Foreigners To Pay More On Thai Airways

[Larry]

One real reason for the increase is the fear that people will take advantage of the fact that ANY domestic flight on Thai earns 500 miles each way. That means if you take 60 roundrips between CM and Maehongsan you'll get a free trip to Europe for only 125,000 baht! Can't let anyone get away with that trick, right!!!

Edited August 3, 2005 by Larry

[silk123]

Who Cares?

Just more sad Thai logic.

I don't feel sorry for them.

[Chua]

Ironically, if a US airline tried to discriminate against a certain racial group, or offer a discounts for native born American's, they'd get sued up and down by every ethnic special interest group, and probably the US government as well since it violates federal racial discrimination laws.

When are the Thai's going to realize that they should be ENTICING and INCENTIVIZING foreign investment, travel, and expeditures here, no penalizing them for it. Tourism is one of, if not the #1 industry in Thailand. Sure farrnng generally have more money on average, but at least here on Samui, there are plenty of rich Thai's too. The fact is, if someone can afford a 1500 Baht ticket, they pretty ###### well can afford a 1800 B ticket, so all this does is MINIMIZE the potenial impact their policy could have if increased for everyone. Better yet, if they did that, then they would only have to increase the fare a little bit, say 100 Baht, and get the same overall impact, without increasing racial tension and fairly sharing the effect across all passengers.

[teelac888]

Right, but Thailand publicizes itself as a highly developed country whereas India does not have similar delusions about its' identity.

That one fare in local and another in dollars is usually reserved for countries that are hopelessly poor, thus exposing the Thais to be shortsighted, slow-minded, and greedy as usual.

Domestic airfares in India have been priced in this manner for years: i.e. Indian nationals pay one fare in rupees, foreign nationals pay a higher fare in US dollars.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[patsfangr]

If this spreads to other domestic routes on Thai, and eventually to international routes the solution is easy. Don't fly Thai.

Barry

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NOW you tell me. I've been married to her for 32 years!

GR

[thaitanic]

This isn't such a new thing. A few years ago my girlfriend and her aunt went to the official Thai Airways office in Phuket town to buy tickets to Bangkok. They went to different windows in the office. Her aunt ended up paying full fare because she is married to a Dane and has a Danish surname while my girlfriend was given a cheaper price without even requesting it.

[hawaiiguy]

you can tell THAI what you think of their new policy at:

http://www.thaiair.com/NASApp/IP_WOA/FeedbackForm

[Heng]

Good to see the whinging getting back on track. Those "rational" posts by Samran and Ovenman almost took this thread way off topic.

[Nam Kao]

Do we have to sit in the back of the plane also and use the "Falang" restrooms?

[mrtony]

Could someone please correct me if I am wrong, but hasn't TG International been doing this discreetly already?

In 1999-2000 I knew a couple in Europe, one European and one Thai person. They frequently flew to Thailand on separate airlines, because the Thai national got a substantial discount when flying on TG.

[sriracha john]

That’s right. I think too many people were too quick to jump to the conclusion of ‘its another case of scam the farang’. I think I wouldn’t be too far wrong to say that the only Thai people who fly that route are all politically connected somehow, and raising fares on them couldn’t be done.

You need to know that one of the biggest political prizes in Thailand is to be put on the THAI board. It means free first class travel for you and your family for the rest of your lives….even if you only stay on the board for one month. That why the THAI privatisation in the mid 90’s was more of a privatisation still birth with only 8% of shares allowed to be sold. For politicians, the airline is another play thing to pay off lackies, and curry favour with constituents. Turning it into a commercial enterprise is a non option.

The real people who are getting scammed is the Thai people themselves, forced to put up with a shabby airline who is supposed to be their national flag carrier.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Also, it might be necessary to charge more to make up for the loss the airline takes with the MP's, who already fly for free, demanding the frequent-flyer free-mileage club for all their flights. Additionally, the MP's insisted on flying business class in order to avoid having to suffer the disgrace of sitting in economy seats.

Seems there is no end to their greed.

Published on Jul 22, 2005

A House committee held a special session yesterday after Thai Airways International told MPs it planned to stop them accumulating frequent-flyer points on its domestic routes – which MPs fly for free.

