Dual Pricing again

[GAZZPA]

And yes I did pay the asking price but only cos the missus insisted she wanted to see the exhibit, but it totally ruined my day as I was fuming

Yes it's always a difficult one that, do you roll over against your better judgement and thus avoid any bad feeling even though deep down you really want to do an about turn. I think many of us have to make that choice.

About turn, every single time. I know it seems counterproductive but it is the right thing to do. I am absolutely sick of the dual pricing just because of the color of my skin.

Different example but still shows how you can be treated when you are not considered priority.. I took my girlfriend to our local seafood restaurant on Thepprasit Road in Jomtien, we have been there countless times and know the staff well. I pulled up outside a little down the road as they had positioned cones outside which seemed to be saving some space.

One of the staff members watched us parking, we walked up to the door and just as we got there he said "cannot park there". Of course we could as it was legal parking but they wanted extra space as they "may" be expecting more then 1 coach of Chinese tourists. at the time we arrived the restaurant was almost completely empty. Could not see anywhere else convenient to park and restaurant didn't care.

So, decision for me is simple, go somewhere else, there are plenty of other places to go, and ensure you tell everyone about your experience and don't go back.

Only if we all start voting with our feet and spending our money eleswhere will things change.

What a way to treat your loyal and regular customers,, they just don't get it..

[colinneil]

To say pensioners do not get concessions is wrong.

I took my f.i.l. to the fish caves near Mae hong son 2 years ago.

Lady said over 60s not pay, i said i am over 60 showed her my passport, ok free for you she said.

[hgma]

Laos....Wat Pou.........Lao 5000 kip Foreigner 35000 kip

Source Vientiane times.

This spreads like wildfire.

[Tomtomtom69]

I live in Chonburi, just ten minutes from the Aquarium and have been there twice before (both a few years ago) and paid the Thai price on production of my Thai DL.

I went again a few months ago to show the wife's family, who were here for a few days, including five young nieces and nephews who were looking forward to going.

Like the OP I was also charged the foreigner price. I was told my DL was no longer acceptable to get a reduced price, This present Government said I now needed a WP I was told. I also argued that,I have lived here for many years, had been twice before and paid the Thai price, but as a retiree I was no longer able get a work permit. I was simply told 'no work permit, no reduction. You must pay the foreign price'.

I did pay under protest because I didn't want to disappoint the kids.

What ready aggravates me is that, over the last twenty + years I have taken my wife and daughter to visit many places in Thailand. The family are just an average farming family with very little spare cash to go anywhere. We take them to visit different places we've already been to so I only go because it's me showing them places and helping to teach them a bit about there own country. If I've now got to pay a foreign price to do so that's really taking the P**S.

I don't know if it's a new government thing. In fact, I doubt it.

Obviously if it is, then it's a racist government who even in the face of this changing world, thinks it's OK to charge foreign visitors (and residents) more than locals.

On the other hand, Thailand doesn't seem to care that it's getting the short end of the stick in regional matters, when for example Chinese cars can drive into Thailand virtually for free (200 Baht + third party insurance insurance + occasional overtime fee) whereas Thai cars need to spend thousands of dollars (Yuan actually, but you know what I mean) to give to a travel agent for government permission, a guide, a temporary Chinese number plate (placed inside the car), a temporary Chinese driver's licence, vehicle inspection in Meng La 60km north of the Lao border, AND a huge deposit of up to 250,000 Baht equivalent just for the privilege of driving to China. However, none of that seems to matter to the Thai leadership or those that practice dual pricing here, as long as visitors to Thailand, whether they are Chinese, western, whatever are paying more than locals then all is good but as I just pointed out, in some cases Thais are the losers all round.

Anyway, in late 2013 I went to the Sukhothai historical park. Dual pricing there is 20 Baht for Thais, 100 Baht for foreigners. My Thai driver's licence, long term visa or work permit did NOT work to get the local price, neither did my fluent Thai. I was with my western family, although only my dad came in to the office to pay for the four of us. This was BEFORE the current administration came into power. The lady at the ticket office said she would love to give me the local price but apparently the ticket inspector outside (who doesn't even inspect tickets, just punches them) wouldn't allow it. I also noticed the vast majority of visitors were of course Thai (perhaps 97% or so) and they all brought their flashy new cars into the park but apparently are too poor to afford 100 Baht. Aww...poor people. Meanwhile, the only foreigners driving were my family and a Chinese family from Kunming who drove their Toyota Crown with Yunnan plates down from Kunming. All the other foreigners in the park were "rich", unwashed backpackers who can't afford to spend more than 100 Baht a meal or 500 Baht a night for accommodation but according to Thai logic they are richer than Thais so were charged the 100 Baht entry fee. Umm...ok.

Of course it wasn't about the amount charged, it was more about the principle.

[Tomtomtom69]

Laos....Wat Pou.........Lao 5000 kip Foreigner 35000 kip

Source Vientiane times.

This spreads like wildfire.

Sorry Wat Phu Champasak? I've been there, admittedly a few years ago now.

I am aware that there is some dual pricing in Laos, though not that much. Interestingly, whenever there is dual pricing (with few exceptions) it tends to be clearly written in both English and Lao, without trying to hide the Lao price.

I've assumed that whenever it ISN'T written (and BTW I can read both Lao and Thai) that the Lao price is the same as the foreigner price, in other words, there is no foreigner price.

Normally whenever there is though, the foreigner price is no more than twice that of the Lao price, for example, Lao 5000, foreigner 10000. Or occasionally, a little more than double, Lao 2000 foreigner 5000. I've never seen 5000/35000 but if you're right then that's a worrying trend (unless it's been like that for years and is confined to that one place).

[Tomtomtom69]

Do they have a Facebook page you can mention this on?

I'd be careful about what you do on Thai (government organization) facebook pages.

Pointing out racism is not wrong, even on a government website. Imagine getting into trouble for pointing out how wrong dual pricing is and then exposing the Thai government (or whatever) internationally, they would have egg on their faces very soon. No, more likely the reaction would simply be for these organisations to delete and even ban your comments. That's all they can do but of course it can be an effective way of silencing debate on the issue.

However, just to answer the guy's question YES there is/are Facebook pages where you can mention this. Just do a search on Facebook and you'll be able to find them. Most of them were set up by foreigners to let other foreigners (expats/tourists/whatever) know about the practice, how to get around it (producing a local driver's licence for example) or to vote with your feet.

[Tomtomtom69]

I usually send the gf to buy anything when we're in Bangkok as she gets native prices, go in the door separately and I wait to one side until she has completed the transaction. We usually eat native and I find a table and wait for her to order and pay for the food, by the time the proprietor realises it's too late to rip us off.

Out here in Smallesville, Isaan farangs are a rarity and the dual pricing scam isn't practised, as far as I can tell.

Not sure where you shop but apart from at some temples, museums, tourist attractions, dual pricing is not practiced elsewhere. Exceptions are taxi drivers trying to rip you off (and I've heard but never experienced) small scale hole in the wall restaurants in very touristy areas showing tourists or those that appear to be tourists English menus with highly inflated prices, while Thais (in the rare event they go to eat there) are given Thai only menus with lower prices.

However, there is no dual pricing if you eat at hawker centers (food courts) with clearly displayed prices, whether there is English present or not, in shopping center chain restaurants, independent restaurants in most places, when you're shopping at central department store, Tops, Tesco, Big C, Foodland, Gourmet Market or anywhere else.

Maybe you should stop eating "native" whatever that means and do what the rest of us do and eat proper food, including Thai, at chain restaurants, independent restaurants (NOT hole in the wall restaurants serving boring overly spicy food with no air-con) or just cook at home, which is the best type of cooking there is.

[NoshowJones]

And the Chinese bus tour price is even less than Thai.... Farang get screwed at every turn

Don't you know that we are "guests" in this country?

[NoshowJones]

Do they have a Facebook page you can mention this on?

I'd be careful about what you do on Thai (government organization) facebook pages.

You may be right, but how can they trace you? Even my own Facebook page is not in my real name.

[brewsterbudgen]

Dual pricing is abhorrent. However, enforcing dual pricing on a foreigner who is with his Thai wife or family is a special kind of disrespect. Almost as if they are spitting in your face because they don't want you to forget you are not and never will be Thai.

You think too much!

[little mary sunshine]

Mostly depends on how I feel that day....I have walked

Away, attempted to get the Thai price with DL, just paid

The "rip off" price and smiled; after all, as a retired American

With a good private pension and SS it's s still so much

Less than anything in The States.

[PocoLoco]

I was told yesterday that a CT scan at Prachuachuen MRI center in Bangkok would cost me 2000 baht more than the price for Thai nationals, the first excuse was because "farang need different medicine!" LOL. The second person told me that they do dual pricing.

A medical center, doing dual pricing... how ridiculous can it be.

At bumrungrad i will have to pay 18.000 THB more for the CT but to hell with dual pricing, i prefer to lose a bit than having to feel like all i'm good for is my money.

[GAZZPA]

Do they have a Facebook page you can mention this on?

I'd be careful about what you do on Thai (government organization) facebook pages.

You may be right, but how can they trace you? Even my own Facebook page is not in my real name.

Your IP address, even if you always use an internet cafe they can see where you are..

[JohnnyJazz]

I usually send the gf to buy anything when we're in Bangkok as she gets native prices, go in the door separately and I wait to one side until she has completed the transaction. We usually eat native and I find a table and wait for her to order and pay for the food, by the time the proprietor realises it's too late to rip us off.

Out here in Smallesville, Isaan farangs are a rarity and the dual pricing scam isn't practised, as far as I can tell.

Not sure where you shop but apart from at some temples, museums, tourist attractions, dual pricing is not practiced elsewhere. Exceptions are taxi drivers trying to rip you off (and I've heard but never experienced) small scale hole in the wall restaurants in very touristy areas showing tourists or those that appear to be tourists English menus with highly inflated prices, while Thais (in the rare event they go to eat there) are given Thai only menus with lower prices.

However, there is no dual pricing if you eat at hawker centers (food courts) with clearly displayed prices, whether there is English present or not, in shopping center chain restaurants, independent restaurants in most places, when you're shopping at central department store, Tops, Tesco, Big C, Foodland, Gourmet Market or anywhere else.

Maybe you should stop eating "native" whatever that means and do what the rest of us do and eat proper food, including Thai, at chain restaurants, independent restaurants (NOT hole in the wall restaurants serving boring overly spicy food with no air-con) or just cook at home, which is the best type of cooking there is.

I have to agree with 3tom69, in Bangkok if you avoid the tourist areas you're very unlikely to have to pay "farang price". It seems the myth is usually propagated by the local escorts in order to scare their companion (without me you're going to be ripped off) and to make sure they have total control of the walking atm.

Edited February 24, 2016 by JohnnyJazz

[gandalf12]

I had a hairdresser try and overcharge me. All the prices were in Thai and I asked the price, before sitting in his chair. Baht 120 he said so I pointed to his price list, I can read Thai, and told him "It says Baht 70 there. I will pay that but no more". He was taken back that I could read the Thai but gave me the local price. Now the one I use has the price in English and Thai and the prices are the same.

[inbangkok]

Dual pricing is abhorrent. However, enforcing dual pricing on a foreigner who is with his Thai wife or family is a special kind of disrespect. Almost as if they are spitting in your face because they don't want you to forget you are not and never will be Thai.

You think too much!

Maybe you don't think enough.....

[brewsterbudgen]

Dual pricing is abhorrent. However, enforcing dual pricing on a foreigner who is with his Thai wife or family is a special kind of disrespect. Almost as if they are spitting in your face because they don't want you to forget you are not and never will be Thai.

You think too much!

Maybe you don't think enough.....

Quite possible! But after 10+ years of living here I"ve learned that getting upset or angry at Thai ways is rather pointless.

[Kabula]

Most foreign countries have dual pricing.

It's only fair as most citizens here have much less than most tourists and retirees.

If it annoys you go home and pay much higher prices and be invisible to most women.

[ChrisKC]

Yes, what about SINGLE prices for farangs only?

