Thai man massively overcharged at national park because he looks like a farang

[mark131v]

Publicity seeker! Having 5,000 "friends' tells us that!!

He does look farang and if he didn't (unknown) show his ID card to prove otherwise the attendant had every right to charge him the going rate.

I've visited many parks in this country and if I show my Thai drivers licence I get in for the Thai price!

And whats the problem with dual pricing anyway. Western tourists can afford to pay more. Would the foreigner still visit if Thais were made to pay the same? It's 200 baht, take it or leave it.

Rich Thai who g to Paris can also afford a 10-folded price, let's do the same to them!

Ok as long as you're prepared to let the poor Thai visiting Paris have a discount!

Dual pricing happens in many countries. In the UK adults pay more than OAP's and kids to enter many places. And sometimes locals get discounts.

The operative point is ALL adults irrespective of race, religion, creed or colour pay the same to not do so would be somewhat bigoted and certainly racist, when you say Western tourists are you also including Indians Africans and other nationality or just us rich white westerners?? some of the apologists on here need to get out more.....

[graemeaylward]

Publicity seeker! Having 5,000 "friends' tells us that!!

He does look farang and if he didn't (unknown) show his ID card to prove otherwise the attendant had every right to charge him the going rate.

I've visited many parks in this country and if I show my Thai drivers licence I get in for the Thai price!

And whats the problem with dual pricing anyway. Western tourists can afford to pay more. Would the foreigner still visit if Thais were made to pay the same? It's 200 baht, take it or leave it.

Rich Thai who g to Paris can also afford a 10-folded price, let's do the same to them!

Ok as long as you're prepared to let the poor Thai visiting Paris have a discount!

Dual pricing happens in many countries. In the UK adults pay more than OAP's and kids to enter many places. And sometimes locals get discounts.

[jalansanitwong]

This is just the tip of the iceberg . I know farangs who have been grossly overcharged for land in the provinces by their Thai wives and families. Land that Thais would pay 30-80,000 /rai farang pays upwards of 500K ! Stupid.

Thais see that sweaty white skin ,cream slacks and bata shoes and the price skyrockets.

If you want to buy anything expensive here you have to send in a Thai friend that you trust 100%. Once the price is agreed you come out of the shadows and pay.

I do it and no doubt thousands of smart expats do the same.

I wouldnt like to be a white tourist here. Do Koreans and Chinese pay farang price at national parks ?

[DavisH]

One wonders what the departure tax is for?

The government would make way more money if they charged a 500 baht arrivals tax to compensate for the fact that tourists do not pay local tax (hence not contribute to the upkeep of local parks). I'd NEVER pay extra money to a private attraction, though. Tiger park? Sod that..Anyone who pays tax in Thailand should not have to pay exorbitant fees for these parks (which are generally quite poorly maintained anyway).

[jalansanitwong]

The only way to solve this is to treat Thais exactly the same way they treat foreigners. When Thais go abroad, they should be ready to fork out a hell of a lot more than locals. Then they will understand how foreigners feel when they are charged 10X the local entrance fee. I call this parity in policy.

Good luck !

If you tried that in Australia you would be hauled before the consumer protection board not to mention being publicly ridiculed and accused of being racist.

[graemeaylward]

Children and senior citizens often get a reduced rate in the UK because they are fortunately subsidised by tax payers like me. There are no higher rates for non Brits and no-one is penalised because of race, colour or creed! There are very strict laws governing discrimination, which Thailand would do well to follow!

[elviajero]

Ok as long as you're prepared to let the poor Thai visiting Paris have a discount!

Dual pricing happens in many countries. In the UK adults pay more than OAP's and kids to enter many places. And sometimes locals get discounts.

None of which is based on third world racism.

Showing some decency to the young and old in the West is no justification for supporting racist behaviour in developing countries.

How about encouraging them to... develop?

Only a racist could consider this racism!

"No, you are... not me, you are..."

Get back to me when you graduate from the playground and have a real response.

Did you stick your tongue out after that very mature reply! And who are you quoting?

[NextStationBangkok]

Sadly he needs Thai Girl friend to explain his poor situation.

[elviajero]

And sometimes locals get discounts.

What is a local?

It's somebody who lives in a particular vicinity, NOT somebody who lives in a particular vicinity and matches the personal prejudices of some goon in a ticket booth.

