Dual Pricing - Because All Foreigners Are Rich Anyway

Same Same But More Expensive: The Magical World of Dual Pricing in Thailand

Ah, Thailand. The Land of Smiles, spicy food, and, surprise, dual pricing that hits harder than a Muay Thai kick to your nuts and travel budget.

Picture this: you're standing in front of a waterfall that promises “natural beauty” and “healing vibes,” and you're ready to pay your way in. You spot the sign: "Foreigners – 400 baht." Next to it, there's another line in Thai script with what looks like noodle doodles and the number ๔๐.

Now unless you’re fluent in Thai numerals (spoiler: you’re not), you’d never guess that those squiggles mean Thai people are paying 40 baht. Yes. Forty. That’s not a typo. That’s lunch money. Meanwhile, you're forking over a sum that could buy you a decent haircut in Bangkok (or two bad ones on Khao San Road).

They don’t even try to hide it with fake “international maintenance fees” or “foreigner surcharges.” No, no. They just sneakily slap it on the sign in full view, but in a different language and a numeric system that looks like it was invented by a drunk calligrapher.

It’s like being at a party where everyone’s drinking beer, and you get handed a fancy cocktail with a bill that says, “Foreigner Special: 10x more, includes lime.”

You might be wondering, “Why the discrimination?” Locals will explain, very politely and with a big smile, that Thai people pay taxes that go toward maintaining the parks and cultural sites (spoiler: the majority of Thai don't pay any taxes at all). Fair enough. I, too, pay taxes. Just not in the right hemisphere, apparently.

And yet, there’s something undeniably honest about it. In the West, we like to dress up our overcharging in mystery fees and fine print. In Thailand, they just look you in the eye and say, “Yes, you pay more. Because you can.”

Respect.

And it’s not just national parks. Temples, museums, even some street attractions get in on the action. You’ll see two prices on a piece of cardboard: ๑๐ and 100. If you’re Thai, that’s 10 baht. If you’re not, guess what? Welcome to the 100-baht club. The only membership requirement: look vaguely foreign and have no idea how to read those curly numerals.

Some expats learn to read Thai numbers just to catch places doing this. It’s the nerdiest form of rebellion: "Ah-ha! You said 30 baht, not 300! Checkmate, capitalism!"

At the end of the day, dual pricing is just part of the Thai travel experience. Like tuk-tuk scams, or being offered a suit you didn’t ask for, it’s all part of the charm. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll accidentally pay 500 baht to see a monkey that bites you anyway.

So relax. Embrace the chaos. Smile through the scam. And maybe, just maybe, learn to read Thai numerals so you can call it out like a budget-conscious Indiana Jones. It won't work but at least you'll know how much you're being railroaded.