Dual Pricing At Crocodile Farm (samut Prakan)

[thaihome]

Why can’t I charge somebody more then somebody else? That is exactly telling me what to charge. In the free market you can charge whatever the market will bear, regardless of race, gender or anything else. Telling me otherwise is socialist claptrap.

TH

Perhaps another word would be discrimination?

This is a slippery slope, but what you are telling me is the government can dictate what I can charge individual customers, even if I know that a person will pay more for no other reason then I tell them it is more. As a businessman and believer in the free market, that just doesn’t seem right. The government is infringing on my right to run my business in the most profitable way.

[richard_smith237]

My guess is that when we foreigners are charged the ‘international rate’ the difference goes into the pocket of the ticket seller who counts us in as a Thai national.

This might be why in some places it’s more difficult to get the ‘Thai Price’ than in others.

By the way – what is the mark-up at the crocodile farm in Samut Prakan ?

If it’s just 50 baht to 100 baht then its no big deal. But if it’s say, 200 baht up to 500 baht it becomes more of an issue. It’s not the fact or even the factor of increase that I have any objection to. It’s whether or not I feel the actually difference is beyond the realms of reasonability or not.

5. In the UK (and I would guess a number of other countries) it is illegal to charge different prices for the same service.

I don't think this is so for Uni education in the UK, Non E.U. Pay a lot more.

[bkkjames]

Of course, it pretty difficult to prove unless its something like an admission price to a footbal match. For a service you can always say that job was more difficult etc.

What if they claim that it's more difficult for them to operate their croc farm to accommodate farangs (they have to hire staffs who can speak a little bit of English etc)

Is that make sense?

Their crocs can speak English? I would pay triple to hear that!

[thaihome]

Of course, it pretty difficult to prove unless its something like an admission price to a footbal match. For a service you can always say that job was more difficult etc.

What if they claim that it's more difficult for them to operate their croc farm to accommodate farangs (they have to hire staffs who can speak a little bit of English etc)

Is that make sense?

Why do they have to justify the different price at all? It is their business, they can charge whatever to whomever they want….

TH

[Galong]

Sadly, most of these places are crap and mistreat the animals to boot, so I have no desire to take my kids there. Problem is there ain't much of an alternative.

Thank you, this is the most important reason for not going there. Why on earth would anyone who cares about animals want to support an animal show? Kids need to know the truth behind animal shows.

There are plenty of alternatives, like going to a national park. I see wildlife all the time... including watching wild elephants playing in the water in Khao Sok (reservoir) as well as seeing a Malayan Sun Bear in the same area. Macaques, Langurs, Gibbons, hornbills, big mammals...they're all there.

Please don't support animal abusers/exploiters.

[ff978472]

Their crocs can speak English? I would pay triple to hear that!

I want to hear that too

[barky]

This kind of thing happened to me during the first year I came here. Since then, I very rarely go to these places (parks, galleries, theme shows etc.) as I'm not prepared to pay more than the locals and after being there , they weren't really worth the money. I just go to places where I know they don't have duel pricing and I don't feel deprived at all just a little wealthier. If I can avoid it, I am just not gonna let them practice racist policies on me.

[givenall]

Hi all,

sorry if this is alreaady covered, 'mong mai hen' as they say.

Just got back from the crocodile farm in Samut Prakan with the wife and kids (all Thai citizens).

Had the ususal conversation on trying to pay, and even waved my Thai dirving license, but still was forced to pay the farang price.

If it wasn't for the fact that the kids were excited about their day out, I'd have turned around and left.

This is the first time I've had this problem anywhere since I've had my DL, anybody else had the same problem?

do what i do, will not go if i have to pay higher rate

[stbkk]

My guess is that when we foreigners are charged the 'international rate' the difference goes into the pocket of the ticket seller who counts us in as a Thai national.

This might be why in some places it's more difficult to get the 'Thai Price' than in others.

By the way – what is the mark-up at the crocodile farm in Samut Prakan ?

If it's just 50 baht to 100 baht then its no big deal. But if it's say, 200 baht up to 500 baht it becomes more of an issue. It's not the fact or even the factor of increase that I have any objection to. It's whether or not I feel the actually difference is beyond the realms of reasonability or not.

