Dual Pricing in South East Asia, your thoughts?

[Deactivated] on 19/02/2017 - 11:07
Last edited 19/02/2017 - 11:34

Having traveled to Thailand I have some experience in having to pay a different price to the locals, eg. Grand Palace in Bangkok is 500THB (about AU$20) and for locals it's free. There are several other places that charged me 5-10 times extra because I was a foreigner.
Even some food vendors and restaurants are setting a higher price for foreigners (written in English or digits), and lower price for locals (written in Thai).
(I know this because I visited with my Thai friend and he would explain to me the price difference between Thai writing and English writing)

Recently I've got a friend that just came back from Indonesia and said about dual pricing, a temple that's roughly $2 for locals and $20 for foreigners.

I'm finding this to be quite specific to South East Asia. I'm personally from East Asia and dual pricing is nowhere to be found there, and in Australia I've definitely not seen prices based on nationality either (other than um… education stuff). While I don't mind paying a little bit extra, I'm finding it hard to get over having to pay 5-10x extra.

What are your thoughts? and have you found anywhere else in the world to have dual pricing?

Poll Options

  • 138
    Foreigners should be walking ATMs
  • 135
    Foreigners shouldn't be walking ATMs
Travel

Comments

    • rodinthink on 20/02/2017 - 21:12
      +8

      They mixed the dessert and soup. Turned out to be abysmall so they chucked it

    • scrimshaw on 20/02/2017 - 23:50
      +3

      I would also have written a negative review on google maps on the spot.

    • thriftybunny on 21/02/2017 - 10:08

      LOL I know a Chinese restaurant in Melb that serves free prawn crackers to Westerners and free soup to Asians, and no, you can't swap.

    • ronnknee on 21/02/2017 - 21:01
      +1

      Wow, the restaurant is a load of crap. Name and shame!

      • idonotknowwhy on 22/02/2017 - 09:44

        Next time I'm in box hill, I post the name here.

        • MadMaxBargainRoad on 22/02/2017 - 11:13

          Nah, post it right now. I go to Box Hill every 2 weeks for groceries and lunch. You can describe what the shops like and I can tell you the name straight away.

    • MadMaxBargainRoad on 22/02/2017 - 09:28
      -4

      Obviously made up BS story. Saving a few cents in the risk of being sued and closing down?

      I am Chinese myself and I can tell you more often than not Caucasians are being treated more nicely in an Asian restaurant given the same circumstances.

      • idonotknowwhy on 22/02/2017 - 09:43

        I don't think it's about saving a few cents, I sometimes get the impression that some older generation Chinese people don't approve of mixed race couples.

        • MadMaxBargainRoad on 22/02/2017 - 10:39
          -1

          Even if some of them don't they wouldn't tell the customers straight up in their face. If anyone recorded his/her words; the restaurant will face serious charge and might close down because of it.

    • Namkcalb on 23/02/2017 - 16:05
      +1

      There's price discrimination, and there is racism.

      This is an example of racism.

      I would have asked if they were joking, then walked if they were serious.

  • Viderzo on 20/02/2017 - 13:49

    I know museums in some SEA countries are cheaper if you show them local ID, this is because you pay income/local taxes (dont laugh) which will then be used for the maintenance of these facilities

  • darkchoc on 20/02/2017 - 14:22
    +1

    New poll:

    non-ozbargainers should/shouldn't be walking ATMs

    • Peck on 20/02/2017 - 18:28
      +2

      If you lay in the doorway, and call yourself 'Matt', then of course people will wipe their feet on you.
      Most walking ATMs in Thailand are just plain dopes and it is mostly their own fault!

      • zappy32 on 22/02/2017 - 12:35
        +1

        We are walking ATMs in Thailand. Even the ATMs there take us for a ride! 200 baht($7.5) fee per withdrawal is crazy.

