June 22nd, 2006, 21:19
I know its a hot-button topic for many farang to discuss equality to their Thai brethren regarding baht bus fares. I personally don't mind paying a bit more than the locals, but I understand others' insistance on not paying extra.
Now, that said, there is a fascinating quote from the president of the Pattaya Transport Cooperative on page three in the June 23, 2006, issue of Pattaya Mail. The article is titled: "Baht bus chief says fares set in accordance with Land Transport Department guidelines", with a sub-title: "Says foreign tourist fares are higher because of currency differences".
Yes, indeedy folks, the baht coming from the pocket of a visiting falang has different value than baht coming from the pocket of a Thai. Apparently it has to do with foreign exchange rates. Right.
The articles clarifies that the president ot the PTC "said that foreign tourist fares are higher than normal fares because the value of the Thai baht and foreign currencies are different and that most tourist cities have the same pricing strategies." Huh??? Other tourist cities, such as Honolulu, Monaco or Singapore? Or, other tourist cities, such as Udon Thani, Songkhla or Buriram?
I had NO idea that those humble baht bus drivers were so intimately aware of, much less involved with, the wonderful world of foreign exchange markets. Amazing Thailand, yes it is! ;-)
Now, that said, there is a fascinating quote from the president of the Pattaya Transport Cooperative on page three in the June 23, 2006, issue of Pattaya Mail. The article is titled: "Baht bus chief says fares set in accordance with Land Transport Department guidelines", with a sub-title: "Says foreign tourist fares are higher because of currency differences".
Yes, indeedy folks, the baht coming from the pocket of a visiting falang has different value than baht coming from the pocket of a Thai. Apparently it has to do with foreign exchange rates. Right.
The articles clarifies that the president ot the PTC "said that foreign tourist fares are higher than normal fares because the value of the Thai baht and foreign currencies are different and that most tourist cities have the same pricing strategies." Huh??? Other tourist cities, such as Honolulu, Monaco or Singapore? Or, other tourist cities, such as Udon Thani, Songkhla or Buriram?
I had NO idea that those humble baht bus drivers were so intimately aware of, much less involved with, the wonderful world of foreign exchange markets. Amazing Thailand, yes it is! ;-)