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Thai Price vs Farang Price: Historical Hangover or Modern-Day Discrimination

Dual pricing (Thai price and farang price) has long been a subject of contention among the expat community.

While most holiday makers probably don't realise a dual economy exists, even though they may pay up to a third more than a Thai would on many items in tourist area, the large majority of expats grumble at paying more for goods and services than locals.

And this is totally understandable. I mean, once you’ve lived in a country for five or so years, you’d expect to be treated like a local, right?

dual-pricing-in-thailand

Multiple (dual) pricing evolved from the barter economy. (Image Credit: Samuel John Roberts @ Flikr)

It isn’t just street stalls and local shops that operate a dual economy, either. Many museums and national heritage sites stipulate dual pricing on entry, which is never usually more than a hundred Baht’s difference, but enough of a difference to make one feel discriminated against.

However, the reality is that outside of the tourist hotspots, purchases from local markets are generally priced the same, unless you know the owner personally. But when it comes to museums, heritage sites and other attractions, foreigners are usually expected to pay more.

But before we spout off about Thais being racist and how unfair it is, it is important to understand why a dual economy exists, and how it is potentially beneficial to some Thais — even though we might lose out at times.

A Sprinkle of Historical Context

The first mistake Western critics tend to make is to compare the evolution of Thailand's economy side-by-side with that of the UK or US, for example.

Thailand's capitalist economy as it exists today is very immature, and is often referred to as a pseudo-capitalist economy that presents itself as such but operates quite differently in many pockets of the country.

In fact, many of the older generation still alive today will have grown up in a rural barter-type economy. Indeed, my wife's grandmother did.

She still talks of swapping goods in her childhood and people lending their skills to each other in exchange for food and household essentials.

Only one hundred odd years ago the majority of the male population in Siam (Thailand) was in the service of court officials, while their wives and daughters may have traded on a small scale in local markets. And only at the end of World War 2 did Thailand's economy truly begin to become globalised.

Also consider that Thailand has not experienced the immigration and subsequent “multi-culturalism” that Europe and the US has. In comparison, Thailand has very few foreigners, and trade laws and the buying of land and housing is still very restrictive for foreign nationals.

Thais still very much do things the “Thai way”, and in the way they see fit.

And yes, for many this means ‘preference pricing', which, by the way, is not restricted to foreigners. I for one get my fruit cheaper than other local Thais because I am friends with the seller. This is a friendship built over around five years. That's how things still work here. Communities are very much localised, even in a big city like Bangkok.

Money Vs. Feelings

The fact that the difference between the “Thai price” and the “farang price” is usually quite small — certainly for entry to heritage sites and museums — suggests the grumbling is more about feelings that money.

This is understandable. It is a feeling of being discriminated against, a feeling that no matter how long we’ve been in the country we will always be treated as, and identified as, foreigners (“farang”).

On the face of it, this differential treatment is prejudice, and I’ve even heard some liken it to 50s America and the preferential treatment of whites over blacks. But the reality is it’s nothing like that at all.

The dual economy is born out of simple economics. Nothing more.  If you believe that the elimination of dual pricing would promote integration, and give expats more “status” as citizens of the country, you’re living in a alt-left dreamworld.

This might sound harsh, but if you think you’ll ever be anything more than a “farang” to most Thai people then you should go home now to avoid further disappointment.

In the same way immigrants are just immigrants to most in your home country, to the average earning Thai, you are just another farang with a fat wallet that allows him/her to live a privileged lifestyle in a poor country.

Thailand is a great place to live, but you and I know we’re never going to be considered citizens of the country in any way, even if we went through the hideously long process of obtaining residency.

Thailand is historically very insular. This has promoted a unity of deep national pride, patriotism and self-identification with flag and country. Anyone outside of that will always be “a farang”.

I point to the words of the Thai national anthem: The land of Thailand belongs to all the Thais, Their sovereignty has always long endured.

No matter how well I understand Thai, no matter how long I’ve had a Thai partner, no matter that my child is half-Thai and no matter how many Thai friends I have, I am, and always will be, a farang. And this is a classification I accept as part of being a foreigner living in a foreign country.

