I have just witnessed two occurrences of double pricing policy - Do Thai's know that this hurts?

[Time Traveller]

The vendor does it but the country takes the rap.

I was in Europe earlier this year and some people I met had been here, were not really recommending the place.

Don't Thai to me is a phrase foreigners are picking up. Sad but true.

Well UncleJ, what did you expect? You can't have it both ways by overchargin people and then expecting them to be happy about it

Edited December 9, 2013 by Time Traveller

[spambot]

So maybe if you are one of the falangs who seem to constantly get ripped off in local markets you should ONLY shop at places like big C and Tesco where the prices are clearly marked......or of course you could simply shop around a bit and ASK the price at several stalls before you buy and make sure you have correct change? The last time I was in a market I didn't see any vendors putting a gun to anyone's head forcing them to buy from them.

Or you could send the wife/gf off to do the shopping at the local market and hope that she doesn't overcharge you.

It may be a good strategy to avoid the dual pricing, but the root is still cultural - A constant desire to differentiate on skin colour or ethnic origin will always be a barrier to true integration between Thai's and foreigners. Trust is a fundamental need in any relationship and relationships are needed for all forms of growth.

So I guess the question is: Does a Thai national or indeed the Thai Gov really at their heart seek a relationship with a foreigner or do they just believe that short term goals that focus upon systems of tax always working against a foreigner will always see them through?

Edited December 9, 2013 by spambot

[UncleJ]

I don't think they anticipated the internet when they developed the short sighted, rip off their guests, strategy.

[spambot]

Advice to spambot: Ask what the price is first, then make your decision to buy it or not. The vendor is entitled to charge whatever they want to whoever they want. And the customer is entitled to choose to buy elsewhere.

Entirely true point you make - Unable to argue this is good management.

But why should anyone have to do this when it doesn't happen to one race of people.

And really I do not want to forced into becoming watchful and suspicious of everyone and every time I make a small purchase - Its not about the few Baht saved on the fruit being bought that is available from good management - its really the feeling that it brings - When you stop investing in relationships and stop trusting the people you deal with - Every time you do this then something dies a little.

[mok199]

thias never think about the ''long term'' they see an oportunity and they sqeeze it to death.....the thai way or the hiway

[Fookhaht]

A lot of the places people are talking about, such as govt subsidised attractions and national parks, are being paid for by Thais through their taxes. There's no reason a tourist shouldn't pay a premium.

 

 

Your argument has absolutely no validity for those us of us who live here as ex-pats.

I have been paying taxes for over 11 years and at a much higher rate than most of my Thai friends. When I show evidence of this (my tax card and work permit) it makes absolutely no difference to the park officials.

Simple greed and economics.

[spambot]

About 10 years ago we were in BKK with our children who are luuk keung, who were in their late teens at the time .The wife decided it was time they went to see bangkok's famous temples. At the temple of the reclining buddha there are 2 entrances . 1 for Thais one for farang . 1 is free the other must pay. They removed their shoes and prepared to enter from the door designated for Thais. I had no interest and stayed outside. An official who seemed to come from the souvenir shop started shouting at my wife as loud as possible that she was a cheat for trying trying to take 2 foreigners . The aim was obviously to see her lose face. He succeeded an my wife and 2 daughters wete completely embarrassed.

I don't think I have ever been so angry as at that moment. I know the drill in these circumstances but still I went for him. Two police who wete there stopped me and to their credit apologised for the embarrassment caused but explained that this is how it is. We left without entering.

It is just so wrong. But TIT.

OMG - Brilliant story - Sad, but brilliant!

Its about the hidden thought and the real question is how many Thai nationals hold these hidden thoughts.

I was on a bus from southern bus terminal (511) - I waited prior to the bus setting off and when the conductor arrived she pointed to sign above my chair (Front of bus left hand side) and she said "seat for monk" so I moved to the identical chair across the walkway on the right and side front of bus. At the next stop a young girl got on and sat in this same seat I had been rejected from. This time the conductor did nothing.

I wanted to scream out at the injustice, but I did not - It was not my bus it was not my rules and I had little going for me in making any successful outcome since she was clearly differentiating one type of person against another.