5. In the UK (and I would guess a number of other countries) it is illegal to charge different prices for the same service.

I don't think this is so for Uni education in the UK, Non E.U. Pay a lot more.

Not so at the crocodile farm, we even got different tickets, showing the prices (300 Baht for Foreigner, 60 for Thai).

Good point abiout the Uni. In my defence its been a while since I was of Uni education age - In fact that was so long ago it was free.....

That does lead to some possible justification for the 'Locals vs Tourist' pricing, but still does not justify charging a resident the tourist price just because of their Nationality.

As a perfect example of how it should be done, we went to Muang Boran a few weeks back and I was warmly welcomed by the cashier who remembered me from my previous visits (probably because of my dodgy Thai!) and didn't even want to see my driving license before charging me the residents price.

And, although some of the posters will certainly not believe me, its NOT about the amount of money, but a point of principle, and what I think is right.

[Huey]

Firstly Thank you for posting this, I didn't know they were racsist bastards over at the croc farm, like they are at Ancient City. With my son coming soon I was thinking about places to take him, that will not be one of them.

Secondly if the Croc Farm is privately owned, showing any thing to confirm your citizenship should be irrelevant, as tax dollars don't go to pay for it, unless they want to rip people off because of their race like they do.

I'm sorry you had to give money for those bastards, but I understand that you had already brought your kids there and what can ya do. Thanks for warning us.

[thaihome]

Firstly Thank you for posting this, I didn't know they were racsist bastards over at the croc farm, like they are at Ancient City. With my son coming soon I was thinking about places to take him, that will not be one of them.

Secondly if the Croc Farm is privately owned, showing any thing to confirm your citizenship should be irrelevant, as tax dollars don't go to pay for it, unless they want to rip people off because of their race like they do.

I'm sorry you had to give money for those bastards, but I understand that you had already brought your kids there and what can ya do. Thanks for warning us.

That is what is truly great about the free market and the world we live in today, but you can not only not spend your money there, but you can then go on the internet and call them racists.

TH

[klikster]

As a perfect example of how it should be done, we went to Muang Boran a few weeks back and I was warmly welcomed by the cashier who remembered me from my previous visits (probably because of my dodgy Thai!) and didn't even want to see my driving license before charging me the residents price.

Muang Boran is a good example of a classy operation, IMO. I don't know the difference between resident and tourists. The entrance fee seemed more than fair if you look at the quality of the experience. Heck, I even bought the book.

[leftcross]

i'm pleased to read a topic about this as i was thinking of going to the place.

i took my boy to the elephant and croc place in nakhom pathom a few weeks back and he has been talking non-stop about crocs since and has been looking out for them on the animal planet channel.

the price there was 500 for foreigners and (i think) 80 for thais. i produced my driving licence and was told they could give me a cheaper price of 300. i felt this was fair enough as they had given a little discount so i could compromise and pay the extra. the trouble was that once you are there with your kids then would you really turn around and walk away for the sake of a couple of hundred baht. i think i would have paid but never gone back.

so now to the one at samut prakan....the price is 300 too so no difference there. do they have shows? is it worth it? how much for kids to get in (what height restrictions?)

300 is six quid and not too much to pay. i did refuse to go in a museum at kampaeng phet when they told me i had to pay full foreign price as they were rude and the place was empty (wonder why!).

but the crocs could be fair enough for 300....as long as it isn't a croc of sh*t

[caf]

No one has mentioned that it is against the Thai constitution to differentiate on the basis of race or nationality

Academic of course as even the national parks ignore the law and have two sets of printed ticket.

I would like to see western countries have reciprical arrangements with thailand. we cant own land so make that a rule for thais in the west.

[fred2007]

Thai DL doesn't make you a Thai citizen... just cuz other places are too stupid to realize that (or just don't think 500 baht is worth listening to you ramble on and ruin their day) doesn't make it any different...

In the US many states have attractions which charge a higher rate for out-of-state or foreign residents... I don't know why so many farang think this is a Thai phenomenon or why they seem to think they should be above it. It seems a pretty normal practice to me.

I seem to remember in Australia national park pass's were cheaper for local residents then inter-state residents. However I don't remember any zoos that charge an extra fee for foreigners. And, I'm sure no hotel would dare have a two price policy.