        • Peck on 22/02/2017 - 12:38
          +2

          Citibank plus :))

        • Marcsie on 23/02/2017 - 11:23

          @Peck: I do have Citibank plus, they still charged me 200 Baht regardless the amount I withdraw, it's local Thai ATM fee, it has nothing to do with Citibank :)

        • Peck on 23/02/2017 - 11:33

          @Marcsie: Oh OK. I only go to Citibank branch there (Corner Sukhumvit & Asoke Rds). No charge.

        • Marcsie on 23/02/2017 - 17:37

          @Peck: Wow,I just learned something,next time I travel in May,I will try to withdraw from Citibank ATM only. Thanks :)

        • Peck on 23/02/2017 - 19:16

          @Marcsie: Yes. And I like to use an ATM at a bank branch for the extra confidence in case the card gets chewed up (Hasn't happened in a 100 times, but u never know). The branch that I go to, I always use the ATM's inside the branch (they also have them outside)

  • tomlikesbeetroot on 20/02/2017 - 14:46
    +3

    Having lived in Indonesia for 3 years, life is much easier if you just accept these things. Even locals travelling domestically can pay more than locals from the area in some cases and they don't really complain about it.

  • captobvious on 20/02/2017 - 16:51
    +2

    Wait till you have to bribe for no reason but being in the wrong place at the wrong time

  • runout on 20/02/2017 - 17:57
    +8

    I live in a tourist town in Australia, most tourist places here have at least 20% off for locals, one operator has a 40% discount for locals.

    • ronnknee on 22/02/2017 - 09:36

      The price after the 20% discount is probably the normal price everywhere else.

      • BartholemewH on 23/02/2017 - 09:40
        +1

        You'd assume so, otherwise every ozbargainer would move there for 20% - 40% off everything day to day.

  • PcisT on 20/02/2017 - 18:57

    One way of thinking about is Grand Palace in Bangkok is subsidised by 500THB for locals. Similarly, in Australia, medical treatment is subsidised for Medicare card holders (e.g. locals) and not Thai visitors.

    • jovialjosie2002 on 21/02/2017 - 18:22
      +1

      We pay a Medicare levy on our taxes…. Thais don't pay taxes here. If a Thai wants to pay a fortune and become a resident, they will get Medicare too. If they are from Thailand and just visiting, they should pay for medical.
      Thais only pay 20 baht in Thailand to go to hospital. Even for major operations that cost farlang millions of baht.

  • El Cap on 20/02/2017 - 19:19

    I went to one of the entertainment parks in Gold Coast about 8-10 years ago. I remember them having different pricing for QLD residents - may be it was a promotion. I remember providing an ID for my residential address at the counter.

    I have grown up since, so I don't know whether they do this still.

  • JimmyF on 20/02/2017 - 19:27
    +1

    Go to any tourist area in Australia and you'll find outrageous food pricing….. compared to 'non-tourist' places. No different really.

    • ribze1 on 20/02/2017 - 23:21
      +4

      BUT it applies to everyone, no matter where you're from.

  • tko6070 on 20/02/2017 - 19:46

    Thailand is notoriously bad, and the example of Bangkok (grand Palace) doesn't offer the best reflection of Thailand. Head far North, or far South away from the tourist hot spots and the difference is incredible. Alternatively there is amazing countries that are less visited like Myanmar, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia (it's bigger than just KL and Penang).

  • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2017 - 20:13
    +3

    This is a lot of travellers attitude, they want to stretch their dollar as far as they can while on a 'cheap' holiday through a land of incredible poverty.
    You know how many frigging rich European kids I've had come and live in my houses over the years.
    In the end I got sick of them, come over for a bludge, from the richest countries on earth
    Get a van, sleep on the beach
    Check ya

    • BartholemewH on 21/02/2017 - 01:55
      +1

      I don't follow. You donated accommodation in your houses to rich european kids?

      • [Deactivated] on 21/02/2017 - 11:29
        -4

        For those that are a little slow.
        Met people through friends or whatever, and came to stay with me cause you're being nice,
        and they like to stay at peoples houses so they can get cooked meals and free showers and they never want to leave because their savings money budging off you

        • BartholemewH on 21/02/2017 - 11:47
          +11

          I'm not slow mate, sounds like an entirely voluntary scheme to me. Seems it took you years to work out how to say 'No'?

