The Bangkok Double Pricing Debate (2.33)

On this episode we get into one of Thailand's most
contentious topics - double pricing. But first we talk about
selfies in a ball pit and a hidden hipster hangout.

Just down the road for us on our side of the river is a
hidden hipster hideout in Bangkok called called The Jam Factory.
And by "hidden", we mean new to Evo. Because it's pretty well
known by everyone other than him. Also Greg visits Central
Embassy and attempts to lose his child in a giant plastic bubble
bath filled with selfie takers. But as interesting as both of
those topics sound, neither are what we're talking about
today. Let's just get this out of the way: We think
double pricing sucks. Thailand is notorious for pricing things
like museums, national parks, landmarks, and other civic works
differently depending on where a visitor was born. Foreigners --
we stand out a bit -- pay an inflated price, where Thai nationals
pay much, much less. Sometimes Thai nationals pay nothing at all.
As representatives of the foreigners overcharged, we don't like
it. But we try to understand the rationale for it on this week's
episode and present their side. We're not sure we did a good job.
But here are the excuses main arguments
most often offered to justify dual pricing in Thailand:



Foreign workers make more money than Thais, so they can
afford it.


Tourists don't pay Thailand taxes to support those civic
works. (Note: both of us pay taxes in Thailand)


It's a nationalistic benefit reserved for Thai
citizens.



All of those are valid concerns. However, we're not buying
it. Listen in to learn how we carefully (and hopefully
respectfully) dismantle each of those excuses
arguments. And though we try very hard not to
push our own agenda on our adopted country, here's what we think
could be the consequences if the dual pricing issue isn't
addressed (which it hasn't been for decades, we get it.)



It may be seen as racist to a world becoming more and
more aware and intolerant of racism.


It's a deterrent to tourism as it has been to other
countries that have done stupid things in the name of squeezing
out a few bucks from hapless tourists.


It's a constant PR black eye that will cause (and perhaps
is causing) people to seek out their SE Asian vacation/expat
home in other neighboring countries.



Now, hopefully we didn't go overboard on complaining. It's
not what we set out to do. And if you have a different opinion,
we invite you to leave a comment below or on our social channels.
Let's keep the conversation going. One great way is
our new LINE account, just for the Bangkok
Podcast. Hey, we're in Thailand, and LINE is huge
here. So of course we have a LINE account. Follow along and talk
to us there, too!
Love, Loathe, or Leave

Almost half a year ago, we talked about
Bangkok's "saluting security guards" in an early LLoL segment.
But Greg forgot something key to the conversation that Gregory
Hines would be proud of. Listen in to find out why we're being so
mysterious, and whether or not this clicks for us. (Heh.)
Want more?

If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast,
you really should get our show downloading to your phone
automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to
listen via Apple Podcasts. Android users are
be able get the show any number of
ways. And for bonus points, leave us
a review on those platforms or however you listen
to the show. We'd love to hear from you, either
on the contact form on our website or
through a comment or message on our Facebook
page. You can Tweet to the show
@bangkokpodcast or follow Greg's
tweets of snarky Bangkok goodness. Evo
chronicles his Bangkok adventures on
Instagram from time to time, if that's your thing.
And as mentioned, we now have a LINE
account! Yep. Just for the Bangkok Podcast. Join us
over there, too! See you next time on The Bangkok
Podcast!