Since you miss my entertaining posts here is another one I don't know when you been to natinal parks in OZ the last time I only left OZ 2 years ago I took my wife to many national parks Blue Mountains

Dandegongs and she never paid 1 cent more than I did and in Perth Zoo she paid half of what I did because I said she is a visitor

[stbkk]

i'm pleased to read a topic about this as i was thinking of going to the place.

i took my boy to the elephant and croc place in nakhom pathom a few weeks back and he has been talking non-stop about crocs since and has been looking out for them on the animal planet channel.

the price there was 500 for foreigners and (i think) 80 for thais. i produced my driving licence and was told they could give me a cheaper price of 300. i felt this was fair enough as they had given a little discount so i could compromise and pay the extra. the trouble was that once you are there with your kids then would you really turn around and walk away for the sake of a couple of hundred baht. i think i would have paid but never gone back.

so now to the one at samut prakan....the price is 300 too so no difference there. do they have shows? is it worth it? how much for kids to get in (what height restrictions?)

300 is six quid and not too much to pay. i did refuse to go in a museum at kampaeng phet when they told me i had to pay full foreign price as they were rude and the place was empty (wonder why!).

but the crocs could be fair enough for 300....as long as it isn't a croc of sh*t

I guess as long as you are well aware before you get there, it could be much worse than 300 baht. It was their attitude and the principle that p****d me off about it. Just simply 'no discount' over and over again, no matter how politely we explained.

The missus and the kids all got the Thai price, 60 for her and 30 each for them, I think. They are 5 and 8, so I don't know at what age the adult rate kicks in.

They have the croc show, an elephant show, a train, some coin in the slot rides etc. and quite a few different animals, all in the usual far too small cages, unfortunately.

There's also a long elevated walkway around the main crocodile ponds.

I'd say your kids would enjoy it. My two certainly did, which was even more frustrating, because I'm sure they will want to go back. I'll now have the choice between being bad dad or smiling my 'thank you for ripping me off, its a pleasure to be able to give you this money' smile as I'm handing over the money.

If you do go, let us know if you have any more luck than I did on the entrance. Maybe I just got them on a bad day.

[OOB]

I can not find much to argue with the 'you are a visitor here and if you don't like it leave' argument....

Having said that, however, I'd be genuinely interested to hear from Thai citizens as to whether they would accept such an argument whilst on holiday because they are not white?

[KhaoNiaw]

Muang Boran is a good example of a classy operation, IMO.

Don't agree. They were once a good operation that had one price for all. After the old man died, a much more commercial approach was introduced and the dual pricing system was brought in, though as noted you can talk your way in or show Thai ID. Still a step backwards though.

[stbkk]

I can not find much to argue with the 'you are a visitor here and if you don't like it leave' argument....

Having said that, however, I'd be genuinely interested to hear from Thai citizens as to whether they would accept such an argument whilst on holiday because they are not white?

It certainly is an argument.

However, I don't think of myself as a visitor. I've worked here solidly for over 7 years, paid considerably more tax than the on-the-run ex-PM has (probably!), have applied for permanent residence (nearly 3 years and still waiting), and will probably go on and try for citizenship when/if I get the PR. I'm married to a Thai, am putting my stepson through international school with our son, and also have the usual assortment of her family in the house who I support as well.

I don't think hoping to pay the 'local' price when I take the family out is too much to ask, is it?

As a comparisson, if I'd taken my wife back to England when we got married, she (and probably my stepson) would have a full UK passport by now.

Rant over! Sorry. Feel much better now.

[OOB]

I can not find much to argue with the 'you are a visitor here and if you don't like it leave' argument....

Having said that, however, I'd be genuinely interested to hear from Thai citizens as to whether they would accept such an argument whilst on holiday because they are not white?

It certainly is an argument.

However, I don't think of myself as a visitor. I've worked here solidly for over 7 years, paid considerably more tax than the on-the-run ex-PM has (probably!), have applied for permanent residence (nearly 3 years and still waiting), and will probably go on and try for citizenship when/if I get the PR. I'm married to a Thai, am putting my stepson through international school with our son, and also have the usual assortment of her family in the house who I support as well.

I don't think hoping to pay the 'local' price when I take the family out is too much to ask, is it?