I recently visited Wat Prah Singh in Chiang Mai (I am Buddhist) to be confronted by an official charge of B20 to enter the temple for foreigners! I refused and didn't go in. Over the last few years I have been a frequent visitor to that Temple and taken my fellow farang with me for free - not any more! they can keep it!

[nontabury]

Most foreign countries have dual pricing.

It's only fair as most citizens here have much less than most tourists and retirees.

If it annoys you go home and pay much higher prices and be invisible to most women.

So glad you kept using the word MOST.

[petedk]

Most foreign countries have dual pricing.

It's only fair as most citizens here have much less than most tourists and retirees.

If it annoys you go home and pay much higher prices and be invisible to most women.

Not true in Bangkok.

Many English teachers at government schools get the basic 28K.

I know several Thais who earn 10 times that.

I know a student who graduated 6 months ago. Her salary is already higher than her experienced teacher's.

"Go home" ? Thailand is my home and has been for about 20 years.

I have nothing against being invisible for women. Why do you think all ex-pats are sex-pats?

Many other Asians get in at the Thai price. This dual pricing is based on skin colour and pure greed and nothing else.

Edited February 24, 2016 by petedk

[inbangkok]

Dual pricing is abhorrent. However, enforcing dual pricing on a foreigner who is with his Thai wife or family is a special kind of disrespect. Almost as if they are spitting in your face because they don't want you to forget you are not and never will be Thai.

You think too much!

Maybe you don't think enough.....

Quite possible! But after 10+ years of living here I"ve learned that getting upset or angry at Thai ways is rather pointless.

That's cool.... Just give in and accept everything. But don't expect others to do the same.

[inbangkok]

Most foreign countries have dual pricing.

It's only fair as most citizens here have much less than most tourists and retirees.

If it annoys you go home and pay much higher prices and be invisible to most women.

"Be invisible to most women".... Lol

Are you projecting your life into others?

[tomyumchai]

If you are not paying income tax then she was quite right. Why should you get the local discount when you are a retired foreigner.

Are you in the process of getting citizenship?

If not, stop moaning - locals getting discount happens everywhere even Disneyworld, St, Andrews Golf cub, even when I went to the Royal melbourne Golf club the locals got a massive discount.

get over it you pompous ***

wow! the 1st thai ashlicker didnt show up till post 22! im paying tax so wheres my discount? and we arnt living everywhere, we are in thailand so i dont give a monkeys <deleted> about what they charge 'everywhere'.

[tomyumchai]

Most foreign countries have dual pricing.

It's only fair as most citizens here have much less than most tourists and retirees.

If it annoys you go home and pay much higher prices and be invisible to most women.

so when youre in a queue in a 15 year old car and everyone around you is in new mercs and camrys its right that the white guy pays more than the rich thais?

another thai ashlicker.

[petedk]

Most foreign countries have dual pricing.

It's only fair as most citizens here have much less than most tourists and retirees.

If it annoys you go home and pay much higher prices and be invisible to most women.

so when youre in a queue in a 15 year old car and everyone around you is in new mercs and camrys its right that the white guy pays more than the rich thais?

another thai ashlicker.

My Thai friends (business owners) recently decided to visit Mimosa shopping "mall" in Pattaya and asked if I would like to join them. We pulled up in a 5 million baht BMW and parked right next to the entrance gate. My friends were ushered through but I was stopped. I asked why.

Thais free, farang 300 Baht. We are discussed for a few minutes and eventually I got in using my DL. I am glad I didn't have to pay. What a complete waste of money and time.

By the way, I later saw on Internet it was 100 (or 150 baht for foreigners). Why on earth they asked for 300 I don't know.

[Shadychris]

You think too much!

Maybe you don't think enough.....

Quite possible! But after 10+ years of living here I"ve learned that getting upset or angry at Thai ways is rather pointless.

That's cool.... Just give in and accept everything. But don't expect others to do the same.

