Do you like Thai people?

[sirineou]

Just now, BritManToo said:

My Thai family think the same about them is do I.

"why is our government so corrupt", "why do my people lie so much", "why do my friends try and cheat me".

All stuff my gf or daughter say frequently about Thai people, no prompting from me.

People complain about their government and compatriots in every country, but when their guest do it, is IMO a different thing.

My Thai family also complain at times but they also have a lot of pride in themselves and their country. IMO rightly so. 

[villagefarang]

My best friends are Thai and I have a great life here.  Just try to view the negative comments about Thais and Thailand as a window onto the soul of the writer.  The darkness they display came with them and will no doubt follow them wherever they journey in life.

 

My personal expectations and requirements for close personal friendship are probably more stringent than most but I am still able to find good friends here.  The people I spend time with ask for nothing but my company and friendship.  I feel quite lucky to be a farang living in Thailand.  I am not sure I would like to be Thai as I am quite content living without the social constrains imposed on most Thais.

[CGW]

17 minutes ago, Yinn said:

But why really hate us? Not just complain. Hate. Really.

I have to agree that their is a lot of dislike shown towards Thai on this forum. I put it down to a lot have moved here unprepared for a change in lifestyle living in a foreign country that they were totally unprepared for, they expect everything to be like "back home". As the lifestyle they led is all they know, very hard for them to acclimatise to, the reality is they only remember the good points about "back home" not all the negativity.

Doubtless some of the Thai people they associate with deserve the dislike shown to them, a lot are not associating with educated Thai's, some are living in Thai villages with their girlfriends/wives and expect a different lifestyle to the one they bought into, this is possibly the biggest mistake a lot make here, Thai villages don't cater for "farang" they are for local Thai people who have  to be content with their lot in life!

It's good to see you posting some thought provoking material - well done.

[NanLaew]

16 minutes ago, amykat said:

Yin, can I borrow some money?  Can you help me get a visa to your country?  Can you help me get a job in your country?   Can you adopt my child?  can you pay for a funeral in my family?  Can you help me, help me, help me. ....

Oh, behave! Farangs don't beg.

 

...they crowdfund.

[RoadWarrior371]

I like most Thai People.

I dislike most Falang.  ha ha

 

The thing to remember about Thailand, "don't hate the player, hate the game".  Those of limited intelligence tend to forget that.

[Moonlover]

@Yinn A forum where members hide behind a false name and an avatar is not a very good place to judge the nature of people in general.

 

Many of the obnoxious contributors that we have here would not dare to say the things that they do, if their true identity where exposed. And I'm sure that they would be far too cowardly to say these things to your face.

 

Please do not judge farangs in general, by the disgruntled few that you encounter here. 

[NanLaew]

9 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

My Thai family think the same about them is do I.

"why is our government so corrupt", "why do my people lie so much", "why do my friends try and cheat me".

All stuff my gf or daughter say frequently about Thai people, no prompting from me.

Last time I looked, the Thai government does NOT have a monopoly on corruption and Thai people don't have a monopoly on cheating.

 

...or lying.

[villagefarang]

I am fond of the Oscar Wilde quote “Give a man a mask and he’ll tell you the truth.”   I believe what they say while wearing that mask is far closer to their true mature than what they tell you to your face.

[MartinL]

I believe that I treat Thai people in exactly the same way that I would my own countrymen and women or people of any country. There have been English, Scottish, Indian, African, Chinese people I liked and some I disliked. Most people I'm indifferent to because I don't know them and never will but that doesn't mean I won't care about them if the need arises or that I'll never like them if we came in contact. I don't make friends easily, though, and even in my own country, my REAL friends were very few in number.

 

My Thai neighbours - I have no foreign neighbours at all - I like a lot although some can seem a little remote and 'shy' at times even after my being here for many years but I'm probably the same at times. Apart from my Thai language not being good enough to hold deep conversations with them (and I'm a bad conversationalist in my own language, too. I don't enjoy conversation), I like a little chat occasionally. That's even more true for the little kids around me - they're all under about 7 years old. They all know my name as I know theirs. We have childish chats - that's probably about my level ???? - and they try out the English they learn at school. They know that, while this foreigner is 'different' from other people they know, he's not someone to be feared. Lots of laughing from them which I love. Incidentally, it probably helps that my wife was born on this plot of land and most of our neighbours are also very local or distantly related to her in some way.

 

The one qualification I'd make is that I REALLY dislike Thai driving habits and, by extension, Thai drivers. Dangerous and inconsiderate in general. But I can like a Thai person at the same time as I dislike their driving - that includes my lovely wife.

