Dual Prices

[Misplaced]

In Thailand, it's based on race. They spot a white face and the baht signs flash in their eyes.

Chinese, Koreans, Japanese are too difficult to spot and likery seldom get charged the higher rate. Cambos, Burmese and Malays are even tougher to ID.

In my eyes this is blatant racism.

Charging someone a different price based on where they live (and pay/don't pay taxes) is discriminating, but not racist.

And in my eyes this is being opportunistic. Thai businesses saw people who can afford to pay more than the avg Thais so they took advantage of you.

Like I said earlier in this thread "It's considered policy in the west, but racism in Thailand". Garbage!

Edited May 15, 2009 by Misplaced

[Texpat]

So you condone racism?

Mighty brave.

[Misplaced]

So you condone racism?

Mighty brave.

I condone businesses being opportunistic. It's all about business survival and money. That's how businesses stay open to give you jobs.

What I don't condone is throwing the word "racism" around when you don't get things to go your way..hint hint..

Edited May 15, 2009 by Misplaced

[473geo]

Interesting thing is, on some occasions such as Thai funerals and weddings, the more affluent people are certainly expected, and do, donate more. It is a verification of status.

[Heng]

That's classism. Shameful.

[Birdman]

In Austria definitely there is dual pricing.

Where?

I only know about season ski-passes.

As an Austrian I am keen to know.

In Vorarlberg, we got half the price if we let our Xiberger order in dialect than the Germans (or the Vienna people).

On Stuhleck (spelling???) my parents pay local prices not tourist prices.

It is not as official as in Thailand and it is usually just for the region not for the country, but very common.

Sometimes here a favour for a friend, sometimes there...You can not call that dual pricing compared to the standard here. Or are there different prices at the ocean centre in Vienna or Schoennbrunn for all foreigners for instance?

[Pierrot]

There is this other thread "It's time to go home"

Thailand doesn't need you (?!) and you definitively don't need Thailand. Take what you like, go places where you're welcome and when you're tired of the place move somewhere else.

Around the Mediterranean sea, especially now since all these former "East Europe" countries are open, there a lot a very nice and cheap places. And honestly the food there is much better for your health.

And there are also those nice countries in Central and South America. Unfortunately I don't know them much but friends who spent sometime there describe them as paradise on earth.

If Thai don't learn quickly to deal with foreigners in a honnest manner, honestly now is the time to teach them a lesson and vote with our feet.

Edited May 16, 2009 by Pierrot

[dbrenn]

Dual pricing in the US....esp in education is still alive and well

Tuition fees...

Out of state students pay more than residents of the state - even tho they are holding the same citizenship

International students always pay more.....many times - up to 3-4 times than the normal tuitition fee

been there... done that

Nothing to complain, that's just the way it is

Same in Aussie too - citizens and PRs get cheaper rates for education.

[Jungian]

The simple rule of thumb in the USA as far as colleges and universities go is:

If it is a community college and you did not graduate from a school in the county where the junior college is located you pay double.

If it is a state school such as Penn State, Florida State, Ohio State, etc. You get a discount for being a resident of that state, bigger discount if you went to high school in that state and even bigger discount if you were born in that state.

Private universities such as Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Yale, Harvard, etc. everyone pays the same on paper.

Obviously there are scholarships, affirmative action, special interest discounts and having to pay extra because your family is wealthy and you are not that sharp so Dad has to donate a new library to get you in to his Alma Mater!

[jumnien]

The dual pricing continues at many dept stores in Bangkok where non-Thais are given special discounts and even refunded VAT while Thais are made to pay full price. Stand up and protest to make sure that Thais are treated fairly!

[Birdman]

The dual pricing continues at many dept stores in Bangkok where non-Thais are given special discounts and even refunded VAT while Thais are made to pay full price. Stand up and protest to make sure that Thais are treated fairly!

VAT will be refunded at the customs, if a non citizen leaves the country. Same in the EU.

[jumnien]

The dual pricing continues at many dept stores in Bangkok where non-Thais are given special discounts and even refunded VAT while Thais are made to pay full price. Stand up and protest to make sure that Thais are treated fairly!

VAT will be refunded at the customs, if a non citizen leaves the country. Same in the EU.

Yes, but Central offers a 5% discount to all non-Thai citizens. Price determined by citizenship - isn't that exactly what folks are against? Stand up and demand that Central charge Thais the reduced prices they charge non-Thais! We must be equal!

