The sneaky two prize system at the Asiatique Ferris Wheel in Bangkok
We all know the hated two-price system in Thailand. For foreigners, sometimes even double is charged for the entrance to a nature park, museum or other government institutions.
The reason for this form of discrimination is that foreigners are rich and can therefore pay more than Thais. You can agree or not, but there's not much you can do about it. Sometimes showing a Thai driver's license can help.
It's even more annoying when it happens secretly. So charge a higher price for foreigners without making it known.
Fellow blogger Richard Barrow previously wrote on his blog that the Ferris wheel at Asiatique The Riverfront in Bangkok applies rather dubious rules.
Asiatique The Riverfront mainly has the wealthier Thai as a target group and of course hordes of tourists. There is therefore no reason to charge a surcharge for a Ferris wheel ticket. After Barrows addressed it on his blogs and Facebook page, the Ferris Wheel withdrew the two-prize system. But now that all the fuss has died down, it appears that this attraction has continued as before.
The price shown is 250 baht. It is not stated whether this applies to foreigners or Thais. When Barrows went to look again last weekend, it turned out that they again use two prices. Thai people only pay 200 baht.
Barrow therefore calls for a boycott of the Ferris wheel and, above all, to inform everyone of the sneaky way people are trying to get foreigners to pay more.
I agree. It's not about the 50 baht, but about the sneaky way. In addition, you send the wrong signal if you regard every farang as a kind of cash cow.
What do you think about that? Give your reaction.
That is now really Thailand in its entirety, just don't go anymore. Why should a two-price system be calculated in these kinds of attractions. It is the same with the falang as with the Thais. You have poor falangs,
Falangs who have it a bit better, Falangs who have it very well and rich Falangs. The same as in other countries. So just one price for everyone.
Sorry, I can't worry too much about that. We have it better than an average Thai. It's just that it happens secretly, that's not right. And the difference doesn't run in euros. In many countries people charge 2 prices, but there they do it even smarter. Gr.
Dear Net,
If people no longer worry about these kinds of things, then at least you don't have to worry about fraud on a large scale.
Fraud and deceit often starts on a small scale and it is good to point this out to these types of companies (or in politics) to people.
Fortunately, there are people who DO care about that… that is always the beginning of a better world.
Thanks to these people you can buy things from good companies that care about fair trade without trickery and cheating.
My opinion is therefore….. good that people speak out on precisely these kinds of matters to prevent corruption.
What a hassle Just pay and don't create stress.
Gerrit
Boycott that wheel with those rats.
Just what the upstairs neighbor says.
Not all of us have problems pushing those stacks in the closet straight.
Sometimes in a market they try it too.
They say with a smiling face 100 baht, while it is around 40.
If I then ask if they are crazy, it is; “”haha, was a joke”””
Would like to give a free face lift at that time, with my nails that is.
I'm going to file them down.
LOUISE
You simply cannot forget that as a Farang you are always considered a walking ATM machine.
The land of smiles for the Thai will become the land of grimaces for the weekday tourist.
Agree with the above. It happens to me a lot. This year in Mse Rum in the tiger zoo and the monkey park. The Aquarium in Bkk also used that. If everyone avoids it, it will change.
BM
Not a hair on my head that thinks about stepping into that wheel when one uses 2 prices. And secretly too. Disgusting. Incidentally, in some cases I have no problem paying more than a Thai, BV, a museum or national park. In the Netherlands, many museums and the like are partially subsidized and I think it's crazy that I indirectly pay for an entrance ticket for a tourist. Just have no idea what that would mean for tourism so ………
It is indeed not about the 50 bath, but it does give you a bad feeling. I totally agree to boycott this attraction. Personally, I think Asiatique is one big fairground attraction and you know in advance that you pay more here than elsewhere. You're not missing anything if you haven't been here.