The "goon" is ordered to charge foreigners 200 baht.

The Thai person clearly looks like a farang so unless he could prove he was Thai the "goon" was doing his job.

If this Thai produced his ID then people have cause to complain but the report doesn't say he did.

IMO this was a set up!

What should we refer to someone that calls someone else a "goon"?

Edited October 5, 2015 by elviajero

[Loptr]

Went to this same park in Krabi a few weeks ago with my Thai GF... When she saw that they charged me 10X what they charged her, she went off on the guy... Didn't matter, still had to pay, even though I have a Thai DL...

[MaeJoMTB]

Went to this same park in Krabi a few weeks ago with my Thai GF... When she saw that they charged me 10X what they charged her, she went off on the guy... Didn't matter, still had to pay, even though I have a Thai DL...

What would happen if you just walked in without paying?

They don't have guns, and they're usually very small!

PS

I never pay, there's always a back trail in without a ticket booth or guard.

Edited October 5, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[elviajero]

Publicity seeker! Having 5,000 "friends' tells us that!!

He does look farang and if he didn't (unknown) show his ID card to prove otherwise the attendant had every right to charge him the going rate.

I've visited many parks in this country and if I show my Thai drivers licence I get in for the Thai price!

And whats the problem with dual pricing anyway. Western tourists can afford to pay more. Would the foreigner still visit if Thais were made to pay the same? It's 200 baht, take it or leave it.

You logic is inconsistent. You partly implement a system where people would get a product based on how much they can pay.

This system then should not consider the nationality , but the yearly income ; many Thais are rich why dont thay pay even more then?

Its just materializes racism , and every one who accepts this sends a message "Yes, we foreigner are second class humans ".

Also we dont apply dual pricing to Thais in our country so its asymetric.

You could sell differ prices for tickets whith different quality of service, that would be ok. 100 bath : stay 30 minutes, 200 bhat stay 1 hours , ...

The rich can buy more service , that is what happens in 99% of the world

Here's a shocker for you. Thais can live in Thailand for free. Foreigners have to pay. Is that racism too or any other bigoted label that you or others want to apply.

This is Thailand and Thais can charge foreigners whatever they want. It has nothing to do with anything more than commerce. The foreigner has the choice to pay or not. It's been happening for years and yet foreigners still visit so it's clearly not a problem for most.

Did you also know that when your friend is having his body massage the Thai in the next room is paying less.

[MartinL]

Children and senior citizens often get a reduced rate in the UK because they are fortunately subsidised by tax payers like me. There are no higher rates for non Brits and no-one is penalised because of race, colour or creed! There are very strict laws governing discrimination, which Thailand would do well to follow!

Some years ago, my wife's elderly aunt went to UK with us. We took her to a top London tourist site, pay on entry.

We were prepared to pay full price for her but the ticket seller asked her - directly, none of this "Is the farang .... " nonsense - if she was a pensioner. I replied for the old lady, since she spoke almost no English, that she was 68 but not British. The reply was "That's OK, she still gets the OAP price". Didn't even want to see proof of age. Result - one very happy old lady who went home with an extremely good opinion of UK & the British.

Edited October 5, 2015 by MartinL

[gk10002000]

Here in the USA the Federal national parks all charge the same rates for all peope, at least I think they do. However, in many States, individual State Parks definitely charge different rates for non-State residents. So I don't see much of an issue with a price difference of 250 baht versus 200 baht. But 10x price differences I don't like. Now setting the magnitude of the price difference aside for a minute, does Thai law specify what a Thai is? If so what law? Does having a Thai ID mean one is Thai? I don't think so. Unless a person is a Thai citizen and has or could qualify to get a Thai National's Passport, I don't think they qualify as a Thai.

[MaeJoMTB]

Here in the USA the Federal national parks all charge the same rates for all peope, at least I think they do. However, in many States, individual State Parks definitely charge different rates for non-State residents. So I don't see much of an issue with a price difference of 250 baht versus 200 baht. But 10x price differences I don't like. Now setting the magnitude of the price difference aside for a minute, does Thai law specify what a Thai is? If so what law? Does having a Thai ID mean one is Thai? I don't think so. Unless a person is a Thai citizen and has or could qualify to get a Thai National's Passport, I don't think they qualify as a Thai.

