I don't often notice the driver before I realise I have to take evasive action, and that's when I'm on MY bike. I've got no inkling whether foreigners are worse that Thais, I just know my safety is in my hands here because you can't rely on everyone else
In Pattaya a few weeks ago. Check in and sit around for an hour in a video room with no video showing. Called into the practical tests to identify the colours red, yellow and green in random order (20 seconds) then show you can press the right pedal when the light is green and move quickly to the left pedal when light turns red ( 5 seconds). Get a bit of paper given to you. Queue up to pay a fee (25 minutes). Queue again to get your picture taken (15 minutes) and wait for licence to be printed (30 minutes).
Nearly answered your own question, as pricing reflects their anticipated demand for seats. It's tough for airlines to make profits these days. If they're filling the plane it's because they got the price right (or maybe even, too low!)