many years ago I was told that "farang" was the Thai name for the french who occupied indo china prior to WW-2. I don't think it is meant to be offensive when used by the thai's in the west we refer to [people as, europeans, english. french ETC, they just have one word for everyone, However when someone referres to me personally I gently correct them in thai that I am not a falang, I am an American woks every time!