Dual-pricing is scaring tourists away: Thai editorial

[Keesters]

Thais are poor. Falang rich. When Thais go to Falangland, Thais always get charge expensive Falang price. So when Falang in Thailand, they should also pay expensive Falang price. This is the universal law of same same no change. If falang want to pay thai price in thailand, falang should also charge cheaper thai price to thai people while in falangland.

OK I would agree with this IF...

Thai in Falang land could not buy land. (Thai can buy as much land as they can afford in Falang land)

Thai in Falang land could not have some jobs, as those would be only for Falang. (Thai in Falang land can can have any job or start their own business)

Thai in Falang land that is retired can not get work permit. (Thai retired or not can work no law against this)

Thai in Falang land has to report to immigration every 3 months. (Thai in Falang has a long stay visa no reporting)

Seems fair enough...

But if you're retired why do you want a work permit. If you work you're NOT retired.

But I agree with everything else you say, plus if Thai law says it is wrong (illegal) for foreigners to own land here then under Thai law it should be illegal for Thais to own land overseas. That would be truly same same.

[Tomtomtom69]

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If your not Thai you must pay more

its not the act of doing this that's the problem, its the mindset that says its correct to do so.

I can imagine many Thais honestly saying "Why not ?"

You've hit it on the head, how many Thais know or care ?

I doubt there would be any ' that's not right ' views.

No, they don't get it, most have never been anywhere else in the world to see otherwise. Like they don't see that calling foreign people by insulting names is wrong. Or that laughing and running away when you say hello is rude.

Have you ever heard when a Thai goes to another country, Vietnam for example, and they are so appalled at the moment they have to pay more than the locals? They are so surprised, confused and offended but never even realise this is exactly what happens in Thailand for foreigners.

Vietnam is not the best example because very few businesses there officially charge foreigners more and those few that do, it's only a minor amount more (e.g. Hue Palace 35000 Dong for locals, 55000 for foreigners). Cambodia or Laos are better examples, but even they have fewer incidents of dual pricing than Thailand. What I have observed is Thais pay the foreigner charges in these countries without hesitation, but they may not necessarily realize they are paying more than the locals. Again, this has only been my own observation. Have you observed any differences in attitude amongst Thais going abroad who find they have to pay more than locals?

[claffey]

From my home state (Texas). Hunting license fees

Resident Hunting $25.00

Senior Resident Hunting $7.00

General Non-Resident Hunting $315.00

For those who claim there is no price discrimination in other places... It's all over, not just in Thailand. Look back over the dozens of dual pricing threads and you'll find hundreds of examples posted.

source: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/public/recreational/

Don't know about the accuracy of those prices since I'm not Texan/American but what I can almost GUARANTEE - certainly in the case of my own country - is that, whatever my race or nationality, if I can PROVE I'm a local resident, using whatever criteria are demanded, there'll be absolutely no question that I'll get the Resident price. Contrast that with Thailand where I could provide no end of evidence that I live locally (whether "locally" means in Thailand, in a particular province or town) yet still be denied local rate because of my race/nationality, on the whim of the ticket seller.

Of course price differentials exist in UK/USA/Oz/NZ/Canada/Western Europe but "local rate" is local rate, not "local rate if you have local features".

Work Permit or Thai Driving licence usually gets you in for the local price in Thailand...

[CWMcMurray]

They only want to do something because although they are lying about tourist coming back they are not! This is a government and people who believe lying a little is o.k. just like excepting corruption.

As noted it is a mindset, even in the police station and hospital that charges you more is o.k., as recently as last month Bangkok/Hospital gave me a quote in writing for 15,000 for a procedure when i came back a week later to confirm the procedure the original doctor had overbook his day so I was told another doctor could do the procedure. After doing some paperwork I was told the charge will be 25,000, I pull out and gave her the slip of earlier quote and she/he came right out and say that is " Thai price " " you Falang " was was stunned knew and heard about it before never could confirm.

Here what is new... all smoke and mirror!

In Australia, it would cost me (as an Aus citizen) less for hospital visits than it would for foreigners.

I presume this is due to the medical care of Australian Citizens/ Residents visits being subsidized by government healthcare program, correct?

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_Australia

Not a case that the cost of the procedure is quoted by the hospital as costing differently to different nationalities

In the posters case, not talking about any government. Subsidies or health care program... In both cases, paying 100% of actual costs... In cash

How do you know that government subsidies weren't involved? That info certainly isn't in the post.

