Some of the many tourist attractions you’ll visit in Pattaya and elsewhere in Thailand use a two-tier pricing system. You might also call it dual pricing or even double pricing, and it basically means there are different prices for foreigners and Thais, with the admission price for Thais being lower than for foreigners.
While some attractions make their pricing policy clear, it isn’t always obvious to foreign visitors. The sign below, for example, was photographed outside a museum on Walking Street in Pattaya. It advertises a 50 percent discount for Thai visitors, but because it is written entirely in Thai, many tourists won’t realize what it says.
Exceptions
If you can show proof of residency in Thailand, many attractions will waive the extra fee for foreigners, and you can enter for the same price as a Thai. Documentation needed to prove residency in Thailand varies from one attraction to the next. While showing your Thai driver’s license is adequate at some venues, others will only accept a long-term visa, such as a marriage or retirement visa, or a work permit.
Is Two-Tier Pricing Fair?
The two-tier pricing policy is a subject of much debate and a cause of frustration among some tourists and expats in Pattaya. Many consider it a racist policy; others accept it and believe Thais should be charged less because average wages in Thailand are much lower than those in the home countries of many visitors.
Another question worth asking is: if lower prices for Thais are justified because of lower average incomes, why are admission prices set so high that many Thais couldn’t afford them in the first place?
Supporters argue that lower prices encourage domestic tourism and reflect the taxes paid by Thai residents. Critics argue that charging different prices based on nationality or residency feels unfair, particularly for long-term visitors and travelers on tight budgets.
The Negative Aspect
Being asked to pay more, double, sometimes many times more than what you saw the Thai person in front of you just pay can certainly leave a bitter taste in your mouth.
Another objection that many long-term expats have is that, despite contributing to the local economy through housing, supporting their families, and having lived in Thailand for many years, they may still not qualify for resident prices simply because they don’t have the specific documentation required by a particular attraction, such as a Thai work permit, for example.
Hypothetical View on Two-Tier Pricing
I wonder: if Thailand wasn’t visited by foreigners and all tourist attractions relied solely on Thai visitors, would there still be some form of means-based two-tier pricing? If not, what would the standard admission price be?
Conclusion
While paying the higher foreign admission fee can sometimes be frustrating, the rates for foreigners don’t necessarily mean Western prices. Many of Pattaya’s attractions still represent good value. Ultimately, you have to decide whether the attraction is worth the admission price to you.
TIP: You can often save money by booking discounted tickets to attractions in Pattaya through third-party booking sites. Every little helps, especially if you’re a group or looking for affordable things to do in Pattaya with children.
Just for interest, I ran a poll on this page asking readers whether they think two-tier pricing is fair. Of the 27 people who voted, 22 said no and 5 said yes.