Answered4 years ago
Why are haircut prices different for foreigners and Thais in Thailand?
Seen where they have prices written in Thai amd English before and its different, never seen this before though
Answer summary
The community discusses the issue of different haircut prices for foreigners and locals in Thailand, highlighting examples of dual pricing systems prevalent in various sectors, including salons. Many comments reflect on experiences with perceived discrimination in prices based on nationality, while some argue that service quality and language barriers may justify higher charges for foreign customers.
149 repliesnewest first
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Eliza **********
Because happy end is included in the price. 😀
Harry ********
This dual pricing for hair cutting is a bit of an old peach.
What exacerbates this problem is that the barbers will often not include a shave in this inflated price too, and the customer is left to tell him....
What exacerbates this problem is that the barbers will often not include a shave in this inflated price too, and the customer is left to tell him....
Michael ***********
My local Thai barber shop felt offended that I, a farang, was only paying their 100 baht fee (plus a tip) so they raised the price to 120! Now I just give them that plus a tip and I guess they're satisfied. I've been going there for a few years now, so they've become accustomed to at least one farang visiting their barber shop occasionally.
Pablo ********
Thanks for this share
May ************************
Not expensive at all
Johnny ******
Nothing wrong with charging foreigners more as they are more work, unless they speak fluent Thai.
I'd like to go and show my Thai ID to find out what price they charged me.
I'd like to go and show my Thai ID to find out what price they charged me.
Pete ********************
@Johnny *****
how do you get a Thai I’d card ?Johnny ******
@Pete *******************
apply at Special Branch police. I've worked here for ages and married to a Thai.
Nick ****************
@Johnny *****
I have done that before and the response was “You don’t look Thai people”. I am going to try that in London when I get to passport control to anyone in the British passport queue that doesn’t look English!!!Johnny ******
@Nick ***************
When showing my Thai ID, I always get asked if I am a calf-caste, which I am not. Sometimes, to make things more understandable, I say I am.
Peter *********
I’d choose another place !
Todd *******
I'm only 70 baht more than a poo yai
Chris ********
If I don't like something on TV, I change the channel. If I think something is overpriced, I don't buy it and keep looking.......easy!
Paul ********
@Chris *******
And miss out on the joy of flinging insults and talking shit and threats and racist ranting about how nasty the Thais and their country are? Clearly there’s something terribly wrong with you.
Danny *************
0 foreigners going in there then. All the balloon heads defending this would also vehemently oppose charging immigrants 4x the price of locals in their home country. There's no consistency with woke wankers.
Joe ******
Load of bolllxxxxxcc
Mally *******
Still cheap and they make a good job
Victor ***********
Still a bargain at 170; my wife is a barber and charges 40 baht for adults, 20 for a kid albeit it is out in the countryside.
Otto *********
Just tell him, you can read Thai and that's why you only pay 100 Baht.
Lawrence **********
Extremely cheap. My guy charges 120 and I hive 200 tip.
Johnny ******
@Lawrence *********
why do you leave a huge tip?Lawrence **********
@Johnny *****
... I pay what I believe the service is worth. I pay double that in the USA.Lawrence **********
@Johnny *****
.... I understand that. My fiance yells at me all the time. I'm just generous and like to show my appreciationJohnny ******
@Lawrence *********
Thailand does not have the same tipping culture as USA. Some people have pride and will be insulted by such a large tip. Imagine tipping a dentist in the US.
Per-e ***************
It's coming...
Benjamin ***************
What a joke
Giorgio ******
Before making comments ,. Could Mickael dawson or his sweetheart tranlate the 4 words writen in Thai . So people know what they talk about.
Giorgio ******
Jake ********
I hope foreigner includes a ball and azz wax
Glenn ***********
@Nick ***************
less than a fiver,bargain 😁Giorgio ******
@Nick ***************
does foreigner includes japanese chinese indians arabs etc....???Giorgio ******
@Nick ***************
now it makes sense , just walk next door .😉😉
Chris ****
I don’t see any price difference. What am I missing?