So for me it is not the pricing difference on small items that is the real issue - itt the the hidden thought that drives the price differences.

Edited December 9, 2013 by spambot

[GarryP]

A lot of the places people are talking about, such as govt subsidised attractions and national parks, are being paid for by Thais through their taxes. There's no reason a tourist shouldn't pay a premium.

Your argument has absolutely no validity for those us of us who live here as ex-pats.

I have been paying taxes for over 11 years and at a much higher rate than most of my Thai friends. When I show evidence of this (my tax card and work permit) it makes absolutely no difference to the park officials.

Simple greed and economics.

I seriously doubt that you are paying taxes at a higher rate. The income tax rates are the same for both Thais and foreigners. Perhaps you pay more tax than your Thai friends because you are earning a higher salary than them.

That does not take away from your argument that paying taxes does not help in getting you into venues for the same fee as Thais.

PS My work permit and tax payer's ID card do not state how much tax I am paying.

Sorry for nitpicking, but you caught me on a bad day.

Edited December 9, 2013 by GarryP

[brit1984]

i doubt the same people who moan about dual-pricing in thailand would be willing to swap their assets / income / opportunities / access to public services / financial security of their family back home, for that of the average thai in return for being eligible for a 10 baht discount on their noodles

i rarely pay (or notice that i pay) more than locals for anything but when i do it only reminds me how lucky i am to be a westerner - i am not offended by dual pricing as it is simply indicative of the vendor's accurate assumption of my superior luck and the solid economic logic that follows from charging different prices to different consumer groups depending on differences in their average willingness / ability to pay

[spambot]

i doubt the same people who moan about dual-pricing in thailand would be willing to swap their assets / income / opportunities / access to public services / financial security of their family back home, for that of the average thai in return for being eligible for a 10 baht discount on their noodles

i rarely pay (or notice that i pay) more than locals for anything but when i do it only reminds me how lucky i am to be a westerner - i am not offended by dual pricing as it is simply indicative of the vendor's accurate assumption of my superior luck and the solid economic logic that follows from charging different prices to different consumer groups depending on differences in their average willingness / ability to pay

Good point, but its not really about being asked to make the choice (to swap) - Its a good question and I think your conclusion is the right one - few of us would make the choice to go back to our home country (or we would probably have done this already), but this will not solve the problem - if your choice is to stay.

Being happy with paying more has its own tax - The future belongs to what wrongs are accepted today.

[brit1984]

i doubt the same people who moan about dual-pricing in thailand would be willing to swap their assets / income / opportunities / access to public services / financial security of their family back home, for that of the average thai in return for being eligible for a 10 baht discount on their noodles

i rarely pay (or notice that i pay) more than locals for anything but when i do it only reminds me how lucky i am to be a westerner - i am not offended by dual pricing as it is simply indicative of the vendor's accurate assumption of my superior luck and the solid economic logic that follows from charging different prices to different consumer groups depending on differences in their average willingness / ability to pay

Good point, but its not really about being asked to make the choice (to swap) - Its a good question and I think your conclusion is the right one - few of us would make the choice to go back to our home country (or we would probably have done this already), but this will not solve the problem - if your choice is to stay.

Being happy with paying more has its own tax - The future belongs to what wrongs are accepted today.

dual pricing is not wrong - it follows clear economic logic - some people (or groups of people) are able to pay more than others

infants generally have less than adults, students less than professionals, thais less than westerners, people who collect discount coupons less than people who don't, etc etc

by charging differential prices, businesses can make more profit and more consumers gain access to the goods / services

nobody is being forced to buy goods / services - you only do this if the utility you gain is more than the price you need to pay

Edited December 9, 2013 by brit1984

[aTomsLife]

Children and the elderly get discounts which is the complete opposite of overcharging, really don't see your point at all.

Overweight people are charged more for clothing here because more material is required; there are higher costs involved. Just as there are higher costs associated with insuring their health, so there is justification to make them pay more. What Thais do is look to exploit people because of how they look or what language they speak. There is no fundamental reason to charge them more. It's a morally bankrupt practice. Rationalize it however you want, but your arguments are illogical.