Pretty easy to know...

Firstly, the Thai health care system doesn't work that way... If under government program, you need to go to your assigned government hospital .. Only exceptions are for emergencies and even then there are rule ls to cover emergencies.

As he went and got a quote from hospital, certainly not emergency care..

Also he named the hospital, which is a well known private hospital chain... So no chance it was in the government care system.

[gemini81]

The point is why should long term residents in Thailand pay tourist prices, when they are paying tax, same as Thai citizens?

you simply refuse. Don't enter. Boycott. I had to even for the littlest things, like the movie set in Kanchanaburi, peeing in a men's room in Aytthaya driving up Doi Inthanon, the temples (seen one you seen 'em all!). That was negotiating using Thai, they still wanna charge often...None of them are worth submitting to dual pricing. The heart of Thailand and thing to enjoy isn't really captured in tourists traps anyway...

[Tomtomtom69]

Likener1, on 04 Sept 2014 - 06:20, said:

If your not Thai you must pay more

Not true.

If you speak a little Thai, smile and say no, then negotiate down, I often get the same price.

It is easier if you have been here for awhile or a senior and they recognize you.

If you have an attitude and low ball them that is always a problem.

Many times just walk away and pause and they will at times bring the price down to a Thai price.

If buying high priced items check prices on line, then have a Thai person do the shopping for you, but be aware a built in commission may be structured in the final price.

The current economy is currently weak with off season. More unemployment and many new changes.

Prices have been going up and some think it is a tourist price. Not necessarily.

The key is to sit back and watch what a Thai person pays then you have a level playing field. Tell them that price is what you always pay!

Tell them you have been here for years, have a retirement extension, teach their children, show them a Thai drivers license if you have one.

Convince them it is not wise to over charge a repeat customer.

Most importantly, tell him a piece of the pie is better than no pie and you are a repeat customer.

There are many other shops to shop from. The further away from the tourists areas, the better the price.

You are referring more to private businesses who use opportunistic pricing. While that is part of the problem, this article and the many comments here are more about government sanctioned dual pricing, where a Thai and foreign price is different and fixed mostly at tourist sites - for example, Grand Palace, 400 Baht for foreigners and 0 Baht for locals or national parks, 400 for foreigners and 40 for Thais.

In these instances, you *might* on some occasions, some locations be able to get in for the local price after haggling, speaking Thai or showing a Thai driver's licence but this is highly unlikely at the Grand Palace for instance (only a Thai ID card or passport would work there). Still, one does receive reports of Asian foreigners who "look" local getting in for free because they are not asked to prove their nationality in the form of a Thai ID card.

My experience at private businesses has always been overwhelmingly positive, with my fluent Thai I can always get the right price, but I generally don't expect to be ripped off to begin with. Then again, how often would I go shopping at a market when I would much rather visit a multinational or locally owned supermarket or chain store in a shopping mall like the rest of the masses?

[Sarana]

I have to recount this story as so typical of my stay. I stop at a noodle shop for bowl of Thai noodles. Thai businessman pulls up in a Mercedes. He gets his order before mine. He pays less for more, including free prawn crackers. Cook laughs and flirts with him. Waitresses run around in a tizzy. Some lottery seller walks over and gives him a shitload of money. I pay more, get less and lots of frowns and grimaces. Like what the dark is a farang doing in a roadside noodle shop. Get yr ass back into the a/c canteen and eat the plastic food for 50b. Bum!

[claffey]

Come on guys, other countries go in for dual pricing. Living in Switzerland, I could use public transport for half price, visit museums cheaply, because it wasn't worthwhile for two week tourists. I'm sure other countries have this kind of set up also.

I was in Brussels last week and a restaurant was clearly charging tourists more than the locals. Different menus and prices...It happens everywhere! Thailand just needs to be a bit more subtle about it!

[chotthee]

If your not Thai you must pay more

its not the act of doing this that's the problem, its the mindset that says its correct to do so.

I can imagine many Thais honestly saying "Why not ?"

Dual pricing is just another facet of the racial discrimination that seems to be woven into the fabric of "Thainess".

Dual pricing is also against section 30 of thai constitution B.E. 2550

Sorry, thai constitution B.E. 2550 is history. No more.

