ayayay

While he was trapped underwater, he penned the following letter,

Dear Friend,

I know this letter comes as a surprise to you.

I have been trapped in a boat for the last three days. While contemplating my imminent death, I was moved by God to impart you the good news that my father, former nigerian oil minister, had left me USD10,000,000 ( Ten Million US dollars) which I would like to transfer to a trustworthy partner such as yourself. Unfortunately, because of my fathers position, I am not able to transfer funds without a correspondent bank overseas.

In view of our trusted relationship, I undertake to share with you 20 percent of the sum transferred.

Please do not divulge these details to any other party.........

Is this suppose to be funny?

You call yourself "farang", (in other words, an object in the eyes of a Thai), and then complain about being a victim of discrimination.

Joke or not from your part, you fail to see that this is exactly the mechanism that makes it easier to scam foreigners for hundred of thousands of baht every year. And maybe even a few deaths...

In my experience 99% with Thais and expats would say you were wrong. For confirmation search the 126 threads about "is Farang a bad word" that have appeared on Thaivisa in the past few years.

Farang is not meant as a bad word itself.

You are missing the point.

But, the way Thais use the word, is not just to identify us in a certain specific situation, like we in the west use to address if a person is white, black etc.

Thais use the word, in a way where they clearly, first and foremost, see us as an object, as "farang" and then only secondly, as normal human being, and as an individual.

If you can speak Thai, pay attention to what I just said. And then tell me I am not correct.

You're not correct.

Yes, I am.

Yeah, I skipped to the 41:30 point. Freakin embarrassing for all concerned.

Now you guys understand why it is just stupid to refer to ourselves as "Farang".

We are "farang" enough for Thais anyway...

Even if you were to remove the word "farang" from the Thai vernacular, this circus would still be an epic embarassment for all concerned.

I am actually pretty sure that, if we ourselves stop referring to ourselves as the dancing monkeys, the "farang", and sometimes even mention it to the Thais, that we dislike being called Farang all the time, very soon they will pick up on it, and use it less and less.

It will for sure make it harder for them to discriminate us, and rip us off, and even kill us.

You call yourself "farang", (in other words, an object in the eyes of a Thai), and then complain about being a victim of discrimination.

Joke or not from your part, you fail to see that this is exactly the mechanism that makes it easier to scam foreigners for hundred of thousands of baht every year. And maybe even a few deaths...

In my experience 99% with Thais and expats would say you were wrong. For confirmation search the 126 threads about "is Farang a bad word" that have appeared on Thaivisa in the past few years.

Farang is not meant as a bad word itself.

You are missing the point.

But, the way Thais use the word, is not just to identify us in a certain specific situation, like we in the west use to address if a person is white, black etc.

Thais use the word, in a way where they clearly, first and foremost, see us as an object, as "farang" and then only secondly, as normal human being, and as an individual.

If you can speak Thai, pay attention to what I just said. And then tell me I am not correct.

The OP (original Poster) koratesanguy has every right to be upset. Too bad not many Thais are in this forum. I would also be insulted and have a really negative attitute towards farangs based on their attitude towards Thais. Double pricing, being referred to as a FARANG are minor issues compared to the disdain and contempt for Thais and anything Thai that many posters display on this forum. Bravo KORATESANGUY for bringing this up. More power to you. Forum members must realize that they are guests in this country and as guests must behave properly and respect the locals.

I agree with most of what you say, however, being called "farang" and being victims of double pricing, scams etc, is NOT a minor issue.

in fact it is considered in much of Thai society as a few steps down the social ladder if getting involved with a farang.

It is indeed considered a step down if she brings home an older guy who isn't intent on speaking any Thai nor shows particular interest in Thai culture, as the underlying nature of the relationship becomes only too apparent. This would be the case in any country.

Dress well, speak the language, be polite, basically make an effort to be likeable and you will be liked. This particularly applies to the educated middle class and upwards, as they are a lot less likely to see a farang as a walking pot of gold, but will instead tend to consider him for what he is.

Lower class Issan families typically have little education and take stereotypes for granted without question. This ultimately leads to totally erroneous beliefs and expectations.