        • [Deactivated] on 21/02/2017 - 15:26
          -4

          @BartholemewH: thank you, and you've worked out how easy it is to criticise others. Give yourself an uppercut.

        • BartholemewH on 21/02/2017 - 16:35
          +2

          @Beach Bum:
          Pot, meet kettle.

        • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2017 - 22:52

          @BartholemewH: was pretty simple concept
          You've made it complicated,
          Whatever

  • nedski on 20/02/2017 - 20:45
    +3

    They do this at MONA in Tassie as well. Mona is free to Tasmanian residents but non-tasmanian residents have to pay $25.

  • highdealer on 20/02/2017 - 21:10
    +9

    It happen in Australia too.

    http://www.auburn.nsw.gov.au/Explore/AuburnBotanicGardens/Pa…

    Auburn residents
    Free – proof of residency is required
    Children & young people under 16
    Free – must be accompanied by an adult
    Non-Auburn residents
    $4 at weekends and during school and public holidays
    $5 during Cherry Blossom & Autumn Colours festivals
    Free all other times

    You need to stop thinking about how much other people pay for something, instead think about how much you value that product/service. If you think that it is not worth your money don't pay for it.

  • dufflover on 20/02/2017 - 21:12

    Saw this in Indonesia only so far, but perhaps unlike other examples it was always advertised as such, no writing tricks and what not. I just put it down to affordability; it's no secret the foreigners can much more afford to go and support the place. Even the locals price would probably be beyond the reach of a lot of locals.

  • Plug on 20/02/2017 - 21:16
    -1

    My thoughts? Don't visit third world countries with dodgy Police and an anti-foreigner legal system.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2017 - 21:49
      +2

      So best to give Western Sydney a wide berth then

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 20/02/2017 - 21:44

    If we flip the argument, should locals be charged the full entry price for a museum when it already receives subsidies from the state government?

    On the other hand, I've probably seen more temples and historical buildings than any local in Asia will see or care to see in their lifetime, and I honestly didn't care to see them myself after the first 5 or so. I'm just not that arsed/cultured. Beyond a select handful of landmarks in any country, you'd think they'd be begging me to visit and appreciate the more obscure religious and historical artifacts. I've paid $5 to literally see a pile of rocks in a quasi-temple formation.

    Getting charged more for food does annoy me but only because of my inane desire to truly experience "living like a local" (if I was ever charged 10x the price for food I'd walk away fake-laughing like a bazaar-salesman). "If I wanted to pay foreigner prices for foreigner quality I wouldn't have bothered with your fly-infested, sun-baked skewers". It feels strange buying food in a country I know I should be getting a good price but always waiting for someone else to pay for their order before I make my own…

    • jackspratt on 20/02/2017 - 23:34

      How's the wife?

      Seems she had a pretty spot-on perspective.

      • ronnknee on 21/02/2017 - 21:07

        What about his wife?

  • dmac on 20/02/2017 - 22:10
    +1

    For South East Asia it makes sense that it should be cheaper for locals as they would not be able to afford to live in many areas due to the costs. They should be 'compensated' for tourists taking over their place. If a zoo opened up next door and you had terrible traffic, couldn't find parking and felt that you didn't belong anymore, maybe a free zoo pass would take some of the pain away.

    For Australia and the different pricing based on language or race, it's just plain racism and should be illegal.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2017 - 22:18

    I wish we had that here, I live in an area where around summer time (NOW) the place is packed full of overseas people on holiday, while it's great for our eco it is annoying that everywhere here puts their prices up 10-20% at least :(

  • onelove on 20/02/2017 - 22:39
    +11

    All prices are 'Foreigner Price' here in Australia.

  • vivasawadee on 20/02/2017 - 22:52
    +4

    Bloody hell, your poll options does not reflect your question at all.

    Is dual pricing fair?

    Yes or No

    However on the subject of ATMS:

    Only bar girls would see foreigners as walking ATMs. Maybe that's what you're hinting at?

