arsenal
February 1st, 2012, 07:23
I have copied the piece below because it is in the news section of the website and so the link won't last very long. At last the pricing difference paid by Thais and farangs actually makes some kind of sense. And it makes it clear that private businesses cannot do this.
PRICING POLICY AND GUIDELINES FOR TOURISM ATTRACTIONS IN THAILAND
The pricing policy and guidelines for tourism attractions, both public and private, around Thailand are all based in law. There are specific legal guidelines that apply for natural and cultural attractions under the supervision of the various state agencies belonging to the Royal Thai Government versus those applicable for tourism attractions that are wholly-owned, funded and operated by private sector operators. Any changes to these laws are a matter for parliamentary deliberation, and not for the state agencies charged with their correct application.
Pricing guidelines for natural and cultural attractions under the supervision of the various state agencies under the Royal Thai Government
The pricing for natural and cultural attractions supervised by the various state agencies belonging to the Royal Thai Government, and funded by the national budget, are governed by ministerial orders and announcements issued by the respective ministries based on various acts of parliament that have already been promulgated.
The spirit of the law assumes that natural and cultural attractions, including sacred and historic sites, nationwide are part of the national heritage, belonging to all Thais equally. The provisions set out in the ministerial orders are designed to ensure fair and equal opportunity for each and every individual Thai to have access to national treasures, and the natural and cultural heritage inherited from their forefathers.
The rationale underpinning existing legislation argues that each and every individual of Thai nationality is an equal stakeholder within the community. Fair and equal access must be granted to all Thai nationals, regardless of their social and economic status. Entrance fees to such attractions must therefore be made affordable for Thai citizens from all walks of life. Thai citizenship is determined by the presentation of a valid identification card issued by Thai district or provincial authorities.
National parks and natural heritage sites come under the supervision of the Ministry of Natural Resources and EnvironmentтАЩs Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Places of cultural or historic importance, including archaeological sites, come under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture.
An example of existing legislation is the National Park Act 2504 BE (Buddhist Era) for natural attractions under the supervision of state agencies under the Royal Thai Government.
NATIONAL PARK ACT,
2504 BE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ, REX.
http://www.dnp.go.th/npo/html/Law_Rule/ ... k_2504.htm (http://www.dnp.go.th/npo/html/Law_Rule/Law/Law_ENationPark_2504.htm)
CHAPTER 3
Protection and Maintenance of the National Park
Section 18. Any person entering the national park must comply with the order of the competent official given in compliance with the rule prescribed by the Director-General and approved by the Minister.
CHAPTER 4
Miscellaneous
Section 23.
If the Director-General thinks it appropriate to require from the public any payment for services of facilities given by the competent official in the national park, or to require any person to pay a fee or remuneration for permission to carry on any activity or to sojourn therein, he is empowered to fix the rates and lay down rules concerning the collection of the said service charge, fee or remuneration, with the approval of the Minister.
Money collected under the preceding paragraph, funds donated for maintenance of the national park, fines accruing from settlement of the case conducted by the competent official under Section 28 and other kinds of income shall be exempted from any tax or duty, and kept as the expenditure for maintenance of the national park according to the rules and methods prescribed by the Director General and approved by the Minister.
тАЬDirector-GeneralтАЭ means the Director-General of the Forestry Department.
In the case of temples and shrines, Thais do not regard these sites as tourist attractions. They are sacred places of worship they visit to practice their faith.
Places of worship in Thailand of all denominations are generally open to the public at various times of day and welcoming. Most happen to be Buddhist. Buddhist practice embraces all individuals and does not exclude the participation of individuals who are non-Thai or non-Buddhist. All visitors to Thailand who wish to learn more about the country and its culture, Thai customs, tradition and Thai ways are welcome to witness and experience all aspects of Thai life up close and personal. It is hoped that their experiences are positive and memorable, and that they will be happy to make a small donation to help keep alive Thai customs and traditions, and generally support the countryтАЩs cultural heritage.
Fees charged and voluntary donations go towards the maintenance, conservation and care of the sites.
In the case of Thai citizens, their share of the contribution to the state budget is made through the payment of income tax and regular payment of other forms of indirect taxation. The payment of entrance fees, where applicable, is therefore in addition to the payments they have already made as taxpayers.
Following the establishment of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in 2002, various regulatory duties have been transferred from TAT to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Office of Tourism Development.
Contact information:
Ministry of Tourism and Sports Office of Tourism Development
The Office of Tourism Development
National Stadium, Rama I Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Tel: +66 (0) 2283 1500
Web site: www.mots.go.th (http://www.mots.go.th)
For specific enquiries, or to report specific incidents, please contact the Ministry or state agency responsible for overseeing the particular attraction directly.
Pricing guidelines for tourism attractions that are wholly-owned, funded and operated by private sector operators
Current legal guidelines on pricing stipulate unequivocally that there can only be one price charged for entrance/admission fees and that this must also be prominently displayed upfront.
Businesses are, however, granted the freedom to undertake marketing and promotional activities, and may for example legally offer non-discriminatory group discounts.
Thailand abides by internationally-recognized consumer protection practices. In the event that an individual consumer feels that they have been subject to unfair business practices, these grievances can be filed with the Consumer Protection Board for Thai nationals or the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Office of Tourism Development for visitors to Thailand.