Katé ***********
@Maz *******
1st one is price for adults 100 but foreigner 170 is not normal because this 😅Chris ****
@Katé **********
but if adults are 100 and foreigners are 100 what’s the issue?Katé ***********
@Maz *******
on picture is say 100 for adults and foreigners 170 🤔 you still don't understand the difference?
Michael ********
OP@Maz *******
foriegners 170 what photo you looking at
Beau ********
@Maz *******
me too
Nirinya *****************
John **********
Shame not to be seen and treated as an equal in prices....
If another Country and reversed! What would it be called!!!!!!
If another Country and reversed! What would it be called!!!!!!
Alex ********
Many places, especially government, have thai prices and foreigner prices
Alex ********
Wonder why you are angry Milad Shaker.
Dont you think it is true? One obvious state sanctioned racism is national park entry prices. Where farangs can be charged up to 10x more than locals.
Dont you think it is true? One obvious state sanctioned racism is national park entry prices. Where farangs can be charged up to 10x more than locals.
Nick ************
My last cut took 10 minutes and cost me £10.00. I dont know what everyone is complaining about.
Ham ********
@Nick ***********
Sorry to hear that! My last hair cut was 1$, exactly 30 baht. In Thailand.Per-e ***************
@Ham *******
There are many apologists in these groupsHam ********
And the barber pays less than 100$/ month for his shop and put his daughter through university on those haircuts…. He is always full … That’s what tourists don’t know / understand….
Per-e ***************
@Steven ********
How much do wealthy Thai people pay for a haircut? The same as foreigners? I don't think so 😂
Steven *********
@Ham *******
and every other shop also puts their daughter/son through university Lol. Universities must be full.
Wesley ********
Foreigner cut includes 'Happy Ending'
Barry *******
@Wesley *******
not by man barber. But to each his ownPaul ********
I see Karen is alive and well here.
Juffair *******
It’s quite simple really, if it bothers you, find somewhere else.
John-Paul ******
Dual pricing system in full swing. But come on... its a good deal.
Ham ********
People who are easy to rip off never get respected by those who rip them off. But they will tell their friends how well they ripped off a farang over beers at the end of the day.
Ham ********
@John-Paul *****
I also sell things. I’ve got a lot of “good deals” when your ready. I’m looking for customers like you! Haha … But in all seriousness, can you imagine a Thai pulls up in a nice car and is told he’ll have to pay double since he can afford it. A Thai with money is too smart and prideful to be played like that! They will take your money if you allow a double price, but they won’t respect you!John-Paul ******
@Ham *******
yeah... I know and I let them talk.... but then answer them in Thai. The look on their faces is priceless. One of my small joys I am afraid to say....5555
Jakk *******
Not even £5 for a cut and people are outraged. Damn that's a good deal 👍
Michael ********
OP@Jakk ******
to put it into context should have mentioned this is in Khlong Toei Port and there wont be any tourists only low paid foriegn seamanJakk *******
@Michael *******
gotcha 👍 can see why people are a little upset.Ham ********
@Jakk ******
you’re just the kind of person a racist business appreciates, someone who not only is willing to be double charged, but also enjoys it … haha … funny guy! The Thais with money would never go for double pricing; they are too smart for that!Nick ****************
@Jakk ******
when I lived in the UK about 8 years ago I was paying the equivalent of 1200 baht a cut. I dread to think how much now.
Peter *********
@Nick ***************
500 equivalent where I am in nottmNick ****************
Yes London. West End.
Jason ***************
@Nick ***************
it’s about 600 baht on average for cut here mate , 1200 baht ?? Was that in London or something?
John *******
@Jakk ******
It’ll look even better when you work out the exchange rate. 😆Ham ********
It means you’re not welcomed there, but if you pay enough they will tolerate you long enough to rip you off …
Johnny ******
@Ham *******
exactly, nothing wrong with charging people you don't like more.
