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

[tphut]

just do the same at home, in my danish resturent i alway charge thai people 10 times the price on the menu

they go again, same as i do in thailand but it is priceless to see their face when i tell them the price

[tingtongfarang]

I found it amusing when i was told last week by a doctor that the medical center chain she works for in asia now has a dual pricing policy for thais only, i asked how the thais react to it she said,

Not sure if they know they are being over charged, i dont work in reception, the owner is a regular visitor to thailand.

[MartinL]

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"?

My post referred to your comment about "locals", by which you meant UK locals - your post was clear on that, since the quote is from a passage about UK.

My "What is a local?" is not about Thais, but about 'locals' anywhere in the world.

As for the 'goon' bit - I'd use that description for anyone in a position of authority, however little that authority might be, who applies personal prejudices in the course of their work wherever in the world they might be.

[eggers]

Time the Thai Gov't & Tourism Authority sort out this type of unfair price gouging of Farangs who contribute 100's of billions of baht to Thai economy every year.

This is one practice, i.e. price for Thais & price for Farangs to Gov't controlled facilities; there are many other totally discriminatory practices against Farangs.

Time for change!!!

[whatproblem]

I took 2 Thai children to Sam Roy Yod national park and was told I had to pay adult farang price for them because they came with farang ,I not go inside and told them to stick it up their arse,won't go again and inform everyone about it

[Squeegee]

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?

That is not a real response. Try again to answer why you support racism in developing countries.

[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.

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.

It is racism due to the fact they charge 10 x the Thai price based on the fact we are white!

I admit i don't know how it works with people from other Asian countries.

Also to confirm they know it's racism / scamming racism, they try to hide they are actually doing the dual pricing, buy putting the Thai price in Thai numerals, If it was clear there was such a large difference i do believe a lot more tourists would refuse to pay.

[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.

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.

The point about the driving licence was that even a foreigner that shows a form of Thai issued ID pays the Thai price. So if this Thai had shown his Thai ID he would probably have been treated the same.

Thais rarely leave home without ID. A western looking Thai visiting a place known to charge more for foreigners is either setting himself up for a story or should accept that with no proof of his nationality and looking like he does means he might be charged the higher price. My guess is the former!

I would only pay 400 baht if I thought If I felt the place I was visiting was worth it. The fact that Thais pay less doesn't bother me.

[jitenshaman]

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.

While many countries in Asia and elsewhere have dual pricing systems (try Chinese or Indian national parks!), it really sucks that there are no steadfast rules here nor are they followed. I don't have a major problem with the pricing system, but I have a very big issue with the treatment of non Thais in many parks. I live here, I get taxed here, I own a Thai driver's license which purports to get me into parks and attractions at the same price as Thais. In the past, when I would go to such places, I'd whip out my license, say, "phom yoo tee nee krub" and be met with a smile and a welcome. These days, that has mostly disappeared. I was met with a sneer at the Emerald Pool about 3-4 months ago, and told that the lower price was for Thais only. I also had my license refused at several of the national parks up north this past winter, and I would say this is now becoming commonplace. I now choose to boycott most of the parks, especially as it is pretty obvious that my 4-500 baht is not being used in any way, shape, or form to take care of the parks and make them more attractive to visit. A shame, because there used to be some really nice places.

[NCC1701A]

good on you farang lookin' Thai man and welcome to the club.

Keep gettin' the word out on social media. Together we can shut down the entire Thai tourist industry.

This guy must be popular with the Thai ladies.

Can we get this story translated to Chinese?

Do chinese also have to pay the farang-price?

it ain't just white people they profile. they can smell a non-Thai a mile away. The Chinese are easy to spot. They always look freaked out everywhere they go. Like they have never been outside before.

[Fairynuff]

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.

Leave it. Every time

[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.

The point about the driving licence was that even a foreigner that shows a form of Thai issued ID pays the Thai price. So if this Thai had shown his Thai ID he would probably have been treated the same.

Thais rarely leave home without ID. A western looking Thai visiting a place known to charge more for foreigners is either setting himself up for a story or should accept that with no proof of his nationality and looking like he does means he might be charged the higher price. My guess is the former!

I would only pay 400 baht if I thought If I felt the place I was visiting was worth it. The fact that Thais pay less doesn't bother me.

