Dual pricing at Thai attractions

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REEM
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Dual pricing at Thai attractions

Post by REEM »

Foreigners who patronise private businesses that operate a double pricing policy need their heads examining.

What on earth gives the business owners the right to charge a higher price for a foreigner than for a local. It is pure greed and it is racism and it is wrong. There can be no justification whatsoever for this nasty practice.

Perhaps those thinking of visiting such "attractions" should be explaining to their children the basics of equality rather than lining the pockets of the business owners, businesses that in any civilised country would be prosecuted for a racist policy.

rant over.

Mod edit: thread split from original: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=26540
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Re: Swiss Sheep Farm, Cha-Am

Post by Big Boy »

I agree 100% REEM, but .................

a. I didn't go to the ticket office. As I said in my report, I would have told them where to put their 80 Baht ticket.

b. OK, I was in the area anyway. As far as I know, ticket prices aren't publicised, or if they are, I don't know where. Do you think though, if I had made a special journey with 2 excited granddaughters on board I could/would turn away when being charged an extra 30 Baht for my admission? As it was I had 2 Thai adults with me who could have accompanied the kids. However, had it been just me and the kids, I couldn't have disappointed them.
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Pleng
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Re: Swiss Sheep Farm, Cha-Am

Post by Pleng »

REEM wrote:Foreigners who patronise private businesses that operate a double pricing policy need their heads examining.
Or alternatively... people who deny themselves a day out at an attraction that they would otherwise like to see, for the sake of 30bt need their heads examining.
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Re: Swiss Sheep Farm, Cha-Am

Post by REEM »

Or alternatively... people who deny themselves a day out at an attraction that they would otherwise like to see, for the sake of 30bt need their heads examining.
if you, as a foreigner, are happy to pay more than the person standing in front of you and behind you in the queue to purchase exactly the same product, then so be it. to me it reads "i am happy to treated as a fool and be taken for a dumb sucker and will willingly pay your discriminatory charge"

it doesnt matter if it is 30b or 300b, it is an illogical, racist, xenophobic and nasty policy.

i do understand that once you are there, and the kids show interest, then it is impossible to turn back.
but at least on the way home, explain to your kids why you wont ever be going back and will be telling as many people as possible not to go.

attractions that operate a double pricing policy openly discriminating on grounds of nationality, especially in a country like thailand, that trades on its big open hearted welcome for tourists should be boycotted by the tourists it is overcharging.
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Re: Swiss Sheep Farm, Cha-Am

Post by Pleng »

Well I hope you enjoy your boycott, for all the difference it will make.

If paying a little more than the natives makes me a dumb fool then so be it; at least I get to see a lot of nice places along the way...
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Re: Swiss Sheep Farm, Cha-Am

Post by Frank La Rue »

REEM wrote:
Or alternatively... people who deny themselves a day out at an attraction that they would otherwise like to see, for the sake of 30bt need their heads examining.
if you, as a foreigner, are happy to pay more than the person standing in front of you and behind you in the queue to purchase exactly the same product, then so be it. to me it reads "i am happy to treated as a fool and be taken for a dumb sucker and will willingly pay your discriminatory charge"

it doesnt matter if it is 30b or 300b, it is an illogical, racist, xenophobic and nasty policy.

i do understand that once you are there, and the kids show interest, then it is impossible to turn back.
but at least on the way home, explain to your kids why you wont ever be going back and will be telling as many people as possible not to go.

attractions that operate a double pricing policy openly discriminating on grounds of nationality, especially in a country like thailand, that trades on its big open hearted welcome for tourists should be boycotted by the tourists it is overcharging.

Price differenciation is an interesting topic from a view point of economic policy. We do price differentiations in many countries based on socialogical criteria, for instance discounted fares on public transport for pensioneers, as form of wealth redistribution policy.

The latter is being questioned as pensioneers in countries like Norway and think some others, have become the wealthiest demographic portion of the population.
In some of the western economies todays pensioneers are the first soclological group who gets to keep their cake and eat it.

Derailing maybe, but when it comes to price differentiation (many will say "discrimination") in Thailand it is a two - headed troll.
We go on holiday Thailand and relocate to live there amongst other things because it is "cheap", unlike property in Hua Hin these days, I know.
If I were a Thai politician I would certainly look for ways of getting Thailand's share of westerners wealth, instead of us getting all of the benefit. And as I politician I would have 100% support.

It is discrimination/Price differentiation to be charged higher price in Thailand as a farang but a local Thai knows he/she most probably can get away with it. If I don't like the price for the service or goods I can walk away.
Only when it comes to health I may not have the option of walking away unless I preffer to be dead.
So far the cost of health care I understand still is much cheaper in Thailand than in Western wellfare states.

I am actually more concerned from a personal finacial standpoint about the political initiative in western wellfare states to tax expatriate pensioneers at source with the political rationale that we live in low- cost countries. The tax paid gives no return as we dont live int these countries. Again - its politics.
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Re: Swiss Sheep Farm, Cha-Am

Post by buksida »

Totally agree with REEM but Thailand isnt the only country with dual pricing, it is rife in Malaysia and epic in Vietnam. I almost didnt go to the Ice Dome in Had Yai as it was 50% extra for foreigners but couldn't deal with the grief I'd get from the kids if I'd have made them miss out too.