Go ask our supreme great leader general prime minister prayuth what happen to the thai constitution B.E. 2550 he shredded?

[chakatee]

From my home state (Texas). Hunting license fees

Resident Hunting $25.00

Senior Resident Hunting $7.00

General Non-Resident Hunting $315.00

For those who claim there is no price discrimination in other places... It's all over, not just in Thailand. Look back over the dozens of dual pricing threads and you'll find hundreds of examples posted.

source: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/public/recreational/

Now if you could provide an example of a private enterprise from your home state having dual pricing...

Most people would not argue that there are some places that charge more for non-residents (based on taxation or whatever), however, I have yet to find a foreign venue that is privately owned (Paragon, Muang Boran etc) that charge different prices. Regardless, I always pay the Thai price using drivers or WP...wait, there are certain locations run by a certain bureau that NEVER give the Thai price to foreigners...

Different state but I'd say Disney World is pretty private

[Time Traveller]

Suriya4, in "civilized" countries, charges for locals and tourists are the same, expensive or cheap there is no discrimination between them. Unfortunately, much as I hate to say this but 90% if actions and comments that' I have heard here, would definitely be construed as racism, in "civilized" countries.

So USA must be very uncivilized as there are hundreds of examples of locals and tourists being charged different prices for the same products/services.

I would venture to say that there are very FEW countries that do not have some variation in prices for locals, seniors, ladies, kids, etc etc all of which could be considered to be discrimination based on one factor or another.

People always love the discounts as long as they are the one getting it...otherwise it is blatant discrimination.

I've never seen a national park in USA have 2 different prices for americans and non-americans. And certainly at the very few private tourist attractions that may have a discount, it's usually 10% or similiar. In Thailand the difference in prices is often 10 times (1000% more) what a thai looking person would pay. Justify it however you what, but it comes down to discrimination.

Could you imagine if Disneyland charged Asians $1000 per admision instead of $100, would that be fair based upon the argument that every other country does it?

Edited September 4, 2014 by Time Traveller

[Tomtomtom69]

My first double charging was 40 years ago when I went to a Crocodile sanctuary in India supported by the Word Wildlife Federation. They did not get the money on that day and the WWF has not had any from me since, (At that time I was able to and did contribute to the WWF). Double charging was lower then. In India they had one day (I think Tuesday at all museums etc that was free for all) the charge on the other days was the same for all, they stated that although they knew it would be more crowded on those days anyone regardless of income (or race) could visit, the other days subsidized this.

At that time the only overcharging on the base of race in Thailand was the 50 Satang that the BahMee sellers added to their noodles for foreigners they did not charge it for the Thai with them. Their rational was at that time foreigners put more peanuts and things in and they were expensive.

I do not like Double Charging on the basis of Nationality. I try not to go to places that do and only do so if I have a real need to do so or it would be more rude to my Thai companions to not go with them.

It was not always like this and the Thai Smile did not always have a price tag attached.

While attitudes like this continue some will still come but many will decide to return elsewhere.

One would hope that in this day and age there would be a gradual process of fewer businesses using dual pricing. However here in Thailand the problem seems to be getting worse in that some establishments are starting to raise prices for foreigners, while not changing pricing for Thais (Wat Pho was cited as one example). It's also unclear as to whether new theme parks such as the one to be built in Pattaya will have dual pricing or not. We all hold our breath and hope it won't. A recent report on Channel News Asia on this new theme park, the first internationally themed one in the country and to be based on the Cartoon Network if I'm not mistaken reported that they were aiming for 40% visitors and 60% locals, but the ticket price would be something like US$40 and possibly a bit dear for locals (well not for middle class locals with new cars, but for noodle sellers or factory workers, who wouldn't have time or money to visit anyway of course even US$4 would be too dear for them). Based on that report it hints that there won't be dual pricing, but by the time of opening anything is possible.

Sad to hear that Thailand has only gotten worse in this respect. After all, 40 years ago America was just emerging from it's unfortunate racist past with segregation ending and minorities given more and more rights. While previously blacks weren't served at certain restaurants, later on of course everyone would have to be served otherwise there would be a huge controversy and court cases etc. While things have improved in America and the west in general, they seem to have gone downhill in Thailand, despite far more tourists/expats in Thailand these days.

In Thailand on the other hand apart from pissed off tourists/expats, I have not heard of one case of a discrimination lawsuit or even an article in a western newspaper with the headlines "Thailand holiday shock. We were made to pay more than locals at xxx temple due to being white/black etc".