I have experienced it before in Thailand, but also in surrounding countries. Since then I always let my (Thai) girlfriend buy the (entrance) tickets and I keep waiting out of sight of the cash register. Also in shops or markets, if she wants to buy a bag, shoes or dress, I make sure I'm not standing near her. If they realize that she has a farang with her, the price will skyrocket. And since she buys a lot of her own money and therefore wants to pay the lowest price, she usually asks me to wait a little further. Usually I drink a nice cold Singa.
What nonsense! The same happens in the USA, as a tourist you pay more than the Americans! And what about the supermarkets in the Netherlands on the coast, which give their own residents discount coupons that you don't get as a holidaymaker there! Worry about real things! This is happening worldwide.!
Dear,
I once experienced myself I wanted to watch Thai boxing, it was almost the start fight. There were a lot of Thai people in front of the entrance, suddenly there was a shout and everyone went to the hall where the ring was without a ticket. So I join that and get stopped because I don't have a ticket..... And ask for an explanation because everyone around me just walks in.
Only explanation was buy ticket…. Without further ado, a Thai goes for free and because you are white you pay 1500 baht.
I kindly thanked you for it and continued calmly.
Dear B, you don't pay more because you're white (you might think so), you pay more because you're a falang, which word is synonymous with …………….. (fill in yourself!).
Think of it as: a residence tax. But I do agree that it shouldn't be done secretly!
A ride with the elephant in Ayutthaya, after a visit to the ruins, etc. Well, I had to pay twice as much as my Thai friend, and found it annoying to be exploited every time. Now it was not about 50 THB, but some 100 and more. So I asked the mahout 'Sir, can you tell me why falang pays 2 time more than Thai?' answer: 'falang 2 time more big then Thai'. Well what do you say to that.
Furthermore, I agree with the system of 2 prices: but only if this is clearly indicated, AND if it concerns tempe visits; museums, national heritage, etc
Moderator: You are chatting.
The hated two-price system is, in my view, an expression of racial discrimination.
It is mainly the white Westerners who are the victims of paying more.
Other Asians often pay the Thai price.
Imagine that in the Netherlands an amusement park, just to name a few, would charge a higher price for the Asians, or even worse dark-skinned anti-black Pete activists, the Netherlands was too small, and immediately a whole legion of prodeo criminal lawyers would be ready, spurred on by a regiment of do-goods, who would immediately challenge the amusement park for the magisterial judges.
Just imagine the journalistic furor.
The Netherlands was too small…
And then there are fellow countrymen who believe that you shouldn't be difficult, just pay more, shut up and "enjoy".
Because we are richer than the average Thai, aren't we?
Do not think so!
Boycott that bite!
Give it a lot of publicity, call in the national press if necessary, what am I saying, enlist the help of the united EU ambassadors and consuls.
In short, expose this racial disfigurement by any means necessary.
Just pay?
Well no.
HansNL, you are going way too far! Uncalled for. Has something of intolerance, while the double pricing system has nothing to do with racial discrimination, but only with unilateral 'positive' discrimination of the contents of the wallet by Thai standards, especially of falang. That other Asians, for example, pay a Thai entrance fee is justified in that sense, given their meager wallet content, again compared to falang. That does not apply to every Asian. Indonesian acquaintances of mine also paid a falang price, where the cashier had looked at their outfit.
It is indeed irritating that it is not clearly indicated everywhere that falang is more calculated than 'own people', but Europe is also starting to suffer from the latter, not least in the Netherlands. Less high of the tower and stick to the facts, is my motto. That's the best way to straighten things out. Ultimately, this also works in Thailand. And remember: in the end we are richer than the Thai, it is okay to ask for a little more, as long as it remains fair.
That argument of the falang is richer than the Thai is in many cases nonsense, once went with the pujaban to the hot spring on Phuket, the man was not poor, which was also visible in the clothing and car, however, I was allowed to pay double the rate again .