Actually it has changed. It used to be showing your licence would get you the Thai price, from earlier this year that was changed. You actually have to be Thai, and even that does not work as we can see from this post about the Thai guy being refused.

I can't think of a park that would be worth 400 baht, most i have seen are nothing special.

I understand if it does not bother you. It is your choice.

Trying to enter Khao Yai on my motorbike with my girlfriend a few months ago i was asked for 800+bike! (i think 40 baht) I did ask why so much when the Thai man driving the BMW behind me was charge 40 baht + car.

Sometimes enough is enough.

[BoristheBlade]

Tough Sh1t. welcome to the real world Kun P, Thai's sure don't like it up them do they.

Two tier pricing is a rascist practice in any country, and if Thailand had any sence they would stop it.

[Josh88]

I haven't paid 'farang price' anywhere in three years. Normally showing them my visa gets me the Thai (or actual) price, but if they won't accept that then I just refuse to pay and leave. It's blatantly racist extortion and no one should willingly pay it. I couldn't care less about saving the hundred baht or whatever it is, it's just a matter of principle.

[Fairynuff]

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.

If only you knew what you were talking about

[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"?

My post referred to your comment about "locals", by which you meant UK locals - your post was clear on that, since the quote is from a passage about UK.

My "What is a local?" is not about Thais, but about 'locals' anywhere in the world.

As for the 'goon' bit - I'd use that description for anyone in a position of authority, however little that authority might be, who applies personal prejudices in the course of their work wherever in the world they might be.

So you're using a derogatory term to describe someone that appears to have been doing the job he's instructed and paid to do!

He has not applied prejudice. His job is to charge foreigners 200 baht and Thais 20 baht. Regardless of what you think of the pricing system you cannot accuse this attendant of being prejudiced when charging someone that looks western and can't prove otherwise.

[michael888]

And for those of us working in Thailand, evidently a work permit is no good for a normal , resident price anymore. I went to Sai Yok Yai ,Kanchanaburi (or tried to) the other day and was asked to pay 300Baht! - even with a valid work permit-- hhahahhahahhaha-- needless to say I did not go. Thanks for the appreciation of all of our hard work Thailand. BOOOOOOOO!

[Pattaya28]

Bet the Chinese and Indians are not asked to pay 10-fold.

Why doesn't 7eleven have a dual-pricing policy too ?

Disgraceful business model ... purely greed based. And they try hide this dual pricing too, which shows they know they are being slippery.

[jimpthai]

I have no problem with Thais paying far less to get into public attractions. Tourists should pay more, considering our average income is 10 times the average Thai. Thais should not pay anything to enter Wats, etc that are sacred to Buddhists, whereas tourists who are just there to gawk and snap selfies should pay. It is not racism, it is just logical.

It happens all over the world. Local residents of Southern California can get drastically reduced season passes to Disneyland not offered even to Northern Californians. Students from out of state or other countries pay much higher tuition at US universities, because local residents pay taxes to support the institutions, and they are there for the greater good of the US. Thais who have higher incomes pay taxes to fund national parks etc and Buddhists support their local and regional temples, wats, etc with donations of whatever they can afford, so they should not be expected to pay additionally to worship.

I am so sick of Thai Visa old farts complaining about such inequities, those who complain the most deserve to pay the most, to pay for your bad karma (no I don't believe in karma spiritually, but sociologically it works). We relatively rich bastards should be happy to spend more than Thais to live in the country.

Get over it!!!

[Cory1848]

F@@@###ing Racism here. I am absolutely sick of it. Applies in every corner of this land. I refuse to pay the additional and if they insist I walk away.

Me too, If they wont accept my Thai driving license then I tel the to **** Off.

Please everyone if you get charged more than a Thai to enter somewhere then walk away, if enough people do it then they will have no choice but to stop it.

That's not necessarily the right response either -- I'm from Delaware in the US, and in-state residents pay less than out-of-state visitors to enter state parks and other state government-run facilities, perhaps by 50 percent. The rationale is, Delaware residents pay state taxes that help upkeep the parks, whereas out-of-staters don't. That seems fair to me, and I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt that that's at least part of the rationale at play here. However, having to pay ten times the local rate is certainly excessive, and producing a national ID card should end any argument.

Foreigners have to pay 200 baht (last I checked) to visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok and other major sites, whereas Thais get in for free -- is that fair?

