Thailand News
Foreigners take aim at dual pricing
An online movement is gathering momentum to publicize the widespread practice of charging foreigners as much as 10 times what Thais pay at local tourist attractions.
The timing is particularly appropriate since the country is still closed to foreign travelers. Consequently, the tourism industry is relying on domestic travelers for survival. That includes tens of thousands of expatriates who live in the country year-round and pay taxes.
Foreigners who pay 300 baht to enter a national park while Thais pay 30 baht are now sharing their experiences and posting photographic evidence on the Facebook page 2PriceThailand, which has attracted 6,800 members since it was created on June 16. A companion Twitter account, Two Price Thailand, is also online with 2,100 followers.
The Facebook group is the brainchild of Richard Barrow, a longtime British expat and well-known travel blogger with more than 160,000 followers on Twitter.
“We don’t think it is fair that some tourist attractions disguise the fact that they have a dual-price system,” writes Mr. Barrow, who is the administrator of the Facebook page.
The reference is to venues that post the prices for Thai visitors in Thai numerals, which most foreigners cannot read. Consequently, they may not realize a Thai is paying far less.
“Our opinion is that if they want to overcharge foreign tourists by as much as 200% then that is their decision. But, don’t do it in a way that is both sneaky and insulting,” said Mr Barrow.
“Many Thais and foreigners agree that the dual pricing system is hurting the image of both the tourism industry and Thailand itself. Thai people are internationally known for their kind and generous hospitality. The actions of a few tourist attractions are damaging that reputation.
“We respectfully request a transparent pricing system in Thailand as the first step. But, ultimately we would like to see the #2PriceThailand policy abolished.”
Many of the contributors to the Facebook page contend that as year-round residents and taxpayers, they should be treated the same as Thais when it comes to traveling in the country.
“They weren’t interested that we worked in Thailand and had Thai spouses,” wrote Katherine Salmon of her experience at Sa Morakot (Emerald Pool), a popular attraction in Krabi, where Thais are charged 20 baht and foreigners 200 baht.
At Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, which straddles Loei, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun, admission for Thai adults is 40 baht but foreigners pay 500 baht.
At Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, the Thai and foreign prices are 50 and 300 baht respectively. Christoph Ladisch posted a picture of a sign in English which notes that discounts used to be available for foreigners who held a work permit and driver’s license, but that policy was canceled in February 2015.
Not all the news is bad, and there are also numerous posts about destinations that are easier on foreigners’ wallets.
Corina Martin wrote: “Just been to the Phuket Thai Hua Museum in Phuket old town and they gave us a reduced price as we are work permit holders. We paid 100 baht, not quite the Thai price of 50 but at least better than the foreign visitor price of 200 baht.
“Would be nice if they just changed their fees to include Thais and expats as resident rates. We all pay taxes here after all,” she wrote.
The two-price issue was raised at a recent panel discussion on the tourism outlook at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand.
Tanes Petsuwan, deputy governor for marketing communications for the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said he was not happy about foreigners being subject to dual pricing. He said he had already raised the issue with officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment about the situation in the parks.
“We’d better treat them as equal. … This would be a very good time to reform tourism and make it right,” he said.
Leisure tourists who would like to visit Thailand during a soft reopening may have to spend at least 14 days within designated areas, though a negative test for Covid-19 after two weeks would free them to go anywhere in the country.
Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the tourism, and sports minister said his ministry has talked with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha about creating a travel bubble for tourists, requiring them to plan a trip with a minimum 14-day stay.
Instead of being kept in quarantine, tourists could still travel within five designated areas: Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phuket, and Pattaya.
After two weeks, foreign tourists must get another swab test to ensure they are virus-free before being approved to continue their excursion to other destinations.
The ministry regularly talks with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration about the travel bubble plan, which is expected to be concluded in July.
The scheme will be proposed to the full-body chaired by Gen Prayut at a later stage.
Mr. Phiphat said he still hopes to launch the travel bubble scheme in tandem with low-risk countries in August, as domestic tourism alone cannot fully revive the battered tourism industry.
Although the government is introducing domestic stimulus schemes, domestic tourism activity can make up just 40-45% of tourism revenue.
“It is important to bring inbound visitors to help fill a big vacant spot in tourism revenue and support operators,” Mr Phiphat said. “But they have to travel with the new practice instead.”
The five designated areas for leisure tourists are set to receive the first batch of leisure guests after the Tourism Authority of Thailand conducted a survey with locals and some 74% of respondents agreed with introducing travel bubbles with strict measures.
Source: Foreigners take aim at dual pricing
(Photo from 2PriceThailand Facebook page)
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