I Like Thai

Having said that, if a Thai is introduced to you by your real name and still persists in referring to you as "farang", i would also be wondering about that persons manners or education level.

Maybe it's simply that they can't pronounce the name correctly. I find it very difficult to pronounce Thai names. Even when going home, I find it impossible to pronounce the name of the airport. I have tried it many times in Taxis to pronounce it, but I always get a blank confused look. Now I just say "Airport" and don't have any problems. Does the Taxi driver think I am being rude by not saying the name of the airport, after all I have been to Thailand many times and should know the name of the airport by now. None of the drivers ever seem offended by it.

One HUGE reason for this is, that we accept it and even call ourselves that.

If you are a tourist, or you never have any intention to make deep bonds with a thai person, sure, we can laugh it off.

But if anyone want to be a part of a thai family, as is the case for many of us who have a thai girlfriend or a thai wife, we sure should not use the word farang, it will only put a distance between you and the rest of the family, and it will make it easier for some evil minded thais to rip us off, or view us as ATM machines...

I don't understand how being called a Farang, with malice or without would enable a Thai to rip anyone off, or view them as an ATM

P.S. I am new to this forum and haven't fully worked out the quotes yet. If I have inadvertently quoted the wrong person in this post. This is due to my confusion in cutting out text and quotes i didn't want. no offense intended.

Doesn't bother me, I don't understand Thai.

Even if you do ever understand Thai, don't let it bother you. Avoid rude and obnoxious people and keep the company of nice people, but never let it bother you

Seeing as there are more Thais than farang here in Thailand, is it any wonder I usually hear these words used when Thais refer to other Thais.

You know as well as I there are pronouns used that to the untrained ear may sound derogatory, but when used amongst family or close friends are perfectly accepatable, ai and ee being prime examples.

ok.. there is a few different words being mixed together here. "Meung" and "goo" are often used by thais when talking to each other when they are very close as in friends/family. They are the equiv of "you" and "me" but in a VERY informal manner. If used with someone you are not close to then it's seen as very rude to be so informal with them

Now, "mun" is quite a different story. "mun" is the equivalent of "it". This is not commonly used by even very close thais to refer to each other. I often hear "mun" used to refer to westerners and it goes to show the level of respect the give to us. I would much rather be referred to as "farang" when they are speaking about me than "mun". No one calls you "mun". They refer to you as "mun" (it).

I have been referred to as "Ta Mung" (sic) by many Thais and I have been told many times by many Thais that it means "Big Eyes". They all say that I have very beautiful big blue eyes. I have even noticed that when I first meet Thai people, they immediately look straight at my eyes and look at them longingly ( I know that people with small eyes will reply and advise of the opposite )

A few years back I was in a cosmetic surgeons reception office when three Thai girls came in, they looked straight at my eyes and said hello with a big smile and then went to speak with the receptionist. They were looking through photo books of procedures, chatting away in Thai to each other. At one point whilst speaking with the receptionist, one of the Thai girls turned, looked and pointed directly at me and said something in Thai, the only part that I understood was Ta Mung. The other girls including the receptionist laughed at this. I took it that the girl was saying that she wanted the same eyes as me and I took it as a very nice compliment.

Now, if I hadn't known the big eyes meaning and had read this thread about how derogatory the word mun or mueang was, what might I have done.

Maybe I could have stood up, walked over to where the bunch of rude impudent Thai girls were, then in my best loud and aggressive tone give them a severe tongue lashing in my best speed-ed up English, whilst wagging my finger at them. Then I storm out of the reception never to return. I would have shown them, they will think twice before they are rude to a farang again.

What might have the girls been saying in the reception after I left.

Receptionist: That man of European origin seemed like a very nice man when I spoke with him earlier. He was very polite and friendly and didn't call me the rude and derogatory word (Darling/Honey/Love/Babe/Sheila) one time even.

Thai Girl: Yes, sometimes you meet someone of European origin and they seem to be very nice and polite, but they always end up going crazy for no reason. I try to be polite and nice to them, but it's a waste of time. They all seem to be mentally unbalanced.

P.S: No I didn't pay for any procedure for anyone and yes, I have heard "We always pay, one way or the other" many many times.

I frequently hear lower classed thais referring to foreigners as "mun". That upsets me much more than being referred to as "farang". I have even heard girls refer to their meal ticket as "mun" only to have the girls mum correct her and say that's not nice.

There are rude and polite people in every society, best option is to avoid the rude and obnoxious ones.