    • El Cap on 21/02/2017 - 00:31

      Freaking loaded poll - not sure Mod's can/should do something about it.

      • brentsbits on 21/02/2017 - 00:34
        +4

        Can? Yes.

        Should? Nah, everyone sees this for the butthurt bullshit that it is

  • IMadeYouReadThis on 20/02/2017 - 22:55
    +1

    Yeah it's common in India as well where locals pay few cents for entry to historical places whereas foreigners pay about $10 for entry.

    I have seen that here in Aus as well (even though at very small level). For eg. Coffs Harbour Butterfly House provides free entry for every local resident who brings an out of town visitor.

    • ribze1 on 20/02/2017 - 23:23
      +1

      Yep 20 rupees for locals and 500 for foreigners (750 at the Taj).

  • schwinn on 20/02/2017 - 23:18

    Heck, even in theme parks in USA, you get a SoCal (southern california residence) discount. Nothing to be bothered about.

  • brentsbits on 21/02/2017 - 00:33
    +4

    Tourism is a way for a country (and it's residents) to make money.

    You don't make money from locals, you make it from the tourists.

    Especially in somewhere like SouthEast Asia, paying $20 for a half or full day's worth of activity is nothing. I don't make a lot of money and when going on a holiday I budget for stuff like that. I'm actually shocked when it's cheaper. Going to SouthEast Asia you are still getting an incredibly cheap holiday even with your "foreigner tax" factored in.

    Stop bitching about it and just pay up. Haggle with them if you can for sure but then just pay. You aren't a local, don't expect to live for local prices.

    • stonkered on 22/02/2017 - 19:10

      Nailed it, ends up cheap as shit anyway.

  • Ventak on 21/02/2017 - 00:38
    +1

    They did this for the Petronas Twin Towers, local rate and tourist rate.

    • BartholemewH on 21/02/2017 - 01:58
      +1

      To be honest, I didn't notice or care.

  • ozeebee on 21/02/2017 - 02:56

    What country are you from OP?

    • [Deactivated] on 21/02/2017 - 07:28
      +2

      United Earth Federation.

      • ozeebee on 21/02/2017 - 09:22
        -6

        Sorry is this supposed to be funny? Because it's quite lame…

  • pikapika on 21/02/2017 - 08:14

    Yawn You don't travel much do you? This is a fairly standard practice across the globe…It even happens in Australia gasps

  • AddNinja on 21/02/2017 - 08:28
    +1

    The average Thai wage is 4000 AUD/year. As a poor student, you might spend more on entertainment than what a middle aged Thai guy earns in year. I guess charging tourists more than locals probably reflects this.

    I really can't understand why anyone might have problems with this - a free market evangelist would support it, a humanitarian would support it. Although I can see that people might not like it, simply because they envy other people getting something cheaper.

  • Ocker on 21/02/2017 - 09:17
    +1

    Not Asia, but all locals in Fiji (including expats) get a 50% discount on room rates at all resorts

    • tryagain on 21/02/2017 - 22:12

      I was an expat in Fiji about 8yrs ago and certainly made use of the local's rate's, I don't think that they all were 50% off but then probably wasn't 100% sure of the list price.

      On the flip side the few times we had to go and see the local Dr I think we paid about 10 times the local rate. We did, however, get to jump the cue and I thought that $20 was good value for this, I also didn't mind paying extra if it meant making seeing a Dr more affordable for the locals.

  • cookie2 on 21/02/2017 - 09:20

    if you really want to know OP, this is not unheard of in certain countries where the wages are much lower than first world countries. Mauritius is an example of this. Wages are much lower than Australia, you can expect a local to be able to justify the same price as us for entry to parks etc. the different prices are not always advertised.sometimes government places like Botanic gardens, sometime privately owned places like Casela Nature Park. Drives me insane when i go there with family, but I understand why it is done because my inlaws probably wouldn't come to all the attractions with us, if they had to pay the same amount as me.Cost would be a factor. I'm sure other countries would do this too. It protects locals being able to enjoy their countries facilities imo.