I hope one day soon there will be such an article in a western tabloid. Would make for some very interesting reading and local reactions.

[Keesters]

The point is why should long term residents in Thailand pay tourist prices, when they are paying tax, same as Thai citizens?

you simply refuse. Don't enter. Boycott. I had to even for the littlest things, like the movie set in Kanchanaburi, peeing in a men's room in Aytthaya driving up Doi Inthanon, the temples (seen one you seen 'em all!). That was negotiating using Thai, they still wanna charge often...None of them are worth submitting to dual pricing. The heart of Thailand and thing to enjoy isn't really captured in tourists traps anyway...

Yes and any Thais that you're with and expect you to pay for them DON'T. If they wish to enjoy themselves at the establishment then let them pay with their own money.

[Upset]

Oh Dear...just let it be instead what expats and foreigners should do is to treat thais the same way when they are in another country or better still if you provide special services in thaland etc...have another rate for thais....eg two stories:

a) A Friend who runs a private up market clinic in Sukhumvit specialising in Oncology and Auto immune diseases has a fix rate for foreigners and expats but for Thais he charges double and for Thai Bankers, Politicians and Government Servanst , he charges anything between 3 to 10 times mark ups. They can always go elsewhere but he has a great track record for treating various forms of cancer.

Someone told me this story....an farang who ran a bunggee jumping service in Phuket was so upset by various bureaucratic processes that he had two rates ie for foreigners a fixed rate but for thais, half the rate or 50% doscount but no safety ropes! Lol!

[Keesters]

If your not Thai you must pay more

its not the act of doing this that's the problem, its the mindset that says its correct to do so.

I can imagine many Thais honestly saying "Why not ?"

Dual pricing is just another facet of the racial discrimination that seems to be woven into the fabric of "Thainess".

Dual pricing is also against section 30 of thai constitution B.E. 2550

Sorry, thai constitution B.E. 2550 is history. No more.

Go ask our supreme great leader general prime minister prayuth what happen to the thai constitution B.E. 2550 he shredded?

Think you'll find every Thai constitution has similar clause. The year it was issued is irrelevant.

[chotthee]

Suriya4, in "civilized" countries, charges for locals and tourists are the same, expensive or cheap there is no discrimination between them. Unfortunately, much as I hate to say this but 90% if actions and comments that' I have heard here, would definitely be construed as racism, in "civilized" countries.

So USA must be very uncivilized as there are hundreds of examples of locals and tourists being charged different prices for the same products/services.

I would venture to say that there are very FEW countries that do not have some variation in prices for locals, seniors, ladies, kids, etc etc all of which could be considered to be discrimination based on one factor or another.

People always love the discounts as long as they are the one getting it...otherwise it is blatant discrimination.

I've never seen a national park in USA have 2 different prices for americans and non-americans. And certainly at the very few private tourist attractions that may have a discount, it's usually 10% or similiar. In Thailand the difference in prices is often 10 times (1000% more) what a thai looking person would pay. Justify it however you what, but it comes down to discrimination.

Could you imagine if Disneyland charged Asians $1000 per admision instead of $100, would that be fair based upon the argument that every other country does it?

I get it.

Farang (American in this case) does it, it is OK.

Thais does it, it is NOT OK.

I rest my case.

[chotthee]

Dual pricing is also against section 30 of thai constitution B.E. 2550

Sorry, thai constitution B.E. 2550 is history. No more.

Go ask our supreme great leader general prime minister prayuth what happen to the thai constitution B.E. 2550 he shredded?

Think you'll find every Thai constitution has similar clause. The year it was issued is irrelevant.

Regardless of years (I am not specific 255), there is no long any constitution in Thailand.

Go ask Prayuth why.

[TuskegeeBen]

Thais are poor. Falang rich.When Thais go to Falangland, Thais always get charge expensive Falang price.So when Falang in Thailand, they should also pay expensive Falang price.This is the universal law of same same no change.If falang want to pay thai price in thailand, falang should also charge cheaper thai price to thai people while in falangland.

typical attitude of the thai scammers,but so wrong. Go to Uk/London and everyone can go to museums free, masses of foreign tourists, and of course churches and cathedrals are free to go inside.

