Should Foreigners Pay Higher Prices?

[CanadianInThailand]

Everyone knows that the first price is going to be ridiculously high. That does not mean they are trying to rip you off; that's the way the game is played. And what's the "right" price, anyway? One that gives the vendor 10% profit? Or 20% or 30% or 50% profit? There is no "right" price -- just the price that you and the vendor agree upon.

I see where you are coming from, but how would the vendors react when they price their item at 1500 when it has an actual value of somewhere around 200. A few times I gave ridiculously low offers to match ridiculously high first prices...the vendors didn't seem too pleased and just brushed me aside : )

I'm fine with bartering a little as long as their first price is not insultingly high.

[CanadianInThailand]

From my point of view, foreigners should pay higher prices when it is clearly established. I did not feel ripped off when I saw at the phuket aquarium that I had to pay 100 baht vs 50 baht for the gf. I didn't get too upset when I saw in chumphon a massage shop that had different pricing clearly posted on the wall. (50 baht more).

Just curious about your thoughts on the Grand Palace. I went today. Thai's are free and others are 350 baht (clearly labeled). I felt 350 was a little high but paid it anyways since it was about the same as the Forbidden City in Beijing.

[Richard4849]

Everyone knows that the first price is going to be ridiculously high. That does not mean they are trying to rip you off; that's the way the game is played. And what's the "right" price, anyway? One that gives the vendor 10% profit? Or 20% or 30% or 50% profit? There is no "right" price -- just the price that you and the vendor agree upon.

I see where you are coming from, but how would the vendors react when they price their item at 1500 when it has an actual value of somewhere around 200. A few times I gave ridiculously low offers to match ridiculously high first prices...the vendors didn't seem too pleased and just brushed me aside : )

I'm fine with bartering a little as long as their first price is not insultingly high.

Again, what is "actual value"? What the vendor paid for it, plus overheads and profit. What level of profit is appropriate? This cannot be answered.

Do not be insulted by an initial offer...it's just part of the game. If you throw out an offer and are blown off, then maybe you have offered a price that is insultingly low? So, just try another vendor and a slightly higher price. They all carry the same crap anyway. But smiling and being friendly are your best weapons...not a frown or a smirk. Again, if the whole process is too stressful you can just go to a department store. They have all the same crap there, too.

[Richard4849]

From my point of view, foreigners should pay higher prices when it is clearly established. I did not feel ripped off when I saw at the phuket aquarium that I had to pay 100 baht vs 50 baht for the gf. I didn't get too upset when I saw in chumphon a massage shop that had different pricing clearly posted on the wall. (50 baht more).

Just curious about your thoughts on the Grand Palace. I went today. Thai's are free and others are 350 baht (clearly labeled). I felt 350 was a little high but paid it anyways since it was about the same as the Forbidden City in Beijing.

This is the single most important tourist site in all of the country. It is also a site of worship and reverence for all Thai people.

This is in fact the only place where it does not piss me off that Thais get in free and foreigners have to pay. I don't think the price is too high, at just under USD 12.00 -- and that also includes admittance to Vinmanmek Teak Palace and a couple of other things. Well worth the price.

I must say, though, it was a pleasure getting in for free for the first time after I received my Thai ID card.

[dunkin2012]

From my point of view, foreigners should pay higher prices when it is clearly established. I did not feel ripped off when I saw at the phuket aquarium that I had to pay 100 baht vs 50 baht for the gf. I didn't get too upset when I saw in chumphon a massage shop that had different pricing clearly posted on the wall. (50 baht more).

Just curious about your thoughts on the Grand Palace. I went today. Thai's are free and others are 350 baht (clearly labeled). I felt 350 was a little high but paid it anyways since it was about the same as the Forbidden City in Beijing.

it reminds me of Ankor Wat. I paid $30 for a day ticket on the other hand the locals paid Nil.

[sunnyhor]

Somehow, these "LAWS" are around everywhere, especially those "poorer" countries. I just don't understand why this type of rule implements in the first place.

Why foreigners have to pay more than locals? Or is it all foreigners are much richer than the locals. I had visit a National park , before entering, parked car and buy tix. Here it goes.....

Park attendant : Kon Thai la plao krup ( Are you Thai?)