When some states are allowed to say "Blacks pay double", I'll agree with you.

[gk10002000]

I don't think a Thai Driver's License means that a person is a Thai citizen, and would qualify for a Thai Passport.

[MaeJoMTB]

I don't think a Thai Driver's License means that a person is a Thai citizen, and would qualify for a Thai Passport.

As nobody has ever asked my nationality, your statement is spurious!

'farang' is about skin colour and nothing else, as the guy in the OP found out.

[elviajero]

Publicity seeker! Having 5,000 "friends' tells us that!!

He does look farang and if he didn't (unknown) show his ID card to prove otherwise the attendant had every right to charge him the going rate.

I've visited many parks in this country and if I show my Thai drivers licence I get in for the Thai price!

And whats the problem with dual pricing anyway. Western tourists can afford to pay more. Would the foreigner still visit if Thais were made to pay the same? It's 200 baht, take it or leave it.

Rich Thai who g to Paris can also afford a 10-folded price, let's do the same to them!

Ok as long as you're prepared to let the poor Thai visiting Paris have a discount!

Dual pricing happens in many countries. In the UK adults pay more than OAP's and kids to enter many places. And sometimes locals get discounts.

The operative point is ALL adults irrespective of race, religion, creed or colour pay the same to not do so would be somewhat bigoted and certainly racist, when you say Western tourists are you also including Indians Africans and other nationality or just us rich white westerners?? some of the apologists on here need to get out more.....

The point is that this is Thailand and they can charge non-thai tourists whatever they want.

[jonclark]

Publicity seeker! Having 5,000 "friends' tells us that!!

He does look farang and if he didn't (unknown) show his ID card to prove otherwise the attendant had every right to charge him the going rate.

I've visited many parks in this country and if I show my Thai drivers licence I get in for the Thai price!

And whats the problem with dual pricing anyway. Western tourists can afford to pay more. Would the foreigner still visit if Thais were made to pay the same? It's 200 baht, take it or leave it.

I don't think its the actual financial burden that is the issue here. Its the principle of it. If you accept the dual price system you are actually buying into and tacitly supporting the idea that using race or ethnicity to determine a pricing policy is correct. The fact other countries also follow a similar policy (often put forward as a counter argument) doesn't make is any less wrong or less immoral.

But the wider implications are; What message does this send to the wider population about pricing? It embeds dual pricing in the wider social psyche as an acceptable method to make money.

[jonclark]

Publicity seeker! Having 5,000 "friends' tells us that!!

He does look farang and if he didn't (unknown) show his ID card to prove otherwise the attendant had every right to charge him the going rate.

I've visited many parks in this country and if I show my Thai drivers licence I get in for the Thai price!

And whats the problem with dual pricing anyway. Western tourists can afford to pay more. Would the foreigner still visit if Thais were made to pay the same? It's 200 baht, take it or leave it.

You logic is inconsistent. You partly implement a system where people would get a product based on how much they can pay.

This system then should not consider the nationality , but the yearly income ; many Thais are rich why dont thay pay even more then?

Its just materializes racism , and every one who accepts this sends a message "Yes, we foreigner are second class humans ".

Also we dont apply dual pricing to Thais in our country so its asymetric.

You could sell differ prices for tickets whith different quality of service, that would be ok. 100 bath : stay 30 minutes, 200 bhat stay 1 hours , ...

The rich can buy more service , that is what happens in 99% of the world

Here's a shocker for you. Thais can live in Thailand for free. Foreigners have to pay. Is that racism too or any other bigoted label that you or others want to apply.

This is Thailand and Thais can charge foreigners whatever they want. It has nothing to do with anything more than commerce. The foreigner has the choice to pay or not. It's been happening for years and yet foreigners still visit so it's clearly not a problem for most.

Did you also know that when your friend is having his body massage the Thai in the next room is paying less.

Actually Thais have to pay too.

Driving licences, Chanots, Tabien Baans, Thai ID cards, birth and death certificates, amendments to legal papers, etc. All the trappings of being Thai are paid for by the individual, they are not free. They are also the same price for foreigners (where applicable).

Edited October 5, 2015 by jonclark

[Loptr]

Went to this same park in Krabi a few weeks ago with my Thai GF... When she saw that they charged me 10X what they charged her, she went off on the guy... Didn't matter, still had to pay, even though I have a Thai DL...

