“local” prices for Farangs

Asking for the price of a pair of trousers in a small shop in The Mall Bangkapi I got the answer: Baht 1.700. Noticing my face the shop-owner came quickly with the following explanation: “it is less expensive than in America Sir!”

As the articles were not priced and as I saw him giving a price with a calculator in his hand to a Thai I decided not to argue and left the shop.

Antoni P. Uni, Bangkok April 2007