[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.

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.

The point about the driving licence was that even a foreigner that shows a form of Thai issued ID pays the Thai price. So if this Thai had shown his Thai ID he would probably have been treated the same.

Thais rarely leave home without ID. A western looking Thai visiting a place known to charge more for foreigners is either setting himself up for a story or should accept that with no proof of his nationality and looking like he does means he might be charged the higher price. My guess is the former!

I would only pay 400 baht if I thought If I felt the place I was visiting was worth it. The fact that Thais pay less doesn't bother me.

Actually it has changed. It used to be showing your licence would get you the Thai price, from earlier this year that was changed. You actually have to be Thai, and even that does not work as we can see from this post about the Thai guy being refused.

I can't think of a park that would be worth 400 baht, most i have seen are nothing special.

I understand if it does not bother you. It is your choice.

Trying to enter Khao Yai on my motorbike with my girlfriend a few months ago i was asked for 800+bike! (i think 40 baht) I did ask why so much when the Thai man driving the BMW behind me was charge 40 baht + car.

Sometimes enough is enough.

So really the issue is that 400 baht is not good value and not that Thais only pay 40 baht.

I agree 400 baht is expensive and it would make me think twice about visiting. One of my original points is that we have a choice based on the charge being levied. What Thais have to pay is irrelevant.

[Miami Bob]

They probably couldn't collect enough revenue to maintain the parks on the little 20 Baht they charge Thais and want the parks to be self sustaining so they have to get the extra from foreigners. The Thais are a lot smarter than most our western cultures who let floods of penny-less foreigners in and then give them freebees compliments of the taxpayers.

[Baerboxer]

I was at Asiatique yesterday. The kids wanted to go on the ferris wheel. The guy wanted to charge more for me- the price difference between Thai and farang is still 50 baht. My wife said I live here so the cashier asked for my ID card. I showed my Thai driving license and he let me pay the Thai price.

I don't know how they think charging tourists extra will enhance Thailand as a tourist destination. It's not the amount or the differential that grates, but the principal with most people.

[GAZZPA]

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.

The problem with dual pricing is it is unfair and a lot of Westerners cannot keep affording to pay 10 times more then locals/

Most foreigners who come here are tourists, when considering to go on holiday if they were told Thailand is not cheap for foreigners because as a foreigner you pay much more then locals due to dual pricing how many would come? And then give them your justification that as foreigners you can afford it so take it or leave it, I am sure you would be most unpopular to say the least.

The appeal of some countries is the fact that they are cheaper to live so people can enjoy themselves and live in a style that they perhaps could not do back home, thats a great appeal and something to really look forward to once a year. In this scenario more people come, more business for locals and everybody wins. At present all I hear is complaints over the dual pricing, this cannot be good for Thailand.

[MAJIC]

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.

Show me the UK Entrance sign that shows Forieners in the UK pay more than residents, which two tier charging is what this thread is about!

[SCARLETIBIS1]

There is no prostitution in Thailand but there sure are a lot of whores. I go to a lot of National Parks to do photography. You used to be able to just show a Thai driver's license and get the same rate as Thais but they figured that out and cut it out most places. Now you have to show your ID card which all Thais have. Hard to believe this guy didn't show his or it was rejected but not a lot of bright lights here in Thailand. To screw one of your own-PRICELESS.

[reggaebkk]

We should do the same in Europe and charge Asians 20 times the price.

We accept this here and condemning it in Europe is a form of racism because we think we're better.

[masuk]

good on you farang lookin' Thai man and welcome to the club.

Keep gettin' the word out on social media. Together we can shut down the entire Thai tourist industry.

This guy must be popular with the Thai ladies.

Can we get this story translated to Chinese?

Do chinese also have to pay the farang-price?

I know for a fact that if you're wearing Indian national dress, and speaking Indian, the Botanical gardens in Chiang Mai only charge the Thai rate.

If you are next in line with a white skin, you pay the discrimination price.

As one has asked, what concessions do the Chinese get??

[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.

Show me the UK Entrance sign that shows Forieners in the UK pay more than residents, which two tier charging is what this thread is about!

Actually this thread is about a Thai being charged the entry price for a foreigner because he looks like a foreigner and appears not to have proven otherwise. A non story that has been sensationalised by the press.

[kinmaew]

Does he still love his country now?