If you foreigners can read Thai numbers, you will know that there are foreigner price and Thai price officially anywhere in this country. they write on sign board "Massage 1 hour 200 baht" just above "ñôðºÒ·" (140baht)

I visited several sites in Chiang Mai and found such distinction. So, I pretended to be like a Thai and try to get the local price. Success rate is 90% so far. (not bad, isn't it?)

I analyse the factor for those successful case as below.

1. My face has typical JPs feature, so I try to be a Chinese-Thai. *1

2. My skin color got darker after walking ouside for a few days in Bangkok.

3. I cut my hair at local barber and made it very short like Thahaan (soldier) or Dek (kids) style.

4. I don't put the edge of T-shirt inside of jeans. (i never see a middle class Thai guy put shirt inside the jeans)

5. As typical case for JPs, my eyes are too small for Thai and single-edged eyelid, so i wore sunglasses to erase this feature.

6. Talk as less as possible. (You guys know how hard to pronounce Thai correctly, which Thai people can never imagine)

7. Despite of 6., just in case, I practiced again and again to master the perfect pronounciation of "khon Thai khrap!" with softest voice. *2

Do you know any other tips for pretending to be a Thai?

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*1: Sorry for farrang friends, coz quite difficult for you to look like a Thai. One of few exeptional case is only when you talk on the phone and you were an expert of speaking Thai, just like khun_lung, inamorato or other dearest Thai-farang friends here.

*2: Foreigners voices are too loud and strong to be a Thai. Hey, tourist guys! Don't talk with such loud voice in BTS train!! The reason why people stare at you is not because you look foreigners!!

you do 1-7,but i think thai people stilll know you are forigners,;P

I did 1-7 except that at certain times, when my Thai was not yet fluent, Thai's still figured out that I wasn't a Thai, yet because I understood Thai, prices didn't matter at all. The only times when I was baffled were when the northern, southern or isaan dialects were used.

Haha. You're a regular undercover detective Ken. Hilarious! YOu are a sociologists dream (or nightmare -- I'm not sure).

Actually, me and three friends, US, Japan and Thailand -- went to Muai Thai in August in Lumpini. I think we foreigners paid about 1,000B each -- my buddy's wife paid about 200B. Maybe I can buy a "Kon Thai" mask and try again. Glad you're having a good time trying to fool the locals. Now stop that and go drink a beer.

Yes it happend to me too. Im not thai but i can speak a little, one time i went to some shopping places and i speak english, totally different price. But i walk and back after few minutes and ask the other sales lady how much (in Thai) huh different price much lower. Why its like these...its unfair actually for foreigners. Also in some tourist places like Pattaya or wherever tourist have different rate for transportation. Why government never give attention on these matter?

Actually, it is funny that in Thailand, the double pricing is actually institutionalized. In other countries I've been to, it happens in markets, but that's about it. I remember in Morocco being behind a guy who just bought a bunch or oranges for about 2 Dihram -- and when I picked up the same amount, the price was about 20. At least in Thailand it's advertised

Grillgang@ but if they notice that i'm thai how come they charge me Thai price? Were they just playing on me?

Patric & Zammo@ Right! i do such stupid effort only to save 60 baht. But I do this just for fun! Actually, saving amount is not my concern, same as you.

Mike@ it is my distinct honor for me to receive your compliment everytime i post. OK,let's get going to drink beer Kloster "sai nam khaeng" na khrap!

Patricia@ Magandang gabi po. Kumusta ka? I suspect that governments are not only ignoring it but even encouraging it. "Get more money from the rich" is the basic philosophy of "equality" in many countries.

It's true that double price is all over the world (When I was in Bangladesh it was tripple price, quatro price...) but if talking about institutionalization, China is most probable candidate for the best double pricing country.(should i say worst?) Can anyone share your experience in China? Is it true that they make diffrent price even on train or airplane ticket?

Nah, you give me too much credit. When I speak on the phone I'll get compliments for speaking Thai CLEARLY, but they know I am gaijin...farang! The accent tells it all.

As to getting Thai prices when I read Thai, yes, I can say that my success rate is close to 100%. A little charm helps too.

khun_lung@ hmmmmmm, maybe if Thai people would not say anything about your fluency of Thai, then that would be the final goal of studying Thai!!

Sennie@ oh, i heard similar case in Malaysia, they have a list for the price of visa process for foreign students studying in Malaysian universities. they differ so much!