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[chuang]

Probably many of you have not bought the thai lottery tickets.....some vendors sell a pair for 100B, some for 110B...for a set of five identical numbers tickets

it can be between 600B to 700B........and these are what the sellers charged the locals, not farangs.

[brit1984]

Children and the elderly get discounts which is the complete opposite of overcharging, really don't see your point at all.

Overweight people are charged more for clothing here because more material is required; there are higher costs involved. Just as there are higher costs associated with insuring their health, so there is justification to make them pay more. What Thais do is look to exploit people because of how they look or what language they speak. There is no fundamental reason to charge them more. It's a morally bankrupt practice. Rationalize it however you want, but your arguments are illogical.

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

whether you call it a discount for one group or a higher price for another group, is completely irrelevant (for some businesses the thai customers are in the minority) - it is still justified by the same perfectly logical economic concept - i.e. price discrimination as explained in all high school economic textbooks (or google if you studied music instead)

this is not exploitation (and to use that word is quite bizarre) - nobody is being forced to buy goods / services - they only do so if the utility they gain from the good / service is worth as much / more to them than the cash they need to give in exchange - i.e. they gain a benefit from the transaction - there is nothing unfair about that

obviously i can understand why some people do not like this (jealousy / self-interest is human nature) and i also understand why some thai people think its unfair that any westerner can show up with nothing more than a white face and find employment with a salary much higher than the average thai (although as with dual pricing there are logical economic reasons / market forces that explain this)

[Somsrisonphimai]

Children and the elderly get discounts which is the complete opposite of overcharging, really don't see your point at all.

Overweight people are charged more for clothing here because more material is required; there are higher costs involved. Just as there are higher costs associated with insuring their health, so there is justification to make them pay more. What Thais do is look to exploit people because of how they look or what language they speak. There is no fundamental reason to charge them more. It's a morally bankrupt practice. Rationalize it however you want, but your arguments are illogical.

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

If you don't like it, don't buy it. it's just as simple as that. Even if you get charged more than the locals, it probably is still a lot cheaper than what you would pay in your country, I suppose. The concept of double pricing is applied to every foreigners, it does not apply to just one particular race. I just dislike when people turn this into racism when there isn't.

When they call foreigners falang, they're being charged as racist, when they charge foreigners more than locals for product/service, they're being considered racist. Can Thai people do anything without being call racist?

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[salapau]

Since learning to speak and understand Thai, I find that I am more accepted as a local and no longer pay the higher prices, even pay a lower price for beer at my local drinking troughs.. If I need to buy something of high value however I show the wife what I want and get her to buy it.

Double pricing is annoying but it also happens in London, Paris and some parts of Spain.

[GreenSnapper]

It's a shameful practice.

Places like Ocean World in the Siam Paragon....they try to hide the fact by putting the retail price in Thai script and the scam price in english.

How many other businesses in Siam Paragon rip off the tourists I wonder?

Bayoke Tower: buffet for Farang double price. Thai price is written with Thai numbers. Thai numbers are used rarely these days, even when everything else is written in Thai. It is a clear warning signal: "scam in effect!".

[spambot]

Children and the elderly get discounts which is the complete opposite of overcharging, really don't see your point at all.

Overweight people are charged more for clothing here because more material is required; there are higher costs involved. Just as there are higher costs associated with insuring their health, so there is justification to make them pay more. What Thais do is look to exploit people because of how they look or what language they speak. There is no fundamental reason to charge them more. It's a morally bankrupt practice. Rationalize it however you want, but your arguments are illogical.

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

If you don't like it, don't buy it. it's just as simple as that. Even if you get charged more than the locals, it probably is still a lot cheaper than what you would pay in your country, I suppose. The concept of double pricing is applied to every foreigners, it does not apply to just one particular race. I just dislike when people turn this into racism when there isn't.

When they call foreigners falang, they're being charged as racist, when they charge foreigners more than locals for product/service, they're being considered racist. Can Thai people do anything without being call racist?