Talk about the perpetual comparing of "apples-to-oranges" syndrome The cultural "Dye" is permanently caste. Acceptance of the realities, is the key to a "happy" life, in Asia

[MartinL]

From my home state (Texas). Hunting license fees

Resident Hunting $25.00

Senior Resident Hunting $7.00

General Non-Resident Hunting $315.00

For those who claim there is no price discrimination in other places... It's all over, not just in Thailand. Look back over the dozens of dual pricing threads and you'll find hundreds of examples posted.

source: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/public/recreational/

Don't know about the accuracy of those prices since I'm not Texan/American but what I can almost GUARANTEE - certainly in the case of my own country - is that, whatever my race or nationality, if I can PROVE I'm a local resident, using whatever criteria are demanded, there'll be absolutely no question that I'll get the Resident price. Contrast that with Thailand where I could provide no end of evidence that I live locally (whether "locally" means in Thailand, in a particular province or town) yet still be denied local rate because of my race/nationality, on the whim of the ticket seller.

Of course price differentials exist in UK/USA/Oz/NZ/Canada/Western Europe but "local rate" is local rate, not "local rate if you have local features".

Work Permit or Thai Driving licence usually (my emphasis) gets you in for the local price in Thailand...

Replace "usually" with "sometimes" and you'd be more accurate, in my experience. But even that's not as good as the example I offer above or my post #78 here, is it? Present the correct documents to the Texan hunting licence people and you WILL get that residents' rate hunting licence, no "usually" about it. Why don't people seem to understand that difference?

Yes I know the DL sometimes works - done it myself from time to time but its acceptance is by no means a given - but it's still at the discretion of the ticket seller. Just read in this thread how many people say they've presented DL/WP etc. yet still been refused Thai price.

I'm sure I've even read on TV, in the past, about a westerner/naturalised Thai who showed Thai ID card, maybe even Thai PP and was refused Thai price because he wasn't ethnic Thai (whatever that is).

[Tomtomtom69]

55555 I have never seen a country like Thailand with so many BMW 700'..Mercedes 500.... Ferrari ... and castles of hundreds of millions whose owners are Thai, so the legend, Thai poor, and farang are rich is stupid..

I was recently on Penang and being Malaysia would certainly fall into the category of wealthier countries, and saw not ONE of these cars. Nearest was a lone SUV.

I was with a Thai friend in Pai where all the wealthy young Bangkok weekenders were busily snapping away with their Nikons, fresh out of their above listed cars. My friend flat out refused to believe they were Thai! You've no idea how deeply entrenched the brainwashing is here re income disparity. Sad.

That's interesting because whenever my Vietnamese friend comes to Thailand he always asks me, "where are all the fancy cars?" "Everyone seems to drive a pickup truck, only in Bangkok are there any sedans, and even then they're all ordinary and boring Corollas and Citys and Civics." His words but I concur with him. In Vietnam, where not many people own cars you see a much higher proportion of "fancy" cars than anywhere in Thailand.

Whenever we were in Isan and he saw a "fancy" car such as a Porsche, Landcruiser or Toyota Tundra I'd tell him those are Lao registered, which is easy to spot based on their registration plates (Kampaeng Nakorn or Salavan etc). And indeed that's what I've noticed - 99% of Thais seem to drive what everyone else drives, which is basically a pickup truck or a boring VIOS or other Japanese sedan. Sure, there are a fair few Mercs, BMWs, even the occasional Ferrari etc. but you'll rarely see them outside of Bangkok or perhaps Pattaya. Even in Kunming, China I see Ferraris far more often than in Bangkok. It might have been the complete opposite 10 years ago but these days, Aston Martins, Bentleys you name it are common even in second tier Chinese cities but generally only confined to the Paragon parking garage in Bangkok.

Having said that there are rich Thais, but in the midst of the vast numbers of middle class Thais driving their Isuzus, Toyotas, Mitsubishis etc., they aren't as easy to spot as their counterparts are in Laos. Many Thais I have spoken to are amazed at the grand mansions and awesome cars of their Vientiane based elite. But part of that shouldn't be surprising - cars in Laos are taxed at far lower rates than imported cars in Thailand are so those Porsche Cayennes and Landcruisers etc. in Vientiane, though still not cheap are a fair bit cheaper there than in Thailand.

[Keesters]

Dual pricing is also against section 30 of thai constitution B.E. 2550

Sorry, thai constitution B.E. 2550 is history. No more.

