Dual-pricing in Thailand: Is it time to do away with the 'farang tax'?

[handdrummer]

Saw this in the Bangkok Post today; There's an exhibition of 80 Terra Cotta Warriors from China. Admission fees are: Thais 30 Bht, Foreigners 200 Baht. That's not a deal breaker for 1 person but if you're a family of 4 or 5 ............ plus transportation, food, etc. then you may have to think twice about whether it's worth it.

[buksida]

Thailand criticised for charging expats more
THE widespread practice of charging foreigners as much as 10 times what Thais pay at local tourist attractions has attracted much criticism.

An online movement has also started and is gathering momentum to publicise the practice.

The timing is particularly appropriate since the country is still closed to foreign travellers and the tourism industry is relying on domestic travellers for survival.

This includes tens of thousands of expatriates who live in the country year-round and pay taxes but have to pay the high fees.

Foreigners who pay 300 baht to enter a national park, compared with Thais who pay 30 baht, are now sharing their experiences and posting photos on the Facebook page 2PriceThailand, which has attracted 6,800 members since it was created on June 16. A companion Twitter account, Two Price Thailand, has 2,100 followers.

A Bangkok Post report said the Facebook group was started by Richard Barrow, a longtime British expat and well-known travel blogger with more than 160,000 followers on Twitter.

"We don't think it is fair that some tourist attractions disguise the fact that they have a dual-price system," wrote Barrow.

"If they want to overcharge foreign tourists by as much as 200 per cent then that is their decision.

"But don't do it in a way that is both sneaky and insulting," he said, referring to the local prices that are written in the local language.

"Many Thais and foreigners agree that the dual-pricing system is hurting the image of both the tourism industry and Thailand itself. Thai people are internationally known for their kind and generous hospitality.

"The actions of a few tourist attractions are damaging that reputation.

"We respectfully request a transparent pricing system in Thailand as the first step. But, ultimately we would like to see the #2PriceThailand policy abolished."

Many agree that as year-round residents and taxpayers, they should be treated the same as Thais when it comes to travelling in the country.

"They weren't interested that we worked in Thailand and had Thai spouses," wrote Katherine Salmon of her experience at Sa Morakot (Emerald Pool), a popular attraction in Krabi, where Thais are charged 20 baht and foreigners 200 baht.

At Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, admission for Thai adults is 40 baht but foreigners pay 500 baht.

The two-price issue was raised at a recent panel discussion on the tourism outlook at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand.

Tanes Petsuwan, deputy governor for marketing communications for the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said he was not happy about foreigners being subject to dual pricing.

Tanes said he had already raised the issue with officials from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.

"We should treat them as equal. This would be a very good time to reform tourism and make it right."

https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/202 ... xpats-more
FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2pricethailand

[Big Boy]

A Bangkok Post report said the Facebook group was started by Richard Barrow, a longtime British expat and well-known travel blogger with more than 160,000 followers on Twitter.

I read a very long thread about Richard's dual-pricing cause on an Expat Facebook Page yesterday. It was quite incredible, but I'd say 95% were supporting dual-pricing. Of course, this is only to have been expected in the current crazy mixed up world where everybody wants to disagree with anything sensible that has been said. Another point I was wondering about how many respondents are currently locked out of Thailand and just want to stir things up for those living here. Or have never been an Expat/tourist in Thailand.

As with everything, dual pricing is a personal choice, and sometimes I'll pay and other times I won't. Even the inflated price is rarely going to break the bank. If I've travelled, and really want to see something, I'll usually pay, but I'd not visit a 2nd time with what used to be a stream of very regular visitors. Such places are just struck off my tour guide.

[buksida]

I read a very long thread about Richard's dual-pricing cause on an Expat Facebook Page yesterday. It was quite incredible, but I'd say 95% were supporting dual-pricing. Of course, this is only to have been expected in the current crazy mixed up world where everybody wants to disagree with anything sensible that has been said.

The Facebook generation has been brainwashed to disagree with everything they would normally agree with and argue just for the sake of it.

The hospitals are different IMO, since you can get the Thai price at the Thai hospital, of course, private ones will charge ten times more - its all a choice.

National parks with the 10x charge get boycotted, as do attractions. Though I have got into a couple recently for the Thai price using the pink ID card - all depends on how much of a power trip the trumped-up attendant wants to have on the day.

[Big Boy]

I agree with the pink ID card, but even they are subject to dual pricing. Living out in the sticks, you got yours for a song. Living in Hua Hin, mine cost me about £200,when taking everything into consideration.

[buksida]

Yeah, forgot about that - guess its the price you pay for living in a tourist town - everything is at a premium!

[Dannie Boy]

Yeah, forgot about that - guess its the price you pay for living in a tourist town - everything is at a premium!

I got mine in Cha Am and whilst I can’t remember the exact price I paid, it was next to nothing, certainly nothing like BB had to pay.

Edit - just found the post I made at the time I got my ID card and it was 100 Baht!!

[Big Boy]

It wasn't the cost of the card, which was negligible, it was the cost of jumping through all of the hoops getting there, including a false start using buksida's method to get there. Hua Hin were having none of it.

[Dannie Boy]

Well that’s one benefit of coming under Petchaburi rather than Prachuab Kirikhan - not sure there’s many others!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Big Boy]

Did you already have a Yellow Book, because that was the expensive bitm but without it you couldn't get a pink ID Card.

Actually, if you read the cost breakdown on my Yellow Book thread my ID card was free, but I splashed out 5฿ for a wallet, so 100฿ was certainly not a benefit .

[Dannie Boy]

Did you already have a Yellow Book, because that was the expensive bitm but without it you couldn't get a pink ID Card.

Actually, if you read the cost breakdown on my Yellow Book thread my ID card was free, but I splashed out 5฿ for a wallet, so 100฿ was certainly not a benefit .

Yes I already had a Yellow Book from some years ago - no idea now how much it cost me, but definitely less than your £200. Regarding the ID card, I was more than happy to be “fleeced” of 100 Baht for the privilege

[Big Boy]

HaHa, I'm sure you were. We're drifting way off topic, so

[oakdale160]

This thread reminds me of another endless thread about the appalling standard of driving and loss of life on the roads. I suspect that both threads will go on as long as there are ex-pats living here But and its a big BUT--nothing will ever change.

[buksida]

The problem with dual pricing is that it is actually encouraged by the state in Thailand, so private establishments think it is an acceptable thing to do. This latest bunch of fascistas is the most racist ruling party yet so no, the dual pricing isn't going away, and if anything will get much worse. Fewer tourists = hike the prices for the aliens that live/work/are stuck here.

[ricardo]

It used to be easy to get a Yellow book in Hua Hin. A translation of my passport into Thai - approved by the police and then the Yellow book cost B10 at the Tessabahn.