  • CharityCase on 21/02/2017 - 10:40
    +2

    I was an international student before, paid tuition fees triple the local students fee.
    So that's common

    • Justinism on 21/02/2017 - 15:24

      very apt example and comparison.

    • greatlamp on 22/02/2017 - 07:42
      +3

      The Australian government pays the difference for the local citizens. The price is the same

  • freakitude on 21/02/2017 - 10:45

    Pretty common in India too. Google: "reddit India camera fee".

  • Gershom on 21/02/2017 - 11:01
    +1

    If you don't like it, don't go. It would be hilarious though to see Aussie galleries/museums charge more according to race. The ABC would choke and I would laugh myself silly. Aussies are so blissfully unaware of the institutionalised racism that exists in so many places around the world.

    • stonkered on 22/02/2017 - 19:17

      Mmmmmm. That warm earthy feeling of irony.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 21/02/2017 - 12:46

    Yep I think they do that

  • Justinism on 21/02/2017 - 15:28

    Ozbargainer, lemme get this straight….. you are complaining that you have to bargain while abroad?

  • jovialjosie2002 on 21/02/2017 - 18:10
    +1

    I learned to read a bit of Thai and I just ordered dishes from the Thai section of the menu.
    It's super cheap and better food. If you get a Thai/English dictionary and learn the Thai alphabet it's not too hard. I never got any problems with it, however, it took me a month to learn the alphabet.
    I was even signing my name in Thai….
    Wearing the kings (bumiphol)hat was an easy way to get all sorts of stuff at Thai prices in Thailand too.
    "Oh….You lub king….You good farlang….Me GiB you good price"

    • voteoften on 22/02/2017 - 03:29

      What exactly did you wear? Something with an image of the king?

      • jovialjosie2002 on 22/02/2017 - 12:37
        +1

        They sell them in the shops, just ask. I first saw this trick when two farlang got ushered through customs ahead of 1,000 people in a line. I thought the 2 blokes were criminals, but it turns out the custom official thought to himself …." You good farlang, you get to the front"
        It saved the blokes waiting in line for 30 min. I bought a "kings hat" …A yellow baseball hat with his emblem on it…. Thais loved it…
        They have this idol worship of a person who has had a very suspicious past….If you google king bumiphol and his brothers death you will see what he wasn't such an angel.

        • railspider on 22/02/2017 - 14:32

          Would that trick still work now that he's dead?

        • jovialjosie2002 on 22/02/2017 - 20:58
          +1

          @railspider:
          Yes….People were still wearing "king number 5" shirts when I was last there in 2012. He was bumiphol dad or grand dad.
          And then….There is this new king…..I don't think he's too popular….People were openly talking about his "issues" when I have been there. I haven't heard too many Thais say anything remotely bad about bumiphol, even about the suspicious death of his brother.

  • 42 on 21/02/2017 - 18:17
    +1

    Not a South East Asian thing

    Below is a list of some of the fees for Hanauma Bay State Park (Hawaii)

    State Park Entry Fee • $7.50
    Local Residents • FREE
    Children 12 and under • FREE

    from https://hanaumabaystatepark.com/hanauma-bay-cost/

  • Eeples on 21/02/2017 - 19:45

    MONA is free for Tasmanians.

  • xoom on 21/02/2017 - 19:54

    happens in europe also. traveled to greece and got a great discount getting my greek uncle to book my cruise ship trip.

  • marc86au on 21/02/2017 - 21:21
    +1

    I don't like to think of it as a surcharge for foreigners but rather a discount for locals.

    A lot of people in these countries have a very low wage compared to us - I think it would be unjust if they couldn't explore their own country because of not being able to afford entry.

  • tomleonhart on 21/02/2017 - 21:42

    I remember when I had to pay 29k a year for uni while local student pays around $9k. Seems fair ;D

    and we pay full fare on NSW public transport when local student has their concession card!

    • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2017 - 10:59
      +1

      You did not deserve to pay less for uni fees. You had not contributed anything to our country.

