So why is it that this kind of overcharging is deemed illegal when the same practice in hotel rooms, jewellery shops, Thai boxing matches, zoos and especially national parks is not?

It could be argued that the governing authorities themselves are the greatest source of double-pricing policies. The most common complaint heard from foreigners about two-tier pricing is without a doubt directed at the land's awesome national parks - which have, incidentally, just bumped up their entrance fees again for both Thais and foreigners to Bt40 and Bt400 respectively.

With such a blatant two-tier pricing scheme installed and practised on a daily basis by the authorities, how can they justify a clampdown on local restaurants that are just following in their footsteps? The authorities have been arguing for donkeys' years that foreign tourists are so filthy rich in comparison to the locals that charging them 10 times the price of Thais to, say, swim in a waterfall, is completely justifiable. Consider however the average scruffy banana-shake backpacker who, on having to fork out Bt400, is bewildered by the sight of a successful Thai businessmen, arriving in his latest Mercedes Benz and shelling out Bt40.

And how about this for a Catch-22 situation: I once read of a vacationing European who brought his Thai wife and their two teenage Eurasian sons - the latter hardly able to speak a word of Thai - for a day at the park. They were warmly welcomed by a couple of officials who were totally puzzled about how much to charge the family, especially the handsome half-castes. After much deep deliberation, the officers decided that the most plausible fee would be Bt400 for the Westerner, Bt200 each for his sons and Bt40 for the wife. Even though the woman had been in Europe for 20 odd years, she was still categorised as a poor local.

One splendidly clever technique that is used throughout the land is for two-tier entrance fees to be boldly written up in English with Roman numerals for foreigners and, for the benefit of locals, in Thai with Thai numerals. Very innovative indeed, as every soul knows that most foreigners can't spot the difference between written Thai and Double-Dutch. Does a crafty practice like this perhaps show that the brains behind it all are actually rather embarrassed by double pricing? I would advise those who care to charge foreigners 10 times the price that they have the decency to allow them the right to know.

Let's look too at the villages of the long-necked Karen hill-tribe. Tourists have been told for years that all proceeds from the expensive admission fee go to the villagers. Well, shiver-me-timbers, but if this were true the long-necked Karen would be holding their heads up very high indeed, living a life of luxury in brand spanking new mansions with attached swimming pools while sipping imported wines and smoking big cigars.

However, let me also make it clear to all foreign readers who have been left fuming at the ears after being overcharged for tom yam kung and tour guides that Thai tourists also get overcharged and ripped off. Most locals can tell you that when they're on vacation in the chilly North or the sunny South, they too have to be wary of any costly inconsistencies. The vendors in tourists areas that are also frequented by Thais are even smarter than the park commissioners as they fully realise that many Bangkokians are as wealthy, if not wealthier, than their foreign counterparts. In fact, most tourists and even long-term expats don't realise that there are times when tourists, and especially backpackers, end up paying less than Thais.

Take the situation at a clothes' market - your average Thai doesn't have the face to barter the vendor down to the very last Bt5 possible. By contrast, loads of foreigners, after having studied their reputable guidebooks, which explain the art of aggressive bargaining, are up in arms, haggling down a price for an astonishing half an hour.

It is also not Thai-style for locals to try on a roadside vendor's shirt before buying it. Many foreigners on the other hand show no such remorse - while the vendor's back is turned they whip off their tops and try the fresh garment out. The foreign tourist fails to gather however that his sweaty chest and armpits leave a lingering aroma. The vendor is therefore forced to sell off the stinky shirt at a rock-bottom price as no local customer would touch it with a barge pole.

It has to be admitted that a lot of foreigners are completely paranoid about being over-charged or ripped off. During my years in the capital, I don't know just how many pitiable taxi drivers I encountered who related some story of how a foreigner went roaring berserk after the driver failed to know the quickest, shortest route back to his apartment. Jumping to the conclusion that he was literally being taken for a ride, he bellows to the poor guy "Hey scammer, open the door and let me out!" As for the driver, it's a year or so later before he dares pick up another foreigner.

Then there was the scenario I witnessed a few years back when a young European backpacker on Khao San Road threw a pathetic tantrum after the waitress had charged her Bt2 for a glass of ice. Absolutely livid when she was again informed that it was restaurant policy, she smashed a glass on the floor before being almost arrested by the local boys-in-brown.

Back to double pricing. Many foreigners may be furious at how Thais can so blatantly and cunningly implement their two-tier price system, but what they fail to realise is that many among them indulge in the same practice. And an excellent place to witness this is Pattaya. One world famous family entertainment venue there - believe it or not - has a foreign owner and a two-tier price policy. Keeping in step with park commissioners, they also very craftily draw up the prices for Thai nationals in Thai numerals. Then, there is another fancy foreign-managed place just down the road where for the privilege of seeing a few sharks and clown fish, you can also expect the very same double-pricing scene.

And it's not just these foreign-owned places that love a bit of the Thai-style overcharging. There are plenty of foreign-run guesthouses and restaurants scattered around the country that indulge in exactly the same business practice. When a friend of mine confronted one guesthouse operator on this a while back, he was politely informed they had special prices just for the "local regulars". Some folk may argue that this kind of "special local's price", which is popular in Western countries, is just a variation of the two-tier price system.

A couple of months ago, while vacationing up North, I noticed that some foreign-run Internet shops were also operating on the two-tier price system. Once when I was in desperate need of an Internet connection, I was forced to give in and just cough up the cash. Fortunately however the ever-friendly foreign boss did offer me a free cup of coffee.

Stephen Cleary

Special to The Nation

SUPHAN BURI

Stephen Cleary is the co-founder of www.thai-blogs.com.