I just read that Thailand will soon make official dual pricing: 1) for Thais and 2) Foreigners. The price difference is a reason I go to Thailand. This will affect my future decision to go...am I alone here?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The proposed implementation of dual pricing in Thailand, differentiating costs for Thais and foreigners, is raising concerns among expats and tourists. Many argue that while dual pricing is not new, formalizing it could affect their travel decisions, with some pointing out that discounts for locals have always existed. Comments reveal a mix of acceptance and frustration, with discussions around economic disparities and whether it's fair to charge foreigners more for similar services. The debate includes perspectives on the sustainability of tourism and the potential economic impact on local businesses catering to different types of tourists.
Kevin **********
Thais already pay taxes that subsidize the parks, why should they pay more than you by paying twice? Disneyland has discounted park entree fees for instate residence with drivers license ad well as state camping parks in America. It's no big deal.
it is a big deal because in America, pricing isn't decided by race, appearance or nationality, but residence. Also, expats in Thailand generally pay more taxes than Thais but are usually still discriminated against.
you didn't answer my question. Are you were a Thai resident and you were denied the miniscule discount? You're right, it does sound like "Jim Crow" white elitism.Think of it as being a surcharge for yourself being so superior.
It's not a miniscule discount. You're justifying racism towards minority groups in Thailand, which happens to include white people, Eurasians, Indians etc. You're a pathetic person.
I've heard stories where this has happened. It's pure racism and those practicing it should be sued. If a Thai passport isn't even enough to get the proper Thai price, you know it's because Thais are jealous of farang and they see everything in terms of race. This explains why a CAMBODIAN who is by definition a foreigner can get the Thai price without having to prove their "credentials" but a Thai citizen, sometimes including Indian-Thais and Eurasian Thais (those of mixed Thai-European parentage) both of whom may have been born in Thailand, get charged the foreigner price.
There would be riots if that happened in America. Think about it.
It's very much like the Jim Crow laws. What's next, special seating on public transportation for foreigners, separated from the "clean" Thais?
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Paul *******
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Colin ********
it depends on the price difference AND I don't hear foriegners complaining about our 3x 4x salaries so I don't have too much of a problem with this. Also, if like me, you have a thai wife or gf just let them do the shopping book the hotels etc. My local hospital charges 15k for foriegners to have a full medical but now they know I live here and have a thai wife I get thai rates
Paul *********
Can't afford Thailand? Just stay home simple
Thelittle ************
In which sectors or services?
Robert ********
Yes you are
Ste *******
Its 15 Euros for a small bottle of water in Rome. Just saying.........
I overheard a lady getting a bottle of coke from a van selling snacks and drinks in front of the colosseum in 2008. It was 8 euros š
But that doesnāt make all of Rome that expensive. Depends where you go. Just like here.
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Dominik ********
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Kool *******
Sure dual pricing exists, but what you didn't read, or was misquoted, as happens because knowing all the details doesn't make it sound so dramatic. Yes, the government did approve dual pricing, but what was left out of all those reports was the fact the government reduced the price foreigners pay by almost 50% at almost all national parks. That part was left out of all the news reports. There is a certain element that does everything they can to make the government look bad, even to the point of lying, and misinforming. They have so many billions of dollars no one will go after them for doing it, and there are laws that apply.
it's about government dual pricing, and the only thing the government controls dual pricing on is the national parks. All the rest is private enterprise
the government just reduced prices by 50% for foreigners. That is just the opposite of getting out of hand. Private enterprise is a different story
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Kool *******
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Eric *******
No, they won't.
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Kevin ********
They get enough of us. Greed is a awful thing. Could say a lot more. Not hereš
Kevin ********
Ppl just go elsewhere. I am
Bertrand ********
During Covid, hotels and government gave huge discount possibilities to Thai Citizens, today it became prices policy, the idea of this law is to come back to previous price (before Covid) but only for the tourists, Thia citizen can still have the discounted prices. Of course this is subject to hotel owner and how they will play with this statement š
Bryce ********
555 this is probably gonna backfire. The way to attract rich people is to have stuff that rich people want, not to push away the middle and lower tier travellers. Rich people, by definition, have a lot of options, why would they choose Thailand over literally any other country in the world? It's also tremendously short sighted, today's "low quality" teenaged backpacker from Europe or America might be a millionaire 20 years from now who might wish to return to the place they built such fond memories in their youth and have a lot of money to throw around this time. This is just like that rice fixing thing under Thaksin, Thais always wanna act like they have a cartel when in reality they have loads of competition who would be more than willing to undercut their prices. This is so unbelievably backwards, you don't RAISE prices to deal with lack of customers. This is gonna be hilarious to watch.
don't come then prices are going up all over the world.