Me : Mai chai krup, dtair fan pen kon Thai ( No I am not but my wife is )

Park attendant : Kon Thai 40, Kon tang chart 120 ( Thai 40 Bht, foreigners 120

Me: Raka nee phen got maai la plao krup ( Is this the "LAW" )

Park attendant : Mai roo merng gan dtair khun pood pasah Thai dai, jai 40 Baht gor okay leow ( I also not sure, but you can speak Thai , 40Baht is okay )

LOL..........funny isn't it!?

I've only been to two places that were completely inflexible on the Thai/foreigner price thing when they were shown a Thai drivers license: Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, and the Khao Wang national park complex in Phetburi Province. Both places insisted that it was either Thai ID card, or pay the foreigner price (this was before I got my Thai ID card).

Everywhere else -- other national parks, Safari World, Siam Park, the aquarium at Paragon -- all gave "Thai price" to foreigners who could show a Thai drivers license (or something else, presumable, demonstrating they were long-stay and not tourists).

Any others for the list? (I know, I know...use the "search" function).

I haven't been to any that were not flexible. I have walked away from one private company that would not give me the local price. (It wasn't high on my list of things to do ... and I just won't pay 2-tier pricing for private companies ....

My Girl Friend and I went koh samed, Rayong. There is a beach which is a part of the national parks where they have a couple of rangers patrolled in the area. We were asked to pay B200=$6.67 while the locals paid B40=$1.33. How many times is the difference? roughly 5 times more.

"The world is SO unfair" is true. And in Laos, I paid heaps while the locals pay as little as 1/3 of mine for the entrance fee at a park where there's a falls near Luang PraBang.

[trisailer]

I get to decide what's of value to me. It's easy enough to learn in advance what the farang price is for things.

I wouldn't buy any of that crap that is sold at the open markets anyway. When my wife goes there I don't go with her. For her half the fun is the negotiating and I'm not allowed anyway.

There are some things that I want to see and 10 bucks is still cheap. Why would it bother me that Thai's who have 1/10th the income as me get in for less? It doesn't.

Why does everything that The Thai's do have to be such a personal affront to some people? Nobody is forcing you to go anywhere

[Richard4849]

Why would it bother me that Thai's who have 1/10th the income as me get in for less? It doesn't.

How do you feel about Thais who make 10X what you make getting in for less? That's what gets my goat.

[sunnyhor]

It's not only the Thais, in Vietnam, Laos , Cambodia etc....................... almost the same "laws" implement!

[MAJIC]

Anyone know if Madame Tussauds charging more for farangs? I think its 800 baht for a ticket when I asked . Seems a bit much too me....

The Original Madame Tussauds is London based,and the Thai Version is probably connected.

My point is: if there was a two tier entrance system in London for any attractions,the Tourist would have a claim,for Racialist Discrimination.

While Thailand does not even recognise that there is a unjustifiable blatant pricing problem for Foreiners.

Double pricing for Attractions simply does not happen in the UK,Tourists pay the same as the indiginous Population!

Edited June 10, 2011 by MAJIC

[Richard4849]

Anyone know if Madame Tussauds charging more for farangs? I think its 800 baht for a ticket when I asked . Seems a bit much too me....

The Original Madame Tussauds is London based,and the Thai Version is probably connected.

My point is: if there was a two tier entrance system in London for any attractions,the Tourist would have a claim,for Racialist Discrimination.

While Thailand does not even recognise that there is a unjustifiable blatant pricing problem for Foreiners.

Double pricing for Attractions simply does not happen in the UK,Tourists pay the same as the indiginous Population!

It happens EVERYWHERE where the locals have significantly less buying power on average than visitors do. The UK does not fit that description.

[Atmos]

can we have a poll to close this thread.

Done to death in the past, no resolution is possible.

I supect the same TV members copy and paste their earlier thread responses.

Though I cannot resist - MAJIK stop making things up - <deleted> is Racialist Discrimination?

Race and nationality two different things.

[4evermaat]

Just curious about your thoughts on the Grand Palace. I went today. Thai's are free and others are 350 baht (clearly labeled). I felt 350 was a little high but paid it anyways since it was about the same as the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Funny you mention that. I told my girlfriend about Grand Palace (Thai: พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) and she said "same I tell you before Big Budda in Bangkok #1. Thai no pay, farang 350 baht.....you say i can go alone "

For me, I don't know what is inside that I would want to see to justify the price + taxi both ways. However for anyone else considering going, I think if you really want to see it for yourself, pay the 350 baht.