 

As I'm writing this, @Momofarang mentions the 'farang' word. Many, many times over the years, despite knowing my status as my wife's husband and my name, many Thais have chosen to say " ... is the 'farang' ...", " ... does the farang ... " rather than " ... does your husband ... ". I see that as EXTREMELY rude but it's been a very frequent occurrence in the past (not so much now) and it just makes me unlikely to treat them with respect because I see no respect coming from them. You might say that it's not intended to be offensive but simply using the word in place of my name or status is very offensive in my view. Once, when I was in a particularly bad mood for some reason, my wife's friend called me 'farang' and I replied calling her 'kamaen' (Cambodian). She didn't like it! I wonder whether she'd have appreciated being called 'Asian'?

 

But on the whole, Thais I meet are a good bunch. I think I like them to a greater degree than I would people in my country.

Edited September 18, 2019 by MartinL

[BritManToo]

12 minutes ago, sirineou said:

People complain about their government and compatriots in every country, but when their guest do it, is IMO a different thing.

My Thai family also complain at times but they also have a lot of pride in themselves and their country. IMO rightly so. 

Your family think you're a guest?

[Puchaiyank]

They REALLY want Thailand to fail, they happy when Thai people die in the flood, on motorcycle, murder.

 

Total BS...however, the comment about thinking more of your dog than a farang is apparent in the way many Thais treat farangs...

 

Your rant revealed more about you than disgruntled farangs...IMHO   ????

[BritManToo]

36 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

Naw hes an experienced expat Brit, he looks askance at most folks in the world except his kids.

My 4 Brit kids are worthless scum, my 2 Thai kids are really nice people.

I definitely prefer my Thai children.

 

Edited September 18, 2019 by BritManToo

[BritManToo]

25 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

If Thailand and it's people were soooo bad, why oh why do millions come every year after year, why are there so many choosing to live and invest their money and lives lining here.

In the past, mostly for the cheap and easily available women, although it's not so cheap now.

I can't explain the family groups coming here, Vietnam is a much better/safer/more interesting place for family holidays.

 

If I were starting again, as a single footloose guy, it'd probably be in Cambodia or the Philippines.

The western guys I knew that came year after year now go there.

Edited September 18, 2019 by BritManToo

[Tayaout]

If I didn't like Thai people I would not stay here. Those who doesn't like Thai people on this forum would also complain about any nationality where they happen to live including their own country.

 

A lot of them are also being sarcastic which is a form of humour that might be hard to pickup for non-native English speaker. 

 

I also noticed that some thai destination are farang trash magnet. I try to stay away from these place and everything is wonderful. 

Edited September 18, 2019 by Tayaout

[brokenbone]

46 minutes ago, Yinn said:

Show me where Thai people write this thing about foreigner.

Show me one example. I never see it. I read a lot.

agree with all you said, but its almost exclusive to tvf members. i think bottom line is they have no interaction with thai men whatsoever, no hobby like joining a bike club,

no school or work mates, no common language,

i know a grand total of 2 men bitching about thais irl,

one of them is dead since long ago

[Assurancetourix]

59 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

es, but I couldn't eat a whole one.

Too much spicy ?

[NanLaew]

1 minute ago, Puchaiyank said:

They REALLY want Thailand to fail, they happy when Thai people die in the flood, on motorcycle, murder.

 

Total BS...however, the comment about thinking more of your dog than a farang is apparent in the way many Thais treat farangs...

 

Your rant revealed more about you than disgruntled farangs...IMHO   ????

The OP wasn't ranting. The OP was merely paraphrasing many previous posts made by a noisome minority of somewhat xenophobic farangs, on a farang-centric, English-language Thai forum where a lot of farangs do like to rant about all the things that Thai's do that annoys them because they lack the social skills to discuss with (any?) farang friends or don't speak enough of the language to verbalize their arguably irrelevant opinions on these petty annoyances with their Thai partners.

 

A bit like my 2 year-old really.

[Wongkitlo]

I think the present political situation has changed my attitude to Thai people for the worse. Firstly they closed down the city and millions supported them. As has happened historically the army stepped in. If you are lucky enough to live in a democracy why act against a government you elected. Many countries have bad governments and then they wait till election time to pass judgement. Thailand wasn't happy with this system. Second it seems the present government does not like foreigners and is doing it's worst to make them feel unwelcome. A look at the unsmiling faces at the immigration office personifies this. I come from a country that has welcomed migrants but in Thailand I couldn't even volunteer at a local school legally. The other thing is I hate the way they litter their country. It seems selfish that they will leave rubbish for others but then they know no better because the government is too inefficient to educate them. I live in a local village and have many Thai friends I like a lot.