Go ask our supreme great leader general prime minister prayuth what happen to the thai constitution B.E. 2550 he shredded?

Think you'll find every Thai constitution has similar clause. The year it was issued is irrelevant.

Regardless of years (I am not specific 255), there is no long any constitution in Thailand.

Go ask Prayuth why.

Irrelevant to this thread. Please take your political agenda elsewhere.

[Alan653]

Just go to Dream World Amusement Park, they post pricing for Thais and Foreigners. Thais pay a small entry fee and Foreigners pay double. LOS my ass.

[banglassie]

Ok, this might go a bit of topic, but I just felt I had to say it.
While the dual pricing does annoy the crap out of me it's not the end of the world. I tend to agree with KhunMat's idea of just simply not visiting these places. Sometimes it's harder than other times though since next to everyone I spend time with is Thai. In Ayutthaya park they asked for some small extra cash for each temple, I was reasonable but stood my ground and said nicely that I rather wait outside then. Some of the temples would let me in for free after that, either "because "khun puut chat maak leey", or because I was with Thais and was technically there to make merit (although my merits don't usually include giving lots of money to donate boxes unless I feel it's for a good cause, which I seldom do here..)

Nevertheless, all these scams aside. All these "Thailand is so dangerous and we are all potentially committing suicide by entering the Kingdoms border!" and all the overprices and this and that and those. Is it really that bad? I'm in Thaivisa, Not Khmer440, so in one way I expect to hear the bad, and good, things that goes on here. But how do you people view Laos, Cambodia, Burma and especially (IMO) Vietnam??

All these nations mentioned above are cash-traps for me, and I always get out with less left than I expected (This although there is hardly anything to do in some nations like Laos!). To me Vietnam is worst. Dual pricing not even worthy to speak of. Taxi scams in Thailand? Well - at Least not every second taxi has a rigged meter that will blow way above your budget in just minutes! So yes, I stick with the motorbike drivers in Vietnam, the catch? Having a bag of course and having people try to steal your stuff.

This 'stealing' part happens a lot in Phnom Penh as well, especially around the central market and the night market near Sisowath Quay. I'm sure it happens a lot in Bkk as well. But I also guess locals can kind of see who belongs in the area and who doesn't. That is who looks around like a tourist and who looks numbed off from the surrounding like an expat, I might be wrong on this one though but that's my impression, and one reason I believe why I never get into problems in Thailand, while friends tell me horror story after horror story here. To me Cambodia and Vietnam seems way more unstable...

And then Laos - if you can speak Thai you may think you'll get away with it? - yea, to some extent I think. But my Thai friends seldom leave Vientiane with a smile as well. They will overprice Thais as well as foreigners. Now I have been to Vientiane enough time to know how to use the bus traffic and pay normal fares in Kip. But the chances for a tourist to get fooled seems way higher than at a Thai border like when you arrive at the Nong Khai side. In fact, I only met 4-5 tuktuk's that would try to rip me off there standing waiting, and in those cases I did what I always do, walk on a bit and take a tuktuk that is on the road driving.

To be fair Vientiane is not all Laos have to offer and there are nice places with nice people. But I think one can truly say the same about Thailand no matter the double pricing or scams.

Cambodia - I used to live here 6-7 years ago for next to a year. Things have changed though. While Siem Reap is ok, PP is terrible and I find it way harder to make 160 dollars last a long time than 5000 baht in Thailand... I will always love Cambodia, but I just don't have the character to live there. I tend to fall in love with insanity and chaos and PP consumes me raw... PP is still wild west and although it seems to have shaped up a little since 2007 when I stayed there, it's still a place where next to everything goes...

Burma - I haven't really been here (except the border towns), but I've heard Yangon is not the cheapest place on earth.

Ok, one fact is that I dont need to rent a room every night in Thailand, that saves me loads of money. But what do you guys say, are any of the nations mentioned above more safe, more scam-free, better at no dual pricing etc? Anyone of these nations you would prefer instead?

Just wondering in regards to post like "Only in Thailand could something like this happen".....

