Additionally "logic" and "Thailand" should not be used in the same sentence.
Farang /Thai Pricing System
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margaretcarnes
- Rock Star
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- Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:28 am
- Location: The Rhubarb Triangle
Farang/Thai pricing system
Ozuncle makes a valid point there based on sound economics, and probably true of taxi drivers everywhere. But its a shame Cowtown has had a bad egg experience in Chat Chai. I used to stick to the same stalls there and always found them very fair when they get to know you. Especially the lovely old lady on one of the vegetable stalls (who had to hand over to her daughter a few years ago, but the good service continued.)
I do think that you have to browse and take your time over purchases in Chat Chai. The traders seem to appreciate it when you ask about their produce and take an interest, which I know is difficult with eggs!
I do think that you have to browse and take your time over purchases in Chat Chai. The traders seem to appreciate it when you ask about their produce and take an interest, which I know is difficult with eggs!
A sprout is for life - not just for Christmas.
Some dear friends just came back from Phuket and were charge double that their Thai mates were for the same meal at an Indian place. When they questioned this charge the manager came over and said to them " you pay money and f#*@ away".
They were pretty shocked especially as they had young kids with them but paid up. As they left the place they warned intending customers at the door of their treatment and the staff set upon them threating to call in the cops.
Needless to say that they were pretty upset about this.
They were pretty shocked especially as they had young kids with them but paid up. As they left the place they warned intending customers at the door of their treatment and the staff set upon them threating to call in the cops.
Needless to say that they were pretty upset about this.
Complexity is so simply overrated
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Wanderlust
- Legend
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- Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2004 12:27 pm
- Location: Hua Hin
deepee,
I would suggest to your friends that they publicise this as much as possible, on forums such as this (but particularly ones aimed at Phuket visitors), to the local Phuket newspapers, and even report the incident to the local tourist office, who i am sure would take a dim view of it (not necessarily the dual pricing but the hostile reaction). Name and shame, so please find out the name of the restaurant and make it available by PM for those interested - I would suggest posting it directly but in the interests of fair play (as in we only have one side of the story) via PM would be best. A Phuket restaurant is unlikely to see or reply on this forum but might on a local one. They could also contact the owner of the restaurant if that is someone other than dealt with them initially.
I would suggest to your friends that they publicise this as much as possible, on forums such as this (but particularly ones aimed at Phuket visitors), to the local Phuket newspapers, and even report the incident to the local tourist office, who i am sure would take a dim view of it (not necessarily the dual pricing but the hostile reaction). Name and shame, so please find out the name of the restaurant and make it available by PM for those interested - I would suggest posting it directly but in the interests of fair play (as in we only have one side of the story) via PM would be best. A Phuket restaurant is unlikely to see or reply on this forum but might on a local one. They could also contact the owner of the restaurant if that is someone other than dealt with them initially.
Would also just like to add, that if anyone out there has lived in a city or port that entertains the US Marines at exercise time(Cope Tiger or Cobra Gold) will have seen how much the prices change for everything. Maybe this is the best example of the unfair play.
And no, I don't even look slightly like one.
And no, I don't even look slightly like one.
I don't think tourist can avoid it and anyway to them prices still seem cheap.
If you live here it's different. I never have a problem. Firstly many Thais know me and secondly the wife always goes a few paces on to do the deal and then the ATM turns up to pay
In many Thai run restaurants I even get a discount probably because I'm an all year regular.In one place I go and where all the staff and the boss are from Isaan, we always get special treatment at no extra cost. During a particular rainy session the boss even drove us home!
When I go a place that I know is frequented by tourists I know I've got to pay the going rate.
On the purchase of goods front if the wife hasn't been present and the price has been obviously hiked, I usually say 'no thanks, Ill get it when I go to my house in Khon Kaen' Amazing how the price drops
If you live here it's different. I never have a problem. Firstly many Thais know me and secondly the wife always goes a few paces on to do the deal and then the ATM turns up to pay
In many Thai run restaurants I even get a discount probably because I'm an all year regular.In one place I go and where all the staff and the boss are from Isaan, we always get special treatment at no extra cost. During a particular rainy session the boss even drove us home!
When I go a place that I know is frequented by tourists I know I've got to pay the going rate.
On the purchase of goods front if the wife hasn't been present and the price has been obviously hiked, I usually say 'no thanks, Ill get it when I go to my house in Khon Kaen' Amazing how the price drops
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
When I have eaten out in HH or anywhere else in Thailand I have never been charged anything but menu prices for the food in anywhere I have been.
When you go to the supermarket, prices are always on the goods, and have always been charged what the goods are priced at.
When I have bought clothes from the market they most have prices stickers on them and prices is always agreed before purchase.
It would seem that the only places that this can happen is at the markets or food stalls where prices are probably not displayed. If that is the case, only shop where prices are displayed, or a price is agreed before purchase.
When you go to the supermarket, prices are always on the goods, and have always been charged what the goods are priced at.
When I have bought clothes from the market they most have prices stickers on them and prices is always agreed before purchase.
It would seem that the only places that this can happen is at the markets or food stalls where prices are probably not displayed. If that is the case, only shop where prices are displayed, or a price is agreed before purchase.
Always Borrow Money from a Pesimist. "They Never Expect it Back"
We had a similar experience yesterday evening. Our yougest granddaughter decided her legs had siezed up, and my wife was too knackered to carry her (no chance that she was going to let granddad carry hernevets wrote:I was in town for a drinking session last week, and going to my hotel on sa - song the cha ba chalei from poolsuk the tuck tuck wanted 100 b .
I tried to barter him down he wouldn't even take 80b so i walked took about 8min
). There was a Tuk Tuk parked conveniently - there was no chance he was going to take less than 100 Baht.We simply stood beside him and phoned our pet Tuk Tuk driver - he did it for 60 Baht. The look on the first driver's face when we pulled of in our usual Tuk Tuk was a picture.
I may sound tight worrying about 40 Baht (maybe I am
). However, it was the principal - maybe because I knew what the going rate was.Something I always tell friends back in the UK, travelling to Thailand for the first time. No matter how good a deal you think you have struck in Thailand, you will probably be getting ripped off. However, you will be paying a hell of a lot less than you would be paying in the UK, and if you are happy, it will be a win win situation.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd 
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
The thing is we have to base it on 200b a day. In my village and most places a farm worker gets about 25b an hour and its hard work, on my small 9 rai farm we pay a little moor but that's the way it is, and 100b to drive a 5min trip is not on.
I would like the standard to rise but its up to the government.
I would like the standard to rise but its up to the government.
come on johnny, get off the fence nowStop pissing and moaning and act appropriately
i can understand the poorer nations like thailand over-charging foreigners, but europeans/americans doing the same
whats good for the goose .......
we're worse anyway, farang businesses here charge foreigners and thais prices in excess of what an average thai business would
the extra littlebit of tax per month on the 'minimum foreigner earning requirment' is nothing compared to the 'unfair' (i wont use the word illegal) advantage we have over thai businesses because we happily evade the FBA (myself included
)im the same, but we are a bit hypocritical at times
.
Last edited by Super Joe on Mon May 12, 2008 3:55 am, edited 1 time in total.