Thai Logic - And Downward Spiral

[deprogrammed]

As anyone who knows anything about this land understands, when buisness is bad Thais put up prices (generally).

So with this sense of prevailing logic when things get really bad should ferangs expect to be treated worse - with more contempt - by Thais, who will be angry with us rich farangs for causing all their woes?

[bravingbangkok]

Not really, I mean I am constantly overcharged but I simply shake my head and say no and give them the proper or agreed price.

Like the other day I had pork and noodles, usually costs 50baht for a large bowl, when I finished the guy said 60 because it was extra large, I told him I did not ask for extra large, gave him 50baht and walked off.....what is he going to do call the police ?

I have had these types of experience every since I got here and I do not think the economy is going to worsen it. As an example I was in a taxi and the it came to 55 baht I think, I only had 1000baht and 50baht note, instead of the hassle of changing the 1000 the guy just took the 50baht note and said maipenrai.

So no I do not think the current economic climate is going to make a substantial difference.

[TheLaughingMan]

If you live off the street vendors sure things might seem the same, but go into a real store or try to go to a nice disco and prices have all gone up. Foolish thinking, economy down, raise the price and alienate the remaining customers.

[bravingbangkok]

If you live off the street vendors sure things might seem the same, but go into a real store or try to go to a nice disco and prices have all gone up. Foolish thinking, economy down, raise the price and alienate the remaining customers.

I think the OP is talking more about Thais putting up prices specifically for farang, and in reference to what you said about clubs and restaurants I have not noticed any change in pricing. Have you and where ? I would be interested to know.

RCA hasn't gone up neither have the clubs in Ratchada.

and

the few restaurants I go to on sukhumvit have not gone up and at my expat club the prices have not gone up.

Edited June 13, 2009 by bravingbangkok

[bravingbangkok]

Actually that is quite strange that the only two places I can think of where the prices have gone up is 7/11 and my local noodle joint.

[G54]

The one place I know of that raised prices a lot has now hardly any customers yet a year ago the place was quite busy. Even the Thai customers voted with their feet.

[JR Texas]

The one place I know of that raised prices a lot has now hardly any customers yet a year ago the place was quite busy. Even the Thai customers voted with their feet.

Thailand's economic decline (especially in relationship to some of its neighbors like Cambodia and Vietnam) has actually been going on for several years now.

Seen from that perspective, prices have increased substantially for some items in certain places.

One example is the prices of hotel rooms in Pattaya-Jomtien.

Some have gone up 100%.....even 200% or more during the past 5 years (no, this can't be explained by inflation).

The price increases in some cases are reflected in better services/rooms, but in other cases (no doubt the majority) they seem to have been set without any regard to market forces (e.g., law of supply and demand).

Maybe that is why in another thread they are saying Pattaya is dead.

The govt. has tried to get the hotel owners to lower prices and some have, but I think the majority have not.

I just stayed at my usual place in Bangkok last week and the price was the same it was six months ago (no discounts on anything).

The hotel owners accept a low season downturn and high season upturn. But they are likely miscalculating this time because the high season to come will almost certainly not make up for the low season losses.

I read in the Bangkok Post about numerous hotels up for sale now.....what a surprise!