Edited September 4, 2014 by banglassie

[Tomtomtom69]

From my home state (Texas). Hunting license fees

Resident Hunting $25.00

Senior Resident Hunting $7.00

General Non-Resident Hunting $315.00

For those who claim there is no price discrimination in other places... It's all over, not just in Thailand. Look back over the dozens of dual pricing threads and you'll find hundreds of examples posted.

source: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/public/recreational/

Don't know about the accuracy of those prices since I'm not Texan/American but what I can almost GUARANTEE - certainly in the case of my own country - is that, whatever my race or nationality, if I can PROVE I'm a local resident, using whatever criteria are demanded, there'll be absolutely no question that I'll get the Resident price. Contrast that with Thailand where I could provide no end of evidence that I live locally (whether "locally" means in Thailand, in a particular province or town) yet still be denied local rate because of my race/nationality, on the whim of the ticket seller.

Of course price differentials exist in UK/USA/Oz/NZ/Canada/Western Europe but "local rate" is local rate, not "local rate if you have local features".

Work Permit or Thai Driving licence usually (my emphasis) gets you in for the local price in Thailand...

Replace "usually" with "sometimes" and you'd be more accurate, in my experience. But even that's not as good as the example I offer above or my post #78 here, is it? Present the correct documents to the Texan hunting licence people and you WILL get that residents' rate hunting licence, no "usually" about it. Why don't people seem to understand that difference?

Yes I know the DL sometimes works - done it myself from time to time but its acceptance is by no means a given - but it's still at the discretion of the ticket seller. Just read in this thread how many people say they've presented DL/WP etc. yet still been refused Thai price.

I'm sure I've even read on TV, in the past, about a westerner/naturalised Thai who showed Thai ID card, maybe even Thai PP and was refused Thai price because he wasn't ethnic Thai (whatever that is).

I remember reading about that guy, assuming it's the same guy you read about. He went to the Grand Palace and it just so happened he brought along a non-Thai Asian friend in tow. He eventually got in for free (as he was entitled to) but what was so unbelievable was that his friend, who was not only not Thai but couldn't even speak Thai was allowed to enter for free along with him without any fuss whatsoever. The whole story was shocking and racist. But in the end he did get in for free as he was supposed to.

[wilcopops]

Many tourist attractions around the world offer DISCOUNTS for various groups....students OAPs local residents etc, but Thailand seems pretty much out of step asking all foreigners to pay up to 1000 % extra

[minikev]

Thais are poor. Falang rich. When Thais go to Falangland, Thais always get charge expensive Falang price. So when Falang in Thailand, they should also pay expensive Falang price. This is the universal law of same same no change. If falang want to pay thai price in thailand, falang should also charge cheaper thai price to thai people while in falangland.

Obviously a troll post; no one could possibly be so stupid

I just thought it was good humour. I remember the chalk boards on beach rd Pattaya yrs ago with two sides one set of prices for normal days and another when the USA navy ships were seen on the horizon. This was at every shop from watch seller to bars.

[GAZZPA]

Do Thais pay more to visit the London Eye or Disney World?

YES. Thais pay more. Read this.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/florida-residents/validation-requirements/

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/florida-residents/

Sama same.

Farang price = Full price.

Thai price = Promotional Discount price.

This is not the same, please find a real example. This example is that "local", i.e, people who live in Florida (local to Disneyland) get a discount for entry. So, everyone else, including other Americans from other places in the USA pay the same as Thai people. It is not a "foreigner" policy.

It is ok for the locals to get a discount if they are likely to use the facility more frequently. I also note that the requirements for getting the discount are strict, including proof of local address and even mortgage statement,,, here in Thailand just show your face and you pay less.

Try again,,,

[Keesters]

Might have already been shown:

http://www.2pricethailand.com

More egg on the Thai face.....

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Thais are poor. Falang rich. When Thais go to Falangland, Thais always get charge expensive Falang price. So when Falang in Thailand, they should also pay expensive Falang price. This is the universal law of same same no change. If falang want to pay thai price in thailand, falang should also charge cheaper thai price to thai people while in falangland.

Rich foreigners don't come to Thailand.

With loads of money, almost anywhere is better.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

From my home state (Texas). Hunting license fees

Resident Hunting $25.00

Senior Resident Hunting $7.00

General Non-Resident Hunting $315.00

For those who claim there is no price discrimination in other places... It's all over, not just in Thailand. Look back over the dozens of dual pricing threads and you'll find hundreds of examples posted.

source: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/public/recreational/

How about "blacks pay double fee", which is essentially how Thai double pricing is done (but reversed).

Edited September 4, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican