Racism, anger and why dual pricing makes sense to Thai people

[digibum]

1 minute ago, Jonmarleesco said:

By the Thai way of thinking (not a common occurrence), they should also be overcharging the over-rich Thais. So why aren't they?

 

They do but not at government run venues like national parks, the Grand Palace, etc.  But, yeah, at a local market?  Sure, they get worked for whatever the vendor thinks they can get just like they do to us.  

[Jonmarleesco]

6 minutes ago, digibum said:

 

You seem rather insistent on demonstrating that you don't know the meaning of the word racist.  

 

A Thai cop thinking that someone from an economic region that is perceived to be wealthy and then making ignorant and incorrect assumptions about how wealthy people from that region are, is not racist.  It may be uninformed.  It may be ignorant.  It may be simplistic.  But it is not racist.  

 

It's no more racist than someone thinking that someone from Germany has done 100mph on the autobahn.  It's a random assumption based on limited knowledge.  

 

Now, if the cop had said, "I hate you filthy white trash," that would be racist.  To say that the USD trades at 35:1 to the dollar so Americans must be 35x more wealthy than Thais is as simply a poor understanding of economics.  

 

Given racism is the different treatment of an individual or group based on the colour of their skin, I should say the description fits dual pricing fairly well... wouldn't you? 

[maxpower]

17 hours ago, Shawn0000 said:

 

What makes you think that site is cheaper than Thai venders? 

 

Banggood is the Shenzhen market. For cheap electronic items it has no competition.

[digibum]

1 hour ago, Geoff Snell said:

Just a way of life I guess. If Australia was to do the same dual pricing as Thailand does then I am all for dual pricing. Naturally that will never happen. I just refuse to spend money when the Thais try to sting me. I never get angry and just walk away. Generally they get angry but as soon as I start to speak Thai they suddenly go quiet. Too many incidents to mention. I just walk away. No problem. 

 

Actually, I would much prefer if Thailand adopted reciprocal immigration requirements with Australia.  Would probably eliminate a good chunk of the drunken stupidity you see in Phuket.  

[onemorechang]

22 minutes ago, Shawn0000 said:

 

He hasn't built the wall yet, once he has and it changes nothing except for costing you money, you will be the sore loser.  I, not being an American, am a casual observer of others utter stupidity.

 

Oh well

You know what they say,     assumption is the mother of all    xaxaxaxaxaxax up's.

Good job

 

[digibum]

3 minutes ago, Jonmarleesco said:

Given racism is the different treatment of an individual or group based on the colour of their skin, I should say the description fits dual pricing fairly well... wouldn't you? 

 

No, and after having said exactly that several times in this thread, I can only assume you have poor reading comprehension skills or are generally not too observant.  

 

If Thailand was a diverse country with people of all races and creeds as citizens and had the same dual pricing for citizens vs. non-citizens, would you still call it racist?  

 

You are not being treated differently because of the color of your skin.  You are being treated differently because you are not a Thai citizen.  

 

That fact that the color of your skin is different does not make it racist!!!!  Is that too fine a point for you?  

 

[NoshowJones]

24 minutes ago, Shawn0000 said:

 

Yes, car accidents happen.  Must dash, I have to do the dangerous run to get the milk from the 7-11.

What is the most dangerous, traveling to your nearest 7-11, or traveling more than 200Ks to a border in a mini van when the driver is in a hurry to get there and back.

We all have to take chances in life, but being forced to travel in that manner I have just mentioned, is way off, when there are other options available.

If you want to know what other options, let me know and I will tell you.

[Fairynuff]

15 hours ago, Shawn0000 said:

 

Its actually the kind of logic someone uses when they would rather see the attraction then protest against a sytem they don't actually disagree with anyway.  I happily pay the little extra and I get to see the most incredible bits of Thailand, your loss not theirs, trust me.

I never really get the kind of logic that allows someone to feel it's ok to pay 6x 8x 10x the true price based purely on where they're from or how they look. I'd never "happily pay the little extra" because I have more self respect than that 

[Fairynuff]

13 hours ago, JimmyJ said:

Obviously the dual pricing is upsetting to many.

