Beach chairs + umbrella cost

[odin]

Well its capitalisem in effekt, supply and demand. In january it was up to 5 rows with beachchairs, so demand was sky high.
The only way to stop escalating prices is to only use a towl.
I was more unhappy before when some charged 50 and some 100 baht, just makes me angry every time.
As long as Thiland have more and more turists every year, the prices will go up, especially in Patong.

[yamabthere]

I was asked for 100 Bht back in 2004 couldn't believe it so just used my towel on the beach. I've never been asked for money in Jomtien to sit on the chairs. Like many have said I only go to the beach for an hour or so and don't want to pay 100 Bht for the privilege.

[marc26]

Originally Posted by odin

Well its capitalisem in effekt, supply and demand. In january it was up to 5 rows with beachchairs, so demand was sky high.
The only way to stop escalating prices is to only use a towl.
I was more unhappy before when some charged 50 and some 100 baht, just makes me angry every time.
As long as Thiland have more and more turists every year, the prices will go up, especially in Patong.

why would you be angry
they are providing a service and expect to be paid for that service
it blows my mind that someone would sit on a towel when they can relax and have a chair and table for 50-100baht

[odin]

Goas along with beeing asked for 40 or 60 bath for motorbike taxi, when it's 20. Not to speak of non fixed prices. Being from Norway, I am used to fixed prices, I pay, knowing everybody pay the same. Ok I am in Thailand, but prices for the same service should be fixed.
And no, I would not sit on a thowel when I can sit on a chair for 100 bath. It isn't the prices that angry, its the price diffrensies for the same service that make me angry.

[Nicke]

How can you demand the prices to be same when there are different operators? Bars, guesthouses and restaurants dont charge same either.

However, I think I recall my parents told me they paid 150 baht this high season for 2 beds/umbrellas. But thats the northern part of Patong beach, which is more quiet compared to mid Patong.

As for tuk tuk's, Look like they charge anything between 200-300 for a 5 min ride in Patong now. That is far worse than the beach chair prices in my opinion.

Originally Posted by odin

Goas along with beeing asked for 40 or 60 bath for motorbike taxi, when it's 20. Not to speak of non fixed prices. Being from Norway, I am used to fixed prices, I pay, knowing everybody pay the same. Ok I am in Thailand, but prices for the same service should be fixed.
And no, I would not sit on a thowel when I can sit on a chair for 100 bath. It isn't the prices that angry, its the price diffrensies for the same service that make me angry.

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by odin

Goas along with beeing asked for 40 or 60 bath for motorbike taxi, when it's 20. Not to speak of non fixed prices. Being from Norway, I am used to fixed prices, I pay, knowing everybody pay the same. Ok I am in Thailand, but prices for the same service should be fixed.
And no, I would not sit on a thowel when I can sit on a chair for 100 bath. It isn't the prices that angry, its the price diffrensies for the same service that make me angry.

There are only two way prices can be the same.
1. Single operator (monopoly).
2. A controlling entity setting them (government).
Both equally bad. If I want to rent out a beach chair for 1000 baht to whomever will rent it, why should anyone else care?
BTW what is the fixed price for beach chairs in Norway?

[ATMwalking]

I find getting bent out of shape over 50 baht extra for beach chairs to be odd.

But what I do find distastefully is their charging for use of the new public showers at Patong beach. 5 baht to wash your feet and 10 baht for a shower. This absolutely should be a public service provided by the Patong government.

Ultimately you could say both chairs and showers should be free. They both function on the King's land and is one of the major draws to Patong. It would be a great feel good thing that costs next to nothing to provide. Give something positive for people to say about Patong. They get the money back from hotel room taxes anyway.

But general betterment doesn't seem to factor into local thinking. Regardless, I'll mention it to the deputy mayor when I next seem him wandering around. Low hanging fruit.

[Captain]

Originally Posted by ATMwalking

I find getting bent out of shape over 50 baht extra for beach chairs to be odd.

But what I do find distastefully is their charging for use of the new public showers at Patong beach. 5 baht to wash your feet and 10 baht for a shower. This absolutely should be a public service provided by the Patong government.

Ultimately you could say both chairs and showers should be free. They both function on the King's land and is one of the major draws to Patong. It would be a great feel good thing that costs next to nothing to provide. Give something positive for people to say about Patong. They get the money back from hotel room taxes anyway.

But general betterment doesn't seem to factor into local thinking. Regardless, I'll mention it to the deputy mayor when I next seem him wandering around. Low hanging fruit.