I can’t roll up to Doi Suthep temple in Chiang Mai and say, “Can I pay the Thai price to get in because my wife is Thai?” Or, “Can I pay the Thai price because I’ve poured countless pounds into the Thai economy over the last seven years”. No, because I am not Thai.

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An Ethical But Contentious Reason for the “Thai Price”

The reality is that dual pricing has evolved with Thailand; its existence is a natural one that evolved from the market/bartering culture — as it has done in numerous Asian and Middle-Eastern countries. Friends, family and regulars tend to pay less. It's quite simple.

The same is true in some countries of Europe. Ever been to Italy? Go to the market with a local and I guarantee you will get that handbag much, much cheaper! See Greece for reference too.

Where entry to attractions and heritage sites is concerned, it has to be considered that the pricing is based on economics and not prejudice. The average wage is less than 10,000 Baht a month, and most Thais are earning little more than 300-400 Baht a day.

So, let's say I want to take my wife and daughter to a museum on the weekend, and an average earning Thai guy wants to take his family too. If I earn 150,000 Baht a month, and he earns 15,000 Baht, and the entry fee is 300 Baht for adults, he needs to spend more than a day's wages for an outing that every father can easily afford for his family.

In short, I don't mind if his and his wife's entry is subsidised by the government and that they only pay 100 Baht each to get in.

Who would have a problem with that?

Who would have a problem with paying a little more than someone else because they earn 10x more, if it meant their family could enjoy the same social outing?

If I am asked to pay more than the average Thai for entry to certain places because I earn more then I don't mind — if that little bit more is kept at a reasonable ratio.

I am privileged to be able to afford to live here and consistently enjoy myself in nice hotels and swim in the waters of beautiful beaches, and to visit amazing temples and see wonderful landscapes.

The majority of Thais will never be able to take such a holiday in a foreign land. In fact, the majority of Thais have never visited the beautiful islands and wonderful corners of their own country.

So I don’t mind that I pay 100 Baht more for entry to a museum, or 50 Baht more for a t-shirt at the market by the beach.

As a resident (I don’t have official residency) I am privileged to live in a nice apartment, and to be able to afford to eat in lovely restaurants and enjoy all the city has to offer. Again, way above and beyond the means of the average Thai person.

When I say the average Thai, I am referring to the 17 million Thais who earn under ten thousand Baht per month, most of whom, according to a recent bank survey, are in debt to the tune of an average of 150,000 Baht; debt that continues to grow at between 6-20% depending on the mood of the debtor’s loan shark.

Even the lowest paid expat jobs in Thailand massively outweigh the average Thai wage; so should we continue to grumble and begrudge those with very low salaries access to museums and local attractions at a discounted rate?

When we complain how unfair it is that a dual economy exists, we should think for a moment: do we want museums and places of cultural interest to solely be accessible to foreigners and middle/upper class Thais by there being one price for all?

Are we happy to stop the kids of an average earning Thai family going to the places we like to visit just because we feel discriminated against?

Or do we want it the other way around, where everyone pays the “Thai price”. That way, we, along with the Thai middle and upper classes, get to clasp even tighter onto our purse strings, a solution which would no doubt contribute to lowering the wages of those working for state-run museums, national parks and other places of interest.

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But What About Foreigners Who Earn Low Wages & Rich Thais Who Get Thai Price?

The big problem with the above is that there are lots of well-off Thai people who get the Thai price when they can clearly afford to pay more than the average foreigner.

But then we can’t dismiss 17 million other people on that basis, can we?

So there has to be a better way.

In a country with such huge inequality, there are sectors of society who do need a discounted rate on goods and service.

Most families can't even afford a trip to the cinema, or a take-away pizza.  There is no social welfare system to speak of — no food stamps, no child benefit. Though there is a good 30-Baht health scheme.

It is also problematic for those foreign nationals who earn very little too. I was shocked to see that some of the agencies on my job board were offering such low wages to Filipino teachers. They too, like most Thais, would struggle to live on such wages in Thailand.

So that begs the question: Could this whole dual pricing thing be solved with a simple card scheme?

For example: If you earn under x, you get a card that entitles you to y at a discounted rate. y being entry to national parks, museums and other places of entertainment run by private companies that could sign up to the scheme too.

