Originally Posted by
Mark_mnl
That's definitely true at the major tourist attractions like temples, museums and national parks where there is an official policy of charging foreign nationals more.
If you point out the discrepancy, you are likely to get a shy or mischievous smile in return but you won't get an offer of a discount unless you have a Thai national ID card.
That said, unofficial overcharging by private companies seems to be less common in Thailand than it is in, say, India. I suppose it still happens every once in a while but I've tended to find bus conductors in Thailand very helpful and have fortunately avoided anyone like the person described above.
Interesting comment about Thai numerals. The moment I say "how much?" I am sending out an invitation to overcharge.
I am ambivalent about the official policy of charging foreigners more. I don't like it when I have to pay more, but one can build a case for it.
I find it very amusing when some complain about higher prices for foreigners, but you wouldn't hear a peep from them about different prices prevailing in their own country. There are resident and non resident rates of tuition for higher education in the U.S. for example. The exorbitant taxes when booking a hotel room or renting a car. are targeted at non-residents. hat said, there is a difference between making foreigners pay more because they don;t pay taxes and gouging.
I find street overcharging at individual level , i.e. when a street vendor charges someone more, less offensive than organised non-official over charging by large businesses such as bus companies or hotels. I suspect the culprit was the "boss lady", because she did not like the fact that I spoke no Thai and showed her displeasure by her attitude and actions (conveniently, nay, singularly forgot to give water to one person)
Inn my instance, I don't know if 300 would have been overcharging. Most of the buses cost around 200 Baht, but they take much longer, about 4-5 hours as they make lots of rest stops where people can spend their money. This bus did not. We made it to Bangkok (actually, a bit shy of Bangkok) in just bout 2.5 hours.
I think overcharging is far worse in Cambodia. A bottle of water that goes for 10 Baht is sold for $1 at places frequented by foreigners.
When I feel that someone has been onest with me, I always give them a little more.