A two-tier pricing system exists for expats in most countries around the world. Locals will attempt to charge extra based on their impression of your ability to pay. By way of example in my place in France just last week I was quoted £2,300 for four natural stone gateposts, 1 foot square, four foot high. I had the stone, so the price was for labour alone. A fair price would be no more than £250-£300.
I don't feel resentful over this, it's human nature, and the trick is to get around it as KL suggests. I do so both via my gf and by a couple of Thai contacts. They do all my negotiations for me, and I get Thai prices as a result.
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