Thoughts Going Forward…

I have never bought into the notion that dual pricing is a prejudicial war on foreigners. It is something that has been evolved and become outdated. In rural communities and market trading circles it has historical roots in the barter economy — as it does in many other countries.

Things have levelled out somewhat over the past few years, though, and vendors often make a point of telling customers (Thais included) that it's “same price” for all.

But where market shopping in tourist areas is concerned, a deal can usually be struck outside of the given price on most things. And would we want that aspect of tiered pricing to disappear? Many tourists enjoy this aspect of holidaying in Thailand.

In the immediate term, if you live in Thailand and want to avoid paying more than the locals, you should definitely  learn to speak Thai so that you can engage with sellers in their native language.

By making a little effort to learn the language, you’ll be able to bridge the gap and integrate more with the local community. You’ll be able to strike up a conversation and ask for “Laka con Thai” (Thai price).

Think how you feel about foreigners who don't bother to learn the language in your home country. If you live in Thailand but speak no Thai, how can you expect to be perceived as anything else other than “just another foreigner” enjoying the fruits of the country but with no interest in learning the language?

Back to the main point of disgruntlement though: Prices have been creeping up for foreigners over the past few years, with entry to some historical sites at least 2-3 times the Thai price. This has to stop; simply because it creates ill-feeling, and because not all foreigners earn 2-3 times that of the average earning Thai.

I suggest that the authorities get rid of dual pricing and look at creating a scheme where access to museums, national heritage sites, local attractions and some other goods and services are provided cheaper to those below a certain income threshold.

This will enable poorer families, both Thai and foreign, to have more freedom; to take the kids out to events and activities on the weekend.

It would also enable poorer families to save more money. And who knows, one day they may be able to start a pension, send the kids to university, or at the very least enjoy a holiday to the beach in their own country, or a trip to the cinema once in a while.

Updated: September 2017.



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  1. Bak Sida says

    Not trolling. As i said, some Buddhist trinkets, a bunch of animist superstitions, gaudy temples and markets full of tat. What did I miss? Even the "educated" Thais in my office had a pretty limited grasp of their own history.

    I suppose it depends what you compare it to, but personally I find just about any corner of Europe far more stimulating.
    Reply

  2. Timchia Basil says

    You're just a racist apologist who has given up on this issue so you just seem to accept it and then try to justify it in kind of roundabout way by suggesting that Thais are so poor blah blah blah. The reality is dual pricing IS RACIST and it's unacceptable in this day and age - it may have made sense way back in the 1960s-80s or so when disposable incomes in Thailand were very low, foreign tourists brought in a lot of money and very few Thais travelled or lived abroad. But times have changed. It's also like 1950s America where foreigners and Thais are segregated, which in this case means that Thais are held in higher esteem than foreigners, which are treated like dirt and as such are simply walking ATM machines. These days however the average Thai is a middle class Thai and is relatively well off, can afford a car (clearly a sign of wealth), overseas holidays and can also afford to pay admission rates to tourist sites without having their admission fees subsidized by foreigners, just because the foreigner speaks a different language, has white skin, brown hair and maybe a big nose. Assumptions in Thailand about where you come from are always skin deep - they look at you and decide that you're not a local and charge you more. That's racist in anyone's books, except maybe if you're a Thai apologist. While it's easy enough to avoid it if you speak Thai and it happens at a market (you just bargain further or you move onto another seller as you have choices), the institutionalized dual pricing at tourist sites is what's really bad and needs to be stamped out.

    And you contradict yourself when you say that Thailand is a great place to live and yet say that foreigners shouldn't complain about and go home if they don't like it. Well why should foreigners, particularly expats accept this vile practice, which clearly shows that to any establishment that practices it, foreigners are nothing more than people that can and should be exploited and that they can never be integrated into society unless they qualify for and receive Thai citizenship (which very few do). That's clearly a sign that Thai based expats are treated as second class citizens.

