If a boat comes to two houses, can only fit one family, is the boat-owner wrong for taking the family who is pledging to pay the highest price for the ride?

YES...he should take passengers on a first-come first-served basis or triage them...elderly, infirm etc go first. It should NOT be on the basis of who pays most. You'll be condoning queue jumping at the post office next.

Sounds like the Pattaya / Phuket jet ski gang is in full effect, but with boats.

If a boat comes to two houses, can only fit one family, is the boat-owner wrong for taking the family who is pledging to pay the highest price for the ride?

YES...he should take passengers on a first-come first-served basis or triage them...elderly, infirm etc go first. It should NOT be on the basis of who pays most. You'll be condoning queue jumping at the post office next.

My example was in case two families was approached at the same time, no queue.

If a boat comes to two houses, can only fit one family, is the boat-owner wrong for taking the family who is pledging to pay the highest price for the ride?

YES...he should take passengers on a first-come first-served basis or triage them...elderly, infirm etc go first. It should NOT be on the basis of who pays most. You'll be condoning queue jumping at the post office next.

My example was in case two families was approached at the same time, no queue.

In time of a national crisis, the service should be FREE.

In time of a national crisis, the service should be FREE.

You are expecting people of little means to run their boats for free?

An honorable position if you choose to do it by yourself, but ludicrous to try to force others to do it against their will.

Very sad to hear about this when the country is in need of the good Thai spirit.

Well, i remember the bad news about 9/11: the prices for hotel rooms were doubled or tripled.... Seems to be a general habit to get as much money as possible....