Nobody likes to feel they've been taken advantage of or been cheated in some way

Actually you're wrong.....a great many on here think it's quite ok to be ripped off

[laislica]

8 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

15 hours ago, Shawn0000 said:

 

Its actually the kind of logic someone uses when they would rather see the attraction then protest against a sytem they don't actually disagree with anyway.  I happily pay the little extra and I get to see the most incredible bits of Thailand, your loss not theirs, trust me.

I never really get the kind of logic that allows someone to feel it's ok to pay 6x 8x 10x the true price based purely on where they're from or how they look. I'd never "happily pay the little extra" because I have more self respect than that 

 

 

Shamefully, a couple of years ago near Kamphaeng Phet we went mob handed to the waterfall.My Danish friend and I were dressed like Thais - with the camouflage hat that has the drop down flaps to keep the sun out of one's face.

We paid Thai price, another farang in the party paid farang price.

 

Baad Boys LOL

Edited January 14, 2017 by laislica
Spelling, sorry, it's dark in ere LOL

[wakeupplease]

Racialism you know it is I know it is and the idiots who say its not know it is but because they are Thai they know different as they do on everything.

 

This thread was very interesting to read and also made me think again.

 

I do a fair amount of work for Thais in the UK and as my wife is Thai much of the stuff that comes in is in thai, so my wife translates it free. That service has just closed My wife will get £45 per hour or part of from now on, so can go shopping more often at shops that do have special offers, sales, OAP discounts to build trade on Tuesdays, local discounts to attractions to get you to go back for the 10th time and so on, but will never get overcharged because she is thai.

 

So do I also up the price on my Thai services well I cannot by law but can by having to wait for translation services from wife who I will let shop b4 translating say another £100 per job. My English, USA, German, Lao. customers will stay at current rates.

 

So am I being racialist by doing that? Am I breaking the Law? No Am I doing what Thais do Yes in away

 

I may loose customers but their stuff always takes longer to do, so will end up making more money.

 

Thailand I love you but on top of other events of late I will never return, so will miss so many GOOD Thai Friends

 

You have changed so much since 1990 all for the worse

 

To those who say we will not miss you, You will not be missing me with whats coming

 

Keep Well one and all

 

I hope Thailand one day will move on from the darkages and do as most other countries have and make racialism illegal

[digibum]

54 minutes ago, wakeupplease said:

You missed the point on this one Marketing is not your strong point so I will explain and its not Racialism

Locals have been so many times they don't bother now as its boring to them

 

Disney need customers so to try and get them back they reduce prices but it hardly ever works may get a few

 

Plus its well advertised unlike thailand

 

I suggest you try this

 

Stand behind a thai and buy a lottery ticket

then you buy one at double the price for the same chance to win

you will like that I feel sure

 

I happen to know quite a few people who work at Disney and know that what you're saying is factually untrue.  It's very successful. Oh, and I used to live about 15 or 20 miles from Disneyland so I know how popular these discounted fares were in the local community as well.  

 

It's even more successful at certain amusement parks and venues that sell season passes at an extra discount for locals.  Locals buy them the same way people buy season tickets to sporting events.  Hey, what do you want to do tonight?  Well, we can hang out at Magic Mountain.  Sure, why not.  I have a season pass.  

 

Your comment about the lottery tickets is downright comical but not entirely surprising considering everything else you've said.  First off, only idiots play the lottery.  Sorry, but that's just a fact.  Mathematically they're the worst decision you could make with your money barring simply lighting it on fire.  

 

And if you are buying lottery tickets in Thailand, where I would expect the system to be rife with corruption, you are lower than an idiot.  In other words, if people were ranked, and you looked straight upward, you would be looking up at idiots.  I guess that would be sub-idiot?  

 

So, if I were a lottery ticket vendor and I know that all of my customers are idiots and I see a farang standing in line to buy a ticket, I can rightfully assume he's even dumber than the Thais buying tickets so, yes, I would attempt to charge him whatever I could get out of him.  I might even spit on his ticket and tell him it brings luck.  Hahahaha.  

 

 

[dunque]

19 hours ago, ezflip said:

Anyone who says that foreigner should pay more since they have more money is basically saying that it is ok to scam people.

 

Since when is it ever ok to scam people? Be it 10 baht or 100 baht or 1000baht... a scam is a scam.

 

Better to walk away and give your business to honest people.

Apple have been doing this for years with their dual pricing (or triple pricing) for digital services sold in the US, Europe and UK - UK being the priciest of course. 

It does not seem to have affected their profits too much so why berate the Thais for copying their 'betters'?

[Shawn0000]

36 minutes ago, sjaak327 said:

In my experience not all attractions or parks ask for any proof. My Lao partner has always, without exception paid the local price. Hell even a friend of mine from Malaysia, who doesn't speak a word of Thai got in at the local price.

 

I too have gotten in for the Thai price, several times.

[Shawn0000]

20 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

I never really get the kind of logic that allows someone to feel it's ok to pay 6x 8x 10x the true price based purely on where they're from or how they look. I'd never "happily pay the little extra" because I have more self respect than that 

 

My self respect leads me to paying the price, after all it is not much money, I couldn't respect myself if I had to choose the price of a few beers over supporting the national parks.

[laislica]

2 minutes ago, dunque said:

Apple have been doing this for years with their dual pricing (or triple pricing) for digital services sold in the US, Europe and UK - UK being the priciest of course. 

It does not seem to have affected their profits too much so why berate the Thais for copying their 'betters'?

 

Perhaps it's :

Because "We'' are the racist ones and we think "We'' are Superior to Thais?

After all, the Thai's we are discussing are only being greedy and using racial profiling as a tool!

 

[wakeupplease]

2 minutes ago, digibum said:

 

I happen to know quite a few people who work at Disney and know that what you're saying is factually untrue.  It's very successful. Oh, and I used to live about 15 or 20 miles from Disneyland so I know how popular these discounted fares were in the local community as well.  

 

It's even more successful at certain amusement parks and venues that sell season passes at an extra discount for locals.  Locals buy them the same way people buy season tickets to sporting events.  Hey, what do you want to do tonight?  Well, we can hang out at Magic Mountain.  Sure, why not.  I have a season pass.  

 

Your comment about the lottery tickets is downright comical but not entirely surprising considering everything else you've said.  First off, only idiots play the lottery.  Sorry, but that's just a fact.  Mathematically they're the worst decision you could make with your money barring simply lighting it on fire.  

 

And if you are buying lottery tickets in Thailand, where I would expect the system to be rife with corruption, you are lower than an idiot.  In other words, if people were ranked, and you looked straight upward, you would be looking up at idiots.  I guess that would be sub-idiot?  

 

So, if I were a lottery ticket vendor and I know that all of my customers are idiots and I see a farang standing in line to buy a ticket, I can rightfully assume he's even dumber than the Thais buying tickets so, yes, I would attempt to charge him whatever I could get out of him.  I might even spit on his ticket and tell him it brings luck.  Hahahaha.  

 

 

My friend you know too much about nothing

but I guess thats your style all mouth and no trousers Wind Bag and by your own comment a racialist and corrupt says a lot about you does it not

 

Sorry TV but had to react this time but will not bother again as you can take a horse to water but cannot make it drink

[Shawn0000]

25 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

What is the most dangerous, traveling to your nearest 7-11, or traveling more than 200Ks to a border in a mini van when the driver is in a hurry to get there and back.

We all have to take chances in life, but being forced to travel in that manner I have just mentioned, is way off, when there are other options available.

If you want to know what other options, let me know and I will tell you.

 

I know the options, not that I am in a situation where I need to do border runs, it really is not difficult to get the visa where you just check in online every three months.  And who could feel forced to take a minivan anyway when there are regular buses and trains that also go to borders?  Only a fool would only consider the most expensive option and then moan that it is dangerous.

[Celer et Audax]

Generalisation  and racist comments about Thais is against TV rules when it clearly is trueful? This is what Thai schools teach the children.
 
Edit: Can you imagine the effect this will have on a Luk Krung child of Afro stock? Disgraceful. Thais should hang their heads in shame.
 

So should you, Afro stock? What's that? Is it like Bisto and you mix it with hot water and put it on your roast dinner?

[digibum]

17 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

I never really get the kind of logic that allows someone to feel it's ok to pay 6x 8x 10x the true price based purely on where they're from or how they look. I'd never "happily pay the little extra" because I have more self respect than that 

 

The true price for farangs is 400 baht.  The only way you would be foolish is if you then gave them 4,000 baht.  

 

You, wrongly, assume that the "true price" is 40 baht because that is what it is being offered to Thai people for.  But suppose the "true price" is 400 baht and the Thai government is subsidizing the cost for Thai citizens.   

 

Riddle me this . . . 