    Imagine if Thais were charged more for being foreigners in the west - they should be, if your argument holds true because after all, if they could afford to buy a place ticket to the west then they must be rich too right? And why shouldn't Americans get a discount for being American back home? Or Australians, Europeans etc.?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      The reality is- the top 20% own 69% of the country's assets while the bottom 20% own only 1%.- 42% of bank savings money comes from only 70,000 bank accounts holding more than 10 million baht. They make up only 0.09% of all bank accounts in the country. In other words, less than 1% of the people own nearly half of the country's savings.- Among the farming families, nearly 20% of them are landless, or about 811,871 families, while 1-1.5 million farming families are tenants or struggling with insufficient land.- 10% of land owners own more than 100 rai each, while the rest 90% own one rai or less.- On income distribution, the top 20% enjoy more than 50% of the gross domestic product while the bottom 20% only 4%.- The average income of the bottom 20% is the same as the poverty line at 1,443 baht per month.- The gap between the richest and poorest family is 13 times, higher than all neighbouring countries.I am all for every family having the same opportunities as mine. And therefore, if I have to pay 100 Baht more for my family to get into a local museum because I earn 10x more than the Thai guy down the road then I am absolutely happy to do that, and would be glad to see his children having access to the same learning experience as mine.You can call it racism, communism or any other type of ism, I call it sharing.
      Reply

      • Bak Sida says

        And what about this elite minority? They still get in at Thai prices? Great.

        Fortunately I've moved on, I'm no longer in Thailand and had forgotten about this silly practice until a reminder popped up in my inbox.

        Back in the real world now and it's made me realise that by and large the moaners there are right. It's a pretty shit country. It doesn't really have very much cultural heritage to speak of because most of the country are still peasant farmers. It's got a few generic Buddhist trinkets which they hype up beyond belief.

        The odd bits of genuinely interesting historical stuff they have are hardly worth visiting because they know SFA about them anyway. You'll find more on Wikipedia or similar than you will with their drivelling Thinglish translations, and tacky gift shops.

        Most times you're being asked to pay for something it's just some tourist clap trap anyway and you're best off avoiding it.

        I was there for 3 years with work and while there were some things I enjoyed, it's rich and unique culture wasn't one of them, and nor was their dimwitted weirdness about foreigners.
        Reply

      • John Cody says

        Don't know where you got these statistics from, but it's a similar story in the west. Why would, or should, any foreigner care about what you just said? You don't make a convincing argument because otherwise American or Australian or European tourist attractions should also be cheaper for locals than for foreigners. That's because only a small percentage of Americans own most of the wealth, the vast majority of the masses have amassed a level of debt that in many cases is higher than their disposable incomes due to credit card, mortgage debt, car payments etc.
        Reply

  3. Farangle says

    Reasonable points but it still grates with me. I live and work in Thailand and pay taxes here, I earn a reasonable wage but not stellar for Bangkok and I meet many Thais who earn double or more what I do. Why should I pay more than someone who earns far more than me simply because of the country that issued my passport.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      I think your situation is slightly different, although most people wouldn't be able to differentiate between a foreigner working here and paying taxes and a tourist of part-time stayer. The fact remains though that the average Thai earns way less than a foreign teacher on a fairly low wage on 35,000 Baht per month, so paying 30 Baht more to get into a national heritage site shouldn't be an issue. The issue I have is that I think the elite class here should pay more taxes and that money should be used to create better social care for the poor, either that or there should be far more concessions for low income earners.My point in this post is that I don't mind paying extra to get into a museum or similar place if it means the extra I pay allows for the same day out to be free or much less for a low income family.I rarely come across dual pricing on food, but then I live in a fairly Thai area. I am friendly with the vendors I buy from and speak enough Thai to put people off trying to overcharge. Of course, every foreigner gets charged more once in a while, most likely without even knowing it. For example I took a 10 Baht motorbike taxi the other day and the guy said 20 baht. I knew it was 10 because I know others who take the route, but I just couldn't be doing with haggling with him over 10 baht, even out of principle - he's never going to get rich doing that job anyway, or nicking the odd 10 baht here and there.have a good day,
      Reply

      • John Cody says

        I think you need to make the distinction between institutionalized dual pricing and where a local vendor tries to extract more money out of you. In the latter case, prices aren't fixed and if you like someone, such as a guide, there's nothing wrong with tipping them or paying them a little extra. That's got nothing to do with dual pricing and I doubt your 10 Baht example is a fixed price either. They probably charge whatever they feel like charging that day - the minimum being 10, sometimes 20, sometimes 30. Unless they have a board with fixed prices, then your example is hearsay. In any case, if you're convinced you were being had, you might want to invest in a motorcycle or car, and then you can drive yourself and do away with at least one form of haggling.