If you are going to make the conscious and entirely free choice to go and live in another country, then it is only polite and respectful to accept the ways and customs of your hosts. Nobody forces anyone to go and live in another country. Thais are no more likely to change their ways to accommodate western sensitivities, than say the UK is to accept Sharia law in order to appease the Muslim immigrants, or a middle eastern country is going to allow girls to go topless on their beaches. It is no big secret that dual pricing targeting foreigners exists in Thailand, as it does in may other Asian countries. Five minutes on Google is all it takes to educate oneself about that. So armed with that knowledge why on earth would anyone then make the decision to settle in Thailand if they found the practice to be so unpalatable?

There are 2 choices - either the ' when in Rome do as the Romans do' option, or if it's bothering one so much then find another country where you will be happier. If you are unable to choose either of those then I'm afraid you will forever remain a part of the problem rather than a part of the solution.

[inbangkok]

You think too much!

Maybe you don't think enough.....

Quite possible! But after 10+ years of living here I"ve learned that getting upset or angry at Thai ways is rather pointless.

That's cool.... Just give in and accept everything. But don't expect others to do the same.

If you are going to make the conscious and entirely free choice to go and live in another country, then it is only polite and respectful to accept the ways and customs of your hosts. Nobody forces anyone to go and live in another country. Thais are no more likely to change their ways to accommodate western sensitivities, than say the UK is to accept Sharia law in order to appease the Muslim immigrants, or a middle eastern country is going to allow girls to go topless on their beaches. It is no big secret that dual pricing targeting foreigners exists in Thailand, as it does in may other Asian countries. Five minutes on Google is all it takes to educate oneself about that. So armed with that knowledge why on earth would anyone then make the decision to settle in Thailand if they found the practice to be so unpalatable?

There are 2 choices - either the ' when in Rome do as the Romans do' option, or if it's bothering one so much then find another country where you will be happier. If you are unable to choose either of those then I'm afraid you will forever remain a part of the problem rather than a part of the solution.

Wow... What an intellectual you are! Comparing dual pricing and sharia law.

Seriously, your post is such nonsense I am not going to spend too much time responding. All that's really important is the FACT that just because I live in another country does not mean I have to absolutely adore everything about it. No differently, there are plenty of things in my home country I am not thrilled with either.

[Shadychris]

You think too much!

Maybe you don't think enough.....

Quite possible! But after 10+ years of living here I"ve learned that getting upset or angry at Thai ways is rather pointless.

That's cool.... Just give in and accept everything. But don't expect others to do the same.

If you are going to make the conscious and entirely free choice to go and live in another country, then it is only polite and respectful to accept the ways and customs of your hosts. Nobody forces anyone to go and live in another country. Thais are no more likely to change their ways to accommodate western sensitivities, than say the UK is to accept Sharia law in order to appease the Muslim immigrants, or a middle eastern country is going to allow girls to go topless on their beaches. It is no big secret that dual pricing targeting foreigners exists in Thailand, as it does in may other Asian countries. Five minutes on Google is all it takes to educate oneself about that. So armed with that knowledge why on earth would anyone then make the decision to settle in Thailand if they found the practice to be so unpalatable?

There are 2 choices - either the ' when in Rome do as the Romans do' option, or if it's bothering one so much then find another country where you will be happier. If you are unable to choose either of those then I'm afraid you will forever remain a part of the problem rather than a part of the solution.

Wow... What an intellectual you are! Comparing dual pricing and sharia law.

Seriously, your post is such nonsense I am not going to spend too much time responding. All that's really important is the FACT that just because I live in another country does not mean I have to absolutely adore everything about it. No differently, there are plenty of things in my home country I am not thrilled with either.

Yes you don't have to adore everything about the country you have chosen to live in - just accept it. If you cannot accept it then clearly you have made the wrong choice of destination; and if you can't accept that, then it does rather look like you are set to forever remain a part of the problem rather than a part of the solution.

[Johnniey]

Yes, what about SINGLE prices for farangs only?

I recently visited Wat Prah Singh in Chiang Mai (I am Buddhist) to be confronted by an official charge of B20 to enter the temple for foreigners! I refused and didn't go in. Over the last few years I have been a frequent visitor to that Temple and taken my fellow farang with me for free - not any more! they can keep it!

Not a very good Buddhist throwing your toys out the pram. Go and have a quiet word with the Abbot.