That Thai are richer in a number of cases is true, but no more than that. It is known that about 20% of the Thai form an upper layer, but that is no different in NL. The middle class is growing, but with an average income of ThB 30 per month, they do not match the average Dutch pensioner, not to mention the average holiday budgets of the average tourist (not being a backpacker). Opposite that one richly dressed pujiban I easily put several impoverished villagers, whose young people among them don't even have the chance to climb the social ladder. That situation is partly responsible for how Thais still look at falang. "They are richer, anyway, purely because they were born as falang." Before this stereotyping is gone, there is a bit of dueling, as is also the case with regard to the stereotypical view of falang towards Thai.
Something for the United Nations? They also get involved with our Black Petes, so they have too much time and can keep themselves busy with this. Candy trip BKk much more interesting than Groningen? Or not, or is it?
This is a Dutch attraction, which is operated by a
Swiss company!!!
Too many wealthy Thai and foreign companies abuse Thai customary law to legally overcharge the tourist. I haven't read any really good arguments to justify this. I can't do much with the words nonsense, whining and you-baking about the situations in other countries.
http://www.parkspot.eu/nl/2013/02/dutch-wheels-asiatique-sky/
Nice to know that this attraction is operated by Dutch and Swiss. If it were entirely in Thai hands, there is a good chance that such a swing will fall down sometime. Extra annoying if you have also paid too much.
Bastard behavior I don't have another word for it when I see it then I don't turn around.
Something for the travel agency, s.? Wouldn't be wrong to think about that extensively because they don't calculate it with the Chinese either.
Just don't go along, once went to a shopping mall in Bangkok, on the roof was a zoo
we took the elevator up, there was a lady at the cash register, she charged me a higher price than before
my wife, to which I asked her if I could see more expensive monkeys, after an evasive answer I decided
to go down again, at the time there was a tops there, drank coffee there and waited for woman and
children were bored, it is not about the 100 bath, but about the principle.
Dear people, what the hell are we worrying about !!
About an entrance ticket, which is perhaps 5 to 10 times more expensive in the Netherlands !!
And by the way, this is happening worldwide!!
And if you think it's too expensive, you just walk past!
I think 250 to 200 baht is still not too bad.
I have experienced 200 (myself) at 20 (my wife) for an attraction that incidentally had nothing to do with it. So ten times as much. And do I earn 10 times as much as an average Thai? I do not think so.
I will not pay this kind of price difference in the future.
Of course, tourists on average have more to spend than the average Thai. But don't forget that those same tourists have paid an expensive plane ticket to travel to the 'cheap' Thailand.
As far as I am concerned, action can be taken against this two-price system.
Of course that's not the way it should be.
In other countries you also have this, at least
this is the case in Spain.
I also had the same experience at two locations in Thailand.
If you are alone in front of a counter, then it is not too bad if this happens to you
because then you miss the comparison.
But in the company of a Thai, it gives a different feeling, I think.
Sincerely,
jhvd
Actually, I have to laugh at some bloggers who talk about bullshit and what are you worried about… Bet my money they are more on the penny than the ones who talk about 50 bht. For me it is simple: a matter of principle is a matter of principle even if it concerns 0,0000001 bht!
My thought on this.
You need money to keep a park or zoo open. To keep them accessible to the ordinary Thai, the entrance price must be low, otherwise he cannot afford it and he will not come.
The park might not be able to survive at the price the Thai pays
That might be possible from the money that the fallang pays more . And also can enjoy the ordinary Thai
of that park. If you see it that way, I have no problem with it. The same is happening all over the world
Go on vacation. To Spain France Italy just to name a few.
You will be robbed all around and that is not about a few euros
If I contribute to it by paying a little more and there by offering the Thai the opportunity that he also has a nice day with his kids. Now everyone mad at me. But then I do it with pleasure.
I know very well what it is like when you have nothing
cave Kees
Dear Kees, in principle I agree with you. At least if it turned out that way. However, I fear that the extra that shocks the farang in the drawer will disappear somewhere in a nice bungalow or expensive car of the director and his family.