 

Let's say that I am a local ice cream shop owner and as part of being a good local citizen, I sponsor the local children's soccer team.  They just had a pretty tremendous season so I tell them to come on down and I'll treat them to an ice cream.  After they order and pay nothing you walk up behind them and ask for a free ice cream as well because . . . that is the "true price" of the ice cream?  

 

Or let's say that I'm 60 years old and I go to the movie theatre and they sell me a ticket for $8 because I'm a senior citizen.  You walk up behind me and want to pay $8 instead of $10 because you claim $8 is the "true price" of the ticket since you saw someone else pay $8.  

 

 

[laislica]

12 minutes ago, wakeupplease said:

Racialism you know it is I know it is and the idiots who say its not know it is but because they are Thai they know different as they do on everything.

 

This thread was very interesting to read and also made me think again.

 

I do a fair amount of work for Thais in the UK and as my wife is Thai much of the stuff that comes in is in thai, so my wife translates it free. That service has just closed My wife will get £45 per hour or part of from now on, so can go shopping more often at shops that do have special offers, sales, OAP discounts to build trade on Tuesdays, local discounts to attractions to get you to go back for the 10th time and so on, but will never get overcharged because she is thai.

 

So do I also up the price on my Thai services well I cannot by law but can by having to wait for translation services from wife who I will let shop b4 translating say another £100 per job. My English, USA, German, Lao. customers will stay at current rates.

 

So am I being racialist by doing that? Am I breaking the Law? No Am I doing what Thais do Yes in away

 

I may loose customers but their stuff always takes longer to do, so will end up making more money.

 

Thailand I love you but on top of other events of late I will never return, so will miss so many GOOD Thai Friends

 

You have changed so much since 1990 all for the worse

 

To those who say we will not miss you, You will not be missing me with whats coming

 

Keep Well one and all

 

I hope Thailand one day will move on from the darkages and do as most other countries have and make racialism illegal

 

3 minutes ago, wakeupplease said:

My friend you know too much about nothing

but I guess thats your style all mouth and no trousers Wind Bag and by your own comment a racialist and corrupt says a lot about you does it not

 

Sorry TV but had to react this time but will not bother again as you can take a horse to water but cannot make it drink

 

Your reaction is duly noted but perhaps it's time for you to take a holiday and chill out.

I have accepted some of what you had to say in earlier posts but....

IMHO you are now flaming and trolling in this thread.

 

[digibum]

9 minutes ago, Shawn0000 said:

 

I too have gotten in for the Thai price, several times.

 

So have I.  Plenty of times.  And nobody, not even a blind person would mistake me for being Asian or Thai.  

[Shawn0000]

41 minutes ago, maxpower said:

 

Banggood is the Shenzhen market. For cheap electronic items it has no competition.

 

No it isn't, it is from Guangzhou, Chinavasion is from Shenzhen if that is what you are looking for, not that it makes any difference at all!  And there is plenty of competition, Banggood is one of many similar sites, it's just maybe the only one you have come across.

Edited January 14, 2017 by Shawn0000

[geriatrickid]

I avoid the hassle and only purchase from reputable merchants. No bargain with street merchants for anything.

[digibum]

7 minutes ago, wakeupplease said:

My friend you know too much about nothing

but I guess thats your style all mouth and no trousers Wind Bag and by your own comment a racialist and corrupt says a lot about you does it not

 

Sorry TV but had to react this time but will not bother again as you can take a horse to water but cannot make it drink

 

Tell me what I got wrong.  

 

Listen, next time you feel like buying a lottery ticket, give me the money.  You will not have significantly impacted your chances of winning.  

[sjaak327]

7 minutes ago, digibum said:

 

The true price for farangs is 400 baht.  The only way you would be foolish is if you then gave them 4,000 baht.  

 

You, wrongly, assume that the "true price" is 40 baht because that is what it is being offered to Thai people for.  But suppose the "true price" is 400 baht and the Thai government is subsidizing the cost for Thai citizens.   

 

Riddle me this . . . 

 

Let's say that I am a local ice cream shop owner and as part of being a good local citizen, I sponsor the local children's soccer team.  They just had a pretty tremendous season so I tell them to come on down and I'll treat them to an ice cream.  After they order and pay nothing you walk up behind them and ask for a free ice cream as well because . . . that is the "true price" of the ice cream?  