The price difference has been here for a long time
ie took the kids to a attraction about 8 years ago, 50b for thais 75 for me .it's not a new thing
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Chris *********************
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Maxim ***********
The newb saying that this is already happening are missing the point. Yes, it's already happening, but what is proposed is forcing hotel and others to charge dual pricing. It's very different from having freedom of choice. Hotels are pushing back against that because they know that this will get worldwide coverage if implemented. You guys are selfish and narrow-minded. This will push away local family industry, etc, in favor of "rich tourists" who goes to fancy hotel and restaurants. The poor street food vendor and guesthouse owner will once again be the one losing here.
Maxim ***********
I disagree. You don't need to project your own thought into others. This group is filled with some low-level humans, the bottom of the barrel, but that does not represent your average family coming into Thailand.
You have everything right except for the fact that Thailand IS NOT a family destination for obvious reasonsā š š š a man May bring his family here to get away with participating in something behind the naive wifeās back but, Thereās nothing family oriented about Thailandā š
100% right, it is always the poor that suffer the most. I am a pensioner I come here because it is cheaper than vacationing at home, I may have to look at other countries now
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Danny *******
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Francesco **********
donāt worry u pay double prive and uncome here without alcohol (they practically said that alcohol is the only covid dispenser)ā¦
Brian *******
"the price difference is a reason I go to Thailand". Umm, I don't get it.
You could look at it the other way round: Thais are getting a discount that foreigners are not, in the same way that sometimes students or elderly are getting discounts that others donāt.
You're a cheap tourist because you are emotionally upset over so-called dual pricing (a practice which exists in different arenas all over the world). If having a viewpoint is an "offence" maybe you need to find a safe space where you can cry to anyone who will listen to your whining.
You're the idiot coming out with moronic statements based on paying nothing more than a few dollars than what a Thai citizen will pay. It's sad that Cheap tourists like yourself go into sensitive emotional meltdown over what is essentially nothing. Not only do you not "get it" you make a total laughing stock fool of yourself and your cheap friends. If it's so bad here, why don't simply leave?
youāre comparing apples and oranges. As for price discrimination, thereās a difference between selling products at different price points in different markets, and racial discrimination. I can tell you donāt have an economics degree, or much of an education for that matter. Another sycophant who thinks everything is perfect in Thailand and enjoys bending over and taking it from the Thai government.
Aha! Thank you. So it's a discriminatory practice? That's all I needed to know. Except we overlook it by calling it a "reciprocal agreement". Yes, got it now! š¤£š¤£š¤£
Those students or elderly get the discount because... wait for it...they are students or elderly. Its not based on race. A Thai student or old person still gets the discount.
As an Aussie when I visit the UK I get admitted with no fee. My Thai lady has to pay Ā£100 for a visa to enter. Yes let's talk racial discrimination. Or is the UK exempt?
Racism? Because they give their own citizens a break? What a dumb statement. What about age discrimination? What about the UK's discrimination against Thai people? That's ok I guess? š¤£š¤£š¤£
if you think the UK discriminates against Thais the way Thais discriminate against foreigners, youāre an idiot. Thailand is all about institutionalized racism. Look at the land laws, the court system, immigration policies, etc. It isnāt about giving their own citizens a break. Itās about greed and price gouging along racial lines, so STFU you sycophant.
check the prices of UK universities for international students compared to locals and you will realize any dual pricing in Thailand is chump change. then check any high school textbook (or Google) for an explanation of why dual pricing ("price discrimination") is generally fairer and more efficient overall than a fixed single price.
