Why do some Thai people seem to take advantage of tourists?

I have to lock my fridge or it is empty after Thai friends visit.

When I was a tourist, I didn't bother if they changed slightly more, but what I do find annoying, is when you are no longer a tourist, and i know the value of things, but they just overcharge me because they think I'm rich, or think I'm a tourist.

Good and bad ever

Happens all over the World in Tourist Spots

Locals think it’s easy meat

Been here11 years.

No idea what you mean

I have never minded the fact I get charged a little more than a local when I am traveling. If I earnt the same as an average local then I wouldn't really be able to afford to travel to another place, aslong as it's only 20% more +/- then I just see it as a tourist tax.

Basic economics. Most Thais are living hand to mouth. If they can get a few more baht they will, and a few baht doesn't hurt most tourists and it greatly helps the vendor. And it happens to tourists in every single country.

I’ve never heard such naive comments. You better return home and never leave your house again

Click……bait……

Very justifiable thing to be concerned about. I’m moving there and I’m certainly gonna plan on having help from a local in any negotiations. For one thing, I’ve heard that if you were in a vehicle accident, you will be blamed and you will pay.

i think firstlynot only thais but normal people have a hard time understanding the way you talk in pieces.

Your thinking is way too deep,you probably listen to too many podcasts/social media and conspiracy theories ,your giving yourself unnecessary headaches ,"life is short",so keep it simple. It's an interesting world and humans are just animals that occur all the complications of survival,so travel to enjoy ,not to complicate ,there is good and bad in every country and every person ,I've travelled the world and the Thais posses probably the best happiness and completeness of any of the cultures ,it doesn't make them perfect,as there's no such thing ,but there's no need to come here looking for problems ,when there's so many positive things here 🙏🏽🇹🇭

As with many scams..it all comes down to money. They pray on many who are unprepared or are ill-informed or trying to get a great deal for a cheap price. Buyer beware.

Bargaining, mercantile savvy, barter, bigger and better deal. . .for some shop keepers, it's how the deal is made that keeps them in business and not the money.

I think tuk-tuk drivers are contractually obligated to overcharge foreigners, or take them to places that overcharge foreigners, or both.

Just have a major accident and see how the insurance companies treat you and the leach personal injury lawyers in the United Stated. I am sure it is in every country. The insurance ceo makes mega millions by denying and prolonging your case. Nothing compared to paying an extra dollar to visit a national park in Thailand.

Streetwise the answer no matter where you are dude.

Opportunistic - resources of money is a luxury many do not have - but really desire

I understand what you are saying. I just don't go back honestly. Your Thai friend buys a drink and it's 60 baht you buy the same drink and it is 180 baht, I will not argue, I just know me and my friend will not go back to that place. I will only go to places where me and Thai pay same price. Usually places where the price is already written down. I think I'm pretty good with knowing general prices. If the price is out of line , I go elsewhere, no problem. When you go to a National Park, I can understand why Thai citizen would pay less than foreign, Thai citizen pays taxes. I talk with my Thai friends and ask what something should cost. I already know I will never ever get their Taxi price. 🤣🤣.

Use common sense and you won’t get scammed.

In any place in the World, if you allow yourself to be taken advantage of, someone will do it. If you place yourself in situations where you can be exploited, someone will exploit you. What I see in Thailand, many tourists drunkenly or foolishly put themselves in vulnerable situations, then they are surprised, when something happens.

If you check into it carefully you'll find it has nothing to do with "income differences". There are very powerful people behind most scams in LOS. It's also a part of the culture for many. People pay upwards for 'protection' to get away with it at every level. It's worse in LOS than in many places as the system is feudalistic in many ways still, whereas in the West we have cut down corruption mostly to official rip-offs such as tax & big time insider trading etc!

What are you needing to cone to terms with, every humans these days exploit in some way unless you seclude into caves and jungles. There is always that hope of fulfilling their ego centric self, exception, the ones that already reach high maturity and accept what their lives is to be, in which case, they attained and resolve into modesty and humbleness. You will need to find this lot of individuals. You just need to select whom you wish to transact with.

"I wonder if I would do the same" - Only you know you. But I suspect you already do... You own western goods? Cross Trainers? Microwaves? That comes to you by way of cheap labor. That's right some poor schmuck gets paid $10 dollars a day, lives in a dirt-floor hut, can't medicate his sick children so you could have a cheaper microwave. The difference between this scenario and the tourist scenario is only how close it is to you personally.

I often read Farang complain about the two-price system here. They complain that it's "unfair"... But considering income potential of the Farang, life is unfair. It's only the losers who complain about it.

Been living here over 4 years, and have visited here for much longer, never been scammed never been charged farang prices either. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but it's nowhere near as common as some like to make out.

then those people are weak sheep. They are allowing themselves to be taken advantage of. I don’t understand you problem toward Thai people most, but not all, countries take advantage of tourist. You should tone down your negative view of Thai people

34 years in S/E Asia 22 in Thailand my advice if you dont want to be the average tourist and get ripped off is Talk like a Thai eat like a Thai and Live like a Thai.... it is that simple.

What like young girls luring old men into sexual relationships?

open eyes ears and heart. you will be fine.

Standard capitalism. What the market (you the tourist) will bear. Seasonality is also a factor.

Over the years have spent about a total of 4.5 years in Thailand. Never had a single issue.

If you want to see how bad it can be, try India

Have you never traveled anywhere?

Every person in every country, especially poor countries take advantage when possible

Some a little

Some try a lot

You think Thai people do so more?

You need to get out more