Farang /Thai Pricing System

[buksida]

I think its a combination of greed and sloth ... five to go then!

Additionally "logic" and "Thailand" should not be used in the same sentence.
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Named must your fear be before banish it you can.

[ozuncle]

There is actually some logic in the tuk tuk example.
Why be busy and under pressure all day when you can do half the work (driving) and at the end of the day make the same profit.

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You only live once.

[margaretcarnes]

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!
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'If'n ya cain't say nuth'n nice, don't say nuth'n at all' Thumper.

[deepee]

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.
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The two hardest things in life are success and failure.

[Wanderlust]

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.

[spitfire]

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.

[richard]

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
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Syd--------Shine on you crazy diamond
Freddie--- Love kills
If you've a problem don't moan. Find a solution!!

Khun Richard of Yorkshire (Halifax) and Hua Hin

[chelsea]

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.

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Always Borrow Money from a Pesimist. "They Never Expect it Back"

[nevets]

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

[Big Boy]

[caller]

Similar in Korat. Came out of the hotel one evening to go to a festival. Taxi came up, wanted 200 baht. Wife not amused, so we got a tuk-tuk for 50 baht.
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I know nothing

[nevets]

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.

[spitfire]

HHHHHHHmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Some good ideas on this thread but some suspect ones aswell which seem to suggest it's OK to thieve as must as you can off the unwary.
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No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy. - Colin Powell, US General

Emotion is the future.

[johnnyk]

Get used to it.
Stop pissing and moaning and act appropriately, there are choices.

[Super Joe]