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[sirineou]

12 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Your family think you're a guest?

 Regardless of what anyone thinks we are all guests here.

I have a Australian friend that though I don't agree with his politics, on a personal level I like very much.. He constantly posts critical opinions about The Australian government ,and other Australians on FB, but he is also very proud of his country,  If a lot of Thais living in Australia were constantly posting negative opinions about Australia, I am sure he would not like it.

Same applies to me , and I am sure to you, so why not to Thai people?

Black people can use the N word with each other, I challenge you to go in Harlem and use it yourself. 

Don't you see my point?  

[Assurancetourix]

55 minutes ago, Yinn said:

Ok, you one that don’t like. 

Up to you. 

The biggest problem for Thais (and French people ) is that they know no language other than their own.As soon as we do a negative reflection on their way of driving or behaving, they immediately fly off the handle;

no sense of humor;they immediately ride on their high horses .

you do not know how to relativize .

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, Yinn said:

Many farang are really lovely and polite, love Thailand and have many Thai friend.

How many farangs have "many Thai friends"? In my experience very few. 

 

1 hour ago, Yinn said:

You should know that 95% of thai people not think/care about/ ever see/ ever talk to farang

Where does your insight come from? 95%? Or maybe 80% or 120%? You just make up a number.

 

I didn't read your whole post because it's just too long. You pretend you know and understand farangs but you clearly don't understand them. And it seems you don't even differentiate between tourists and farangs who live here, maybe since many years. They are not the same and they don't behave in the same way.

 

Maybe you should listen more and talk less. Many of your posts are aggressive. And then it seems you expect friendly responses. That does not happen! If you want to understand people, any "sort" of people, then I suggest ask them openly without accusations.

Ask them: Why do you walk in the sun?

Don't ask them: Why are you so stupid to walk in the sun? Don't you see we all walk in the shade?

 

You will get answers according to the way you ask. Ask friendly and ask with an open mind and I am sure many people will tell you why they do what they do.

 

[grollies]

7 minutes ago, Wongkitlo said:

I think the present political situation has changed my attitude to Thai people for the worse.

I think the present political situation is hilarious..........PhD anyone?

[Assurancetourix]

48 minutes ago, sirineou said:

I am always amazed by their creative solution to problems, and their ability to do so much with so litle.

 

It's not only in  Thailand;
you will meet such people all over the world.
Peasants in all countries are generally poor people who know how to find ingenious solutions with three pieces of string and two tools.

[Farangwithaplan]

Yinn,

 

I see your point on why you posted this thread but as a few others have said, asking in this forum you will get extreme views from a few who yell the loudest so bare that in mind when reading here. I can only look from my life perspective and offer these thoughts.

 

Traditionally Thailand is a very insular country. Its people are nationalistic and are generally content. Therefore they often 'look in' and are not so interested in the other countries or what those countries do. This is changing as more Thais decide to travel to other countries and they get to experience what new options are available in life.

 

Being insular has benefits. It gives a strong history of tradition and that is clearly seen in every day life. Thai dancing and religion and two that come to mind. Others that come to mind are little things like the way noodle stalls are set up. They are basically all the same. The orange handled vegetable peelers have been around for years and I can remember when they were the only type of peelers I could find.

 

My point is that historically change does not come naturally to Thai people because they are happy with what they have. That contentment can be seen as ignorance by others. Education in Thailand is not of a high standard and I say that based on what I have seen fist hand with the lessons taught by teacher friends in primary schools. I also see a lack of lateral thinking, generally speaking, in university graduates. They have the knowledge but often struggle to apply that knowledge. I based this on the 300 or so new graduates I have dealt with in my business life.

 

With people not being exposed to new thoughts and methods of thinking from an early age, people tend to get stuck in their thinking from an early age. Now this sot of thinking I also see in the angry and disillusioned people on this forum. Either they can't fathom why a Thai person doesn't understand their needs and wants and it causes frustration, or their limited views have caused them frustration back in their home country throughout their life and now they are just bitter and ugly about life.

 

The truth is Thailand and the west are very different cultures when you look deeper into it. Most western cultures have the deep rooted history of christian religion which guides their inherent subconscious thinking. Thailand the same with Buddhism. Both religions come from very different basis, even if some of the results expected are similar. People from the west and Thais who fail to realise this massive difference in thinking and culture and ingrained religion tend to struggle struggle.  People who have the skill set change their attitude and to compromise tend to excel or at least find a happiness.

