Dear Sir;
My wife who is a Thai National and I spent four very relaxing days in Pattaya which included the Loy Krathong Festival. We introduced the festival to two of my good friends from Australia. While we were staying at the Flipper Lodge Hotel in Soi Eight, my wife suggested to my friends and myself we should go and have a look at the ships that are permanently moored for the tourists. I cannot remember the name of the place where the ships are moored. The cost of the trip to and from the hotel was 1,800 baht.
When we eventually arrived at the port only my wife was allowed to go on board to have a look at the biggest ship. My friends and I were not allowed. I am not a tourist, I have lived in Phitsanulok for the past fifteen years. Thailand is my home, and we own our own home and a car.
I am an Australian Citizen but I have no intentions of going back to live in Australia. I am quite happy to see the rest of my days here in Thailand, so my question is why are farangs discriminated against when we want to go and see some tourist attractions? I have to pay double the cost to what my wife pays. I have invested close on ten million baht since I have been in Thailand, so why the discrimination?
Regards,
Mr. R. H. Beard