What a fuss over something trivial. In this case it is very clear. The asking price is 250 baht and if you are Thai you get a 50 baht discount (also for the rich Thai, which of course you cannot check whether a Thai is rich, average or poor). But let's assume that 90% of the Thai are poorer than the average farang. It would have been different if they advertised 200 bath and then you have to pay 250 bath. I have absolutely no problem with the 2 prize system, as long as it is not run over the top. Let's be honest; the average Thai is a lot poorer than the average Farang. And that they charge 2 prices, because the Thai think that Farangs can pay more, then that is also the case in 90% of the cases. Fair system? No. But understandable? Yes. If you can afford a ticket to Thailand for 800 euros, then you shouldn't complain about the 2 price system. You have that everywhere in Thailand whether you go to a museum, a waterfall, an amusement park or a museum. And of course that is incomprehensible from a Farang approach. But that also says something about the narrow-mindedness of the farangs, that they absolutely do not understand the Thai way of thinking. The same goes for traffic: If you have an accident, they don't look at who was at fault, but who can pay the bill. And I do have reservations about that!! Maybe that's more a topic to talk about than about the 50 bath post, Regards Hans
I understand that people find this very annoying, but as far as I'm concerned you just shouldn't go to these kinds of attractions. In fact, you can put a visit to Laos out of your mind because Thais can enter the country for free while we have to do a lot of cleaning.
Protesting will be pointless I'm afraid. Knowing the Thais, they simply raise the prices in the event of disappointing visitor numbers, TIT!
mr. Hans I am Thai and you may find it trivial it is and remains a form of discrimination and I am sure if this happened in the Netherlands or Belgium you would soon have problems.
You act as if paying a little more if farang is normal and you express it as trifling posturing … well Mr. Hans sometimes I can get very annoyed as a Thai .. because what do they achieve with that that much less farang visit the attractions …. so less income, while if there were the same price for everyone, there would be much more visitors and the price difference would not be necessary because the more visitors would exceed that …. and Mr. Hans or Gerrit and Co. we are not going to create stress from that extra price because we just don't go there, but we do have stress from farang who just think that and accept everything .. because many Thais think that they can afford everything.
Personally, I think that attractions should first of all be open about the prices. So if there are already double prices, clearly state this and no hidden discounts or anything like that. Higher prices for foreigners (read: tourists, not people who live and work in Thailand and are subject to taxation like any Thai) is understandable if the attraction is maintained with common money: museums etc. that are maintained by tax money or of national importance and are therefore considered to be as low-threshold as possible. You can then calculate a normal price for tourists (cost price plus small profit margin) and for residents at or below cost price.
For private attractions I think it's ridiculous. That is simply judging people on their origin: if you live and work in Thailand as a foreigner and you do not have your driver's license or other proof of (semI) permanent residence with you, you may still have to pay the high tourist price. And an Asian from a neighboring country may be wrongly charged the “Thai” price instead of the tourist price. The less duplicate prizes the better, so no one has to feel caught. I prefer voluntary contributions such as a tip box or charity box. If I go to a tourist temple, I also refuse to pay a tourist entrance fee. I prefer to spend the same or a higher number of baths on a merit making and/or donation to the donation box. It's not about those few bahts (although I think a doubling or tenfold increase of the entrance fee is absurd!!), it's about being treated with respect and not being seen as a walking ATM.
I'm going next weekend and I think I'll leave the Ferris wheel for what it is.
I have experienced it several times, for example at a zoo in Phuket and it still gives me a bad feeling.
Definitely a fuss over almost nothing. Went to the zoo on Phuket with my girlfriend in 2007 and had to pay 100 bath for my girlfriend and 1000 bath for myself, which was also indicated.
