Originally Posted by
Tchiowa
Re-read what you said. Disney has a regular rate and gives discounts to locals. But isn't that mathematically exactly the same thing as charging non-locals a premium? If you say 1,000 is the regular rate but locals get a discount to 500 or is 500 the regular rate and foreigners pay a premium to 1,000?
Exact same thing. Depends entirely on how you choose to view it.
In Thailand, tourist venues charge tourist prices and give discounts to non-tourists. It's more exaggerated in Thailand because the general difference in economic situation between locals and tourists is much greater therefore it's much more visible. But if you view tourists prices in Thailand as the "regular rate" and locals get a discount, then no one is getting gouged.
You know...I think I'm pretty logical and then you post something that makes me think your perspective is just a tad bit off which makes me think where did I go wrong in my reasoning??
Let's say $20 is the general public rate. Say you live in Florida, you can get a resident discount at Disney World. In state residents pay $15. Anyone else pays $20. There's no markup/premium price for being a foreigner. Everyone in America and any foreigner pays the general public price. Do you get it? If a Thai goes to the Grand Palace or Safari World they pay nothing or very little. Every non Thai pays a markup. If you're a resident but look foreign hypothetically you get the "resident" Thai rate but not always. I get the whole thing about the difference in economic situation etc in Thailand so then make sure it's done above board. I would more readily dole out money if they said that part of my fee will subsidize tickets for students and families in need or something like that vs subsidizing the pockets of who knows. Anyone can have their perspective and you and I can argue it any which way we want but at the end of the day reality is that there is a dual pricing system in Thailand that benefits locals (fair enough). There shouldn't be price gouging and everything should be stated and above board not at someone's discretion. And by the way...how I'm choosing to view it is reality.