PHUKET: The Chinese guide on the next massage table to a Phuketwan reporter revealed that rip-offs still permeate Phuket's tourism industry and make the Thai holiday island a place for street-wise travellers.
As the guide was being massaged in a Phuket City facility, he and his masseuse chatted about prices. At this parlor, the cost of a massage is 300 baht for one hour.
''When I bring Chinese tourists, I charge them 1200 baht,'' the guide said.
''When I bring in five people or more, the price drops to 250 baht as a discount. But I still charge them 1200 baht.''
Little wonder he could afford the relaxing 300 baht massage.
The Chinese guide works for a company recently accused of leaving Thai tour organisations with debts of thousands of baht, with promises of working through its debts.
Mass deceptions are carried out on tourists visiting Phuket at every opportunity where the language barrier allows the cheaters to get away with it.
Non-English and non-Thai-speaking groups are easy targets.
The conversation between the Chinese guide and his masseuse, recorded by Phuketwan, took place just last week.
Rip-offs are the main reason why the Phuket Tourism and Sport department director, Santi Pawai, is setting out a schedule of acceptable recommended payment levels for Phuket's regular tourist activities.
The list is a warning to all tourists of potential scams. Khun Santi hopes the list, with the help of the Chinese embassy, will soon be published in all key languages.
There are clearly differences in quality between a 300 baht an hour massage at a Phuket City parlor and a 1200 baht massage with all extras at a luxury resort destination.
However, there is no excuse for operators charging 1200 baht for a massage that others are enjoying for just 300 baht. Phuket's competitiveness depends on treating tourists equitably.
It is to be hoped Khun Santi moves on to look at the large commissions still being paid to taxi and tuk-tuk drivers that also undermine Phuket's competitiveness.
Fifteen percent commission is acceptable - 50 percent is extortion.
Standard prices for tourist services on Phuket include:
Day trip from Phuket to Phi Phi including meals and stops at four snorkelling spots, 3500 baht (adult) 2500 baht (child.)
(Snorkellers are not permitted under Thai law to feed bread to the fish.)
Phang Nga tour from Phuket taking in Panyee island and James Bong island 1200 baht (adult) 1000 baht (child)
Koh He plus lunch 1800 baht (adult)
Racha Island plus lunch 1500 baht (adult) 1200 baht (child)
Similans plus National Park Fee
4000 baht (adult) 3500 baht (child)
Elephant Trekking four in one
600 baht (adult) 400 baht (child)
FantaSea show, food and transport
2200 baht (adult) 2000 baht (child)
Elephant trekking, 30 minutes
800 baht (adult, child)
Seafood buffet
1800 baht (adult, child)
Thai finger massage, without oil
800 baht
Spa, Thai massage with herbs, two hours
1200 baht
Spa massage with oils, one hour
1200 baht
As the guide was being massaged in a Phuket City facility, he and his masseuse chatted about prices. At this parlor, the cost of a massage is 300 baht for one hour.
''When I bring Chinese tourists, I charge them 1200 baht,'' the guide said.
''When I bring in five people or more, the price drops to 250 baht as a discount. But I still charge them 1200 baht.''
Little wonder he could afford the relaxing 300 baht massage.
The Chinese guide works for a company recently accused of leaving Thai tour organisations with debts of thousands of baht, with promises of working through its debts.
Mass deceptions are carried out on tourists visiting Phuket at every opportunity where the language barrier allows the cheaters to get away with it.
Non-English and non-Thai-speaking groups are easy targets.
The conversation between the Chinese guide and his masseuse, recorded by Phuketwan, took place just last week.
Rip-offs are the main reason why the Phuket Tourism and Sport department director, Santi Pawai, is setting out a schedule of acceptable recommended payment levels for Phuket's regular tourist activities.
The list is a warning to all tourists of potential scams. Khun Santi hopes the list, with the help of the Chinese embassy, will soon be published in all key languages.
There are clearly differences in quality between a 300 baht an hour massage at a Phuket City parlor and a 1200 baht massage with all extras at a luxury resort destination.
However, there is no excuse for operators charging 1200 baht for a massage that others are enjoying for just 300 baht. Phuket's competitiveness depends on treating tourists equitably.
It is to be hoped Khun Santi moves on to look at the large commissions still being paid to taxi and tuk-tuk drivers that also undermine Phuket's competitiveness.
Fifteen percent commission is acceptable - 50 percent is extortion.
Standard prices for tourist services on Phuket include:
Day trip from Phuket to Phi Phi including meals and stops at four snorkelling spots, 3500 baht (adult) 2500 baht (child.)
(Snorkellers are not permitted under Thai law to feed bread to the fish.)
Phang Nga tour from Phuket taking in Panyee island and James Bong island 1200 baht (adult) 1000 baht (child)
Koh He plus lunch 1800 baht (adult)
Racha Island plus lunch 1500 baht (adult) 1200 baht (child)
Similans plus National Park Fee
4000 baht (adult) 3500 baht (child)
Elephant Trekking four in one
600 baht (adult) 400 baht (child)
FantaSea show, food and transport
2200 baht (adult) 2000 baht (child)
Elephant trekking, 30 minutes
800 baht (adult, child)
Seafood buffet
1800 baht (adult, child)
Thai finger massage, without oil
800 baht
Spa, Thai massage with herbs, two hours
1200 baht
Spa massage with oils, one hour
1200 baht
You should see how much they charge the tourists when they stop them off at a fruit seller.
About 5 times the normal price.
Posted by Tbs on November 3, 2014 10:30