I don't know how it is now, unfortunately, but I thought that was a rip off of the farang at the time.
greetings Roel
If one wishes to use two prices in connection with the “rich tourist”, in whatever country, one must show this honestly, clearly and transparently. Showing the high price and secretly charging a lower price for the local population is not correct. In the long term, this also damages tourism, trust and thus your intended goal, to keep an event running and to earn money with it. Always such a shame!
I just think this is nonsense for nothing!
One experiences a backlog and immediately feels shot in the wings? You don't have to go to Thailand to pay a tourist price! I have been to several countries and have always experienced that the tourist, especially those who do not speak the local language, pay a higher price.
Oa. USA, Cuba, Brazil! And there it happens in a much more insidious way! And the prices are also much higher!
What do you think the tourist in Amsterdam pays for trinkets and the like? Yes, and then it was quiet…
Yes, it was quiet then, because you had stopped, But you are right, this is just posturing.
And I think we have freedom of expression, but it is certainly not posturing, there are many falangs here who enjoy an AOW and if they are lucky a pension or a pension. For those people it is hard reality. And certainly for those people who officially live here and are deregistered. Because they don't have all those advantages of the Netherlands and now I untie the rowing boat, or throw the bat in the keeper's cage. Often wrongly eating both ways.
And actually, what do they call that cheating or fraud. Yes Yes And then it was quiet or all hell broke loose. Regards.
We were in the museum in Chiang Mai. When I asked a Thai what the entrance fee was, all I got was a smile. My Dutch wife arrived and can read the Thai script and it was neatly stated what the Thai have to pay. The entrance fee was also in Thai. In this case it is not done secretly, only you must be able to read the writing. In the end, we paid the Thai price on presentation of our driver's licenses. In the Netherlands you have the annual museum card, air miles, discount coupons, which means that the tourist also pays more.
@ Admee (oddly enough, on my Iphone no more "you are responding to" indent message opens when I click on "reply"): pricing in Thai script is just as sneaky as no price listing. Well, unless you find it soothing that if you think a little bit you know you're screwed when the tourist prices are in Arabic numerals (0-9) and the Thai prices in Thai script and number notation (
๐–๙). True open communication is when you write text in Eneks and Thai with all numbers in Arabic notation and include all prices. As a visitor you can see whether you pay more or not and you can decide whether you think a possible price difference is justified or not.
Dear reader
Went to the Floating market Pattaya this weekend I didn't want to go there but my Thai daughter-in-law and her husband (had sorted this out) they were allowed to walk on like this I got angry and showed my Thai driver's license eventually had to go all the way back and a free sticker pick up and then I was also allowed in for free. For example, if I have to pay 100 baht with my Thai driver's license at the wooden temple on Naklua and not 500, that Temple would have seen me with Dutch friends who visit me on average 10/20 times a year, now I've been there once some things work averechs(I emailed them once no reply) it's the closest attraction to my house
Kind Regards Peter Yai
Do you know how this came about, that double price system? Whoever started it back in the 70s was the Chinese owner of the crocodile farm in Samut Prakan. Went there with my Thai neighbor and family (1976) paid them, I thought 30 baht and I 300!!! Was in 1976! Everywhere in Thailand I paid the normal price that Thais also paid, except for that bastard from the crocodile farm, yes, I also told him well what I thought of him, nothing helped.
The worst thing is that if I go somewhere with my wife, son and daughter and I have to pay more as a father and husband, what do you think goes through my son and daughter's mind?
If my son wants to go somewhere, he will go there with friends and their Thai family because his father is a F...... farang and is looked down upon. Both my son and daughter are adults.
And those guys who say 'what the heck' are airheads who make my blood boil and make me furious.
This man has always pulled out his wallet for his family. And probably given more than its fair share to Thai society. As a stench of thanks, he is humiliated at the entrance, taken out of the Thai (family) group and can pay the grand prize or be excluded from his family. Welcome To Thailand!
Dear Theo
Calm down but think about your heart. We are not the youngest anymore. Let me have been there now
no Chinese seen in 76.