The use of f-rang in Thailand is a SPECIFIC thing and you really can't directly compare it to other words in other countries. If you go to a hospital in Mexico, you are always Senor Such and Such. You aren't El Gringo. If you walk down the street in a provincial area, children don't gather around and point and laugh saying Gringo. Etc. etc. Not the same thing.

When I was a kid growing up in Ireland, it was during the time when American tourists first started to visit. Up until then, we didn't really have a tourist industry and foreigners were a very rare species. When we encountered the American tourists we used to point at them or just stand and stare at them and say to each other " Look at the Yanks" or "There's a busload of Yanks passing by" We never meant any offense using this term and non of the tourists were ever offended by the term either. Nowadays I find that it seems to have become a racist term to many American people.

Why is that ? I think it's because a group of people got together and decided that it should be a Racist term.

Is the word Farang in Thailand now going the same way. Was it always generally an inoffensive term, that is becoming a racist term now. Is it because groups of Farangs on web boards have decided that it should be a racist term and they then strive to inform any visitor to Thailand that it is a Racist term.

For me a word only becomes racist in the context that it is used. If the speaker is intent on being nasty, then it can be used in this manner. But the word itself is not a Racist word.

no, what i am saying is i cannot be bothered to sweat the little stuff.

jesus, you cant win around here

BLASPHEMY

you should be taken out and whipped with a cat o nine tails until the skin is peeled from your back

There are probably people in the world that would get upset at being referred to as Caucasian. i think the resentment lies within the person that feels as though they are being discriminated against more-so than the person using the term.

Me for instance, I am white. I will never be insulted at being called white, being called whitey, pork or any other names causes me no offense and never will. Even being called Paddy or anything else will not upset me.

That's a good point. And I think it's something that is beyond the comprehension of many here. For instance, in the USA, some whites like to compare being called "honky" or "cracker" with the infamous "N" word. Well it's really not the same, is it? In order for a racial term to be truly offensive, there has to be a historical context, i.e., past history of racial oppression. Whites have never been discriminated the same way as blacks in America. Not even close.

So in Thailand, I try to be patient with farangs complaining about the word "farang," yet, I find it almost comical when compared to other racial injustices around the world. If anything, the word "farang" denotes privilege and international worldliness, among other things. Of course, that is changing slowly as farangs may no longer be looked at that way...except maybe amongst the peasant class.

But I agree with you that those who feel resentment are more apt to have internal issues rather than anything real.

Good post.

Us "whites" were never "black ivory". We were never slaves. We were never "buck niggers" who were used solely to maintain the size of our plantation owners' slave quotient.

By all accounts, the Royal Court of Ayuthaya welcomed us "whites" with open arms when we first arrived. Read the history books and you'll see that Thais were actually very accommodating when we first turned up.

Any racism that you may feel the word FARANG connotes probably stems from (Facist Dictator) Phibun Songkran's nationalistic reforms in the 1930s and 1940s.

http://en.wikipedia....Phibunsongkhram

Maybe we look at the "White World " with rose tinted glasses. back when Ireland had a famine, millions of Irish emigrated to America. The majority of these were peasant farmers. When they arrived on American shores they were used to build roads and railways, in similar and worse conditions that the African Slaves found themselves in.

Most of these immigrants had no money and would have had to sign "Contracts" agreeing to work on the railways/roads etc to pay off their passage once they arrived in America. Because they were white, it wouldn't have been P.C at the time or now to label them then as slaves, but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then ...... Peasant immigrants from England, Scotland and Wales would have been in the same situation.

I never meant to sound like im tooting my own horn. Im simply listing factors that effect me and who i am and how the thai people might interpret this. I came here for wisdom by being honest and straightforward, aparently my search for wisdom will lead me somewhere else.

I think every wild creature in Thailand is endangered and no Im not joking. Not like the rest of Asia is any better.

They're just catching up with the West

I read the OP post and my gut tells me this type of violence is extremely rare.. I could be completely wrong and commend the OP for posting but still feel it is safe to bike here in Pattaya with the exception of the traffic. I never witnessed a Thai robbing a tourist nor have I had any issues with violence here. I'm not careful generally speaking. Don't wander down dark roads on foot at 3AM in the morning as a general habit or bike on deserted roads around Pattaya. In Chiang Mai I do all the time and have had no problems.