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Children and the elderly get discounts which is the complete opposite of overcharging, really don't see your point at all.

Overweight people are charged more for clothing here because more material is required; there are higher costs involved. Just as there are higher costs associated with insuring their health, so there is justification to make them pay more. What Thais do is look to exploit people because of how they look or what language they speak. There is no fundamental reason to charge them more. It's a morally bankrupt practice. Rationalize it however you want, but your arguments are illogical.

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

whether you call it a discount for one group or a higher price for another group, is completely irrelevant (for some businesses the thai customers are in the minority) - it is still justified by the same perfectly logical economic concept - i.e. price discrimination as explained in all high school economic textbooks (or google if you studied music instead)

this is not exploitation (and to use that word is quite bizarre) - nobody is being forced to buy goods / services - they only do so if the utility they gain from the good / service is worth as much / more to them than the cash they need to give in exchange - i.e. they gain a benefit from the transaction - there is nothing unfair about that

obviously i can understand why some people do not like this (jealousy / self-interest is human nature) and i also understand why some thai people think its unfair that any westerner can show up with nothing more than a white face and find employment with a salary much higher than the average thai (although as with dual pricing there are logical economic reasons / market forces that explain this)

This part is good

I think that you make a reasonable point. And your economic argument is based in sound economic principles that are well defined and accepted universally as being correct.

Also I accept that market segmentation and promotional pricing is very much part of economic theory. These models do normally work for the greater good for those that take utility from this form of pricing model, but it also depends upon not upsetting those that are not given access to such a promotion. This type of model is set within a transparent pricing market, where both parties have equal access to the information.

However the Thai pricing is not really about offering promotional pricing it is more about prejudicial pricing since an excess is being charged not a promotion provided.

This needs Caution when applied

But for the above to work - There also need a completed economic reasoning on dealing with other economic only principles must be answered or economics alone is not the sole answer to the question of why two pricing models exist.

Transparency has to exist in a rounded model to work - Or else when the transparency is found the target that is being prejudicially charged a premium would rightly want to know the argument, whether it’s an economic argument or something other. Just like we are asking here on this forum.

If the argument for the premium was based upon ability to pay this would include rich Thai nationals. While the argument might be reasoned that the premium is based upon the markets lack of knowledge and an opportunity is being exploited, while not a great argument it is one that might be considered appropriate by some. But if this argument to be robust it would also need to support any situations when the knowledge is known in order to not upset that segment of the market. Hence any Thai not unfamiliar with the seller would then be charged the same as a non Thai. When the two pricing model is identified by a non Thai it is reasonable then if using this argument that the price would change, but 99% of the time this price does not change for a non-Thai buyer.

This is not about Economics

The argument is not an economic one – It is a judgement about where you were born (being outside Thailand) – It is racial judgement that is being made.

It is clear that racial prejudice is badly received by anyone that is subject to it. It is accepted to be a very sensitive subjective that can lead to anger.

So for the casual tourist here for a short time they might get utility from the price they agree and go away happy in their economic transaction. But I would guess they would be much less happy if they knew that they were being charged more because of their race.

A racial judgement is being made about the buyer here and when any consumer is charged at a premium only because of their race – This is no longer an economics principle - it’s a moral issue that everyone should be asking why this should exist.

Edited December 9, 2013 by spambot

[UncleJ]

...and at Ocean World, before you even get to see a single fish, they pull a 'free' photograph con.

Free? "Yes sir, free photo."

So you stop the tour of the aquarium and pose for the free photo.

Then it's explained the picture taking part is free.....if you want the photo...pay up sucker.

<deleted>?

[thailiketoo]

This part is good

I think that you make a reasonable point. And your economic argument is based in sound economic principles that are well defined and accepted universally as being correct.

Also I accept that market segmentation and promotional pricing is very much part of economic theory. These models do normally work for the greater good for those that take utility from this form of pricing model, but it also depends upon not upsetting those that are not given access to such a promotion. This type of model is set within a transparent pricing market, where both parties have equal access to the information.

However the Thai pricing is not really about offering promotional pricing it is more about prejudicial pricing since an excess is being charged not a promotion provided.