[JohnGotti]

you guys know who the biggest perpetrator of dual pricing systems, is right? the world governments with their t-a-x-e-s.

taxing the rich and productive to feed the poor and lazy.

[mauGR1]

you guys know who the biggest perpetrator of dual pricing systems, is right? the world governments with their t-a-x-e-s.

taxing the rich and productive to feed the poor and lazy.

OK,you have a point here.

But history shows that when the poor (normally they are the majority)are fed up with the rich they start to kill them.

Moreover,unless you are a hunter-gatherer,you need the wicked poor to produce the food that you eat.

So IMO,the human society can prosper only if the rich have compassion for the poor,and the poor in not envious of the rich.

Bit off topic,sorry.

[CHdiver]

I do remember that there is dual pricing in Switzerland, some cheaper offers you could just get as a Tourist, Train tickets for example.

[h90]

In Austria definitely there is dual pricing.

Where?

I only know about season ski-passes.

As an Austrian I am keen to know.

In Vorarlberg, we got half the price if we let our Xiberger order in dialect than the Germans (or the Vienna people).

On Stuhleck (spelling???) my parents pay local prices not tourist prices.

It is not as official as in Thailand and it is usually just for the region not for the country, but very common.

Sometimes here a favour for a friend, sometimes there...You can not call that dual pricing compared to the standard here. Or are there different prices at the ocean centre in Vienna or Schoennbrunn for all foreigners for instance?

Of course it is not common, but it exists. Montafon (if I spell it right) you pay half with the right Dialekt. Everyone knows, no one speaks about it. But all my experiences aren't country or race based, they usually count just for small area (If you are from Vienna, you pay the foreigner price in Vorarlberg)

[Tyree D.]

Just because America has out-of-state fees for colleges doesn't justify Thailand's farang fees for the zoo.

And say what you want about boycotting the country...Thailand is like heroin. When one addict dies of gets off, thousands of more join.

[Lancelot]

Dual pricing in the US....esp in education is still alive and well

Tuition fees...

Out of state students pay more than residents of the state - even tho they are holding the same citizenship

International students always pay more.....many times - up to 3-4 times than the normal tuitition fee

been there... done that

Nothing to complain, that's just the way it is

Hi Teacup. You are Thai and studied in the US? Can you explain more about your experiences of double pricing in the US?

I know some golf courses and other entertainment attractions in the US offer discounts to locals who can show ID that they live nearby. Every one else pays the standard rate, out of town US citizens included.

Were you charged double in restaurants in the USA based on ethninticity? Tenfold at national parks? Overcharged at sporitng event?

I'm not picking on you, just trying to offer an example of how foreigners feel about being charged double (or more)

[Texpat]

^ and was it based on the color of your skin or because you were from out of town?

[473geo]

Supply and Demand

Sales

Two people agreeing a contract of sale for a price agreed and acceptable to both

Money then changes hands

Everywhere in the world

no problem

[473geo]

That's classism. Shameful.

Means you can charge what you want for the classless ones though....

[Roadman]

Dual pricing occurs here in New Zealand and it would be one of the most socially correct societies going.

At a local level attending our cities hot pools I pay a discounted rate as a city resident.

At a national level to visit the foundation stone of our nation the Waitangi Treaty grounds I get in free as a New Zealand resident, whereas my wife and step daughter even on NZ residency permits have to pay $20 each.

[EndofDays]

We have had many threads on this website about Dual Pricing and it is very common to hear the argument from those in favour of it to say, "If I go to the US to study, I have to pay a higher rates than a US person".

Thought you might like to see the below article. It shows that in some states in the US you most definately do not need to be a US citizen to pay the lower price.

...In fact you could even be a Thai person who entered the country under a tourist visa that expired and are now living in the US as an illegal immigrant.

****************

...10 states – among them California, Kansas, and New York – passed legislation explicitly allowing in-state tuition rates for undocumented students. The issue is on the table again in California, where a new bill would let undocumented students qualify for financial aid.According to assistant Senate majority leader Richard Durbin (D) of Illinois, about 65,000 of the 2.8 million American teens who graduate from high school each year are undocumented. In April, Senator Durbin and Sen. Richard Lugar ® of Indiana introduced the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The DREAM Act is a bipartisan measure to make it easier for undocumented students to become permanent residents if they came here as children, are long-term US residents, have good character, and attend college or enlist in the military for at least two years.

