Popular Post Baloo22 Posted December 16, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted December 16, 2012 One of Bangkok's newest attractions, "Asiatique, the Riverfront" just opened it's new Ferris Wheel called "Asiatique Sky". Apparently, they also carried on with the tradition of dual pricing with one price for Thai people and a higher price for foreigners. A travel blogger, Richard Barrow, went to the Facebook page for Asiatique and "questioned the reasoning behind their decision to charge foreigners more than Thais to go on the wheel." Well, Mr. Barrow found that he was promptly blocked from Asiatique's Facebook page! He wrote it up in his blog Why “Asiatique The Riverfront” has banned me from their Facebook Page (December 15, 2012 By Richard Barrow). Then, a virtual storm of negative comments have engulfed the Asiatique's Facebook page. There is an article in "The Other Newspaper" that we cannot quote from that is saying that the management of Asiatique has changed it's policy and eliminated the dual pricing! Perhaps some enterprises in Thailand are actually having to face the 21st Century and adjust to it! An encouraging sign?? 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Fabulous! Hopefully the start of a trend indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jko Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Excellent web site exposing 'hidden' dual pricing:- here This link should feature on every tour operator, travel agent and airline website about Thailand. Kudos to the people who maintain the site. I salute the endeavour. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baloo22 Posted December 16, 2012 Author Share Posted December 16, 2012 Here is an update from Mr. Richard Barrow: "Asiatique Backs Down on Two Price Policy after Barrage of Criticism on Social Media" This is some good reading. I think that the lesson learned here is that in cases like this, getting mass involvement from travel bloggers, comments on sites like TripAdvisor, and social media outlets is the key. It seems that combination is what worked in this case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baloo22 Posted December 16, 2012 Author Share Posted December 16, 2012 Excellent web site exposing 'hidden' dual pricing:- here This link should feature on every tour operator, travel agent and airline website about Thailand. Kudos to the people who maintain the site. I salute the endeavour. I don't know if this happened to anyone else, but when I tried to go to the linked website (http://www.2pricethailand.com), I got a "Warning: Suspicious Site" from my McAfee Antivirus Plus. Said it "found it exhibited one or more risky behaviors." Don't know exactly what. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
endure Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 I don't get any warning with Avast anti-virus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigt3365 Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 I don't get any warning with Avast anti-virus. I didn't get a warning either from bitdefender...but as you may remember, it got fooled before!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkom Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 You should have a read on their Facebook page, some very interesting comments from Thais and expats about he dual pricing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigt3365 Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Seems it worked. Dual pricing seems to have been eliminated. They are also removing comments from the FB page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSkip Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 WOW!!!!!!!!!! maybe we can also stop the tradition of dual pricing with one price for Thai people and a higher price for Foreigners for medical care. In Satahip Naval Hospital there is a posted sign on the cashiers window, it says "Foreigners will be charges 50% more". Please respond if any info is available........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 (edited) There is a thread called "Name and Shame" on Tripadvisor now, inviting members to submit the names of establishments that practise dual-pricing. http://www.tripadvis...ad-Bangkok.html Looks like that have targeted Siam Ocean World's facebook page for their dual-pricing...150% more for foreigners? Some comments already popping up there. This could get interesting if the social site crowd turns their attention to other dual-pricers. Here is their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/SiamOceanWorld Edited December 17, 2012 by bubba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Fairfield Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Excellent web site exposing 'hidden' dual pricing:- here This link should feature on every tour operator, travel agent and airline website about Thailand. Kudos to the people who maintain the site. I salute the endeavour. I think 2Pricethailand is also the work of Richard Barrow, although I could be wrong. Regardless, it is indeed an excellent site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baloo22 Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 WOW!!!!!!!!!! maybe we can also stop the tradition of dual pricing with one price for Thai people and a higher price for Foreigners for medical care. In Satahip Naval Hospital there is a posted sign on the cashiers window, it says "Foreigners will be charges 50% more". Please respond if any info is available........ Satahip Naval Hospital may present a different case if it is a Thai taxpayer supported institution and the charge differences are based on whether one is a resident of Thailand or not rather than simply based on race. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hullupullo Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Yes it worked well...before it was 200b for thais and 250 for foreigners. Now it is 250 for all Ok, they have discount now but after that thais pay more "As a kind gesture towards all fans of Asiatique, they will also introduce a special price that will be effective from today until 28th February 2013. This will be: Adult 200 Baht" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Dual pricing is illegal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetotravel Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Dual pricing is illegal. Really? It seems to be quite common here in Thailand. I've also seen it all over the rest of the world. Setup as a "locals" discount. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnniey Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Dual pricing is illegal. Are you sure? What about the Grand Palace? Many countries practice it. In Florida for example, residents get on many rides cheaper than visitors. IN the UK too, where I come from, some golf courses give discount to locals. There's nothing wrong with it IMHO. IN Thailand also, if you are a resident and show either work permit or tax receipt or driver's license you won't have to pay the tourist price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Problem is that there is no criminal law against it, you must go to civil court. Making it a burden. Or try the consumer protection agency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyLew Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Much ado about nothing Citizens of Windsor in UK get cards that allow them discounts to attractions such as Windsor castle This is no different, just Thais make things so obvious Personally, if there is a show double price sign, I turn around and go home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punisher Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Dual pricing is illegal. Are you sure? What about the Grand Palace? Many countries practice it. In Florida for example, residents get on many rides cheaper than visitors. IN the UK too, where I come from, some golf courses give discount to locals. There's nothing wrong with it IMHO. IN Thailand also, if you are a resident and show either work permit or tax receipt or driver's license you won't have to pay the tourist price. I went 20 times at least to California or Florida,I never ever saw a price list what says "US citizen 50$ foreigner 100$,not at disney,not at universal or other parks.It might be older or younger persons get a discount 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangkokrick Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 This is no 'victory' as it was described on the Facebook thread. They have increased the Thai price to meet the farang price. OK its eliminated dual pricing, but I am sure from the comments that there is Thai resentment to the change. The company will be laughing all the way to the bank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hullupullo Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 So Asiatique facebookpage disappears? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickeyM Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Dual pricing is illegal. Are you sure? What about the Grand Palace? Many countries practice it. In Florida for example, residents get on many rides cheaper than visitors. IN the UK too, where I come from, some golf courses give discount to locals. There's nothing wrong with it IMHO. IN Thailand also, if you are a resident and show either work permit or tax receipt or driver's license you won't have to pay the tourist price. I went 20 times at least to California or Florida,I never ever saw a price list what says "US citizen 50$ foreigner 100$,not at disney,not at universal or other parks.It might be older or younger persons get a discount You won't see an on-site sign, but during slow seasons, Disney promotes discount prices to those that show a local driver's license. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkom Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 (edited) Dual pricing is illegal. Are you sure? What about the Grand Palace? Many countries practice it. In Florida for example, residents get on many rides cheaper than visitors. IN the UK too, where I come from, some golf courses give discount to locals. There's nothing wrong with it IMHO. IN Thailand also, if you are a resident and show either work permit or tax receipt or driver's license you won't have to pay the tourist price. I went 20 times at least to California or Florida,I never ever saw a price list what says "US citizen 50$ foreigner 100$,not at disney,not at universal or other parks.It might be older or younger persons get a discount You won't see an on-site sign, but during slow seasons, Disney promotes discount prices to those that show a local driver's license. They don't offer discounts on daily passes, everyone pays the same high prices. Only discount for locals is for the annual pass but there are many black dates, for example to can not use on weekends all major holidays and during school breaks ect. Edited December 18, 2012 by arkom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doontp Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Dual pricing is illegal. Really? It seems to be quite common here in Thailand. I've also seen it all over the rest of the world. Setup as a "locals" discount. I've seen it too......a price for locals and a higher price for tourists. They know where you're from by looking at your driver's license. Universities in the USA have triple pricing........in-state, out-of-state and international students. I've also seen discounts for senior citizens and military personnel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiksilva Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Excellent web site exposing 'hidden' dual pricing:- here This link should feature on every tour operator, travel agent and airline website about Thailand. Kudos to the people who maintain the site. I salute the endeavour. I think 2Pricethailand is also the work of Richard Barrow, although I could be wrong. Regardless, it is indeed an excellent site. You are quite right, It is Richard Barrow's and yes its excellent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nokbird Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 When Abhist was PM there was an article and thread here on it stating it is illegal except for the Gov, hence national parks are legal as such. Private Biz is illegal under Thai law. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldgit Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 There was a thread some time ago about a hotel in Bangkok that had a buffet on a very high floor, they charged extra for foreigners, be they resident in Thailand or even when accompanied by a Thai partner. I made a comment on their Facebook page, which they ignored, but an Australian woman made a comment that she thought it was acceptable for foreign tourists to be charged more as they had more money than the Thai people, adding that Thai people couldn't normally afford to eat in such places as this. My partner added a response that she found her comment to be patronising and insulting, the lady didn't respond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finlaco Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Dual pricing is illegal. Are you sure? What about the Grand Palace? Many countries practice it. In Florida for example, residents get on many rides cheaper than visitors. IN the UK too, where I come from, some golf courses give discount to locals. There's nothing wrong with it IMHO. IN Thailand also, if you are a resident and show either work permit or tax receipt or driver's license you won't have to pay the tourist price. I think you’re a little bit confused - The examples you have given is compensation to the 'locals' who live in the vicinity of the attraction and who are perhaps affected by visitors to the site etc..(done for PR reasons). It’s not a discount to all people native to the country so your comparison is not accurate. I always find it interesting when people self justify why other's must pay more for a similar service. Assuming honesty and in fact the extra THB50 was subsidising the ride for locals, then foreigners could have had a specific queue that allowed them to board before Thai people. A sign could have been erected explaining to Thai people that foreigners were being allowed to board first because their benevolence and charity was subsiding the ticket price for Thai people. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunta71 Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 For the rose tinted eyeglass wearers, I will say this. In absolutely no other country is there a 400% markup for tourists. My personal pet peeve on this subject are the dual priced menus. When questioned on this once several years ago, the chump claimed that the dish price being lower on the thai script menu was due to them providing a smaller portion to the Thais. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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