Phaichit Sriworakhan, deputy chairman of the House committee said now that THAI had confirmed MPs would still get the points, MPs should apply for Royal Orchid Plus membership to get all the privileges for flying domestically. He said the House committee also asked THAI to allow MPs to fly business class instead of economy class. Phaichit said the House panel would also ask the Finance Ministry to consider allowing MPs to fly international flights for free on both THAI and other airlines.

[Dradam]

http://www.thaiair.com/NASApp/IP_WOA/FeedbackForm

Everyone who dislikes this policy should send their opinion to Thai airlines. As Thai airlines is supposedly ISO certified perhaps they will take notice when they have a sudden plummet in their approval rating. ISO standards would dictate immediate action.

[ovenman]

You need to know that one of the biggest political prizes in Thailand is to be put on the THAI board. It means free first class travel for you and your family for the rest of your lives….even if you only stay on the board for one month. That why the THAI privatisation in the mid 90’s was more of a privatisation still birth with only 8% of shares allowed to be sold. For politicians, the airline is another play thing to pay off lackies, and curry favour with constituents. Turning it into a commercial enterprise is a non option.

The same could be said of many of the state-run enterprises in Thailand. There is always talk about privatising these businesses real soon now, but nothing ever comes of it. None of the vested interests involved have any genuine desire to expose their operations to public scrutiny.

[Mason45]

http://www.thaiair.com/NASApp/IP_WOA/FeedbackForm

Everyone who dislikes this policy should send their opinion to Thai airlines.  As Thai airlines is supposedly ISO certified perhaps they will take notice when they have a sudden plummet in their approval rating.  ISO standards would dictate immediate action.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For years I used to fly Thai from Melbourne Australia to Bangkok, a few years back I stopped flying Thai, far to expensive for a service which is now no better than its competitors. Now I fly Bkk/Melb/Bkk. with any major airline. You would be shocked if you seen the difference in air fares if you buy your ticket in Thailand compared to your home country. When I pay for my Thai wife the difference is nearly 2 to 1. Check the travel page in the Bangkok Post.

[Thetyim]

It's all of no consequence because Taksin is going to build a tunnel from CM to MHS.

[jordans]

Don't see why everyone is making such an issue about all this........Thailand has always has opperated a double standards pricing system for foreigners and we have always accepted it! I know it sucks, but it's all part of life in amazing Thailand.

[Dradam]

I checked into online flight prices. Thai airlines is about the most expensive. They must be using the extra money to pay for free flights of corrupt officials and their girlfriends. The quality of service on Thai airlines is no better than any other (and worse than many).

I only use Thai airlines now when work pays for the flight. My own money can buy something better and less expensive.

[kidtongue]

Foreigners to pay more on Thai Airways

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI) plans to increase its fare for foreigners on the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son route to coax more competitors into flying the route.

The price for foreigners will be raised from Bt1,070 per trip to Bt1,500 in October.

Vasing Kittikul, senior executive vice president of THAI, said, “The current fare is too low to lure other airlines to operate this route.”

--The Nation 2005-08-03

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I see, so for this premium pricing do farangs get 1st dibs on the exit doors? How about ASEAN members, is there say 1 price for White Elephants, another for regular elephants and a 3rd price for say African elephants?

Also, since the airline is owned by the Ministry of Finance, where the good DR. who went to Kellog @ Northwestern,, I want to know where in the curriculum at Northwestern they teach this kind of marketing? Are they doing this at National University in Singapore?

Also, with the extra $ involved, is there an extra Red Bull? And if so, does that mean the normal Thais just get the regular bull?

[silentsoundcentre]

Yes, that is a good idee, in the future I charge my Thai costumers a higher price because the business in Phuket is bad!

What do you think my Thai clients will do? We should do the same with Thai Airway!

But do we do?

Thais are thinking we are stupid, maybe we are!?!

