National Park Entrance Fees Take A Price Hike Of 150%

[brit1984]

To all those who avoid purchasing goods / services just because of the discounts for locals, I would like to know whether you would recommend a Thai friend who has been offered a place at Oxford (or any other UK university) to forego that opportunity just because the fees are lower for Brits?

Dual pricing (i.e. discounts for locals) happens everywhere but obviously it happens more in countries where the local populace has lower average spending power than tourists. This can be explained by the economic concept of price discrimination and provides a superior outcome (than a one price solution) by allowing for higher revenue and for more people's wants / needs to be satisfied.

In Western countries, dual pricing (based on nationality / residence) is normally illogical from an economic perspective, unless if it meant offering discounts for people from poorer countries (for example, I know a couple of restaurants in London that offer discounts for Thai customers).

Surprisingly (given the powerful economic logic), from my experience, dual pricing is actually very rare in Thailand. I personally have only encountered it at the aquarium in Paragon, although I do read about it almost every day on this forum.

Sent from iPhone; please forgive any typos or violations of forum rules

[siampreggers]

Dual pricing sucks.

Back home I went to cinema on a Friday, it was twice the price of my friend who went on a Wednesday! I was livid.

Same service, same movie, and I had to pay double! For what?!? I vomited it was so unjust and made me so angry!

Of course in Thailand I just take my driving license around and always pay the same as fellow tax paying Thais (and those who are unfortunate enough to not earn enough to pay tax). Great system.

[xen]

"Mr Vithya added. He said insufficient budgets for park management, wastewater treatment, forest protection, and maintenance of tourism facilities had forced the department to raise admission fees."

.

What i find amazing about this increase is that it is due to budget restraints so they are forced to increase admission prices which possibly will decrease patronage so the prices will be increased again. And this is after Yingluck gave Thais a 100,000 baht discount, or so i have been told, if they bought a new car to clog the roads up even more within her first 12 months . National Parks are a National Treasure that should be adequately funded but they are obviously not a priority in this government.

[brit1984]

What about discounts for children and the elderly?... so ageist!

Edit: almost forgot about discounts for students...

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Edited August 22, 2012 by brit1984

[hml367]

Now a "tourist" is a type of race?

MSPain

[brit1984]

Now a "tourist" is a type of race?

MSPain

Is it coz I is black?

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[jackr]

Avoid Italy. They discriminate against non EU visitors

No problem with that. It's when they discriminate against white or black non-EU visitors it starts to get a bit sad.

[jackr]

I pissed up the wall of one of their historical palaces in order to balance out their bahaviour. It was petty but it made me feel a lot better.

I'm impressed. Some of your Thaier than Thai posts drive me up the wall, but this about-face is almost worthy of a beer and would have been a dead-cert had you have pissed on their shoes.

[siampreggers]

Edit: almost forgot about discounts for students...

Yup, my local golf course at home was something like 50% discount for students, which I used to go to when in college. Odd that no one used to get livid while having to pay 100% more than me.

But it was due it being seen that they (the adult workers) had money and I (the poorer student) didn't, despite my car in the carpark being twice as expensive as theirs.

and yes, that is a parallel to the Thai dual pricing of foreigners.

[brit1984]

Edit: almost forgot about discounts for students...

Yup, my local golf course at home was something like 50% discount for students, which I used to go to when in college. Odd that no one used to get livid while having to pay 100% more than me.

But it was due it being seen that they (the adult workers) had money and I (the poorer student) didn't, despite my car in the carpark being twice as expensive as theirs.

and yes, that is a parallel to the Thai dual pricing of foreigners.

Indeed, and I wonder how many of the guys who claim to boycott all businesses that offer discounts to local residents, also refuse to purchase from anywhere that offers student discounts.

Sent from iPhone; please forgive any typos or violations of forum rules

[uptheos]

Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill Combined Ticket (valid for 2 days):

Adults: € 12,00

Concessions: € 7,50 (European citizens between 18 and 24 years of age, teachers, etc.)

Free Admission: European citizens under 18 and over 65 years of age

All I can say is wow what an amazing bargain for Euro seniors! And it's even cheap at 12 Euro's for 2 days compared to some overpriced in and out nothing park. You have to see it for yourself, it's simply stunning, it's fantastic!!

I don't mind non Euro's paying a lot more, they should be thankful that it's all there to see.

[masuk]

I actually don't understand why people complain about the higher price for foreign nationals and State Parks. Most countries have a different system for those that pay taxes and those that don't.

