absolutelyBangkok archive · Being farang
Originally published Feb. 16, 2009
See? I’m positive! A friend sent me a link the other day. In Hua Hin’s main forum HHAD they’re debating another kind of double-pricing for farangs. The double-pricing of more exclusive farangs. And I’m not swearing.
Obviously some golf courses in the Hua Hin area are asking higher prices for tourists — and “official” green fees in Hua Hin are really high -, while Thais receive “unpublished” prices. Now what’s the problem with that!
Whoever can play golf can afford the little luxury of helping out the people of this beautiful country. It may be true that most Thais playing golf are richer than the average tourist, but hey, as a local you enjoy the birthright to set the rules.
Rules around the world are, a poster wrote, that locals get preferred treatment in their own country. I can only endorse that. The difference with the Thai version of double-pricing though is that even a Thai from Chiang Rai is considered a local.
That’s locality by ethnicity and therefore downright racism, another poster writes. Well, again, if you can afford your flight ticket over here and golfing per se, why won’t you come to the aid of the rich Thai people who also suffer greatly during this crisis.
Hardly a Benz they drive is fully paid off. The houses they live in are mortgaged over several life cycles — and now there’s the serious decrease in tourism. How on earth can a Thai investor finance a golf course.
Now…
think positive. Don’t even think about double-pricing for Thai tourists in your own country, as this would be hyped up in the Thai media as blatant racism. On the contrary, assume you’re being double-priced is for a good cause for the betterment of Thai society as a whole.
Be it Pattaya’s Underwater World, a national park or whatever attraction, enjoy the privilege of paying more. If you pay taxes over here and have the Thai driver’s license or even residency, just show your Thai identification paper and most likely you’re asked the Thai price.
If none of the above applies to you, try to look like a poor Thai.
If you still have a problem with two-tier pricing, well, just don’t go. Boycott the place. And if you really have to drop names, well, why don’t you list the places you boycott in a comment.
But don’t accuse me of not trying to stay positive.
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