[ray23]

What is the definintion of  " foreigner " for this purpose ? Does it include farangs living in Thailand ? If so  I wonder what the fares would be for say a farang husband with a Thai wife both on the same flight ? Surely they wouldn`t each be paying different fares ?  I never even think about selecting Thai Airways these days particularly for international flights for the simple reason they can never seem to compete with quotes given other Asian carriers...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Whats new about this, Thai airlines charged me more for flight to Bangkok from Udon five years ago then my Thai wife paid and yes we both sit on the same plane. I have to admit I weigh more.

It is one of the reasons I avoid Thia Air wherever I can.

These day if I was a tourist trying to get some enjoyment out of three weeks a yaer that I could enjoy my life, this is the last place I would go.

I'm very thankful for what I have here, but I'm not a tourist. If my life was destined to be what the tourist experiences then I would find somewhere else to live. To be honest with you I don't see anything here in Thailand that you can't get in other asian countries. But living here is much different and I believe that Thailand does ofer a better life for retirement. Just my humble thoughts

[roiet]

We all know about double standard pricing. The Philippines had to learn it the hard way, tourists just avoid that place.

But a lot of tourists coming to Thailand are forced to pay these prices because they not have a Thai wife or girl friend booking for them. In the case of Thai Airways there is only one solution, report it to IATA.

For daily use for bookings it can help sometimes if the Thai wife explains that her husband is residence here for 10 years.

[Bangkok Barry]

And while we're on the subject of Thai being such a finely-run airline and a credit to the country, this from the Bangkok Post......

Ticket graft upsets THAI shareholders

Demand probe into B6bn discount scandal

NUNTAWUN POLKUAMDEE

A group of shareholders of Thai Airways International has petitioned securities regulators to investigate a long-standing ticket discounting scandal that they say has cost the airline 6.4 billion baht over the past several years.

The investors, led by Thepanom Siriwitayarak and Chumpol Sangthong, called on the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate the actions of THAI management regarding the scandal.

They claim that despite the huge losses suffered by the airline, the only disciplinary action taken was a six-month temporary salary cut for the staff involved.

Papers submitted to the senate administrative committee dated Dec 7 show the losses occurred after staff at THAI's London branch had been collecting fare revenues well below those listed under the net fare sheets set for ticket distributors.

The previous year, an internal THAI investigative committee headed by Chinawut Naresseni, now a THAI senior vice-president, found that eight staff were together responsible for the discounting practices, and recommended they have their salaries slashed by a quarter for six months.

But the Senate committee argued that the penalty was insufficient, and recommended THAI file civil and criminal suits against the eight as well as appoint a new investigative committee to look into the scandal.

Mr Thepanom said yesterday THAI had failed to comply with the senate directive and that as a result, shareholders had suffered losses.

``The airline offered discounts of as much as 75% for nine to 10 first-class passengers, for what reason, who knows. I have given the SEC details of the transactions, and ask that a new investigation be held,'' he said.

Mr Thepanom said the scandal represented accounting and internal fraud that had damaged investors, one that THAI president Kanok Abhiradee and then-chairman Thanong Bidaya had responsibility for.

THAI pilot Squadron Leader Thanit Pornhomsatit, a pilot at THAI, said that he had previously raised concerns about internal ticketing corruption with a number of senior executives at the airline.

``But these executives not only took no action, but gave misleading information suggesting that these first-class seats were allocated fairly,'' he said.

But Sqn Ldr Thanit said the seats were sold to parties with no special rights for fare discounts, and that seats were blocked in significant quantities, leading to lost sales opportunities.

``This is a worse case than that of Picnic, because this is a state enterprise held by the government. The entire country has suffered from a scandal that has gone on for seven or eight years,'' he said.

Mr Kanok, when asked to comment on the allegations, said only that the staff involved in the scandal had been penalised.

``We imposed penalties by cutting their salaries by 25%, which is appropriate. Firing them would have been too severe,'' he said.

Shares of THAI on the Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday closed at 40.25 baht, up 50 satang, on trade worth 18.9 billion baht.

..... third world, third world.

[h90]

In Austria if the tourists from Germany come, they pay the double price in the west, than local people. It is nowhere written (I think), just if you ask with the strong west austrian dialect for a ticket for whatever you get a different price.

