Mobi Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Ok. there have been many debates on dual pricing within Thailand, and we all have our views, but this is a bit different - atl least I think it is. I enquired at a local travel agent on the prices for a 7 day cruise, run by a Singapore based cruise company, with the cruise starting and ending in Singapore. The agent faxed me a price list which had "Published rates" and "local rates." I enquired whiich rates were applicable, and was told that the local rates would apply for me. I asked them to book two tickest and confirm the prices. They then advised that I could only get the local rate if I had a work permit - which I don't. (I have a retirement visa). The difference in the price is huge - Thai price Bht 45k per head, farang price Bht 71k per head. This is cruise only, in the cheapest cabin - 2 sharing - does not include any costs in Thailand , not even the air ticket to Singapore. I have faxed several more agents and they all quoted the higher, farang rate to me. The farang rate is even more expensive than the rate quoted by a Uk agent to my friend in England. I have contacted the cruise company directly, but they advised that I must book through an agent in Thailand. Can anyone explain what's going on here? Its pretty scandalous, isn't it? Is there anything I can do to persuade the agent to give me the local (Thai) rate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaoPo Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Why don't you try and find a Singapore agent and see what they offer? LaoPo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuestHouse Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Enter the details of the ripp-off on Fairprice-Thailand.org and then email a link to the cruise company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mobi Posted May 26, 2006 Author Share Posted May 26, 2006 Just in case anyone is interested, I'm pleased to announce that I beat the system. I refused to accept that they wouldn't give me the "local" price without a work permit and insisted that the agent went back to Singapore and told them that I live here, have a house here and a company here etc etc. They came back and said if I could produce my company papers with my name on it then I could have the lower price, which I did, and saved myself around 400 pounds. I've just come across another piece of dual pricing illogic. If you try to book a hotel through one of the many internet hotel booking sites, you must be a foreigner with an overseas address and credit card. They actually state on their web page that the prices are not available for the local market. There seems to be a three tier pricing system. On one Bangkok hotel, I was quoted 1,900 baht on the internet, 2,400 baht by phone, if a Thai called, and 3,800 Baht by phone, if a farang called. The whole thing is just crazy. Or is it me? TIT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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