Is violence more of a concern here compared to big cities in Europe and the USA? Maybe it is and this thread has got me thinking luck has been on my side the 7 years here (only 3 in Pattaya). I was told about motorcyclists clubbing cyclists prior to this thread and thought the incident(s) wasn't a going concern. Just a drunk Thai trying to make a quick buck.

Starting to think I have had blinders on here and might need to be a little more careful. No more 5:30 am training runs down dark roads for example.

I think the main difference is that in Europe or USA, if a couple of guys were regularly attacking cyclists with iron bars in the same area, the Police would have clamped down on it immediately.

All very interesting. Personally, I don't self identify as "white" either ...

Obviously each society deals with racial identity issues in different ways. If you want a proof of how culturally specific such things are study the perception of race in the Dominican Republican. For them, that's reality. ONLY there.

The way I look at it is that no one can insult you unless you allow them to. It's all about your own state of mind

The moment you leave Thailand you are no longer f-rang except if you encounter some very slow witted Thais abroad who don't get there is a bigger world. I prefer NOT to internalize this obnoxious labeling. If that makes me a bad expat, I can cope with that.

Of course, you're wrong JT. You will be a farang anywhere you go on this planet, even in the west. Except there, the comparable English term would be Caucasian, westerner, European, white man, etc. There will be different terms in other countries/languages which mean the same thing, whether it's Japan...or Korea....or Mexico...even in Hawaii. So if it bothers you, I guess you're kind of screwed.

I didn't say it bothers me, did I? I just said I don't INTERNALIZE it. Thai person says f-rang. I think, I know you are talking about me but that word isn't actually about me, it's about that Thai persons conditioning. Maybe you think you are a f-rang. Enjoy. I don't.

I also think you way simplify the Thai specific social implications of the way the concept of f-rang is used in Thai culture (no I do not believe it is actually a neutral racial descriptor here like Caucasian), but personally too lazy to go into that here.

There are probably people in the world that would get upset at being referred to as Caucasian. i think the resentment lies within the person that feels as though they are being discriminated against more-so than the person using the term.

Me for instance, I am white. I will never be insulted at being called white, being called whitey, pork or any other names causes me no offense and never will. Even being called Paddy or anything else will not upset me.

As for the word Caucasian, that isn't even used in it's correct context anyway

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasian_race

The term Caucasian race (also Caucasoid, Europid, or Europoid)^[1] has been used to denote the general physical type of some or all of the populations of Europe, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Western Asia (the Middle East), parts ofCentral Asia and South Asia.^[2] Historically, the term has been used to describe many peoples from these regions, without regard necessarily to skin tone.^[3] In common usage, in countries such as the United States, Australia and New Zealand the term is sometimes restricted to white people of Europe and other lighter skinned populations within these regions and can be considered as equivalent to varying definitions of white people.

It was on True 107. Probably was a draw at 1-13 to 0-19. No word of replay as yet.

I think the replay is on Sept 30th

Is this Specific to English people, or would it affect Welsh, Scottish and N.Ireland also ?

If your not the husband then whats this got to do with you?

everybody has an opinion , this being a forum , and My opinion issssss

Personally I think you should leave it for the Thai girls to sort it out. They do a good job , have you ever seen Thai girls round on an unwanted idiot.

I understand that Thai's do not like to be impolite and will try to avoid it. If she can understand for herself that sometimes when dealing with Farangs, being Impolite is sometimes the best and only answer.

In a case such as above, if she looked the customer in the eye and simply said "fuc_k Off", he would get the message clearly.

Are we talking about a woman who works in a bar in Pattaya?

I am talking about any woman that is receiving uninvited and unwanted advances from a farang man that is incapable of taking a polite refusal.

Q: Why don't Thais eat much rib eye steak

A: They are too scared to eat it.

Why?

They are scared that they will catch Mad Cow Disease and end up like the crazy farangs that they see everywhere.

http://www.usmef.org/despite-bse-ban-in-thailand-and-partial-ban-in-indonesia-global-market-access-situation-encouraging/

Despite BSE Ban in Thailand and Partial Ban in Indonesia, Global Market Access Situation Encouraging