Years ago you could get into places for the local rate as a farang with a few words of Thai or the show of a local drivers license or work permit, now it is virtually impossible so as the numbers of tourists increase so will this trend and there's absolutely bugger all we can do about it.

Maybe this warrants a new thread since we've moved on from the Sheep Farm. :oops:
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Re: Swiss Sheep Farm, Cha-Am

Post by Frank La Rue »

buksida wrote:Totally agree with REEM but Thailand isnt the only country with dual pricing, it is rife in Malaysia and epic in Vietnam. I almost didnt go to the Ice Dome in Had Yai as it was 50% extra for foreigners but couldn't deal with the grief I'd get from the kids if I'd have made them miss out too.

Years ago you could get into places for the local rate as a farang with a few words of Thai or the show of a local drivers license or work permit, now it is virtually impossible so as the numbers of tourists increase so will this trend and there's absolutely bugger all we can do about it.

Maybe this warrants a new thread since we've moved on from the Sheep Farm. :oops:

Agreed - maybe the Moderator can move the last 3 posts to a new thread called "Dual Pricing" :idea:
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Re: Dual pricing at Thai attractions

Post by oakdale160 »

I don't think its race dislike or xenophobia it just plain-- grab it if you get the chance--- linked with, who is he going to complain too, the jerk doesn't speak Thai.
I eat at one place in the night market, she charges me 60b, Thais pay 50b--- you know I just can't get too excited aboutthat 10b
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Re: Dual pricing at Thai attractions

Post by HHTel »

I've just returned from a week in Pattaya with my two kids and my mother. We visited several attractions there from the Dolphin show, a theme park and all the attractions in the Royal Gardan Shopping Plaza. In every case, although not advertised, we asked for the Thai price. And in every case, myself (on production of a driving licence), and the two kids were charged less than half the published price. Unfortunately, my mother, who is on holiday had to pay the full price.

I have never had any problems getting the Thai price using my driving licence.

I agree it's wrong but dual pricing is not unique to Thailand.
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Re: Dual pricing at Thai attractions

Post by Frank La Rue »

Allthough dual pricing provokes my western sense of fairness as well, I also challenge myself and ask the question whether it is wrong, i.e morally "wrong" or unfair in the sense of equality. Is this maybe just a western concept arriving with the union fights for social justice (what is that, anyway)

Maybe it is not right or wrong, i.e. not fair or unfair. Market economy is not inherently morally good or bad (it is my personal view- a marxist will think it morally bad), market economy just IS.

SO, if it is possible for a Thai merchant or ticket sales man to market segment, i.e. wealthy people will be prepared to pay more for the same mechandize or service than poor thais, and the lower price to thais still makes it worth while business to the mechant, all he/she does is to maksimize revenue.

It makes pefect sense, If no farang paid up the dual princing woudl go away, but we pay.

I think we are confused by the western, socialistic cocnept of economic fairness, which is not a universal law of behaviour, it is adminstrated through civil laws, for better or worse, and its in the end a political cosntruct.

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Re: Dual pricing at Thai attractions

Post by fpvguy »

To visit Taj Mahal and many other attractions in India can be x10 price for the foreigners, and it's official ;)
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Re: Dual pricing at Thai attractions

Post by TingTongJohn »

I have noted that if you can read Thai that signage also reflects this and if you point this out they will maybe give the local cost. My ex always used to go get the tickets at Thai cost while I remained hidden in the shadows. Not the easiest thing for a bloke of my size and stature. And yes it always bugs me on the dual pricing. Be it a temple or a national park and so forth. But we are super rich while the Thai locals are poor. :duck:
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Re: Dual pricing at Thai attractions

Post by Gregjam »

So the Thai family that turn up in their BMW or Mercedes that cost twice as much as they would in Europe are poor and deserve the lower price. I detest double pricing and try to avoid paying it if possible but am not prepared to miss out on a family outing over a few baht. On the flip side it would be nice if Black Mountain water park had double pricing as it would save me a fortune for the family and I might go there more often.
Yet another aspect of this wonderful country that there is little we as individuals can do and no incentive for those that could have an effect to do anything.
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Re: Dual pricing at Thai attractions

Post by Frank La Rue »

Gregjam wrote:So the Thai family that turn up in their BMW or Mercedes that cost twice as much as they would in Europe are poor and deserve the lower price. I detest double pricing and try to avoid paying it if possible but am not prepared to miss out on a family outing over a few baht. On the flip side it would be nice if Black Mountain water park had double pricing as it would save me a fortune for the family and I might go there more often.
Yet another aspect of this wonderful country that there is little we as individuals can do and no incentive for those that could have an effect to do anything.
That is a fair point - affluent Thais pay thai prices. I think this comes down to them knowing their ways and we do not - or so it is perceived in the eyes of the thai merchant.

Another possible perspective is that we are the suckers in their eyes whereas the wealthy thais are not so they prey on us but not them. Take it or leave Thailand.

Having said as much I have met many decent Thais when it comes to money, not trying to esxploit me at all. Rather than Thais versus non-Thais, is this about poor people versus not - poor people?

I think if you are really poor, where survival is the only issue, principles fall by the wayside, the deterioration of integrity could befall many of us, we have not been truly tested.

The rich Thais may know how to keep downthrodden people down. For a start they speak thai.
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