Why are electronic items so expensive in Thailand?

[Homer]

How about Malaysia? I don't recall anyone talking about cost experiences there. Pete

Prices were better in Georgetown, Malaysia than Thailand 3 years ago. Didn't buy anything because warranty was Malaysia only. One block near Komtar (the island's central bus station) had several brand specific shops selling DSLRs and assorted expensive kit. By last Oct. all but one had closed or shifted focus to point and shoots.

[wpcoe]

I recall reading someplace (here?) that most electronics made in Thailand are "for export only," and must be exported to another country (where they likely are taxed) and then re-imported to Thailand (where they likely are taxed again.)

I believe the context I read that was referring to computer hard drives, but I guess it could apply to other electronics.

[TakeitToTheMax]

Samsung Galaxy S3 Thailand 20,000 to 21,000 baht no contract
USA 16,200Baht no contract

Not a direct comparison however: How can a Thai Toyota 86GT cost 2,400,000 baht whereas in USA a Ford Shelby GT500 costs $56,400 (1,579,00Baht)

Thai Toyota Fortuner 3.0 AT 4wd at 1,447,000Baht (US$49.5k), same in M.E. 46k much better trim and accessories


Say no more, Rip off Thailand,

[Frank Hovis]

I don't think the 86 is made here, I'm sure it's still a Japanese import so taxes will hike the price, but the small engine and low power keep it in the lower brackets.

Quite why they keep the specs so low on Fortuners (etc) for local consumption is beyond me, surely the optional extras can be charged for even more. It's not like you can buy one with six airbags even if you wanted to, but that's standard in South Africa.

[margaretcarnes]

Most of the people in Thailand have them also - its just they've paid a lot more than everyone else.

Try asking an Asian if they could survive without their mobile phone ...

I think mobile phone ownership has come about for slightly different reasons than for computers etc. South East Asian countries, Thailand included, failed to keep pace with the development of fixed line telecomms technology. The investement needed would probably have been a waste of money anyway given the dawn of mobiles. So either deliberately or unintentionally mobiles are now pretty much essential.
In the UK people are moving more to total wifi and giving up on their fixed lines. I am certainly saving money after making the change, while our still independant telephone company in Hull is struggling to stay afloat as it's customers jump ship. The company failed to recognise the threat of mobile technology.

[wiki]

Buksi, slightly linked with your point ref cameras, and especially Nikon since they are made here, isn't there a healthy supply of 'excess stock' that the factory 'didn't want' that one could tap into? I am longing for a D800 at some point to match my full-frame Nikon glass and was excited to see that the bodies are all made in Thailand. The prices, however, are ridiculous compared with elsewhere in the world.

I'm not fussed about a warranty or even having to buff out a few scratches from where it fell off the back of the lorry, have you not come across this in your extensive travels..?

The top end Nikon parts are still made in Japan and assembled in Thailand/China. Check out the liks below.My D700 and the 1.4 lenses I bought here are all with 'made in Japan' labels.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/41478280
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/41477819 etc etc

I lived in Spain for 5 years before I lived in Thailand, it's much more expensive there for white goods, I never understood it as average Spanish wages were a lot lower then the UK even then. Perhaps it was all on tick and the banks were charging big interst rates that were then passed onto the punters?

Back to Thailand.....I've worked with Filipinos that would buy all sorts from Thailand to take home as it was cheaper, they'd go as far as buying 40+ inch tvs. I know I couldn't be a*s*d doing that!