The global reaction to this week’s BSE announcement remains very encouraging, as no change in market access for U.S. beef has been announced in any foreign markets except Indonesia and Thailand. Indonesia’s deputy agriculture minister has stated that his country is imposing an import ban on U.S. beef variety meat, bone-in muscle cuts, meat and bone meal (MBM) and gelatin from bones. According to the newly updated FSIS Export Library, only boneless beef is eligible for export to Indonesia unless the bill of lading date is on or before April 24, 2012. While the announcement by Indonesia is disappointing, it is important to view it in the context of recent events. Indonesia has been engaged in a very aggressive policy initiative to bolster its domestic beef production, drastically reducing the flow of imported beef into the country in 2012 – not only from the United States, but from all of its major beef suppliers. (Indonesia reduced its import quota allocation to just 34,000 mt for 2012, compared to actual imports of about 100,000 mt in 2011.) Through February, U.S. beef plus beef variety meat exports to Indonesia were down 84 percent in volume and 71 percent in value compared to the same period last year. Global Trade Atlas data also reflect lower exports from Indonesia’s primary suppliers: Australia (down 27 percent) and New Zealand (down 59 percent). In addition, Indonesia reduced its import quota for live cattle (mainly from Australia) to 285,000 head compared to a 520,000 head quota last year. In summary, Indonesia already had placed severe restrictions on beef and cattle imports before the BSE case was announced. USMEF does not view Indonesia’s decision as any indication of a trend toward new BSE-related market access restrictions in other countries. U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk called for swift resolution of the latest trade impasse with Indonesia. Speaking today at a news conference in Singapore, Kirk said there was no reason to fear an international spread of BSE. “There’s been no evidence (in) this one reported instance that any contaminated product has entered our food chain or any international food chain,” he said. “There is no reason, from my understanding of the analysis, for any consumer to be concerned about the consumption of U.S. beef. Thus we would expect that Indonesia would quickly reopen its market for its consumers for U.S. beef products.” USMEF learned Friday that Thailand has also announced a temporary suspension of U.S. beef imports. Because U.S. exports to Thailand were already limited to boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age, this appears to be a complete suspension of beef trade. The FSIS Export Library is not yet updated for Thailand, but USMEF will advise exporters as soon as more information is available regarding product already en route to Thailand and other key details. In 2011, Thailand was a $1.2 million market for U.S. beef. Thailand’s total beef imports were valued at $61.67 million – with India as the primary supplier, followed by Australia and New Zealand.

If your advice is anything like your posts on here it's no wonder he chose to ignore you. You categorically stated Thais don't eat beef, when it's blatantly obvious that many do, my colleague had it for lunch today. Just because it may not be a T-bone or of sufficient quality does not mean they are not eating beef.

I can't be arsed with these people that believe just cos they have spent a good few years here, it means their opinions are the only correct ones.

Whats that great line about opinions Like A..........

Am average of 3 kg per year per capita means almost no one in Thailand eats beef. Think about it for a minute and it will become obvious. If it does not I can't help you.

Yes it is very obvious. The Thai's produce beef to fit the size of their mouths also.

I understand that Thai's do not like to be impolite and will try to avoid it. If she can understand for herself that sometimes when dealing with Farangs, being Impolite is sometimes the best and only answer.

In a case such as above, if she looked the customer in the eye and simply said "fuc_k Off", he would get the message clearly.

I think that you will need to be a very active part in the English education of the child. You will need to speak with the child very regularly and read stories etc. You will need to speak with the child more than her mother does. Children pick up language by copying the adults around them. As it is more likely that your future wife will have developed bad habits (Pidgin English), the onus will be on you to ensure that the child begins her education without forming bad habits, this will also help for your wife to break her habits.

If you have developed a habit yourself of speaking Thaiglish with your wife, then this also needs to be stopped, This will ultimately improve your wife's English and by default the English of the child.

It takes around 6 months to register the Child as an Irish Citizen although one of the sites I looked at said 12-15 months!

I have been told that a properly put together application for British Citizenship is from 2 to 4 months.

I can apply for both but she would have to ditch one of them if she were to successful as a person can only hold dual nationality. She would not be looking to lose her Thai nationality.

Maybe this process will speed things up a little bit

http://dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=267

Foreign Births Registration

Important information as of 4 September 2012

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is currently updating its procedures for the receipt of Foreign Birth’s Registration (FBR) applications. This upgrade of the FBR system is part of our ongoing commitment to improve our service to the public.

The new system will comprise of an on-line application process which will be available electronically from the Department’s website on October 1^st 2012. The system is intended to make it easier and more convenient for applicants to access our service and to advise on the FBR process.

In the interim this Department, either directly or through our Missions overseas, is not accepting FBR applications for processing (except in very exceptional circumstances) by post.

We apologise for any inconvenience that these changes may incur for applicants, however, the new system will provide for a more speedy approval of applications received throughout our network of Missions.