Thats compareable with Thailand, actually a very good idea for tourists, because if they find that out and more and more do, they fell ripped off (and they fell right) and let the countries for the locals alone and make their holidays somewhere else.....

Note to my post #7

Ha I was wrong  you can discriminate based Race or origin "on domestic airfares" the FAO and FAA say so, I asked!

So if you have a Thai wife and travel together the fare can and will be different, based on what passport you hold, in addition you may be taxed different as well.  Thai Airways got the idea from Japan and they do the same thing when you travel to Korea, if you are Korean you pay more from Tokyo to Seoul than if you are Japanese!

Go figure, if it is international they can not base it on origin, they can however discount a Thai citizens fare not charge you more for not being Thai.

Twisted  twisted!!!

Just have your wife buy the tickets.. 

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[sabaijai]

Foreigners to pay more on Thai Airways

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI) plans to increase its fare for foreigners on the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son route to coax more competitors into flying the route.

The price for foreigners will be raised from Bt1,070 per trip to Bt1,500 in October.

Vasing Kittikul, senior executive vice president of THAI, said, “The current fare is too low to lure other airlines to operate this route.”

--The Nation 2005-08-03

The drive is nicer than the flight anyway.Mae Sa valley is cool.

Do you drive through the Mae Sa Valley to reach MHS? I know there's a new road passing through Ban Wat Chan but it's not complete yet, is it?

[greenwanderer108]

What is the definintion of  " foreigner " for this purpose ? Does it include farangs living in Thailand ? If so  I wonder what the fares would be for say a farang husband with a Thai wife both on the same flight ? Surely they wouldn`t each be paying different fares ?  I never even think about selecting Thai Airways these days particularly for international flights for the simple reason they can never seem to compete with quotes given other Asian carriers...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes they will... its already this way... Try going to a national park with your Thai Wife, or even better: Go to Siam Park with your Thai wife and half Thai kid (who looks a bit farang...) and you end up paying two times 200 Baht for you and the 'farang' kid and 100 Baht for the wife...

Even half Thais get phucked in this country!!!! That's how racist they are...

The first airline in Europe that tries dual pricing still has to arise, and will probably fall quicker than gravity can pull objects down, as this is absolute discrimination and racism!!! Thai should be banned from flying foreign routes, or better even, pay double landing fees, and higher costs for their refueling and catoring in other parts of the world... Make them feel what its like to be discriminated, cause these people apparently have no bloody clue...

Great going TIT!!! keep messing up your country... Tourists are already going to neighbouring countries because they are FRIENDLIER, cheaper, nicer, and at least they show some respect for others.

Is this another idea of Toxin? He does own part of the Thai no?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

To an extent..true. I'm half Thai myself but was born and raised in the states, thus have a disadvantage to half-Thais born and raised here. Gradually, I'm gaining the language and the longer I'm here, the more I can cope/adapt/outsmart the discrimination.

I remember my second month here, I couldn't speak more than 80 words, nor read more than 20, certainly not the Thai numbers. I went to Ayudhya with my Thai couzins. At the temples, they had the fare written in Thai-10 baht, and an English written entree- 30 baht. The triple pricing was a shock and I ended up having to cough it up cause my Thai wasn't that good than to get what was rightfully mine.

Three years ago, I wanted to go see some Muay Thai at Suan Lumpini. By then I could read Thai numbers just fine and sure enough they had the Thai numbers with the Thai fare and English language fare written in English. Anyhow, my Thai still had an obvious strong foreigners accent, so I never made it past the door for refusing to pay the ridiculous foreigner price. I told them I'm half Thai, they wanted my Thai birth certificate, which I was born overseas. Anyhow, it was a loss of face situation (I made sure for them too), but a darn worthy cause. Sometimes, ignorant ideas/thinking need to be countered with a loss of face, that way they can have something to reflect on when they build back up the mask...hope this makes some sense.

The National Parks was a bigger shock, but I can't say that I've ever paid the 10-20 time price for foreigners. Usually, I'll only have the hassle of checks if I'm with a bunch of foreigners and they want to check everyone's id who even looks remotely farang...Even then, my Thai in contrast is good enough to pass.

When I'm alone or with other Thais, either I'll pay Thai price (last I remember it was 20 baht) or student price (10 baht), no hassles or second looks at all.