PRICING POLICY AND GUIDELINES FOR TOURISM ATTRACTIONS IN THAILAND
The pricing policy and guidelines for tourism attractions, both public and private, around Thailand are all based in law. There are specific legal guidelines that apply for natural and cultural attractions under the supervision of the various state agencies belonging to the Royal Thai Government versus those applicable for tourism attractions that are wholly-owned, funded and operated by private sector operators. Any changes to these laws are a matter for parliamentary deliberation, and not for the state agencies charged with their correct application.
Pricing guidelines for natural and cultural attractions under the supervision of the various state agencies under the Royal Thai Government
The pricing for natural and cultural attractions supervised by the various state agencies belonging to the Royal Thai Government, and funded by the national budget, are governed by ministerial orders and announcements issued by the respective ministries based on various acts of parliament that have already been promulgated.
The spirit of the law assumes that natural and cultural attractions, including sacred and historic sites, nationwide are part of the national heritage, belonging to all Thais equally. The provisions set out in the ministerial orders are designed to ensure fair and equal opportunity for each and every individual Thai to have access to national treasures, and the natural and cultural heritage inherited from their forefathers.
The rationale underpinning existing legislation argues that each and every individual of Thai nationality is an equal stakeholder within the community. Fair and equal access must be granted to all Thai nationals, regardless of their social and economic status. Entrance fees to such attractions must therefore be made affordable for Thai citizens from all walks of life. Thai citizenship is determined by the presentation of a valid identification card issued by Thai district or provincial authorities.
National parks and natural heritage sites come under the supervision of the Ministry of Natural Resources and EnvironmentтАЩs Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Places of cultural or historic importance, including archaeological sites, come under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture.
An example of existing legislation is the National Park Act 2504 BE (Buddhist Era) for natural attractions under the supervision of state agencies under the Royal Thai Government.
NATIONAL PARK ACT,
2504 BE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ, REX.
http://www.dnp.go.th/npo/html/Law_Rule/ ... k_2504.htm (http://www.dnp.go.th/npo/html/Law_Rule/Law/Law_ENationPark_2504.htm)
CHAPTER 3
Protection and Maintenance of the National Park
Section 18. Any person entering the national park must comply with the order of the competent official given in compliance with the rule prescribed by the Director-General and approved by the Minister.
CHAPTER 4
Miscellaneous
Section 23.
If the Director-General thinks it appropriate to require from the public any payment for services of facilities given by the competent official in the national park, or to require any person to pay a fee or remuneration for permission to carry on any activity or to sojourn therein, he is empowered to fix the rates and lay down rules concerning the collection of the said service charge, fee or remuneration, with the approval of the Minister.
Money collected under the preceding paragraph, funds donated for maintenance of the national park, fines accruing from settlement of the case conducted by the competent official under Section 28 and other kinds of income shall be exempted from any tax or duty, and kept as the expenditure for maintenance of the national park according to the rules and methods prescribed by the Director General and approved by the Minister.
тАЬDirector-GeneralтАЭ means the Director-General of the Forestry Department.
In the case of temples and shrines, Thais do not regard these sites as tourist attractions. They are sacred places of worship they visit to practice their faith.
Places of worship in Thailand of all denominations are generally open to the public at various times of day and welcoming. Most happen to be Buddhist. Buddhist practice embraces all individuals and does not exclude the participation of individuals who are non-Thai or non-Buddhist. All visitors to Thailand who wish to learn more about the country and its culture, Thai customs, tradition and Thai ways are welcome to witness and experience all aspects of Thai life up close and personal. It is hoped that their experiences are positive and memorable, and that they will be happy to make a small donation to help keep alive Thai customs and traditions, and generally support the countryтАЩs cultural heritage.
Fees charged and voluntary donations go towards the maintenance, conservation and care of the sites.
In the case of Thai citizens, their share of the contribution to the state budget is made through the payment of income tax and regular payment of other forms of indirect taxation. The payment of entrance fees, where applicable, is therefore in addition to the payments they have already made as taxpayers.
Following the establishment of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in 2002, various regulatory duties have been transferred from TAT to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Office of Tourism Development.
Contact information:
Ministry of Tourism and Sports Office of Tourism Development
The Office of Tourism Development
National Stadium, Rama I Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Tel: +66 (0) 2283 1500
Web site: www.mots.go.th (http://www.mots.go.th)
For specific enquiries, or to report specific incidents, please contact the Ministry or state agency responsible for overseeing the particular attraction directly.
Pricing guidelines for tourism attractions that are wholly-owned, funded and operated by private sector operators
Current legal guidelines on pricing stipulate unequivocally that there can only be one price charged for entrance/admission fees and that this must also be prominently displayed upfront.
Businesses are, however, granted the freedom to undertake marketing and promotional activities, and may for example legally offer non-discriminatory group discounts.
Thailand abides by internationally-recognized consumer protection practices. In the event that an individual consumer feels that they have been subject to unfair business practices, these grievances can be filed with the Consumer Protection Board for Thai nationals or the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Office of Tourism Development for visitors to Thailand.