Phuket Gazette's Open Letter On Race-based Pricing

[baabaabobo]

PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette's editorial this week comes in the form of an open letter to World Boxing Council (WBC) President Jose Sulaiman on the topic of race-based pricing at the world title fight held at the Bangla Boxing Stadium in Patong, Phuket on May 29.

Dear Mr Sulaiman:

As you are no doubt aware, WBC champion Oleydong Sithsamerchai recently retained his strawweight crown in a title defense against Muhammed Rachman at the new Bangla Boxing Stadium in Patong, Phuket.

What you might not be aware of is that the host venue charged foreign spectators – tourists and local expatriates alike – a minimum of 2,000 baht (US$58) for seats, while charging Thai nationals a maximum of only 300 baht (US$8.70) to watch the same contest.

Sadly, double-pricing policies based on race or nationality are still quite common in Thailand, but to our knowledge this is the first time they have been imposed at a WBC-sanctioned event. The Phuket Gazette views this as a very negative development that could tarnish the reputation of your council, which has long enjoyed its status as the premier international sanctioning body in the Kingdom.

In the previous two WBC-sanctioned events held in Phuket, including Oleydong’s first title defense staged in Phuket City last June, admission was free to all. Thousands turned up to cheer on local favorite Oleydong, who comes from nearby Trang province.

Free admission has been the case at almost all WBC boxing events in Thailand in the past, ensuring big crowds and the kind of excitement that can only be beneficial to title fights. These contests are also routinely broadcast around the country on free-to-air television.

While the Phuket Gazette has no problem with stadiums charging for seats, the practice of imposing a two-tiered pricing structure based on perceived race or nationality is inherently inequitable, backward and – in the end – self-defeating. Is it any wonder there were so many empty seats at this latest fight?

We hope the WBC will consider such double-pricing policies in the context of the WBC Constitution and Code of Ethics, which clearly states that people in the professional boxing industry should “oppose discrimination on the basis of race, nationality or religion, and act forcefully to counteract it, never co-operating with those who practice it”.

In view of this, and in order to maintain the fairness and the integrity of the sport of boxing, we ask that the WBC take steps to apply, as a precondition, fair and equitable ticket pricing structures for events it sanctions in the future.

– The Editor

-- Phuket Gazette 08/06/09

[sungate]

PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette's editorial this week comes in the form of an open letter to World Boxing Council (WBC) President Jose Sulaiman on the topic of race-based pricing at the world title fight held at the Bangla Boxing Stadium in Patong, Phuket on May 29.

Dear Mr Sulaiman:

As you are no doubt aware, WBC champion Oleydong Sithsamerchai recently retained his strawweight crown in a title defense against Muhammed Rachman at the new Bangla Boxing Stadium in Patong, Phuket.

What you might not be aware of is that the host venue charged foreign spectators – tourists and local expatriates alike – a minimum of 2,000 baht (US$58) for seats, while charging Thai nationals a maximum of only 300 baht (US$8.70) to watch the same contest.

Sadly, double-pricing policies based on race or nationality are still quite common in Thailand, but to our knowledge this is the first time they have been imposed at a WBC-sanctioned event. The Phuket Gazette views this as a very negative development that could tarnish the reputation of your council, which has long enjoyed its status as the premier international sanctioning body in the Kingdom.

In the previous two WBC-sanctioned events held in Phuket, including Oleydong's first title defense staged in Phuket City last June, admission was free to all. Thousands turned up to cheer on local favorite Oleydong, who comes from nearby Trang province.

Free admission has been the case at almost all WBC boxing events in Thailand in the past, ensuring big crowds and the kind of excitement that can only be beneficial to title fights. These contests are also routinely broadcast around the country on free-to-air television.

While the Phuket Gazette has no problem with stadiums charging for seats, the practice of imposing a two-tiered pricing structure based on perceived race or nationality is inherently inequitable, backward and – in the end – self-defeating. Is it any wonder there were so many empty seats at this latest fight?

We hope the WBC will consider such double-pricing policies in the context of the WBC Constitution and Code of Ethics, which clearly states that people in the professional boxing industry should "oppose discrimination on the basis of race, nationality or religion, and act forcefully to counteract it, never co-operating with those who practice it".

In view of this, and in order to maintain the fairness and the integrity of the sport of boxing, we ask that the WBC take steps to apply, as a precondition, fair and equitable ticket pricing structures for events it sanctions in the future.

– The Editor

-- Phuket Gazette 08/06/09

I couldn't agree more. Race-based pricing is bad not only for marketeers of boxing but also for any other business or public service (schools, buses, national parks, etc) catering to an international clientele. It's embarrassing and completely out of date in today's world, but neither the Gazette nor anyone else is going to change it in Thailand.

[JetsetBkk]

... neither the Gazette nor anyone else is going to change it in Thailand.

Agreed, but good luck to the Gazette with that!

[huggybear]

... neither the Gazette nor anyone else is going to change it in Thailand.

Agreed, but good luck to the Gazette with that!

It's the venue operator, not the WBC. This letter will fall on deaf ears.

[Ping]

Agreed, but kudos to the PG for at least making the attempt to apply a bit of pressure in respect of this inequitable practice.

[kenai]

If the fights are a WBC sanctioned event then they should have control and influence over any practice that goes against their policy..? It is letters to influential people like this one that can help to slowly bring change. It is worth a shot, I don't see any change coming from within. - Thanks PG !

Edited June 9, 2009 by kenai

[MJo]

It's a good start from PG, now we just need to get post and nation to report these issues as well. Maybe then even some thai papers pick it up...

In any case the more it is publicized the better the changes are there will be change.

[pagallim]

It's a good start from PG, now we just need to get post and nation to report these issues as well. Maybe then even some thai papers pick it up...

In any case the more it is publicized the better the changes are there will be change.

I agree with most of the comments made, and certainly PG is to be congratulated for taking up this issue, albeit it shouldn't be about one particular event in one particular location. The whole dual pricing system is fundamentally wrong, for me both ethically and legally (not sure about this one). A product is a product, and who the person is who pays the price shouldn't matter. Of course, tourist venues/shops etc will charge higher prices, and everyone who uses them realises they are being stung, but nonetheless that's how it works. If you can negotiate a lower price, fine. But to be so flagrant as to apply official dual pricing on general public services such as ferries/national parks (Fantasea for example!) etc, are an absolute insult.

Don't know about anyone else, but instead of this laughable 'Summer Season' campaign, how about a 'same price for all' season.

[JiveTalker]

Always thought this forum would be a good place for a sticky thread about places with dodgy dual pricing policies. I'd like to know who does/ doesn't do it.

Fair play to the Phuket Gazette for giving it a shot.

Edited June 10, 2009 by JiveTalker