******************

[source. World Education Services ]

IF you are out-of-state, then you will always end up paying more so your article doesn't prove anything. I went to a university outside of my state of residence and had to pay a higher tuition. In the U.S., you may get screwed, but everybody gets screwed pretty evenly.

[EndofDays]

We have had many threads on this website about Dual Pricing and it is very common to hear the argument from those in favour of it to say, "If I go to the US to study, I have to pay a higher rates than a US person".

Thought you might like to see the below article. It shows that in some states in the US you most definately do not need to be a US citizen to pay the lower price.

...In fact you could even be a Thai person who entered the country under a tourist visa that expired and are now living in the US as an illegal immigrant.

****************

...10 states – among them California, Kansas, and New York – passed legislation explicitly allowing in-state tuition rates for undocumented students. The issue is on the table again in California, where a new bill would let undocumented students qualify for financial aid.According to assistant Senate majority leader Richard Durbin (D) of Illinois, about 65,000 of the 2.8 million American teens who graduate from high school each year are undocumented. In April, Senator Durbin and Sen. Richard Lugar ® of Indiana introduced the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The DREAM Act is a bipartisan measure to make it easier for undocumented students to become permanent residents if they came here as children, are long-term US residents, have good character, and attend college or enlist in the military for at least two years.

******************

[source. World Education Services ]

Your arguement doesn't hold water. If you are out-of-state than you always pay more for tuition in the U.S. I went to a university that was outside of the state where I claimed legal residence. I had to pay higher educational fees than in-state students. In the U.S., you get screwed but so does everybody else pretty evenly across the board. As far as the illegal immigrants, that is more of a political issue.

[jumnien]

In the US, if you set up a casino in the middle of nowhere, they lock you up and throw away the key. If you are American Indian, they give you tax breaks for your casino! The world over, different folks get different prices. That's the beauty of it - just figure out where you fit in, what is expected of you, and do it!

[KhunAlbert]

Dual pricing is appropriate at state run enterprises supported by local taxpayers.

Unfortunately, it has become just another way to fleece visitors. Siam Ocean World, even does it!

How about 2,000 baht for Thai Boxing when locals pay 250?

That's insane and a good way to piss off your best customers.

Tourism represents 6% of GDP and employees millions.

Short sighted policy I say. Tourists should be nurtured, not abused.

Edited May 16, 2009 by KhunAlbert

[Jingthing]

In the US, if you set up a casino in the middle of nowhere, they lock you up and throw away the key. If you are American Indian, they give you tax breaks for your casino! The world over, different folks get different prices. That's the beauty of it - just figure out where you fit in, what is expected of you, and do it!

You neglected to mention that invaders stole most of their land and killed most of their people, and you whine about a few tax breaks? No comparison to double pricing issues.

Edited May 16, 2009 by Jingthing

[Birdman]

There is this other thread "It's time to go home"

Thailand doesn't need you (?!) and you definitively don't need Thailand. Take what you like, go places where you're welcome and when you're tired of the place move somewhere else.

Around the Mediterranean sea, especially now since all these former "East Europe" countries are open, there a lot a very nice and cheap places. And honestly the food there is much better for your health.

And there are also those nice countries in Central and South America. Unfortunately I don't know them much but friends who spent sometime there describe them as paradise on earth.

If Thai don't learn quickly to deal with foreigners in a honnest manner, honestly now is the time to teach them a lesson and vote with our feet.

Romania? Honduras?

If finances, comfort, pleasure, food, health and climate matters there is no alternative to Thailand worldwide. If you leave one or two of that requirements away, there is.

[lukeskywalker]

Dual pricing is appropriate at state run enterprises supported by local taxpayers.

Unfortunately, it has become just another way to fleece visitors. Siam Ocean World, even does it!

How about 2,000 baht for Thai Boxing when locals pay 250?

That's insane and a good way to piss off your best customers.

Tourism represents 6% of GDP and employees millions.

Short sighted policy I say. Tourists should be nurtured, not abused.

At Siam Ocean World, If you show a work permit or a Thai bank ATM card in your name you get the Thai price.

[F1fanatic]

Reminds me of the story (and unfortunately I suspect it is a story) of the farang who had lived here for a number of years and got v fed up of the dual pricing.

He went home to a car dealership and a Thai walked in. He told him 'yes, this car would be 10,000 euros, but to a Thai, 15,000 euros! I'm told the look on his face was priceless - I only wish I could believe it was true.