My only objection is when people actually live, work, have a family here and still are charged the tourist rate.

Huh? You don't understand why people are complaining? Ok, let's put it this way... if you are black, you can't eat in this restaurant, but if you are white, you can. Would you be able to understand why a black person might be offended and complain? Geez.

Please list "most countries" that do this. Oh, and be specific, what countries have different scales for tax payers and non tax payers. This should be an interesting list. If there even is one.

This is a racist policy. Period. Your own quote proves it. "My only objection is....blah blah blah... charged the tourist rate." It's because Thais don't see you as a tourist or someone working here, they see you as white. You are called a farang (ฝรั่ง). A farang is both a westerner and white person by definition. Chinese are not called farang. No one in Asia is called a farang. People from the middle east are not called farang, they are called แขก, which means visitor or Indian. What are you not understanding that it's not about being a tourist, it's about being white. Racism. Object to that please.

He can cross the UK off the list,everyone pays the same entrance fee, whether Tourists or English,it's against the Discrimination laws to do otherwise.

Same in Australia. It would be total discrimination, and therefore illegal.

Indonesia does the same thing, charging Westerners much more, but if you have a work visa, you get in for the same price as the locals.

[MAJIC]

He can cross the UK off the list,everyone pays the same entrance fee, whether Tourists or English,it's against the Discrimination laws to do otherwise.

Unfortunately, this is true. There are hundreds of thousands of people with a long heritage in Britain, whose family will never be able to take their children to places like the Tower of London because of the high cost, while utra rich tourists from Asia and the rest of the world who have no connection or real interest in these places can easily afford it.

I agree ! there are many English people who can't afford a day out at these very expensive venues.but sadly there is a price to pay for stamping out Racialism and Discrimination,and there does not appear to be an easy answer to the problem.

[siampreggers]

Same in Australia. It would be total discrimination, and therefore illegal.

National Parks in Australia charge more for foreigners than locals.

Kakadu NP..

Adult pass | $25

Northern Territory resident | Free

[siampreggers]

It obviously doesn't extend to Australian businesses overseas either, as Siam Ocean World in Siam Paragon is an Australian owned and managed business.

Moral Westerners and their businesses not dual pricing! Yeah right!

[brit1984]

As already explained, dual-pricing (discounts for locals) also exists in UK (universities being an obvious example).

[brit1984]

He can cross the UK off the list,everyone pays the same entrance fee, whether Tourists or English,it's against the Discrimination laws to do otherwise.

Unfortunately, this is true. There are hundreds of thousands of people with a long heritage in Britain, whose family will never be able to take their children to places like the Tower of London because of the high cost, while utra rich tourists from Asia and the rest of the world who have no connection or real interest in these places can easily afford it.

I agree ! there are many English people who can't afford a day out at these very expensive venues.but sadly there is a price to pay for stamping out Racialism and Discrimination,and there does not appear to be an easy answer to the problem.

What has this got to do with racism? or racialism even?

[brit1984]

Sorry if I am repeating myself but... the economic concept of price discrimination, whereby lower prices are charged for groups with lower average spending power (e.g. students, pensioners, and local residents in poorer countries) is completely logical and provides a superior economic outcome (than a single price). Such dual pricing allows for higher overall revenue and allows for more people's wants and needs to be satisfied (by broadening access to the product or service to lower income groups).

[brit1984]

He can cross the UK off the list,everyone pays the same entrance fee, whether Tourists or English,it's against the Discrimination laws to do otherwise.

Unfortunately, this is true. There are hundreds of thousands of people with a long heritage in Britain, whose family will never be able to take their children to places like the Tower of London because of the high cost, while utra rich tourists from Asia and the rest of the world who have no connection or real interest in these places can easily afford it.

I don't believe hundreds of thousands of Brits can't afford 20 quid to see the Tower of London. That is only 3 hours work at the minimum wage.

Anyway, the Tower of London is currently offering a discount of 50% (2 for 1) for customers who are arriving into London by train.

One could be forgiven for seeing that as an example of double pricing in favour of the Brits (and against those "ultra rich tourists from Asia").

[MAJIC]

He can cross the UK off the list,everyone pays the same entrance fee, whether Tourists or English,it's against the Discrimination laws to do otherwise.

Unfortunately, this is true. There are hundreds of thousands of people with a long heritage in Britain, whose family will never be able to take their children to places like the Tower of London because of the high cost, while utra rich tourists from Asia and the rest of the world who have no connection or real interest in these places can easily afford it.