This needs Caution when applied

This model completely depends upon lack of transparency. When the transparency is found the target that is being prejudicially charged a premium would rightly want to know the argument, whether it’s an economic argument or something other.

If the argument for the premium was based upon ability to pay this would include rich Thai nationals. While the argument might be reasoned that the premium is based upon the markets lack of knowledge and an opportunity is being exploited, while not a great argument it is however one that might be considered appropriate by some. But if this argument would need to support the situation when the knowledge is known. And when it is know the pricing would change to the ones that know. Hence any Thai not unfamiliar with the seller would be charged the same as a non Tai. Also when the two pricing model is identified and confronted 99% of the time it doesn’t normally alter the price for a non-Thai.

This is not about Economics

The argument is not an economic one – It is a judgement about where you were born – It is racial judgement that is being made.

It is clear that racial prejudice is badly received by anyone that is subject to it. It is accepted to be a very sensitive subjective that can lead to anger.

So for the casual tourist here for a short time they might get utility from the price they agree to pay and go away happy in their economic transaction. But I would guess they would be much less happy if they knew that they were being charged more because of their race.

A racial judgement is being made about the buyer here and when any consumer is charged at a premium only because of their race – This is no longer an economics principle - it’s a moral issue that everyone should be asking why this should exist.

You wrote, "The argument is not an economic one – It is a judgement about where you were born – It is racial judgement that is being made. A racial judgement is being made about the buyer here and when any consumer is charged at a premium only because of their race – This is no longer an economics principle - it’s a moral issue that everyone should be asking why this should exist."

Totally wrong. Thailand is not a race. You can point to no document or course or educated person that will suggest Thailand is a race of people.

I will of course admit my error if you find a source that will confirm your outlandish and completely false claim that Thailand is a race.

Edited December 9, 2013 by thailiketoo

[spambot]

This part is good

I think that you make a reasonable point. And your economic argument is based in sound economic principles that are well defined and accepted universally as being correct.

Also I accept that market segmentation and promotional pricing is very much part of economic theory. These models do normally work for the greater good for those that take utility from this form of pricing model, but it also depends upon not upsetting those that are not given access to such a promotion. This type of model is set within a transparent pricing market, where both parties have equal access to the information.

However the Thai pricing is not really about offering promotional pricing it is more about prejudicial pricing since an excess is being charged not a promotion provided.

This needs Caution when applied

This model completely depends upon lack of transparency. When the transparency is found the target that is being prejudicially charged a premium would rightly want to know the argument, whether it’s an economic argument or something other.

If the argument for the premium was based upon ability to pay this would include rich Thai nationals. While the argument might be reasoned that the premium is based upon the markets lack of knowledge and an opportunity is being exploited, while not a great argument it is however one that might be considered appropriate by some. But if this argument would need to support the situation when the knowledge is known. And when it is know the pricing would change to the ones that know. Hence any Thai not unfamiliar with the seller would be charged the same as a non Tai. Also when the two pricing model is identified and confronted 99% of the time it doesn’t normally alter the price for a non-Thai.

This is not about Economics

The argument is not an economic one – It is a judgement about where you were born – It is racial judgement that is being made.

It is clear that racial prejudice is badly received by anyone that is subject to it. It is accepted to be a very sensitive subjective that can lead to anger.

So for the casual tourist here for a short time they might get utility from the price they agree to pay and go away happy in their economic transaction. But I would guess they would be much less happy if they knew that they were being charged more because of their race.

A racial judgement is being made about the buyer here and when any consumer is charged at a premium only because of their race – This is no longer an economics principle - it’s a moral issue that everyone should be asking why this should exist.

You wrote, "The argument is not an economic one – It is a judgement about where you were born – It is racial judgement that is being made. A racial judgement is being made about the buyer here and when any consumer is charged at a premium only because of their race – This is no longer an economics principle - it’s a moral issue that everyone should be asking why this should exist."

Totally wrong. Thailand is not a race. You can point to no document or course or educated person that will suggest Thailand is a race of people.

I will of course admit my error if you find a source that will confirm your outlandish and completely false claim that Thailand is a race.