 

They are some of my thoughts based on my observations and communications over the years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lacessit]

Yes I do. They have several traits which are quite admirable, such as their unwavering commitment to family members. Or their talent for patience in the face of a bureaucracy which in some other countries would be hanging from lamp posts. Party animals par excellence.

I could whinge on about their faults, but every nationality has some.

[UKresonant]

31 minutes ago, MartinL said:

The one qualification I'd make is that I REALLY dislike Thai driving habits and, by extension, Thai drivers. Dangerous and inconsiderate in general. But I can like a Thai person at the same time as I dislike their driving - that includes my lovely wife

 Ditto, but excluding my lovely wife, she is actually quite a good driver ! ????

 

Motorcycles are a hobby of mine and initially would have liked to get a 250/400cc, the wife quickly bought me an Almera before I had a chance to go to the Kawasaki showroom. Now I'm in agreement with her best keeping my motorcycle hobby for when I'm in the UK.

Edited September 18, 2019 by UKresonant

[CaptainNemo]

1 hour ago, robblok said:

I can't say that there are nationalities i like more then others, for me its more about finding common ground and communicating. Thais have some bad habits like how some of them drive and litter. Then again if there were not many checks in my country people would drive bad too.

 

I must say I have some really nice Thai people near me and some bad ones. Kinda like how it would be back where I am from.

I tend not to like the sort of Thai people who say "Thai people" all the time when they talk.

I was in the supermarket with the kids battling over large water bottles, and some bird came up to me and said "Thai people like Singha water, is cleaner", and I said, "They're all the same to me".

It's like when they ask you "Chorp Muang Thai mai?" when they run out things to say, and I find myself saying things like "It's alright, but it's not as good as Cambodia" lol.

 

What we're really talking about is not "Thai people" but subcultures... and Thailand has many who don't have much in common with each other within Thailand itself. There are lots of subdivisions within Thailand, and they often don't mix or don't mix well. As "farang" we are also a minority subculture, and are more likely to identify with similarly peripheralised subcultures than others, but the moment you start saying I don't like X-people, you'll meet one, who is irritatingly nice and ruins your whole stereotype.

 

We all build up rules-of-thumb about various ethnic groups or nationalities based on experiences so far, and they will always be limited by us ourselves and the situations we put ourselves in.

[Wongkitlo]

Maybe at your local immigration office but I find my local IO to be very nice and charming. I speak to them respectfully, but would do the same in my home country. Show respect and you get respect. The same goes for the post office, bank or government offices. A lot of it is body language, I assume. 
I am amazed that our (not rich) village lacks 18 to 24 year olds. They all seem to be off at the university. I do enjoy talking to them on their school breaks.
 

I try always to be respectful. I was trying to explain my feeling of rejection by the Thai government and how it affects my feelings towards innocent Thai people. Many of them are nice at immigration but I have the face of one girl burned into my mind in a bad way. One person affects my attitude towards immigration just like the government affects my attitude towards Thai people. I am not saying am right in my attitude but find it hard to change it. Just trying to explain to Yinn why I feel this way.

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[rumak]

1 hour ago, Yinn said:

I know not all farang the same. Every country have good and bad people. Most people are good.

 

Many farang are really lovely and polite, love Thailand

Someone here says   "calm down" .   You take it in a defensive way.  Just as Farangs often do not understand things that are said by Thais it is also true that Thais misunderstand some things said by Farangs.   I took "calm down"  as being said with a hint of humor,  not malice.  

I find that on this forum you often are quick to take offense at others opinions .  In some cases you might have a point but in others it seems to me that you are looking for a fight.  That type of attitude is very SIMILAR to the type of Farangs that you do not like !  As you correctly state, there are always going to be some bad people.  These are people that for whatever reason have had a life that now finds them unhappy. and so they focus on NEGATIVE things.  They often deny that,  as I think if you are reading this you will also do .   It took me many years to realize and actually correct the defensive attitude I had and just try to "calm down"  and stop trying to change everyone and the world.   It just is not going to happen.

My advice to you or anyone is to look at how fortunate we are and be thankful.  Try to be different than those you do not like and be a good example of how a human should act.   I am now quite surprised how my not over-reacting to something someone says avoids a fight or uncomfortable situation ( we ALL sometimes make a mistake or are misunderstood) .

I DO GET that you are upset when stupid people say stupid things.  Try to be smarter than them !

Appreciate the diversity of peoples opinions and hang out with those you like.  Forget the others. Best, Rumak

[Nyezhov]

8 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

 

I could whinge on about their faults, but every nationality has some.

Your giving me the bait again. Im not taking it. ????