I agree ! there are many English people who can't afford a day out at these very expensive venues.but sadly there is a price to pay for stamping out Racialism and Discrimination,and there does not appear to be an easy answer to the problem.

What has this got to do with racism? or racialism even?

The same as it's Brothers Discrimination and Prejudice.

[brit1984]

What has this got to do with racism? or racialism even?

The same as it's Brothers Discrimination and Prejudice.

Please can you explain what you are talking about?

[TheWalkingMan]

Same in Australia. It would be total discrimination, and therefore illegal.

National Parks in Australia charge more for foreigners than locals.

Kakadu NP..

Adult pass | $25

Northern Territory resident | Free

I think you meant to say that this National Park in the Northern Territory charges more to people who are not residents of the Northern Territory.

[DaamNaam]

Avoid Italy. They discriminate against non EU visitors

Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill Combined Ticket (valid for 2 days):

Adults: € 12,00

Concessions: € 7,50 (European citizens between 18 and 24 years of age, teachers, etc.)

Free Admission: European citizens under 18 and over 65 years of age

Bargain for a 2 day pass.

[hellodolly]

Same in Australia. It would be total discrimination, and therefore illegal.

National Parks in Australia charge more for foreigners than locals.

Kakadu NP..

Adult pass | $25

Northern Territory resident | Free

I think you meant to say that this National Park in the Northern Territory charges more to people who are not residents of the Northern Territory.

You are both saying the same thing. There is double pricing in Australia.

Despite what several previous posters would have us believe.

[TheWalkingMan]

Same in Australia. It would be total discrimination, and therefore illegal.

National Parks in Australia charge more for foreigners than locals.

Kakadu NP..

Adult pass | $25

Northern Territory resident | Free

I think you meant to say that this National Park in the Northern Territory charges more to people who are not residents of the Northern Territory.

You are both saying the same thing. There is double pricing in Australia.

Despite what several previous posters would have us believe.

Looks like there is double pricing applied to non-residents of the territory, which is usually how double pricing works and not a blanket - you are not Australian (or from whichever country), you pay more. That is part of what gets people upset in Thailand. Legitimate residents are treated as outsiders because they are not Thai.

[Maejo Man]

Same in Australia. It would be total discrimination, and therefore illegal.

National Parks in Australia charge more for foreigners than locals.

Kakadu NP..

Adult pass | $25

Northern Territory resident | Free

I think you meant to say that this National Park in the Northern Territory charges more to people who are not residents of the Northern Territory.

You are both saying the same thing. There is double pricing in Australia.

Despite what several previous posters would have us believe.

As usual Dolly has grasped the wrong end of the stick purely through lack of local knowlege. All NT residents and householders pay a parks and garden tax as part of their annual rates, some of which goes to the upkeep of Kakadu. They in fact are already paying their part, even though they might not have visited the park. All other Australians pay the same as tourists, so no double pricing.

Take it a step further, and you will find the same in most states of Australia. Rate paying residents are paying through their taxation and get free entry.

p.s. I didn't pay on my last visit to Kakadu

Edited August 22, 2012 by Maejo Man

[KRS1]

The Thai price increase represents 2 bottles of beer for two people who go to a park.

For a Thai family of 5, the father will no longer be able to get drunk.

Bad days ahead.

Edited August 22, 2012 by KRS1

[wellred]

When I first glanced at this article, I thought it said prices for Thais are going up at the parks. I missed the "foreign tourists" line. Anyway, I thought, wow, good for the Thai government, finally trying to even out this abhorrent price system. But no, I misread, Thais will continue to discriminate because of the color of my skin. "Foreign tourists?" Really Thais? You mean farang don't you? White farang. Because my friends from Vietnam and China who are sitting in the car will pay the Thai price. Trust me.

But that's only because they probably can't tell the difference. If their features were more distinguishable then I'm sure the Thai's would take that opportunity to over charge them more too.

[MAJIC]

What has this got to do with racism? or racialism even?

The same as it's Brothers Discrimination and Prejudice.

Please can you explain what you are talking about?

Have a look in a good Dictionary,and all will become clear!

[Loaded]

Wat Phra Sing now has a small trestle table and sign (English, Chinese and Korean) instructing visitors to pay a 20 baht entrance fee to the main hall. My understanding is that in Buddhism donations are voluntary and merit reflects intention. The Abbot of this temple really needs to go back to school and study a little harder.

Edited August 22, 2012 by Loaded