René *******
Many foreigners give a tip of 20-50 baht at a price of 80 baht! So follows “logical” thinking…..
Brett *********
My local barber does a great job, takes his time. Haircut, shave and a massage, tries to charge me 80 baht. I always give him 200
Sam *********
must be in a place that has lots of tourists etc. Once the locals figure out they can manipulate prices and what not to upcharge for 'falang' all bets are off.. Nothing makes them holla, like the all mighty dollah.
Peter *******
If it was funny I would be laughing, BUT it just, once again, demonstrates the utter
contempt towards foreigners!!!
contempt towards foreigners!!!
Larry *******
I always pay 100 baht. Never pay foreigner price
Barry *******
My barber charges 100 baht. I tip 200 baht. He lives across the street from me. I just walk over. Very convenient. He does not speak English but super nice guy. Always shows me pictures of a style. I pick something impossible. I’m a 69 year old balding man. Just make me look sexy. 😂
Dave *********
It doesn’t say happy ending for that price so go find another place, or let your hair grow until you have enough for a real happy ending 😁😁
Jim **********
Does it come with a special after service ?
Sam *********
@Jim *********
of course not! such services don't exist in Thailand! 🙄Jay ******
Thais knowing most foreigners make 600% more than they do (avg Thai makes 5,000 a month; western foreigners make 30,000 starting wage here for work permit) & foreigners are getting bent out of shape for a 70% increase in a haircut 🤡
Durrant ********
@Jay *****
WTF most foreigners now living in Thailand are not allowed to work and don't earn 1 baht a month buttercup...Giorgio ******
@Durrant *******
foreigners living in Thailand , and working are paid from abroad .think a little bit, and Guess who they are !!🤔
Durrant ********
@Giorgio *****
555Giorgio ******
Giorgio ******
@Durrant *******
Î never said the contrary . I think you got the wrong guy 🤣🤣 it happens !! No problem . Old age maybe 🤔Durrant ********
@Giorgio *****
the majority of foreigners in Thailand do not work what part dont you understand ?Jay ******
@Durrant *******
Every foreigner I know works unless they are on holiday or retired (still have a monthly retirement income/allowance).Durrant ********
@Jay *****
I have nothing to lie about and you dont need a verified monthly income unless your one of the poor pricks. All you need to show is the appropriate funds in a Thai bank account 2 months before applying for the 12 month extension. Dont pretend you know what your talking about because you obviously don't.Durrant ********
@Giorgio *****
dont go to bars not a sexpat and no bars where I live.Jay ******
@Durrant *******
You have to have a certain amount of money to retire here in a savings account/verified monthly amount (i.e., something to live on) & you also had to have a certain amount of verified income/savings as a man applying for a marriage visa. So either you’re lying to immigration or you’re lying here
Giorgio ******
@Durrant *******
he doesn't make any research he is a troll writing all the b*******t that goes through his mind . He doesn't know s**t . But pretend ! So many trolls of this kind in Thailand . The kind you"ll see in the local bar at 10 in the morning .!
Durrant ********
@Jay *****
well your 100% wrong there all retirees do not get a pension and the majority of foreigners (retirees,marriage visas) living in Thailand do not work .Your research is obviously pretty poor.Jay ******
@Giorgio *****
Everyone I know makes at least 30,000/month & many much more, especially if they stay in a job year-to-yearGiorgio ******
@Jay *****
and those foreigners you know are paid 5000 a month ? 🤣🤣🤣Giorgio ******
@Jay *****
legal minimum wage is 9000?A little bit more in BKK
5000 was years ago
20 years ago was around 3000 !
Jay ******
@Giorgio *****
“Income inequality in Thailand is amongst the highest in the world. In 2016, top 10% earners received 53% of national income. Meanwhile, the bottom half of the population received 13% of national income and earned only 5,000 THB ($150) per month on average (see table 1)”:***************************************************************************************************************************
This was published in 2019 on data from 2016. Income inequality has only widened & the poverty rate also increased from 2015-2018, so the circumstances are likely worse. Top that off with COVID-19, inflation (e.g., costs 200% more to fill up now than when I arrived Feb 2020), & recent increases in minimum wage falling just shy of inflation, the average Thai is in a worse position financially than they were in 2016.
