Farang is NOT impolite word.

[CharlieH]

5 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

It's true that Thais aren't generally aware of the details of WW2, probably due to the fact that they fought alongside the Japanese and that fact has to be erased from Thai history. However, they are much more aware of the atrocities committed by the US in nearby countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

I may be wrong and happy to be corrected but it's been my impression that before the internet and social media arrived many (most rural areas ?) Thais had little knowledge of anything outside of their village/province and didn't really care either, newspapers were few and far between and all they really had was gossip and what the Pu Yai baan told them.

All this wasn't that long ago either.25 yrs (ish)

[grollies]

1 minute ago, CharlieH said:

I may be wrong and happy to be corrected but it's been my impression that before the internet and social media arrived many (most rural areas ?) Thais had little knowledge of anything outside of their village/province and didn't really care either, newspapers were few and far between and all they really had was gossip and what the Pu Yai baan told them.

All this wasn't that long ago either.25 yrs (ish)

I've been coming here for 12 years now and one of my first impressions was of how each home, no matter how decrepit, had a TV and satellite dish.......mind you, I don't suppose those issues are covered by the Thai soap operas.

[DannyCarlton]

1 minute ago, CharlieH said:

I may be wrong and happy to be corrected but it's been my impression that before the internet and social media arrived many (most rural areas ?) Thais had little knowledge of anything outside of their village/province and didn't really care either, newspapers were few and far between and all they really had was gossip and what the Pu Yai baan told them.

All this wasn't that long ago either.25 yrs (ish)

I can't disagree with that but my wife's family have lived within sight of Laos for centuries, ancestors migrated from Laos. They meet Laotians coming across the Frendship Bridge to trade in the Vietnamese market in Nong Khai on a daily basis and speak the same language. She's fully aware of the American bombing of Laos.

[holy cow cm]

10 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

I may be wrong and happy to be corrected but it's been my impression that before the internet and social media arrived many (most rural areas ?) Thais had little knowledge of anything outside of their village/province and didn't really care either, newspapers were few and far between and all they really had was gossip and what the Pu Yai baan told them.

All this wasn't that long ago either.25 yrs (ish)

I agree!

[cmsally]

Although Thais seem very aware of the US bombing of neighbouring countries, many are less aware of for example the fall of Luang Prabang to the Pathet Lao where the majority of native residents had to flee. (According to my friend from Luang Prabang there were approx. 20 people left). Some escaped and some drowned (only those with money could escape and he said some were dumped in the river).

Another factor of this period of general upheaval is that the Thais did very well from the American funds that poured into the country. It was one of the reasons they got a head start in SE Asian Development.

[Yinn]

1 hour ago, cmsally said:

Surely you know about the Second World War and the Cold War.

 

If the bombing in Cold War I not know.

 

i know about US and England bomb us in that war.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Bangkok_in_World_War_II

 

and I know we win, the farang lose. Victory monument Bangkok.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-Thai_War

 

 

39 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Given her age and the Thai education system it's unlikely to have studied or even mentioned it.

My wife had no knowledge of the Holocaust ! but literally cried when I explained.

I think the farang education system not teach about thai- Burma wars. 

So we not really interested in the farang war. Same.

 

ps. I did try to understand the WW2 war before and why. But it very complicated. Can not.

 

pss. I not mention WW2 in the post, because not our lifetime.

 

pss. My op was to help make peace, understand together, so farang know that farang is not word to get angry about.

But I fail. Now worse I think. 5555555

[Jingthing]

Yeah. You definitely fail. 

 

If you were thinking about pursuing a career in diplomacy for your Yellow people nation, I suggest you keep your day job.

Edited September 22, 2019 by Jingthing

[cmsally]

8 minutes ago, Yinn said:

If the bombing in Cold War I not know.

 

i know about US and England bomb us in that war.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Bangkok_in_World_War_II

 

and I know we win, the farang lose. Victory monument Bangkok.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-Thai_War

 

 

I think the farang education system not teach about thai- Burma wars. 

So we not really interested in the farang war. Same.

 

ps. I did try to understand the WW2 war before and why. But it very complicated. Can not.

 

pss. I not mention WW2 in the post, because not our lifetime.

 

pss. My op was to help make peace, understand together, so farang know that farang is not word to get angry about.

But I fail. Now worse I think. 5555555

 

The Victory Monument is really a reminder of how Thailand sided with the losing side in WW2. The supposed victory was really more of a stagnation with the Japanese intervening which led to a treaty. 

[Nyezhov]

56 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

If a Thai calls a Thai friend uan, then no offence will be taken, it's friendly and affectionate

every thai i deal with I treat as a friend, because I am just so happy to be here ????

 

I think they treat me as a friend back.

