enough that entrance is cheap or free for the nation's citizens, while we aliens that can afford to pay an entrance fee also pays it – it's just like in USA, where foreigners now also pays a higher entrance fee...

Noted this is a change by the current aberration US government. A note to those who might be holding old US National Park passes, like myself, we and our guests get free entry where the passes are valid. my last visit to USA was 2023, my Thai Wife and Stepdaughter go in as my guests. Plan to avoid USA during this administration as my refusal to have electric devices turned over if demanded would definitely result in my RESISTing. I would, of course be labeled a "far left domestic terrorist" by the current ilk.

9 hours ago, JackGats said:

Do foreigners pay a higher entrance in the US?

Yes, Trump made that last year.

On 1/8/2026 at 11:47 AM, JamesPhuket10 said:

Nonsense, there is a 15 km walking/jogging/cycling area in Phuket around one of the dams, we have been walking there for years, hundreds of Thais walk around it from 4pm in the afternoon on a daily basis, I have been using it for twenty plus years.

I am surprised how many Thais walk/ride/jog as they make up 95% of the crowd, there are just a few of us farangs, the rest are probably sitting at home sulking. 😃

I went to the to the largest aquarium in Thailand last week which is in Phuket, locals pay about 650 baht as do long term farang residents, tourists pay double, but they do not mind due to the hight standard of the aquarium, tourists are not bothered about paying a few extra bob, well the ones who visit Phuket don't it seems, they still think it is really cheap compared to Europe.

There are lots of free attractions here you can walk around for free.

I can’t comment on Phuket, but in most other places, the Thai price is significantly lower than the foreigner price. The real issue isn’t the price difference itself, but that foreign residents of Thailand—who live here long-term and pay taxes—are still charged more purely because they are not Thai. It’s very hard to justify this as anything other than outright discrimination.

If you are that cheap just move to a different country and stop complaining.

17 hours ago, cdulaney said:

If you are that cheap just move to a different country and stop complaining.

If the new country develops duel pricing after he moves there, then what should he do? Move again?