What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Khao Takiab, Khao Tao, Pranburi, Paknampran, Khao Kalok, Dolphin Bay, Sam Roi Yod and Prachuabkirikhan. Discussion on areas south of Hua Hin.
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Big Boy
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What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Post by Big Boy »

I drove to Sam Roi Yod this afternoon with 6 Thais on board. We were in a line of traffic as we entered the park. I was the only vehicle flagged down by the park ranger. I pulled over as directed and put the window down. She asked if we were going into Sam Roi Yod National Park (stupid question because that is the only place the road goes to :? ). We said yes, and she said that will be 200 Baht for the Farang, and 40 Baht each for the Thais. We were ordered to drive to the kiosk to pay.

I gave Mrs BB 500 Baht. She got out of the car and tried to pay at the window. The girl at the window told my wife there was no charge. I drove on with a confused smile on my face, and 500 Baht back in my pocket.

This is the second time this has happened to us at the entrance to Sam Roi Yod National Park (we've only been twice). Can anybody explain what is going on please?
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Re: What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Post by jingjoe »

I haven't been to sam roi yot national park,but have been to others where there is a price difference for foreigners.I show my drivers license and always get same price as locals.
In cairns australia we also have a locals price and a foreigners price
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Re: What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Post by STEVE G »

There are also roads into Som Roi Yod that don't go through the official entrance!
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Re: What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

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Sorry, I'm not complaining about the price - if there's a charge, then there's no reason why I should not pay. It's the fact that I was flagged down, and told what we had to pay. We drove to the window only to be told 'no charge'.

Why employ a ranger to give wrong information?

Why man a pay station, when there is no charge?

I know this is Thailand, but I find this really confusing.
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Re: What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Post by Bristolian »

As far as I am aware, the fees for national parks were last amended in 2007. There are four categories of National Park. The first and most expensive will cost a foreign adult THB 400 and a foreign child 200, whereas a Thai adult gains entry for THB 80 and a Thai child 40. These parks are mainly found in southern Thailand around Phuket or in the North around Chang Mai and Chang Rai.

Category 2 will cost THB 200/100/40/20 respectively.
Category 3 will cost THB 100/50/20/10 respectively.
Category 4 is free for all.

Sam Roi Yod (or Yot) national park is a category 2 so the ranger was correct

Foreigners holding Permanent Residency, a Work Permit, a Thai driving licence or on foreign exchange student status were able to gain entry at Thai prices.
If you visit more than one National Park in a day, there is no additional charge unless any are more expensive than the first, in which case you will pay the difference
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Re: What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Post by buksida »

Bristolian wrote: Foreigners holding Permanent Residency, a Work Permit, a Thai driving licence or on foreign exchange student status were able to gain entry at Thai prices.
Not anymore - I have the above and on visiting 3 different national parks within the last couple of months was ordered to pay the full tourist price.

SRY has residential areas also, I just drive through the barrier without stopping, it seems someone just saw the gringo and wanted to charge you.
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Re: What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Post by Big Boy »

We did enquire about the Thai driving licence with the ranger, but she still said 200 Baht. If she was correct, why did the revenue window (maybe 5 yards from where I'd been pulled over) say no charge? They could see that I'd been pulled over and directed to them. :?
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Re: What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Post by buksida »

Probably because your mrs went and not you - if you'd have gone you'd have paid.
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Re: What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Post by Bristolian »

buksida wrote:Probably because your mrs went and not you - if you'd have gone you'd have paid.
I agree. I always get Mrs B to deal with the officials of more correctly "over officials" at parks etc.

The prices I quoted are I believe still in effect but come on guys, TIT, and what will be will be! :laugh:
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Re: What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Post by Big Boy »

buksida wrote:Probably because your mrs went and not you - if you'd have gone you'd have paid.
That could be it, although she was the one talking to the ranger. Still, I mustn't complain as 440 Baht is much better off in my wallet :D
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Re: What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Post by zeitgeist »

Big Boy wrote: She asked if we were going into Sam Roi Yod National Park (stupid question because that is the only place the road goes to :? ).
I don't know if its the same road (with the kiosk over on the right hand side?) but you can drive through the national park to Kuiburi and beyond. Its a nice drive actually with good roads and nice scenery. But it may be a different entrance but its the only 1 I know.
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Re: What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Post by Big Boy »

Yes, and that is the way we exited. However, the ranger said pay, and the cashier a few yards away said don't. I had no problem with the other half dozen or so cars driving straight through. I was stopped, handed my money over and was given it straight back again.

This has happened to me not once, but twice - apart from TIT, I would like to understand why.
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Re: What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Post by Hilux »

Big Boy wrote:She asked if we were going into Sam Roi Yod National Park (stupid question because that is the only place the road goes to :? ).
Hi BB
I think I can give you an explanation.
The question is not that stupid, since you have to pay if the reason for your trip is to visit the national park (i.e. visit one of the caves). But if you are just driving through (i.e. on your way to petchaburi or going to one of the beach restaurants) you don't have to pay.

If you buy tickets it is important that you bring them with you when you leave the car. Especially if you take a boat to phraya nakhon cave, since they will check if you have tickets when you get ashore. Alternatively you might need to decide whether to swim back for your tickets - or buy tickets again...

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Re: What's the Craic with Som Roi Yod

Post by Big Boy »

Thanks Hilux, that explains it - we're not really cave people (Both my wife and I are sporting leg injuries at the moment), so although we had a good look around, we didn't go anywhere asking for tickets.

We weren't asked where in the park we were going, so I don't understand how 2 people (presumably) working together could get 2 completely different answers, apart from TIT. However, it is nice to see an occassion where the Farang didn't get ripped off - especially when the money was being handed over so willingly.
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