Phuket native Mr Chattreesagoon said that even though he told the attendant that he had a Thai identity card and spoke perfect Thai, the man refused to budge. He said he was told to enter he had to pay THB200 instead of the THB20 Thai citizens pay.
Mr Chattreesagoon declined to enter the national park and his friends followed suit in protest. Later he took to Facebook to vent his outrage at being discriminated against pricewise because he looked like a farang (foreigner).
The online complaint about the difference in fees to enter Thai national parks for locals and foreigners immediately went viral. It was shared by thousands and also liked by well over 30,000.
Most national parks in Thailand charge different admission prices for Thais and international visitors. For the most part, foreigners do not realise they are paying more as charges for Thais are invariably displayed in Thai script.
Thai man cries foul over national park entry fee for foreigners
News in Asia
A Thai national has posted up an online complaint after being asked to pay the same price as a foreigner to enter one of the country’s national parks. Park attendants at Krabi’s famous Emerald Pool told Grittapohn Chattreesagoon on Saturday he had to pay 10 times the entry fee of his Thai companions simply because he looked like a foreigner.