Why the double standard on dual charges?
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Netizens are furiously condemning a taxi driver who sought to charge a tourist far in excess of the metered rate simply because he was not a Thai.
Chaiyan Charnoensopha refused to switch on his meter when Mr Tomikawa approached him. Suvarnabhumi Airport officials promptly banned him from working there ever again. Bravo!
The condemnation and the ban are warranted.
But are we practising double standards? Again and again I see signs that indicate non-Thais are charged more than Thais for the exact same service. I can see why we might discriminate between those who pay Thai taxes and those who don’t when it comes charging for the use of public facilities – but privately run businesses have no such excuse. Also, all those who pay taxes in Thailand, regardless of their nationality, should be charged the same as Thais for using public facilities.
No double standards, please.
Burin Kantabutra