Now if I pay 350 baht to go see IMAX or 600 baht for Nokia seats at Siam Paragon, then I have no problem. Personal preference?

As a side note, my lady thinks it is a good thing for farang to pay more sometimes. She does think (on average) farang can make money more.

Edited June 10, 2011 by 4evermaat

[Blackandwhite]

Should foreigners pay more

Yes.......................

Lots of thoughts on this no issue to me,

Thai’s pay the same as tourists

Result

Thai’s then do not get a chance to go as the price is too high ??

Thai’s that do go out will stop going so often

Revenues decrease and push up our prices we pay further

Attraction becomes run down and closes or become less frequented

Tourist’s pay the same as Thai’s

Result

The well kept attractions end up in the type of condition we do not care to much for.

Facts

If we pay the same as Thai’s we will have to expect the same facilities as them, squat toilets and general poor conditions, we will also have the same food as Thai’s such and rice with everything

Thailand is cheap already and as our salaries are massively higher than the majority of Thai’s where is the problem ?

Not our choice to decide

Thai’s are very patriotic and have an underlying need to put their own country folk first over other Non Thai’s – is this wrong

Most families with half Thai children get treated as thai’s with Thai rates as they should, never an argument though

Double pricing everywhere, we ( in the Uk ) have a local museum and we have free entry, but if you’re not a Gloucestershire resident you have to pay entrance.

[DaamNaam]

The reason why farangs or people of Caucasian ethnicity have to pay more than Thais or people with Asian ethnicity I hear most is that farangs don't pay taxes here.

Hello! Apparently only 21% of all Thais pay income tax. So do the remaining 79% pay the higher price?

Indeed.

When I bought a car here in Thailand, I paid import tax, excise tax, VAT etc, all together several millions of THB. And someone tells me I don't pay taxes? Give me a break! I probably paid more tax than most Thai in their entire life.

Let's face it: this double pricing is pure and simple racism or xenophobia. It's wrong. Period.

[TheWalkingMan]

Should foreigners pay more

Yes.......................

Lots of thoughts on this no issue to me,

Thai’s pay the same as tourists

Result

Thai’s then do not get a chance to go as the price is too high ??

Thai’s that do go out will stop going so often

Revenues decrease and push up our prices we pay further

Attraction becomes run down and closes or become less frequented

Tourist’s pay the same as Thai’s

Result

The well kept attractions end up in the type of condition we do not care to much for.

Facts

If we pay the same as Thai’s we will have to expect the same facilities as them, squat toilets and general poor conditions, we will also have the same food as Thai’s such and rice with everything

Thailand is cheap already and as our salaries are massively higher than the majority of Thai’s where is the problem ?

Not our choice to decide

Thai’s are very patriotic and have an underlying need to put their own country folk first over other Non Thai’s – is this wrong

Most families with half Thai children get treated as thai’s with Thai rates as they should, never an argument though

Double pricing everywhere, we ( in the Uk ) have a local museum and we have free entry, but if you’re not a Gloucestershire resident you have to pay entrance.

Blackandwhite - Are you saying that Thai economic principles are so crapped out that attractions will have generally poor conditions unless non-Thais fund it via entrance fees? That sounds wrong. There is plenty of money in Thailand and people thinking that Thai people are broke is way off the mark.

Nothing wrong with people being patriotic about their country and I do not see how patriotism equates to dual pricing. It looks like an easy justification for tax supported and non-tax supported entities to say... you are not like us, therefore I will charge you more. And sometimes, even if you have your work permit, driver's license etc, you will still be charged more. Who you gonna complain to? As long as there is a general perception that non-Thais should be thought of as outsiders and not on the same level as the locals, dual pricing will be an accepted way of business by some Thais and some non-Thais.

[bermondburi]

If the country itself (tax payers) pay some of the costs to operate it, yes the visitors should pay more than the locals.

Anyhow, "spesial plise for you my flend" is so common here, starting from taxi drivers and street vendors, passing the Police (bribes and personal fines), and all the way up to the top in the political/business landscape.

Some can be avoided, by letting Thai friends or relatives do the transactions.

Some is just take it or leave it.

I take it.

I dont like it, but I take it

;-)

on the plus side though , so many times when dealing with police I have got away with no fine whereas a Thai would have been 200 baht lighter. So many times. Kanchanapisek Road ( outer ring road ) in BKK being the prime example. Pretend not to speak Thai, no money in the wallet and it's " okay , you go ".