 

Or let's say that I'm 60 years old and I go to the movie theatre and they sell me a ticket for $8 because I'm a senior citizen.  You walk up behind me and want to pay $8 instead of $10 because you claim $8 is the "true price" of the ticket since you saw someone else pay $8.  

 

 

The price of 400 baht isn't the price for Farangs, it is the price for foreigners. And if they would apply this policy based upon documented proof of citizenship (like a Thai passport or Thai ID card), I would have less of a problem with the concept.

 

From own experience, many venues do not require such proof, as witnessed by my Lao boyfriend always paying the local price, despite the fact that he isn't Thai, nor could he produce a Thai passport or ID card.

 

As I said earlier, the dual price scheme as such is not racist, the way it is applied is.

Edited January 14, 2017 by sjaak327

[NoshowJones]

1 minute ago, Shawn0000 said:

 

I know the options, not that I am in a situation where I need to do border runs, it really is not difficult to get the visa where you just check in online every three months.  And who could feel forced to take a minivan anyway when there are regular buses and trains that also go to borders?  Only a fool would only consider the most expensive option and then moan that it is dangerous.

It all depends on where you stay and what transport is available, minivans are always available no matter where you stay, so some people have no choice if they want to stay in Thailand long term, or for good. Personally, I use my motorbike so I am not put out too much, as I enjoy long road trips anyway. The easiest option is too simple for Thailand as they are never known to make anything easier for people.

Thailand could easily charge so much at their immigration offices to avoid any border runs, but as I say, that is too simple for them.

[maxpower]

3 minutes ago, Shawn0000 said:

 

No it isn't, it is from Guangzhou, Chinavasion is from Shenzhen if that is what you are looking for, not that it makes any difference at all!  And there is plenty of competition, Banggood is one of many similar sites, it's just maybe the only one you have come across.

 

You were running short of stuff to argue about so I posted that to top you up. 

[digibum]

1 minute ago, sjaak327 said:

The price of 400 baht isn't the price for Farangs, it is the price for foreigners. And if they would apply this policy based upon documented proof of citizenship (like a Thai passport or Thai ID card, I would have less of a problem with the concept.

 

From own experience, many venues do not require such proof, as witnessed by my Lao boyfriend always paying the local price, despite the fact that he isn't Thai.

 

As I said earlier, the dual price scheme as such is not racist, the way it is applied is.

 

That I would quasi-agree with.  But seeing as how I've gotten the Thai price and I'm a big, white dude, it's just as likely your Lao friend got the Thai price for reasons similar to mine.  

 

What are those reasons?  I don't know because it usually comes down to the person taking the money.  You could run into an actual racist.  You could also run into someone who is lazy.  You could run into someone who happens to get a good vibe from your Thai friends and decides to give you the Thai price.  

 

I've seen Asian friends from the US get the Thai price and then, stupidly, open their mouth and say something in English and had the person demand the foreigner price.  

 

You are right that there should be some very specific, stated rule.  Like I have said several times before, personally, I think they should extend it to anybody staying in Thailand long-term as evidenced by certain types of visas or a work permit.  However, I am equally okay if they limit it strictly to Thai citizens who show a Thai ID card.  

[cyberfarang]

12 hours ago, Shawn0000 said:

 

Dual pricing has existed for a long while and ever since tourist numbers have increased and revenue has increased, your assertion is not based on any resemblance of fact.

Maybe tourist numbers have increased over the years but the official tourist figures do not identify tourists by race and nationalities. Even Thais holidaying in other Thai regions can be counted in as tourists. This means that not all tourists will fall under the duel pricing policies and be charged more solely on racial appearance. A person of south east Asian appearance is more likely to be charged at the Thai going rates that also applies to westerners of south east Asian origins. The duel pricing policy is based on racial profiling, if you`re a white European you are going to pay more and logic states that this must make Farlangs think twice about holidaying in Thailand for a second time, therefore it has an affect on tourism.

 

We used to have a joke some time ago. The Thais idea of a perfect tourist is a elderly American who flies to Thailand, steps outside the airport, gives the first Thai person he encounters 30000 baht, steps straight back onto the plane, arrives home and tells all his mates what a great time he had. The Thais have got greedy regarding foreigners visiting their country and are at risk of killing the golden goose. This makes interesting reading:

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-tourism-goldenweek-thailand-idUSKCN1270Q3