        Personally I own both a car and motorcycle - haven't taken public transport in Thailand for years aside from one or two short distance taxi rides when I was with a friend and parked my car far away or something.
        Reply

  4. Tim says

    Hi Peter,

    If you have savings / a pension that enables you to pay the 'farang' price, then you're very lucky. I've spent most of my working life in Thailand and do not. For other expats in my position, I cordially invite you to 'like' a Facebook community page my wife and I set up (https://www.facebook.com/foreigner.friendly.destinations.in.thailand). Advice is given on how to secure the correct price at Thai tourist sites, as well as details of foreigner-friendly and foreigner-unfriendly destinations. We encourage users to provide feedback on tourist sites too, though this is not compulsory. Look forward to seeing you soon. Many thanks for your time.

    Kind regards,

    Tim
    Reply

  5. Adam @ PergiDulu says

    It's a racist policy, no doubt. If it was about discriminating based on wealth as you say, there would discount cards for poor Thai people. Rich Thai people would be excluded.

    The other thing is that it's not just economics. If it was just economics, the prices would be negotiable and the sellers would take as much money as they could from the buyer usually resulting in rich buyers paying more. But when there is fixed pricing, it doesn't work that way. Indonesians who are on average much poorer than Thais also get slugged with a higher price and are therefore often excluded from some attractions. Because there is no room for them to negotiate or get the poor person's price. It stinks.
    Reply

    • John Cody says

      That's a good point - maybe poor people who earn below a certain amount should get a special card entitling them to a lower price, while everyone else including Thai tourists pay the same as foreigners, meaning there would in effect no longer be a dual pricing structure that merely discriminates on the basis of race or nationality, but simply upon income. That would be reasonable if implemented correctly.
      Reply

  6. Greg says

    Peter, interesting perspective but I don't buy it. While I agree that we do have to deal with it because no amount of whining will change such a deep-held belief, it doesn't mean we have to agree with it or support it.

    Your basic argument is the same one that Thais use to justify double pricing - farang have more money than Thais, so they can afford to pay more. While your second argument that it's based on 'sensible economics' is certainly worth more discussion, the entire scheme is based on assumption and profiling, and upon closer inspection, the whole argument falls apart.

    While I am indeed fortunate enough to make more money than some Thais I know, other Thais I know make much more than I do, and certainly come from families that own property, land and large businesses that pull in more money in a month than I'll see in my lifetime. Following your argument, they should pay more than me. How much? Is it a sliding scale? Should we show our pay slips?

    Further to that, what if two Thais go to the same attraction - Somchai from Bangkok and Pimporn from Buriram. Should Somchai pay more because people from Bangkok have a higher average income than people from Buriram? How finely do you slice it - there are poor people and rich people in Bangkok too - do you divvy it up by neighborhood? And how would the gate attendant of an attraction decide who pays more? Just as they know I'm a farang by my white face, can they assume that because Pimporn has dark skin more commonly seen in Isaan that she from Buriram?

    What if, say, the London Eye charged one price for locals and 3x that price for Thais visiting the UK. Well, they can afford to travel to an expensive country, so shouldn't they pay more than some local high school kid?

    I'm not saying there's an easy answer - I certainly don't have one - I'm just saying the practice if ripe for abuse, and it's a slippery slope to full-on discrimination.
    Reply

  7. Nick says

    This dual pricing in not confined to Thailand, nor even just countries where the difference between expatriate disposable income and that of the locals is vastly skewed. It happens in Italy, France, Romania, Kazakhstan, Russia, Egypt, Libya, Indonesia, Malaysia and I am sure many other places. This my friends is a fact of life. "you have , they want, you want, thy price themselves into the game. If you have ever been to the waterbom park in Bali, be prepared :)Admittedly, this was some years ago but I took my family of 4. The entrance price was (from memory now) $26 USD for an adult and $16 USD for a child, eldest son was 11 but looked like 15 to the local so we are at 3 adults and 1 child, total $88 AUD. This is entrance fee only, see above link for what you also need... who cares, right? I am on holiday... woohoo! Whilst paying, a local family consisting of Father, Mother, what looked like 9 children and a baby. Total cost 1500 Rp. Exchange rate was @ 4500 Rp. to the USD. I watched my children having fun and I watched that local family having fun... It was worth every cent and as for the price difference? As some of the posters have said, the reason that local family was able to go was my subsidy of them through the ticket price for foreigners. Once you remove the local element through inability to pay the entrance fee, you need to seriously ask yourself why did you go to another country for a holiday anyway.New Year greetings to all!PS For those that may be still working the math out, the local family paid 30 cents and we paid 396,000 Rp. :) will leave the rest of the math to you!
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Thanks for relaying that experience Nick. That's quite a big difference in pricing, and just goes to show that we're probably getting off lightly in Thailand :) I've never seen entrance fees with that much of a divide here. Like you say, it's rewarding to see locals enjoying the same experiences with their children as more privileged foreigners.
      Reply

  8. Steven says

    I have to completely disagree with all of you. I think dual pricing is disgraceful and racist. If this was done in the west you would be up in court on discrimination charges. Where do you come up with this ludricus notion that just because foreigners have or are perceived to have more money they should be charged more. It's corrupt practices like this in all levels of Thai society and people putting up with it and not standing up for their rights is what is holding this country back. I don't stand for it and if I go somewhere with dual pricing I vote with my feet and go elsewhere.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      It's not a perceived notion that foreigners living in Thailand have more money than the average Thai, it's the truth. Why should a foreigner who earns 10x what the average Thai does not pay $2 more for entry to a museum? What's the alternative? That all museums and cultural places of interest are only accessible to foreigners and middle-upper class Thais. For example, if a foreign recording artist, say Lady Gaga, for example, holds a concert in Bangkok, a Thai guy earning 15,000 Baht a month isn't going to be able to afford to take his daughters along at 3,000 Baht a ticket. The concert is likely to be full of foreigners living in Thailand and the kids of rich Thais. Providing concessions through dual pricing for low earners mobilises people, and that's wholly positive for society. Personally I hate going to nice places and only ever seeing expats and the upper echelons of society. People always point the finger at the lower classes for not educating themselves and only ever sitting around watching TV. But if they can't afford to go on days out to the zoo, museum, a concert, or enrole their kids in extra curricular activities because the prices are structured for higher earners then what can we expect them to do with their lives.You're absolutely right. It is corruption that holds Thailand back. And it's that corruption that keeps the majority living on the breadline. I agree, people should stand up for their rights, and with living costs on the rise the minimum wage must be increased across the board. There also needs to be a social welfare system, and men need to be held accountable for their offspring. Until such issues are addressed, I don't have a problem paying a couple of bucks more here and there so others can enjoy the same things i do.
      Reply

      • bibblies says

        While I can see an argument for Thai taxpayers paying less (or nothing) for public attractions or facilities or goods, there is none for private ones. And it's laughable and naive to theorise that such people are nobly using the extra money to subsidise poorer folk. It's pure chancing or racism, based on what they think each customer can pay and they simply pocket the difference. There is no logic in your theory. A lot of the attractions don't even get many foreigners. In that case, they can't be subsidising anything.
        Reply

      • John Cody says

        LOL, you said: "That all museums and cultural places of interest are only accessible to foreigners and middle-upper class Thais."

        Yes, that's exactly it. The museums and cultural places of interest are all made with this demographic in mind. They certainly aren't attracting your Somchai rice farmers and unskilled labourers.

        Since when can Somchai afford to pay even 100 Baht to see a cultural attraction?
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          You're quoting me out of context there. Please read the full comment I made.I have to disagree. If the dinosaur exhibition was 50 Baht per person for low income earners I'm quite sure lots of average families would go. I've been to a ton of places in Thailand where it's cheap to get in and Thai families are enjoying the day out. But it costs to run these places; to pay the staff and the upkeep. So that's part of my point: If those earning under 15k get a concession to get in, but me, the guy earning a ton more than that has to pay an extra 2 quid to get in, I'm cool with that on the basis that it's accessible for the lower earners and their families get to enjoy the same as mine. Of course, I fully expect the hi-so Thais to pay the higher amount too.I'm not cool with paying more for attractions on the basis of being white, but I'm cool with lower pricing for low income earners. But as for the local economy and dual pricing, this is not about race. I get a cheaper price from my fruit lady than most Thais. I've seen jaws drop to the floor when they see what price I'm being given. This is how it works in Thailand. She's a good friend now and I've been going there for years.
          Reply