Jay ******
@Giorgio *****
The NGO workers are coming for you Giorgio 👻Giorgio ******
@Jay *****
I see you are one of those 🤡 😈 !! Stay away !!😈Jay ******
@Giorgio *****
You’ve never met anybody from a legit NGO 😂Giorgio ******
@Jay *****
I understand , you "work ", 🤣? With people from NGO . I've seen hundreds of those guys . You mean these people whose work week stops on friday morning . Whose people main office is the local bar , and the buffet " eat as much as you want" from 5 stars hotels.
These people who parade in citys and villages with their brand new white 4X4 pick up . I' ve seen so many of those in villages I've lived in . 😭😭😭.
Jay ******
@Giorgio *****
Your questions make it all too obvious you didn’t read the article or any of the background surveys lol. If you’re not interested in actually reading evidence that challenges your world view, I’m not wasting time talking with you about it ✌🏼I work with NGOs that specifically serve Thais. I personally know many Thais who make 5,000 a month, sometimes less. Just because you don’t see something doesn’t mean it isn’t real
Giorgio ******
@Jay *****
I know many many workers , they work in the fields , or in shops or in construction , NONE of them is paid 5000 a month . . I talk about reality on the spot not about writings you found on internet . I know many people wirking in construction none of them would work if paid less than 400 a day and that's for 8hours work . 6 days a week . I'm not saying it's enough .
Except what you read , do you yourself know people who work for 5000 a month ? If yes , where is that and for what kind of work .
Not talking about illegal workers who sometimes don't even get paid by their exploiters 😭😭.
Brett *********
@Jay *****
yeah....some people just don't get it. I am always happy to pay extra for good service with a smile. Agree on a price or walk away. There is a choice.
Ben *********
Don't worry, they would not understand you. Keep on walking somewhere else. It's like getting on a taxi.
Kal *********
Don't like what u see ?
Don't patronize that place ...go somewhere else where everyone pays the same ...
Don't patronize that place ...go somewhere else where everyone pays the same ...
Andy ********
Foreigner have bigger head that’s why
Dada ****
While 170baht isnt much, this is discrimination. I think it would have been more fun if he instead of writting 170:-, he could have written « tips really appreciated « with a smiley.
Garfunkle *************
Black and white skin colour prices. Thailand is still stuck in the 1800's.
Garfunkle *************
Ea Sy Idk, I think if they were allowed - they would deffinitely treat them as such. We've seen it happen with the Myanmar migrant workers.
Colin ******
Discrimination..
Alan *******
Ea Sy Dual pricing is not racist but it is opportunistic and as a business, you’re just asking to lose customers.
Everyone is racist by design? Speak for yourself.
Taking advantage of Thai women for cheap sex? Ah yes, much better to stay on the farm earning 10x less and living in abject poverty.
Everyone is racist by design? Speak for yourself.
Taking advantage of Thai women for cheap sex? Ah yes, much better to stay on the farm earning 10x less and living in abject poverty.
Colin ******
Ea Sy ...My point gets to this...If your economy is very reliant on tourism it isn't a good look for tourist's to see a 2 tier pricing system.. I've been to Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and other places and never seen it.. I've been here 14 years so I'm well versed in how Thai's think. My wife for example won't let me buy anything of value other than food because as she says they will charge me Farang price.. It's the Government who support the different pricing so it really rests with them..In a nutshell it's not a good look when you're trying to compete for tourist's..
Colin ******
Ea Sy ...Ok but it sure discriminates Thai's from non Thai's..