Should you have any difficulties in the short term, prior to the electronic system going live, please contact your nearest Irish Mission or the Consular Services Section here in Dublin, www.dfat.ie, for advice.

A person born abroad to a parent who, although not born in Ireland, was otherwise an Irish citizen at the time of the person’s birth, can become an Irish citizen by applying for Foreign Births Registration, either to the Irish Diplomatic or Consular Mission nearest to where the applicant normally resides or, if resident in Ireland, to:

Ah typical TommoPhysicist contempt for women.

I know it's always been difficult for you to figure them out but surely, even you want a woman to like you, right?!

A wise man once told me " The day you think you have a woman figured out, is the day that you are well and truly F***ed"

P.S. He didn't mean F****ed, in a sexual way

Nice cycle paths and roads in The Netherlands vs pot holes, loose sand, pollution, aggressive drivers, extreme heat in Pattaya. I wouldn't even think about riding a bicycle here and that's without even considering the criminal element. I couldn't think of a less relaxing activity.

Cyclists in Pattaya are the bravest of the brave.

Very few potholes, very little loose sand, Air is clean out in the countryside, it is no more polluted than the air you breathe whilst walking around at any rate, drivers are less aggressive in Thailand towards cyclists than they are in the West, Thai drivers are more inclined to give way to cyclists (think they haven't quite worked out what they are yet) Heat is ok with an early start and plenty of water

If I dont get on my bike first thing in the morning and start riding, it will never happen. If I dont pass the gym on the way back, I wont be working out.

Hard to stay motivated when your 65 so i need a kickstart.

Why not join up with other cyclists, safety in numbers. These lads always welcome new joiners to their group

https://sites.google.com/site/jomtiencyclingclub/home

Go to a zoo or animal park and get some Tiger or Lion poo from one of the keepers. Spread this on your property, You won't see a dog or cat or any other animal near your property until the scent wears off. But if you have neighbours, with well cared for animals in their back yard, then maybe not a good idea. The poor animals will be shaking with fear with no where to escape to.

I love guava. It's refreshingly tasty.

What has this to do with the OP's topic!!!!!

Thais call Guava farang, sit and eat one in the public and I'm sure you'll hear 'farang gin farang' 55555

Bok Cee Da. Something of little use that nobody wants. Now if you hear them calling you that, then you know they are being disrespectful

If im in a taxi and the driver is saying on the phone he has a farang in the car- no not bothered

If i'm in a store and the assistand talks to another assistant and says 'the farang needs help' - no not bothered

when i go to a company and say " Hello my name is Mr. kjkjjiik I have an appointment with Khun Somchai" and the receptionist then phones that person and says a farang is here to see you - yes pisses me off totally

When Thais who know my name and still refer to me as Farang - yes pisses me off.

Have you ever heard a Thai name and thought, "No way am I ever going to get my tongue around that and pronounce it properly". A Thai will experience the same thing with Farang names. Just because a farang name is very easy for us to pronounce, don't assume it is as easy for them to pronounce.

It is not often I give something of value away. But it is obvious by reading this thread that there a number of posters on good old Thai Visa who know nothing about Thai women! Who would have thought it?

OK here goes.... You ready......

Thai women like to shop. Thai women don't like exotic locations or the beach; Thai women like to shop. Thai women like to eat.

Thai women like to eat, 5 or more times a day and Thai women like to shop.

The largest percent of shoppers in Pattaya's Central mall are from Bangkok because Thai women from Bangkok like to shop and eat. Central in Pattaya is expensive and Thai women especially like to shop at expensive shopping malls.

So, guys now this is a test. How do you get a Thai women to really like you? Hmmmm. Well what do Thai women like to do? A. Take her to a go go?

B. Take her to the beach?

C. Take her to an exotic island.

D. Take her to Central mall in Pattaya.

D is the answer guys. Remember Thai women like to shop. Thai women like to shop and eat. There is more shopping and eating per square foot at Central mall in Pattaya than almost any place in Thailand.

That may mean that she likes your money, it doesn't mean she will like you.

Russians in the main i would say. BKK Thais also are buying Condos since the floods in recent years, This had large number of Thais having to evacuate some parts of Bangkok

The advantages of an Irish passport over a British one? None that I can think of; and to be fair, vice versa.

It allows him to bring his daughter to the UK and provide for her as he seems to want to do. They can then work at getting a British passport if they want. They can hold Dual nationality.