You are right and I apologise for my error - I did not know that.

However my argument is less about the actual definition it more about a state of mind - And belonging to Thailand and being Thai is a state of mind - The word race is being used here to define this state of mind nothing more - The principles are the issue and I am sure that you do understand what I am trying to say even though a definition I gave might have been cited by a wrong name.

[brit1984]

@spambot

obviously it would be more economically efficient (optimal in fact) if all businesses had a portable brain scanner to check all customers' willingness to pay, and x-ray vision goggles to scan wallets to check all customers ability to pay

but as most businesses (including some thai street noodle vendors) do not have both of these devices, they group customers into groups with each group willing to pay a different average price - this is still more economically efficient than a one price system

as the average westerners has an income many times more than the average thai, it is logical to assume the average price they can pay will also be higher - that logic is not undermined by the existence of poor westerners and rich thais, just as there are some rich kids / students / discount coupon collectors / etc

i agree that judging people based on their skin colour has negative connotations and it would be bad if the noodle vendors refused to serve white people (or spat in their noodles) but double pricing is good (even if it does not benefit you personally)

[brit1984]

just wondering if someone offered you a thousand dollars (to be donated to the charity of your choice) if you win a 50 meters sprint against your choice of a random white guy or a random black guy... which would you choose?

or would you refuse to participate due to your moral obligation to making a "racial judgement"?

[thailiketoo]

You wrote, "The argument is not an economic one – It is a judgement about where you were born – It is racial judgement that is being made. A racial judgement is being made about the buyer here and when any consumer is charged at a premium only because of their race – This is no longer an economics principle - it’s a moral issue that everyone should be asking why this should exist."

Totally wrong. Thailand is not a race. You can point to no document or course or educated person that will suggest Thailand is a race of people.

I will of course admit my error if you find a source that will confirm your outlandish and completely false claim that Thailand is a race.

You are right and I apologise for my error - I did not know that.

However my argument is less about the actual definition it more about a state of mind - And belonging to Thailand and being Thai is a state of mind - The word race is being used here to define this state of mind nothing more - The principles are the issue and I am sure that you do understand what I am trying to say even though a definition I gave might have been cited by a wrong name.

No I don't understand. You are calling Thais racist and that is not true. I don't care how you dress it up. Double pricing is not racist. The only traction you get is by calling it something it's not. That is not nice and it's not accurate.

[thailiketoo]

just wondering if someone offered you a thousand dollars (to be donated to the charity of your choice) if you win a 50 meters sprint against your choice of a random white guy or a random black guy... which would you choose?

or would you refuse to participate due to your moral obligation to making a "racial judgement"?

I believe there is a complete discussion of this topic if you google "Berlin Olympics 1936."

[spambot]

Ignore this post screwed up with a mouse click 8+( Anyone know how to delete posts? - I can not find an option - only option is to edit

Edited December 9, 2013 by spambot

[spambot]

@spambot

obviously it would be more economically efficient (optimal in fact) if all businesses had a portable brain scanner to check all customers' willingness to pay, and x-ray vision goggles to scan wallets to check all customers ability to pay

but as most businesses (including some thai street noodle vendors) do not have both of these devices, they group customers into groups with each group willing to pay a different average price - this is still more economically efficient than a one price system

as the average westerners has an income many times more than the average thai, it is logical to assume the average price they can pay will also be higher - that logic is not undermined by the existence of poor westerners and rich thais, just as there are some rich kids / students / discount coupon collectors / etc

i agree that judging people based on their skin colour has negative connotations and it would be bad if the noodle vendors refused to serve white people (or spat in their noodles) but double pricing is good (even if it does not benefit you personally)

I do have some sympathy for your argument - Since it would be any easy decision to make for pricing decision non Thai are richer and have the means since Thai nationals generally do not have the same economic ability to pay.

Living myself few hundred yards from near Khao san Rd - On my soi it is a mix of four star hotels and 150 Baht per night hostels for the backpackers all very close together - In the centre area there are noodle carts that can see where the people come from since the frond door of one of the four star hotels is facing the carts and to the side of them about 10 metres is two hostels with a pathway that makes the decision fairly easy to identify where their customer is from.