Happy days.

[bermondburi]

My Girl Friend and I went koh samed, Rayong. There is a beach which is a part of the national parks where they have a couple of rangers patrolled in the area. We were asked to pay B200=$6.67 while the locals paid B40=$1.33. How many times is the difference? roughly 5 times more.

"The world is SO unfair" is true. And in Laos, I paid heaps while the locals pay as little as 1/3 of mine for the entrance fee at a park where there's a falls near Luang PraBang.

The last time I was at Samet I paid the local price for the island (National Park) when I showed them my Thai DL.

haha....... not many cases ended up in the same way as yours......

pretty lucky dude.!!!!

if you go on the King or Queens' birthday weekend holiday it's free for all.

[MAJIC]

Anyone know if Madame Tussauds charging more for farangs? I think its 800 baht for a ticket when I asked . Seems a bit much too me....

The Original Madame Tussauds is London based,and the Thai Version is probably connected.

My point is: if there was a two tier entrance system in London for any attractions,the Tourist would have a claim,for Racialist Discrimination.

While Thailand does not even recognise that there is a unjustifiable blatant pricing problem for Foreiners.

Double pricing for Attractions simply does not happen in the UK,Tourists pay the same as the indiginous Population!

It happens EVERYWHERE where the locals have significantly less buying power on average than visitors do. The UK does not fit that description.

It may not fit your description,but it fits our Racial Laws!

[MAJIC]

can we have a poll to close this thread.

Done to death in the past, no resolution is possible.

I supect the same TV members copy and paste their earlier thread responses.

Though I cannot resist - MAJIK stop making things up - <deleted> is Racialist Discrimination?

Race and nationality two different things.

If you don't believe or understand that some Countries have Laws to try and prevent Racial Discrimination,

Then you need to do some Homework/Research!

Edited June 11, 2011 by MAJIC

[Richard4849]

Anyone know if Madame Tussauds charging more for farangs? I think its 800 baht for a ticket when I asked . Seems a bit much too me....

The Original Madame Tussauds is London based,and the Thai Version is probably connected.

My point is: if there was a two tier entrance system in London for any attractions,the Tourist would have a claim,for Racialist Discrimination.

While Thailand does not even recognise that there is a unjustifiable blatant pricing problem for Foreiners.

Double pricing for Attractions simply does not happen in the UK,Tourists pay the same as the indiginous Population!

It happens EVERYWHERE where the locals have significantly less buying power on average than visitors do. The UK does not fit that description.

It may not fit your description,but it fits our Racial Laws!

You can have the luxury of "racial laws" when your population is a certain economic level that is equal to or exceeds that of the tourists who visit.

[uptheos]

I wish the UK would adopt dual pricing.

There are children who just can't visit historical sites that are their heritage because of the high cost of entry, whilst to rich tourists from this part of the world and others, it's loose change!

Edit: In UK - Brits free, the rest.......whatever the invisible hand decides.

Edited June 11, 2011 by uptheos

[Thongkorn]

I wish the UK would adopt dual pricing.

There are children who just can't visit historical sites that are their heritage because of the high cost of entry, whilst to rich tourists from this part of the world and others, it's loose change!

Edit: In UK - Brits free, the rest.......whatever the invisible hand decides.

The last time i was at the london museums . last June they where all free.

[uptheos]

I wish the UK would adopt dual pricing.

There are children who just can't visit historical sites that are their heritage because of the high cost of entry, whilst to rich tourists from this part of the world and others, it's loose change!

Edit: In UK - Brits free, the rest.......whatever the invisible hand decides.

The last time i was at the london museums . last June they where all free.

Try the Tower of London £19-80 adult and £10-45 child..........£60 for a family of 4 + fares +.........scandalous!!

[Travel2003]

People just love to throw out the "race card" left, right, and center.

Special pricing has nothing to do with race.

It has to do with what they think you are able to pay,

Whether you are from Zimbabwe, USA, Japan, or Guatamala, it doesnt matter as long as they think you are a visitor and can pay more.

[kropotkin]

Why are we in Thailand?

We are in Thailand because it is cheap.

What will happen if Thailand is no longer cheap for us?

We will go elsewhere.

[Richard4849]

"We"?

[kropotkin]

"We"?

95% of us

including me

[Richard4849]

Did you take a poll?

[kropotkin]

Did you take a poll?

Give me 1 other reason.