  9. Jon says

    Often times Thai people have to deal with the same tuk-tuk double-pricing. It may not be as bad as Foreigners, but scams can happen with the locals also. Like the time that Siam Paragon taxi stand had no taxis. Yes, I could have walked to an alternate location and scoped a taxi there, but I had a lot of stuff with me. the tuk tuks stopped and would ask people how much to go a nearby location, they were quoting 200-400 baht to places that should have been 50-100 baht MAX. People turned their heads in disgust, especially one thai lady. But the tuk-tuks had the upper hand (and they knew it) because it weren't any taxis and about 20 people waiting at the time. I caved in because I had a train to catch, but it did leave a small salty taste in my mouth.

    And let's not talk about Phuket taxi and any concept of fair pricing in the same sentence.

    On the flip side, I have to look at all of the "
    free lunches    " that I've gotten (collectively) while in Thailand and that 200 baht tuk tuk was just one of those things that you have to suck it up and smile about as part of the dues you pay.

    I'm okay with double-pricing when I know ahead of time what the deal is. But if a venue is supposed to be one price, and I am quoted another, it's a whole different ball game. As I understand it, if you have a thai id or identification such as a residence certificate, work permit, or even a local thai bank card, you can get into some of the places at local prices.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      I agree on the tuk tuk thing. I was shopping with my wife last week, and after we came out we had to join a queue of Thais and foreigners who were all being subjected to taxis and tuk tuks quoting 200 Baht for 50-70 Baht fares. My wife refused to pay, and after 10 minutes of her telling off each driver as they quoted, a tuk tuk agreed to take us for 100 Baht. This practice is usually limited however to specific tourist shopping districts.As you rightly say, if the double pricing is fixed in advance then it's one thing, but venues/services making up on the spot is unacceptable.
      Reply

  10. Brian Binns says

    Thanks for this commons sense, grown-up and compassionate article about ไทย / ฝรั่ง $ราคา . . . sometimes, I must admit, that I feel myself getting pissed off when I hear about how Thai people perceive farang as walking ATMs . . . but thankfully, I soon realize that the feeling was just my knee-jerk, simplistic response to perceived insult. What it really is, is myself/Farang brushing up against uncomfortable "reality" . . . the "reality" that must be lived by other people who did not win the birth lottery of entry into a first-world nation with at least a semblence of potential upward mobility for the "Average Joe" if he/she decides to work for it . . . what always amazes me, is people's inability to see beyond their own short-sighted feelings . . . We (i.e., most of us average westerners) have options both geographic and economic that most Thais can only dream of . . . I would like to think I am a grown-up in this big world, I have no problem with the dual-economy - and if the western money that I contribute might allow for a hard working thai lower/middle class family to have a dinner out and a movie night together - then I am thankful for that.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Brian, you're absolutely right. It's up to us to see the true reality because we have been blessed with the insight. Of course, the average Thai person's idea of how much money the average foreigner living in Thailand has is perhaps often misguided, and it isn't easy to accept that at times behind the smile is a person who sees dollar signs and nothing more than a "farang", but then how different is this to any other place in the world? But not everyone is like that, and like you say it's often perceived insult rather than a reality. We are lucky to live here, and privileged to be well received by the majority; so instead of grumbling over a few quid we should be more willing to contribute where we can to help the average Thai family. Have a great Christmas!
      Reply

      • Hofat d'Amato says

        Actually, it's not really racism. Most Thais and other Asians as well see Westerners such as these presenting arguments comprising such bent logic as absolute idiots. Hence, you are their walking ATM machine.
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          Localised economies exist all over the world, even in the UK among ethnic and rural communities. The post seeks to explore the cultural/historic influences on this such as the barter economy that still exists with economies in Asia and Africa. The idea is to take the debate beyond the simple notion of racism. Feel free to disagree, but please do better than to just sling insults and sarcasm around.
          Reply

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