Unfortunately, the notion of "farang", is more than just a need to classify a specific group of people, it is THE most important thing Thais will see when they see a white person. No matter education, or status i society, "farang" is first off, very close to be seen as an group object, and only secondly as an individual/person.

I agree, there are many posters here on Thaivisa who complains about Thailand, and look down on Thai people. We call them "Thai bashers".

However, it is also up to you, not to be submissive all the time. It makes many of us foreigners treat you like kids and less intelligent.

And to you Thais, please do not call us "farang". We are NOT all the same, we are MANY different nationalities.

And in the end, it is not the skin color who dictates your behavior. Our behavior is based on culture, nationality, and first and most importantly, individual factors.

You call yourself "farang", (in other words, an object in the eyes of a Thai), and then complain about being a victim of discrimination.

Joke or not from your part, you fail to see that this is exactly the mechanism that makes it easier to scam foreigners for hundred of thousands of baht every year. And maybe even a few deaths...

This sounds interesting, I would like to know as well.

Barry and his buddies in the video are simply retards. <deleted>

Not much better than many of us, this is how many Thais view us.

And by calling ourselves "farang" (the dancing monkey), it sure does not help.

Rather the opposite.

I love how the title of the documentary is, "My Boyfriend Is a Sex Tourist"

What about, "My Boyfriend Is Just My ATM Machine" OR "My Girlfriend Is a Gold Digger"

But those titles wouldn't go down so well with public opinion. There wouldn't be so many viewers. Always got to blame the guy, but he probably just wants a real GF.

Yes, very true.

just watched between 41 and 43 min. and i found it quite lame and depressing. I can't think a better word to define a relationship

between thai and foreigner.

Yeah these video sum up it all. I trully pity foreigner with thai wives.

By the way they should have titled this thread "best idiot monkey farang with his thai brownies".

Bar girl and sexpat. Not Thai and foreigner.

There's a difference.

Yeah, I skipped to the 41:30 point. Freakin embarrassing for all concerned.

Now you guys understand why it is just stupid to refer to ourselves as "Farang".

We are "farang" enough for Thais anyway...

hub of dominant, frustrated white males, incapable to listen to others, irritating know-it-alls, who cannot get any attention from emancipated females at home, and therefore coming to a development country where they can impress non-educated younger women with their supreme knowledge of basically everything.

This is exactly spot on!!

41:38 the worst case of objectification. This is so bizarre it is actually kind of funny.

Look a monkey "farang" on stage!

What about the domestic abuse on foreigners by Thai wives/GF's. Me and two of my mates have been victim's of this several times and yes I've filed reports with the BIB for what it's worth - Jack S**t basically.

Had it from an English wife, had it from a Thai gf.

Domestic violence against men is rife and totally ignored because we 'aren't worth it'.

Totally correct

More truths exposed! Not a land of smiles!

What's interesting to me about this story is that I've witnessed far more physical abuse by Thai women on men than the reverse, and while there may be no reason to doubt that stats that are presented in this story, I'd like to see a pole of abuse from the point of view of the men.

Yes, totally correct. Most people think it is far worse for a man to lightly slap a women on her chin, than a a female to rob a guy of several thousands, or even millions of baht, or even kill a guy.

Sometimes, even if a women dismember a guy, for example cutting of his dick, it is viewed as kinda of funny (yes, many people think this is funny), meanwhile if you slap a female, it is the worst thing you could ever do.

Meanwhile there are many females who would never admit that their husband would hit them physically, and hurt them, GUYS, admitting to be abused by their female partner, are 100000000000% less.

Get real..., or at least, start to think for yourself...

Never ever take a taxi that is standing still and/ or parked.

Never ever negotiate a price with a taxi driver, ALWAYS tell them to use the meter.

Yes - that's rule No 1.

Rule no 2 is don't be a plonker and get soaked just to prove a point and save a couple of hundred baht

It´s not about proving a point.

It is certainly not about 100 baht.

This is what it´s about:

1. Do you agree with a system that constantly aim to dishonestly rip people off?

2. Do you think it is bad to feed into a system that constantly tries to rip people off?

I certainly choose number 2

This would be nice, but come here instead. Bangkok that is...