Olie doesnāt seem to understand that tax dollars are collected to offset tuition, which international students do not pay. I pay more taxes than most Thais, what does that get me?
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Joseph ****************
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Steve ********
Best to stay away. Thailand is trying to discourage the Cheap Charlie tourists. Perhaps Venice is a better option. ššš
Bryan ********
Can you imagine a Thai turning up to , e.g a European hotel and being charged extra due to their nationality when asked for id?
Naja ***********
Do Thais pay more for university than said citizens, ie are the universities offering dual pricing abroad? If that's not the case, your comment doesn't make sense.
many Thais study in the West paying tens of thousands of dollars more per year than local students. a few dollars extra for a hotel isn't such a big deal.
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Oliver ********
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Paul ********
Best to stay home and enjoy your own country..
Iain ******
Yes
Vincent ********
They always did it. Now they will raise it even higher.
I'm talking discrimination. Your whining over a few hundred baht because one country decides to give its citizens a break. So they're discriminating against the other 299 countries? š¤£
firstly, there arenāt 299 counties. Secondly, itās an insult to those who arenāt Thai and live and work in the country, do business in the country, create jobs and pay taxes. So, yeahā¦itās discrimination, one example among many. Now, if youāre cool with that, fine. Pay the extra money, but donāt act like itās not discriminatory, and certainly donāt complain about tourist visa policies elsewhere.
Ah yes. As soon as someone loses a debate they scream "fake profile". Goes with your "racial discrimination" wailing! Some people choose privacy, but never mind. Keep on wailing
As an Aussie I can enter the US with little or no hassle. No visa, no jumping through hoops. My Thai lady has to submit an application with details of landholdings, finance, salary, job references and then pay the fee and hope that she's one of the 30% of Thais who will be allowed a visa. Yeah, let's talk flagrant discrimination
I'm talking about tourism visa. Would you like another go?
Joseph ****************
Steve Smythe tourism visas are not based on race, theyāre based on citizenship, and the US takes in more Thais as citizens than Thailand takes in collectively. So, tell me how we are racist. Your Thai girlfriend can open a business in the US. She can buy land in the US. Can you do that in Thailand? No. Youāre punching above your weight, mate.
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Joseph ****************
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Richard *******
I will just send my Thai wife to purchase everything that is not marked.
Chris *********
Huh?
Rich *****
Unfortunately this is an occupational hazard for two week millionaireās! Thereās always Benidorm!
Greg *****
Uralone
Paddy *********
Itās always happened
John ********
It already exist to make it a law is douche
Phil ********
No. Not at all. It's not as though Thailand is unique in doing so, nor is it "new"
ie Thai National Park entrance fees.
Ciao!
Todd *********
Donāt care one bit
Ste *******
The average job in Thailand pays about Ā£300 a Month. In UK its Ā£1,500-2000 a Month. Of course they should pay less. I have Zero issue with it. If you dont like it go somwhere else that has one price for all.....Expensive!
Nguyen *****************
As it should be. Donāt come if you canāt afford it.
Dual pricing has existed for decades here. Not quite sure what article youāre referring to about making it official. It happens. It has happened. And almost certainly will continue to do so. It sucks for sure, but you have an option not to come if it bothers you so much.
That is whataboutism. Stop deflecting from the reality that Thailand is a xenophobic country that sees foreigners as walking ATM machines ready to be exploited at any opportunity.
Totally agree. Dual pricing actually exists everywhere. My barber in Australia gives a $5 discount to "seniors". Surely that's age discrimination? But we choose to ignore that, and focus on kicking Thailand at every opportunity
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Steve ********
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Brandon ************
It's a proposal for a recommendation. They won't force hotels to change pricing, and any hotels that understand supply and demand will let business dictate prices. Once the ones that change their pricing lose business to the ones that don't, the whole thing will fall apart (if they even implement the recommendation)
Exactly. Market forces determine pricing. Thailand is a country where everything is up for haggling. You walk into a small country hotel and put cash on the counter and say you don't want a receipt, they're not going to give a rat's ass what nationality you are! And yes, it's a recommendation which cannot be enforced. It's just comical listening to the cheapo Charlies here screaming racial discrimination, overlooking the fact their own countries have similar policies