Why is Thailand such a rip-off?
 

Due to the new June 2016 regulations it now costs $1150 for a 3 day transit permit of Thailand.

I find this offensive and totally ridiculous.

Thailand is a no go for the solo traveller.

Apart from joining with people (a long shot at short notice) does anyone know of any other way to cut this cost? Has anyone air freighted it?

I'm (trying) travelling from Malaysia to Vietnam...and would happily take a boat to avoid this madness....but there are none.

Has anyone have experience or any info which could help?

You and everyone else does think the same.
Try and bypass Thailand IMO

Good luck.

Trouble is, with Vietnam a no-go country, and everyone happy to pay big money to go through Burma or China before they even get to Thailand, why shouldn't Thailand get their share of the action.
It will all die down in a couple of months and travellers wanting to take these routes will just grumble and accept it as part of the background cost just as they do with other countries that similarly inconvenience travellers thinking they should be able to do as they please by imposing inconvenient visa conditions, special carnet deposit rules, escorts, too-short stay restrictions, draconian overstay penalties and the like. May as well get upset about the cost of fuel in Iceland or Britain because there isn't a lot you can do about it except accept it, go elsewhere or stay home.

@ Tony Lee.....

I get Burma and China...they have been closed and difficult for years for foreign tourists. It's all new and unusual for them. Thailand on the other hand see's well over 1 million tourists a year, so it's nothing new - and they understand the economic benefit of tourism...so why they have done this now makes no sense to me. I'm fine with paying a nominal fee, especially when it goes to the good of the country you are visiting - but $1500 for 3 days transit is absurd. Where does that money go? You still have to pay for your guides petrol and meals on top?! At least a Burma transit includes a lot - like accommodation.

I would agree with you on going elsewhere...if that's how Thailand wants to treat visitors, I think overlanders should just avoid it......

I think you will find out that Thailand has close to 30 million tourists a year and not 1 million.
Why did this happen ???
Living in China with a 5-month visit to Thailand each year the writing was on the wall IMO.
There needed to stop the influx of Chinese plated cars/bikes entering Thailand year on year.
You just need to understand with the lack of general driving skills and the basic knowledge of road safety by Chinese drivers, too many Thais people was being killed in Thailand.
So the Government without pointing fingers decided to make it very very difficult for all Cars/Bikes entering Thailand ( except the countries who have an agreement with Thailand ).
It all come to a head when a Very high-ranking immigration official was hit head on by a Chinese driver on the wrong side of the road 2 years ago.
So best is to direct your anger toward the CHINESE.

This has been my understanding too. Quoting from a very experienced rider, on another forum:

So is that cost reduced if you travel as a group?


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No thats just for people who act like money on legs. If you act intelligent you can rent a local bike for just $5 per day http://schoene-motorradreisen.de/?re...and_chiang_mai
For intelligent people Thailand is still one of the cheapest and nicest countrys to spend the winter and riding bikes in :-)

Thailand is a magnificent country to visit tho. It is indeed very expensive for only 3 days but sharing might be an option like some people said. Phuket especially is a slice of heaven. Definitely, must-see and Thai authorities know that and they exploit it. Everything else is so cheap though and you can negotiate for literally everything.