This is, of course another example of the unfettered power of the Rich in Thailand, who have the financial clout to circumvent any law they choose and who only carte about profit and couldn't give a hang about the health of the Thai people. These chemicals wouldn't be allowed in any developed country and increasingly not in advanced-developing countries like Thailand.

Don´t fool yourself, it is pretty much the same everywhere in the world. With Aspartame, etc.

People in developed countries are also exposed to dangerous and poisonous food.

Never ever take a taxi that is standing still and/ or parked.

Never ever negotiate a price with a taxi driver, ALWAYS tell them to use the meter.

They thought, ok, if it makes you happy, then again, I had a "legitimate" reason to move here, as I came here for work.

Yes! Thai people are racist. It's integral with their culture, as with the rest of the planet.

However, if you expect to become a fully accepted member of a Thai family, or to make "real" western style friendships, anywhere in Asia, then you're living in a fantasy world.

But by enhancing the notion that you are not them, by calling yourself farang, is not stupid? Especially if you dislike being discriminated, or disclike seeing fellow foreigners being ripped off, because they are dehumanized?

And just because racism is a global problem, is it not worth to address it? Especially in Thailand where racism is not even accepted, but encouraged, indirectly by ourselves, when we call ourselves farang?

Only time I can understand people getting butthurt by the word farang is when people are "friends" with Thais who still refer to them as the farang after knowing them for some time.

So if you agree with this.

Then you might also want to know that Thais indeed always sees you first and foremost as a "farang". As "a white skin". Even when they have known you for a long time, in their mind, you are still first and foremost "a white skin". And only secondly a person, identity.

Because of this, it is ignorant and harmful to enhance the notion of "farang", by referring to ourselves as farang.

It does NOT simply means, a white person, like we know a non-white person, who we, after a while of knowing him, more and more forget the skin color. For Thais "a white skin" is always first and foremost a "white skin".

You are wrong. Farang does not mean "white person" and really does not refer to skin color.

It means Caucasian, white man. (as in race)

It is ONLY Caucasians, people we would call "white race", yes correct, even though many Asians, Koreans and Japanese people can be even whiter than some of us, they are not "Farang"

This is not about being PC, it is about wether or not you want to be, first and foremost seen as a human being, and then only secondly, as a race (or even an object, as I thais tend to see us)

Or the opposite, as thais would usually do?

We think it is the same as when we see a black guy, or an Asian guy, to us, in the beginning, we sure refer to them as Asian, White, or Black etc, HOWEVER, when we begin to know this person very well, we will after a while, not consider it necessary to always refer to him as black or Asian, they will become a person, with an identity first and foremost.

This is NOT usually the case with Thais.

They will always first and foremost refer to you as "farang". They simply will not let go of the fact that you are Caucasian. That is THE single most important thing for a Thai to notice. Not your personality, or your identity, or uniqness, it comes only secondly, or thirdly.

You want to be viewed as a person, or an object/dancing monkey?

Up to you.

But referring to ourselves as farang, is just plain ignorant.

Only time I can understand people getting butthurt by the word farang is when people are "friends" with Thais who still refer to them as the farang after knowing them for some time.

So if you agree with this.

Then you might also want to know that Thais indeed always sees you first and foremost as a "farang". As "a white skin". Even when they have known you for a long time, in their mind, you are still first and foremost "a white skin". And only secondly a person, identity.

Because of this, it is ignorant and harmful to enhance the notion of "farang", by referring to ourselves as farang.

It does NOT simply means, a white person, like we know a non-white person, who we, after a while of knowing him, more and more forget the skin color. For Thais "a white skin" is always first and foremost a "white skin".

HeijoshinCool wrote, "The reason, in this particular instance, is simple: that's their upbringing. It is now their mindset. They don't know any better."

Nonsense, codswallop and balderdash. You don't know the waitress in question or anything about her upbringing.

How can a rational person could take such an intellectual leap of false intuition. Were you brought up to judge all other cultures as inferior to your own?

It is not far fetched to believe that many Thais (if not most), are brought up thinking it is ok to call white people "farang".

How should they know, if even many of ourselves, not even mind the term, but actually even like the term?