Lot of people saying stuff like 'This is the way it is' 'Oh well, TIT/Amazing Thailand' type attitude. But comeon, is this the way it will always be? Certainly not. You don't think American immigrants discriminated for centuries changed anything by accepting their inequality sitting down.

Like it has been said in one way or another on this thread...higher prices for the tourism industry...ok, if I was on holiday coming from an income in USD, Euros, or whatever, then sure, I would have less to complain about. But most of us here are on a measily Baht income, getting taxed like the Thais, but certainly not reeping any of the benefits such as medical, property, etc.

Which reminds me, another discrimination policy I've heard is that foreign female married to a Thai male has the ability for Thai citizenship but not a chance for foriegn male married to a Thai female...I wonder what would happen if some ifluential Thai person was gay and married a foreign male...??

Sure this is Thailand, but it's not the way it has always been, nor will it always be.

[Crushdepth]

Double pricing from a noodle cart I can live with but double pricing from an international airline is pathetic. I quite like Thai and usually fly them, but there's something about being discriminated against that fundamentally pisses me off, trivial thing or no. I'll be looking for a new airline.

Please spare me the 'but its our country and you are just a visitor' bullshit...

[toni157]

Why are we all surprised at this, as other posters have mentioned the Thais have practiced this sort of discrimination for years. We have all experienced it and have chose to come here despite this. I guess it just hurts to be treated like a second class citizen - after all we white Europeans and North Americans expect a certain respect from the natives! Luckily the kind of farang that Thailand wants, (ie the ones that come here for 2 weeks maximum and pay top dollar for everything), are unlikely to notice or care.

I was amused when I asked my girlfriend when she was studying in London how she would feel if she had to pay a premium for certain services or was denied interest on her bank accounts because she was Thai. She was genuinley outraged at the prospect and claimed that it was wrong because "we are rich and Thais are poor!" the concept of racisim didn't see to enter her mind, because like all Thais she naturally assumes she is better. And this from a girl whose family are far richer than I am or are ever likely to be. Must admit I had to choose my words carefully when she considered the subject and asked me why she had to pay so much more for her university fees.

I wonder if the farang premium on THAI counts for Elite card holders or do they get an increased charge due to rarity!

[sabaijai]

Ironically, if a US airline tried to discriminate against a certain racial group, or offer a discounts for native born American's, they'd get sued up and down by every ethnic special interest group, and probably the US government as well since it violates federal racial discrimination laws. 

Not so. I lived in Hawaii for a few years and the airlines that flew between the islands had two fares, one for state residents and one for out-of-staters.

I think you're mistaking race for nationality. A farang/Indian/whatever holding Thai nationality will get the Thai fares/park admissions, etc.

[Artisi]

Just another reason to justify and reinforce my earlier decision NOT to fly Thai international and fly reluctantly internal as little as possible.

[Johpa]

Not so. I lived in Hawaii for a few years and the airlines that flew between the islands had two fares, one for state residents and one for out-of-staters.

I think you're mistaking race for nationality. A farang/Indian/whatever holding Thai nationality will get the Thai fares/park admissions, etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have heard this apologist's rationale for many years. Trouble is that even though I was once a legal resident of Thailand, all too often I was faced with double pricing solely based upon race. Same reason that Southeast Asian tourists were allowed into venues at local prices despite not being Thai residents. And unless you speak unaccented Thai, don't expect an easy pass on the double pricing even if you are a non-Thai or non-Chinese Thai citizen. As for Farangs with Thai citizenship, you can count them on one hand.

There are various residence discounts in the US. But it only takes about 6 months for anyone to easily qualify for such resident status, including non-citizens.

All this Bangkok Teo Chieu racism, and it is nothing but racism, will end when the Farang luuk kreung have sufficient numbers to have a voice in local politics and not before. It will also require, as will many other progressive changes, the downfall of the Shinawat regime, which has acculated enough power to resist going down quitely.

Meanwhile there are plenty of alternatives to using Thai Airlines just as there were always alternatives to the Airport Amari Hotel when it had the most racist policy in Southeast Asia.