What would happen if you just walked in without paying?

They don't have guns, and they're usually very small!

PS

I never pay, there's always a back trail in without a ticket booth or guard.

There are never just one of them working the gates at these places... Not worth the chance of an altercation over a few baht... Remember the bloke that got the pointy end of a samurai sword at the hands of a taxi driver last year in Bangers?

[elviajero]

Publicity seeker! Having 5,000 "friends' tells us that!!

He does look farang and if he didn't (unknown) show his ID card to prove otherwise the attendant had every right to charge him the going rate.

I've visited many parks in this country and if I show my Thai drivers licence I get in for the Thai price!

And whats the problem with dual pricing anyway. Western tourists can afford to pay more. Would the foreigner still visit if Thais were made to pay the same? It's 200 baht, take it or leave it.

You logic is inconsistent. You partly implement a system where people would get a product based on how much they can pay.

This system then should not consider the nationality , but the yearly income ; many Thais are rich why dont thay pay even more then?

Its just materializes racism , and every one who accepts this sends a message "Yes, we foreigner are second class humans ".

Also we dont apply dual pricing to Thais in our country so its asymetric.

You could sell differ prices for tickets whith different quality of service, that would be ok. 100 bath : stay 30 minutes, 200 bhat stay 1 hours , ...

The rich can buy more service , that is what happens in 99% of the world

Here's a shocker for you. Thais can live in Thailand for free. Foreigners have to pay. Is that racism too or any other bigoted label that you or others want to apply.

This is Thailand and Thais can charge foreigners whatever they want. It has nothing to do with anything more than commerce. The foreigner has the choice to pay or not. It's been happening for years and yet foreigners still visit so it's clearly not a problem for most.

Did you also know that when your friend is having his body massage the Thai in the next room is paying less.

Actually Thais have to pay too.

Driving licences, Chanots, Tabien Baans, Thai ID cards, birth and death certificates, amendments to legal papers, etc. All the trappings of being Thai are paid for by the individual, they are not free. They are also the same price for foreigners (where applicable).

Thais can live in Thailand for free. Foreigners have to pay. You cannot argue against that simple fact.

Edited October 5, 2015 by elviajero

[Calach]

I'd love to see the international press reactions if foreigners were to be overcharged when visiting the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben.

[Prbkk]

It's not just national parks. Aquarium at Paragon has double pricing. Disgraceful slap in the face by a well known Thai company.

[Rumblecat]

I'd love to see the international press reactions if foreigners were to be overcharged when visiting the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben.

It would barely be a news story so I imagine the reactions would be negligible.

[dotpoom]

Just vote with your feet....pay if you agree or don't pay if you don't agree.

[Bluespunk]

Publicity seeker! Having 5,000 "friends' tells us that!!

He does look farang and if he didn't (unknown) show his ID card to prove otherwise the attendant had every right to charge him the going rate.

I've visited many parks in this country and if I show my Thai drivers licence I get in for the Thai price!

And whats the problem with dual pricing anyway. Western tourists can afford to pay more. Would the foreigner still visit if Thais were made to pay the same? It's 200 baht, take it or leave it.

Always leave it when dealing with prejudice and bias based upon nationality.

[Felt 35]

Racism discussion again . I have given up that subject and instead think about it this way; who have the biggest problem, the one experiences racism or the culture ,institution, individual or group with racist traits.

[lumply]

Don't visit; simples

[chrissables]

Publicity seeker! Having 5,000 "friends' tells us that!!

He does look farang and if he didn't (unknown) show his ID card to prove otherwise the attendant had every right to charge him the going rate.

I've visited many parks in this country and if I show my Thai drivers licence I get in for the Thai price!

And whats the problem with dual pricing anyway. Western tourists can afford to pay more. Would the foreigner still visit if Thais were made to pay the same? It's 200 baht, take it or leave it.

When was the last time you used you driving licence?

The charge to most if not all national is 40 for a Thai national and 400 baht if not.

Are you really so daft to accept a 10 fold increase? Well you already stated you use your licence, so you are not! Slightly hypocritical!

Khao Yai Park and most now won't accept the driving licence, although some of the smaller ones still do if you ask politely in Thai.