In Belgium you have to pay for public toilets and showers (on the beach) also. If I have to take a shower in a dirty place, or have to go to a dirty toilet, then I'd rather pay 10 Baht to the cleaning lady for using something clean.

[cybernator_uk]

In Germany you have to pay to use the public toilets, and different prices at different stations for instance at Hauptwache (main shopping strip) you have to pay 30 cents for a number 2 but a number 1 is free yet at Frankfurt main train station (Hauptbahnhoff) you pay 70 cent regardless.

Same as paying for chairs/umbrellas. It's not just Thailand either, its in many other places where tourists go. I remember being asked for money in magaluf (i can't remember the price now) many years ago, so why should Thailand be any different?

If people are willing/stupid (depending on your point of view) to pay these prices then why should they stop? Its buisness and obviously makes money.

[Tommychrk]

Originally Posted by MrDK

BTW what is the fixed price for beach chairs in Norway?

You got to bring your own Lars

[nacha]

i`m not total sure anymore, but i think i payed 100b for the chair and umbrella this year in jannuar at Kata Noi Beach...
But i know that the half price of what i payed was standing on the ticket you get there...

[odin]

Yes, it's much noise for only 50 bath, and that neither monopoly or goverment control are good solutions.
But the beach is probebly public, and the operators probebly need som kind of licence. So there are maybe allready som regulations?
And again, it isnt the prices that make me angry, it is that they aren't printed anywhere , so you know you aren't svindeled by the person who collects the monny.

[oMega]

For 100b i will buy me my own chair same chair in Pattaya is 20b . ...
Seems every thing is expensive in this island compare to Pattaya...to bad...

[ATMwalking]

So what you guys are saying if it were free, then Phuket would be great to other places that charge.

The government, like all goverments, waste money on silly things like welcome gates and other things people don't care about. Put a fraction of that money into something that effects almost every tourists and create positive buzz for almost no money.

What if beach chairs, showers, and a looping shuttle bus were all free? Now you just turned everyones top complaints into huge positive word of mouth. Everyone knows the real cost is close to zero (that's why you are complaining), but to get it free has real practical value.

But it will never happen. If they could charge for basic use of beach/ocean, then they would.

[Captain]

I can't see how beach chairs could be free, except if they belonged to a hotel and you are a guest in that hotel.
Some people have to pay the "town gouvernment" to get the license to put beach chairs. Then they have to invest in buying chairs (all new after the tsunami), umbrellas and the small tables. They have to pay labour to put the chairs in the morning, and collect them again in the late afternoon, plus to check if everything is OK, nothing is stolen, collect chair rent etc...
So you can argue that it is expensive, but you can not expect it to be free. I suppose in the Western world we call this business.

[marc26]

i believe last time i was in South Beach(Miami, FLA) they were charging for the beach chairs too

[ATMwalking]

We could do a big list of places that charge. No debate about that. But exactly the point. Free is unheard of, so it creates positive buzz. Anyone ever do any marketing? Positive buzz is free advertising which leads to future customers/tourists. 10 baht hard costs per set to help acquire people spending 4,000+ baht per day is a no brainier. More people coming is more money from hotel taxes.

Honestly I was partly just tired of people b!tching about chairs being 50 baht more here than over there. Funny to see people are now ruling out free. Other vacation spots do charge a lot more than $3-4 for two chairs, an umbrella, and a table for the entire day. What's the point?

But for the b!tchers, that chair money means one less beer at the bar that night. Heck that is 2 bears at the 50 baht beer place. So I can really see how this just messes up your vacation.

But I know most people are happier to b!tch than be constructive so I'll exit Come to think of it, why the hell did I waste time on a thread with people crying over 50 baht anyway? Oh the sun is shining, the ocean is beautiful, had a great night last night, but the big bad man wants 50 baht more...oh my vacation is ruined. Farang are so primed to b!tch about anything.

[marc26]

Originally Posted by ATMwalking

But I know most people are happier to b!tch than be constructive so I'll exit Come to think of it, why the hell did I waste time on a thread with people crying over 50 baht anyway? Oh the sun is shining, the ocean is beautiful, had a great night last night, but the big bad man wants 50 baht more...oh my vacation is ruined. Farang are so primed to b!tch about anything.

its kinda funny
i look at it as a positive that they just have chairs that are already on the beach, if i have to pay or not
im just glad not to have to lay on a towel