Alan *******
@Colin *****
Foreigner is a race?Colin ******
@Alan ******
..Alan you're being an idiot..Alan *******
@Colin *****
Says the person using words they don’t know the meaning of. Good luck with that illiteracyColin ******
@Alan ******
...Anyone not a Thai citizen is a Farang or Foreigner..fact.Alan *******
@Colin *****
Guess it’s a hard question lolColin ******
@Alan ******
...All non Thai's have a different price rate compared to Thai citizens..That is racist as it discriminates between Thai's and non Thai's...Alan *******
@Colin *****
So foreigner is a race?
Andy **********
The same apologists saying this is ok will be the ones in years to come who complain when it actually affects them.
A scam is a scam, is a scam.
Avoid and hope they go broke.
A scam is a scam, is a scam.
Avoid and hope they go broke.
Alan *******
@Andy *********
It’s opportunistic but it’s not a scam.
Philip **********
Go to 2PriceThailand FB group and post there also.
Simple solution. Boycott!
Simple solution. Boycott!
Shea *******
@Miguel ************
yes hair color as in color your hair, Direct translation is also color hair. Yom SI pom.
Josh **********
What’s the name of that shop, to give it a nice review? 🙂
Murray ******
best haircut i ever got was in Thailand. Anyways maybe its the name of a hairstyle and you can order anything on the menu you want :)
Lye **********
They have to pay to attend English class and it ain't cheap, you know.
Michael **************
Once again Thai cuts his nose to Spite his face
Steve ********
@Michael *************
170 is a good price. I'm only interested in what I have to pay, not what others are paying.
Miguel *************
What does the one after "Foreigner" mean?
Miguel *************
@Steve *******
thanks.Shea *******
@Miguel ************
hair color
Daniel *********
It's a lot cheaper than in America and they can use the money. It's a great value and it means more to them than to us. I'm happy to support the locals.
Shezan ******
It's alright, try going to a local barbershop somewhere in the middle east the foreigner price will be 10x. Even a Syrian barber working in a Cambo haircut saloon ripped me off atleast this guy's are being upfront
Paul ********
Oh the outrage! Yawn.
Micah ********
Would've been smarter just to write "Haircut"
I'd be curious if they would charge that if you spoke Thai. If it's just a premium to get an English-speaking barber, I'm not sure that's unreasonable
I'd be curious if they would charge that if you spoke Thai. If it's just a premium to get an English-speaking barber, I'm not sure that's unreasonable
Native ****************
@Micah *******
Its like saying since Farangs generally have a bigger head, but not necessarily more hair, justifies charging more OR if one is heavier in the BAHT BUS then it's more expensive... Or when we get stopped by our beloved serve and protect Thai Police, 50 Bahts fine for Thai's and 500 Bahts for us welcomed foreigners.... I would like to see what happens if someone would dare try to pull this off in a developed country... It would be at the very least entertaining that's for sure.Native ****************
Very good point... Totally agree that a 5 Star studio hair salon qualifies for a higher price list, but since this dual pricing is based on being a Foreigner status OR even in most cases simply the color of our skin, the fact of speaking Thai would not make much of a difference, unless the foreigner who speaks Thai can make the hair stylist laugh, then the lucky foreigner might qualify for a good friend discount, (Been there, tried that numerous times) but even with all this effort, that might only be as little as 20 baht... 555 Even when trying to remain as positive as possible on this subject, it is instinctive and a stubborn mind set to many Thai's that Foreigners should pay more regardless if there is a justification or not. Welcome to Amazing Thailand !
Micah ********
@Native ***************
I don't see that as a similar issue. English-speaking Thai often get paid more, and to have to service someone who can't speak Thai may necessitate having a bilingual (higher paid staff).In America, you pay for higher-skilled stylists (though I give you it wouldn't be acceptable to charge a Spanish-speaker more for service in their language).
Again, I'd be curious if they charge Thai-speaking farang the higher price.
David *********
Just don’t go in.
Jo **********
don’t go there
Bobby ********
Is that in Bangkok?
Brandon ************
Well at least they're forthcoming with it 😂
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