You and many with you are very concerned that they have to pay a little more in the zoo or museums
Now it may be that I don't understand something. But anyone who has been to Thailand more often
Must know that a farang always pays more than the Thai. Whether that's on the market in a food stall on the beach and so on. That you paid Theo as much as the Thai everywhere in 76.
That's great, I haven't been able to do that yet. My children and my wife don't have to pay the more price either. We just joke about that and don't worry about it
And they are certainly not ashamed because their Father is a Farang.
The people who don't care so much about it are certainly not empty-headed
If you go on holiday in the Netherlands and you want to stay at a campsite in some hole for 3 weeks, you have to pay tourist tax. The people who live in that hole don't have to
And then we are talking about 240 euros for 2 people on a season basis, which is quite a bit
It's the same everywhere. Don't worry Thailand is the land of smiles
Sincerely, Kees
Talk about discussion.
If you don't agree with him you are an "empty head" and his blood will boil. !!!!!! That Theo
I live in Thailand for about 10 years and go everywhere Often with Thai friends and “collect”
And I've never felt looked down upon.
Comments like this don't make things any better.
Gerrit
At the Borobudur in Indonesia you also pay more than a local, much more, even a different entrance, takes hours to get there, of course you pay!
I think you should make a difference between cultural heritage / temples on the one hand and tourist attractions on the other.
In the first case, I think it's okay that a Thai can visit the Grand Palace for free, while the farang pays for it. After all, it is a tourist attraction for the latter.
In the second case, when it comes to a Ferris wheel, for example, I think a price difference is nonsense. After all, there is no difference in intention between a Thai and a farang to use this attraction.
as long as we are able to buy a ticket to Thailand, we should not grumble about the two-price system, there is hardly any Thai who can afford a ticket to the Netherlands, let alone that the accommodation costs here in the Netherlands for the vast majority of the Thai people is simply priceless.
I have not yet heard a good argument from the "proponents" of the dual pricing system.
Pointing to other countries in the world is no excuse. And in the Netherlands, I thought, this practice is not even allowed by law. The unjust municipal tourist taxes in the Netherlands apply to everyone.
I dispute that Thai prices are very low. The Open Air Museum in Arnhem, for example, costs between 200 and 600 baht for each adult (depending on the season). And this museum is really a wonderful place to spend a whole day. For the Thai (privately owned!) Thai Human Imagery Museum I paid 300 baht and I was already outside after 25 minutes! (A Thai, who arrived with me, in his new 1 million baht Isuzu, paid 60 baht.) That tourists are richer than Thais is also a bogus argument. Some are, others are not. Thailand is no longer a developing country, but a country with growing prosperity. It is ridiculous that in such a country National Parks and private attractions (of wealthy businessmen) should be maintained by a group of outsiders who don't look Thai.
Some of us are happy to pay this bill. Maybe they hope for less cheap, low-class tourists in their area, or it just makes them feel good and it's all just peanuts. Where is their limit? If a taxi driver charges 500 baht for a 3 km ride? Unthinkable? In Phuket it is already the practice of the day.
Just read this:
http://www.2pricethailand.com/
Dear Egenio
You don't necessarily have to be in favor of that system. No one here says that either
Thailand is again very much counted on something that simply occurs all over the world
That's no reason to excuse it. No, certainly not, but what is the reason that you are not allowed to say that
If a Hilversummer stands on a campsite in Hilversum, he does not pay tourist tax
Come on BV. then you pay for it. A Thai will therefore pay tourist tax everywhere.
A resident of the place where he stands does not have to
that the Dutch Tourist (some) would not have more to spend if the Thai is really Kul
I live in a rented house I don't have as much to spend as my neighbor the houses are identical
The neighbor pays 250 euros more than me. Is that fair? I am happy that thanks to my neighbor paying a little more I can stay in my house
I view the system in Thailand in that light. That in many cases it is abused is a completely different story.