The Overcharge

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When is too much too much?  Be wary of the overcharge? 

Although Thailand has unbelievable prices when it comes to food, shopping, and leisure, you will invariably be a victim of the "overcharge."  It's technically not a crime, but it's something that you should look out for during your travels. 

The overcharge is when Thai merchants charge you much more than usual simply because you are a foreigner.  Their reasons for doing this are perfectly understandable.  The average salary throughout Thailand is just over 7,000 baht (approximately $200 US) a month.  Of course, in major urban centers like Bangkok or Chang Mai, you will often brush elbows with extremely wealthy Thai nationals, but for the most part, Thai salaries aren't very substantial when compared to many Western salaries.  In fact, you'll probably end up spending more money in five days than most Thai people make in five weeks. 

Detecting the Overcharge

The overcharge is sometimes hard to detect since many prices are negotiable in Thailand.  However, in haggling situations, it's safe to assume that whatever price the merchant is quoting is way more than what a Thai person would be asked to pay.  Time and experience are useful teachers, but many medical tourists don't have the luxury of honing their haggling skills during their brief visits.  If you want some general tips on how to get the best price, however, feel free to review our haggling section located here.  

Letting It Slide

Even if a merchant charges you five times what a Thai person would have to pay, you still might be getting a good deal since Thai prices are extremely reasonable.  Whether you're buying noodles on the street or a mango wood candle holder from a vendor, an excessive overcharge won't break the bank.  Some tourists simply let the matter slide and pay whatever the merchant suggests.  It's ultimately up to you, of course.

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