As a comparisson, if I'd taken my wife back to England when we got married, she (and probably my stepson) would have a full UK passport by now.

Rant over! Sorry. Feel much better now.

I don't disagree with anything you say.

I'd still like to hear from Thai citizens as to whether they would accept such an argument whilst on holiday because they are not white?

[PaulUSA302]

I try to avoid places that have Thai/Farang pricing. I don't blame you for wanting to turn around but paying it and entering for the sake of the kids.

[Marvo]

Just for information....

Kaeng Krachan National Park:

Entrance for Thais: 80 baht

Entrance for "foreigner" with a full Thai driving licence: 400 baht .

[mrtoad]

Just for information....

Kaeng Krachan National Park:

Entrance for Thais: 80 baht

Entrance for "foreigner" with a full Thai driving licence: 400 baht .

That's a blatant rip off, hence I wouldn't go.

[espinoza]

That`s why I don`t visit places like this.They loos more money on this practice than they earn.I will tell all my friends i europe about this shit.

[Rionoir]

Just for information....

Kaeng Krachan National Park:

Entrance for Thais: 80 baht

Entrance for "foreigner" with a full Thai driving licence: 400 baht .

It's a national park, supported by the government... who wouldn't expect to pay more as a farang.  A Thai driving license really doesn't mean anything but u went and got a license, anyone can do that pretty easily krub.

[kimamey]

5. In the UK (and I would guess a number of other countries) it is illegal to charge different prices for the same service.

I think you're probably right if they were to charge differently based on anything like nationality, ethnicity, gender or anything like that. I think some places that are funded locally can and do charge less if you're from that area be it town, city or county.

[Bukseeda]

Thai DL doesn't make you a Thai citizen... just cuz other places are too stupid to realize that

It has nothing to do with stupidity. They use it as a way to differentiate a resident from a tourist.

Most people are smart enough to realize that.

I said citizen not resident.  No need to change my words and be rude.  It was my understanding that most places with signs like this say that Thai citizens get price A and everyone else gets price B.  

if you ask me, the rudeness started from you. Put it this way, as a reader your post read as sanctimonius, Troy's was quick-witted and brought a smile to my face.

[lioness]

No one has mentioned that it is against the Thai constitution to differentiate on the basis of race or nationality

Academic of course as even the national parks ignore the law and have two sets of printed ticket.

I would like to see western countries have reciprical arrangements with thailand. we cant own land so make that a rule for thais in the west.

This is the first time I have heard this about the Thai constitution, anyone know how I could access a copy of this? in English.

Most times I get into places for the same price as Thais, using my Thai drivers license.

One positive in Thailand is ( at least in my home area ) free for kids to get into most places, in Australia they are usually charged 1/2 price if they are between 4 and 14 years, only free if they are under 4 years.

[Bukseeda]

No one has mentioned that it is against the Thai constitution to differentiate on the basis of race or nationality

Academic of course as even the national parks ignore the law and have two sets of printed ticket.

I would like to see western countries have reciprical arrangements with thailand. we cant own land so make that a rule for thais in the west.

This is the first time I have heard this about the Thai constitution, anyone know how I could access a copy of this? in English.

Most times I get into places for the same price as Thais, using my Thai drivers license.

One positive in Thailand is ( at least in my home area ) free for kids to get into most places, in Australia they are usually charged 1/2 price if they are between 4 and 14 years, only free if they are under 4 years.

http://www.asianlii.org/th/legis/const/2007/

[Bukseeda]

Part 2

Equality

Section 30. All persons are equal before the law and shall enjoy equal protection under the law.

Men and women shall enjoy equal rights.

Unjust discrimination against a person on the grounds of the difference in origin, race, language, sex, age, disability, physical or health condition, personal status, economic or social standing, religious belief, education or constitutionally political view, shall not be permitted.

Measures determined by the State in order to eliminate obstacle to or to promote persons’ ability to exercise their rights and liberties as other persons shall not be deemed as unjust discrimination under paragraph three.

Section 31. Members of the armed forces or the police force, Government officials, other officials of the State and officers or employees of State agencies shall enjoy the same rights and liberties under the Constitution as those enjoyed by other persons, unless such enjoyment is restricted by law or rule issued by virtue of the law specifically enacted in regard to politics, efficiency, disciplines or ethics.