There are a great many Thai nationals that tend to stay in the four star hotel (4,000 Baht per night) mostly on business so they are richer than most and strangers to the area, but importantly they are Thai national - They pay a lesser price than the backpackers coming from their 150 Baht per night hostel who are less able to pay for the same goods.

This is not an economic decision being made by these vendors when they set the price of their goods and has nothing to do with an ability to pay.

Edited December 9, 2013 by spambot

[aTomsLife]

Children and the elderly get discounts which is the complete opposite of overcharging, really don't see your point at all.

Overweight people are charged more for clothing here because more material is required; there are higher costs involved. Just as there are higher costs associated with insuring their health, so there is justification to make them pay more. What Thais do is look to exploit people because of how they look or what language they speak. There is no fundamental reason to charge them more. It's a morally bankrupt practice. Rationalize it however you want, but your arguments are illogical.

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

whether you call it a discount for one group or a higher price for another group, is completely irrelevant (for some businesses the thai customers are in the minority) - it is still justified by the same perfectly logical economic concept - i.e. price discrimination as explained in all high school economic textbooks (or google if you studied music instead)

this is not exploitation (and to use that word is quite bizarre) - nobody is being forced to buy goods / services - they only do so if the utility they gain from the good / service is worth as much / more to them than the cash they need to give in exchange - i.e. they gain a benefit from the transaction - there is nothing unfair about that

obviously i can understand why some people do not like this (jealousy / self-interest is human nature) and i also understand why some thai people think its unfair that any westerner can show up with nothing more than a white face and find employment with a salary much higher than the average thai (although as with dual pricing there are logical economic reasons / market forces that explain this)

Completely irrelevant to you, but discounting one group and surcharging another are not moral equivalents. Thanks for the pseudo economics lesson, though. But just because something can be defined as a feature of capital markets doesn't automatically make it moral in any context. But go on thinking like a robot, it's doing wonders for your personality, I can tell.

There was nothing bizarre about my useage of the word exploit. Words have multiple meanings in case you didn't learn that in grade school: Here's the definition for you: to utilize, especially for profit; turn to practical account: to exploit a business opportunity. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/exploit?s=t

It's not a question of being forced to buy something. People don't like being taken advantage of. If the local economy supports a certain price, people don't wish to pay above that. Often there's no warning that one is being surcharged, and so no opportunity to take one's business elsewhere. In such instances it's exploitation, plain and simple.

Edited December 9, 2013 by aTomsLife

[aTomsLife]

Children and the elderly get discounts which is the complete opposite of overcharging, really don't see your point at all.

Overweight people are charged more for clothing here because more material is required; there are higher costs involved. Just as there are higher costs associated with insuring their health, so there is justification to make them pay more. What Thais do is look to exploit people because of how they look or what language they speak. There is no fundamental reason to charge them more. It's a morally bankrupt practice. Rationalize it however you want, but your arguments are illogical.

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If you don't like it, don't buy it. it's just as simple as that. Even if you get charged more than the locals, it probably is still a lot cheaper than what you would pay in your country, I suppose. The concept of double pricing is applied to every foreigners, it does not apply to just one particular race. I just dislike when people turn this into racism when there isn't.

When they call foreigners falang, they're being charged as racist, when they charge foreigners more than locals for product/service, they're being considered racist. Can Thai people do anything without being call racist?

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Fair enough. By definition, what Thais are doing isn't racism. I was wrong to say it was, and apologize.

I still believe it's predatory unethical, just like I believe it's such is the case when pharmaceutical companies charge more for medicine in wealthier countries, just because they can. It's a form of exploitation.

Edited December 9, 2013 by aTomsLife

[thailiketoo]

Fair enough. By definition, what Thais are doing isn't racism. I was wrong to say it was, and I apologize. Though I still believe it's unethical, just like I believe it's unethical for pharmaceutical companies to charge more for medicine in wealthier countries, just because they can. It's a form of exploitation, period.

All countries should treat foreigners like nationals?