      We did you a favour to let you study here. I'm sure there were plenty other students happy to pay the fees.

      • tomleonhart on 22/02/2017 - 11:07

        So dual pricing in SEA is fair.

        • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2017 - 11:07
          -4

          Couldn't care less what they did there.

          It's Asia's toilet.

        • tomleonhart on 22/02/2017 - 11:10
          +1

          @fredz: yeah. you're on a thread literally discussing dual pricing, replying to a comment on the topic and you couldn't careless.

          Great logic.

  • grr1701 on 21/02/2017 - 23:47
    +1

    The prices you pay in Thailand are still dirt cheap. Why spoil your holiday by being bitter when their country recognizes that their citizens are poor as church mice so they price things FOR THEM so they can experience similar things as you, in their own country. I don't find this offensive or a bad thing; just a recognition that travelers are far better off financially than the locals. But they still want to enable locals to visit temples, palaces etc at a price that they can afford. Condlsider yourself lucky.

    • Namkcalb on 23/02/2017 - 16:08

      There are hundreds of thousands of Thais wealthier than I am.

    • Namkcalb on 23/02/2017 - 16:09

      There are hundreds of thousands of Thais wealthier than I am.

  • Parentheses on 22/02/2017 - 09:02
    +2

    If you consider the fact that most things in a country are helped by taxes, and locals pay the most taxes, it stands to reason that locals should not have to pay as much as tourists when they use those things their taxes helped pay for.

    Right now in Australia most councils will give free parking stickers to locals, while people from outside that council (who don't pay rates to that council) have to pay for parking, for example. A lot of museums all over the world are free to locals (who pay tax for their upkeep) and paid for tourists (who don't).

  • Neverpayretail on 22/02/2017 - 10:56

    Dual Pricing is universal heck even the Aussie theme parks have locals only post code proof required offers.

  • Stopback on 22/02/2017 - 11:14
    +1

    in bali if you look white you get into clubs for free

    if you look not white you have to pay a cover charge

    luckliy i just walked in as a group with my white friend,

    so i did not have to pay the cover fee

  • dtc on 22/02/2017 - 12:12
    +1

    Here is one the other way - the JR rail pass is only available to foreigners.

    Let a Japanese person tell you how F#$%@# off they are with this.

  • payless69 on 22/02/2017 - 12:27

    Most of Asia is just like it! 2 exceptions: Japan and Taiwan.
    The Japanese are just starting with street corruption but the oldies are honest as.
    Taiwan is a very beautiful country, the Portuguese named it Formosa. Go and visit it! Found some of the friendliest folks around very honest and trustworthy. A bit dearer than other dirty places but well worth the money. Hurry as China is going to swallow it up and the rest of the world is powerless to do anything about it.

    As for Europe: Italy is falling to bits again despite all government efforts street corruption is growing very rapidly. The Finance Police might ask you for a receipt if you bought some lollies from a kiosk but be prepared for a long and painful haggle for accommodation.
    Found even England at BnB's cash can get you ahead if they are dying to have you.

    Least corrupt country visited is Norway. Tried to haggle a better deal on awesome huge raspberries sold on the streets. No way the chick would make a deal, she would rather dump all the unsold stock!
    Most corrupt country visited is Vietnam! Have not been to India yet but many other places. Oh Sao Paolo Brazil has a reputation: Pay a ferry by card and expect a surprise when trying to get off.

  • altomic on 22/02/2017 - 13:12
    +2

    It's the worst kind of discrimination, the kind against me.

  • railspider on 22/02/2017 - 14:35
    +1

    This kind of price discrimination goes both ways to be fair:
    As a white person in SE Asia I've been let into clubs for free (and allowed to skip the line) while the locals were charged an entrance fee.

    Another foreigner-perk that springs to mind - at the Ho Chi Minh water park the change rooms are tiny and so packed people stand on top of the urinals to find the space to get changed. But if you're a foreigner (ie - white) you get access to a specially fenced off area with big clean change rooms, your own fresh water fountain, etc - all for free.

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