Thai government attitude to foreigners

[Isaan Alan]

Just visited the cave paintings, waterfalls and views of the Mekong at Pha Taem National Park east of Ubon Ratchathani (nice ring to East of Ubon) and it was very visit-worthy. As a falang I got charged 400 baht which is 10 times the Thai rate of 40 baht. Even the car was only 30 baht. It indicates the Thai government attitude to foreigners very clearly. 

My extensive experience in China is there no difference for foreigners or cheaper if you have a foreign expert certificate where they treat you as an honoured guest. I have sometimes entered free because of my age which applies to foreigners also  In my home country of Australia there is no foreigner price only sometimes there is a concession for local residents. It shows the Thai bureacracy has a rather warped attitude to foreigners. 

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, Isaan Alan said:

As a falang I got charged 400 baht which is 10 times the Thai rate of 40 baht. Even the car was only 30 baht.

If you don't like it, don't go.

I never pay to enter places that have dual pricing.

[CharlieH]

Look at it like you paid the correct fee and Thais get a 90% discount. That might be more palatable.

[fishtank]

10 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

If you don't like it, don't go.

I never pay to enter places that have dual pricing.

I also will not pay farang rip off prices.

Refuse to be scammed <snip>

 

[oldhippy]

17 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Look at it like you paid the correct fee and Thais get a 90% discount. That might be more palatable.

Please don't mention this to Tops or Macro.

[richard_smith237]

I too find it highly distasteful... the Dual Pricing policies at national parks is an incredibly clumsy approach by a government who's country is so reliant on tourism and a positive image. 

 

The larger issue is the message this sends to other businesses. Dual Pricing is actually illegal in Thailand (in private business) yet the message is clear.... greed. 

 

There have been loads of topics and debates on this matter, none of it has ever convinced me even remotely that the dual pricing is in anyway acceptable, for anyone, in any country. 

 

 

[sunnyboy2018]

14 minutes ago, fishtank said:

I also will not pay farang rip off prices.

Refuse to be scammed <snip>

 

Its not a scam. You have a choice.

[oldhippy]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

I too find it highly distasteful... the Dual Pricing policies at national parks is an incredibly clumsy approach by a government who's country is so reliant on tourism and a positive image. 

 

The larger issue is the message this sends to other businesses. Dual Pricing is actually illegal in Thailand (in private business) yet the message is clear.... greed. 

 

There have been loads of topics and debates on this matter, none of it has ever convinced me even remotely that the dual pricing is in anyway acceptable, for anyone, in any country. 

 

 

I could live with lower price for locals, but depending on how easy it is to be concidered a local.

Example: In my hometown in Belgium, my wife - Thai - gets the same discount as me. My sister - who lives in a neighbouring city - pays full price.

Or somewhat different: in Norway a 1 day fishing permit is almost as expensive as a season permit, so basically locals get a discount - without any trace of nationalism or racism.

 

[richard_smith237]

18 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

I could live with lower price for locals, but depending on how easy it is to be concidered a local.

Example: In my hometown in Belgium, my wife - Thai - gets the same discount as me. My sister - who lives in a neighbouring city - pays full price.

Or somewhat different: in Norway a 1 day fishing permit is almost as expensive as a season permit, so basically locals get a discount - without any trace of nationalism or racism.

 

 

Agreed...  If showing a Thai Drivers license, Work Permit, Yellow House Book or Pink ID card worked it would be more tolerable - i.e. a Residents discount etc. 

Other countries (i.e. UAE) give its foreign residents a Residency ID card which can be used everywhere to get the 'local rates' where applicable. 

 

In the UK my Wife would be able to show her UK driving license with local address to get a local discount at nearby attractions (where the local residents discount is offered).

There are no discounts based on having British Nationality Alone (I can't think of any) and if there were I'd be disgusted. 

 

In fact in Thailand we can commonly show our Thai Drivers License etc and get the Thai price at many attractions such as Kidzania, Safari Park etc..  

 

But the Government sanctioned dual pricing which 'removes' these other options (such as using the Thai Drivers license or Work Permits etc) is downright disgraceful. 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2019 by richard_smith237

[dimitriv]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

In the UK my Wife would be able to show her UK driving license with local address to get a local discount at nearby attractions (where the local residents discount is offered).

 

There are no discounts based on having British Nationality Alone (I can't think of any) and if there were I'd be disgusted. 

 

In fact in Thailand we can commonly show our Thai Drivers License etc and get the Thai price at many attractions such as Kidzania, Safari Park etc..  

 

But the Government sanctioned dual pricing which 'removes' these other options (such as using the Thai Drivers license or Work Permits etc) is downright disgraceful. 

 

 

 

It's because in the UK and EU it is not allowed to to make a distinction based on nationality, origin, sexual preference, color of skin and many other things. But it is allowed to make a distinction based on place of residence.

 

Making a distinction based on nationality or origin is called discrimination or racism which is not allowed in normal countries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2019 by dimitriv

[Senechal]

In many places if you speak decent Thai, you get Thai prices. So there's one more incentive to learn...

[DannyCarlton]

I had the same problem at Khao Yai. "50 for your wife, 400 for you". I said that I wasn't happy paying more than my wife and could we do a deal, 225 for my wife and 225 for me. "No" he replied, "50 for your wife, 400 for you". I then labouriously made 2 piles of 225 baht on the counter. "OK?" I asked. "No" he replied, "50 for your wife, 400 for you". I then shuffled the money round on the counter, remaking the 2 piles, one with 50 baht, the other with 400 baht. "OK?", I asked. OK he replied and gave me the tickets.

 

Thai people, love 'em all.

[Berkshire]

19 hours ago, Isaan Alan said:

In my home country of Australia there is no foreigner price only sometimes there is a concession for local residents.

So Australia is also practicing dual-pricing. 

[Fex Bluse]

33 minutes ago, Senechal said:

In many places if you speak decent Thai, you get Thai prices. So there's one more incentive to learn...

That's a rather weak incentive, added to a short list of similarly weak incentives 

 

A much better plan is simply don't go.

 

I've never been to a Thai national park that was worth the time.

 

They are usually poorly planned (typical here) and poorly maintained (also typical here). 

[AlexRich]

I’ve never had a problem with it as I simply would never pay it. Seen one park, seen them all. If every foreigner did likewise it would soon stop.

Edited November 21, 2019 by AlexRich

[cornishcarlos]

On 11/20/2019 at 8:35 PM, sunnyboy2018 said:

Its not a scam. You have a choice.

 

Did you pay 10 x Thai price for your rose tinted glasses by any chance ??

[oldhippy]

7 hours ago, Berkshire said:

So Australia is also practicing dual-pricing. 

so predictable

[Scott]

Off-topic post reported and removed.