 

I watch the falangs pass by the security guys in my condo and not even acknowledge their salutes. I watch falangs walk by motosai guys and ignore them. I sit in the booth with the seccurity boys and watch football. I return their salutes. I fist bump them. I ask them how their day is going in my limited Thai. I sat with a local motosai guy a few days and talked about the weather using Google, now all of them greet me with smiles and fist bumps and hellos. I smile and greet the Condo maids. Every time I make a purchase in the local market I ask the vendor "sabai dee?" I tip decent cab drivers. Last night in Thermae, I saw one of the old dude staff guys I have known for years for the first time in like 5  months and he greeted me with a bro hug. Every one of the staff guys there greets me with a smile and a hello.

 

Yeah, Im a falang. But that word isnt about anybody else, its about me, inside. Im happy to be known as the falang to the folks in my area, I get more smiles and happy feelings from ordinary folks on a daily basis than I get in months in the states.

 

Just like everyone else in this world, I was born naked and helpless and I will die like everyone else. Life is too short to worry about the interpretation of words used in an alien culture.  like I say to the little kids that stare at me "du ti falang, OK?" with a big smile. Works wonders with young mothers :)...Oh falang, where you come from? USA? Ehhhhhhhh? LA?

 

 

[Jingthing]

8 minutes ago, cmsally said:

 

The Victory Monument is really a reminder of how Thailand sided with the losing side in WW2. The supposed victory was really more of a stagnation with the Japanese intervening which led to a treaty. 

Yeah but obviously not taught that way in the Thai educational system. Thailand is a HYPER - nationalist nation. Also among the most religious nations in the world, which I don't think is very widely known.

 

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/most-religious-countries-in-the-world.html

Edited September 22, 2019 by Jingthing

[mngmn]

1 hour ago, DannyCarlton said:

Everything you say is accurate but you are looking at it from a farang POV. Thais see the use of these words totally differently to the way we do. It's the intention behind the words that is important. They may offend our farang sensibilities but, to a Thai, there is no intention to offend or appear racist.

 

It's all about accepting Thais for what they are, in their own country, not with them complying with our Western concepts.

Indeed, offence is always seen from the point of view of the offended.  As you say, the use of the word may be quite innocent and when I first heard it used to describe me I was not offended in the least.  My dislike of the word has grown over the years as I have gained a deeper understanding of its context in Thai culture.

 

Thais tend to associate a lot of stereotypes with the word.  'Farangs' (or 'falangs' as many pronounce) are rich, crazy, stupid, rude, think too much, don't know jack sh*t... Or alternatively if they don't fit the stereotype they are 'kee nok' (poor), 'dong' (pickled by living in Thailand too long) or maybe simply 'roo mak gern' (know too much).

 

Then there is the double pricing, the scams, the way shop staff always serve Thais before 'Farangs', the way Thais ignore everything a 'Farang' says if they are with a Thai, the way they openly discuss 'the Farang' with other Thais. 'Can the white n*gger eat Thai food'?  'Does the white n*gger have a good heart'? 'Look how fat the white n*gger is'!

 

Language and culture are intertwined and as my understanding of the Thai language has grown so has my dislike of Thai culture. This has been one of my many reasons for leaving Thailand.  My advice for those wanting to be happy here is don't learn Thai.  Remain blissfully ignorant of the deeper context of being called a 'Falang'.

Edited September 22, 2019 by mngmn

[luckyluke]

9 minutes ago, Yinn said:

But I fail.

 

You fail by thinking your opinion is the only right one. 

 

Be broad-minded and

start your next topic with the words :

 

"It is my opinion that...." 

or

"According to some people and myself, I believe that..." 

[Nyezhov]

48 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

I may be wrong and happy to be corrected but it's been my impression that before the internet and social media arrived many (most rural areas ?) Thais had little knowledge of anything outside of their village/province and didn't really care either, newspapers were few and far between and all they really had was gossip and what the Pu Yai baan told them.

All this wasn't that long ago either.25 yrs (ish)

25 years ago I was down in Songkhla and some folks had never seen a "westerner" before.

 

I was out in a local market last year waaaaaay the hell out in Phet Kasem Road and it was like the second coming...Du ti farang! Got free food too! And danced with a few aunties.

[Jingthing]

15 minutes ago, Victornoir said:

No,  it's not a match and you do not fail.
Many here like your kind intention and your interest in different cultures.
Please Yinn, continue tirelessly avoiding the trap of overshooting when you answer too quickly. We are also very interested in the differnt opinion.

Funny, have we read the same posts?

I don't perceive her intention as kind at all.

Instead I read them as infected with arrogance, Thai chauvinism, blatant unashamed INTOLERANCE, making lame hollow excuses, about lack of understanding of major world history events such as WW2, and last but not least not interested in the perception of the white foreigners she has tried to LECTURE to.

 

My Thai way or the highway, you farang!

 

If many FEEL that farang is used in a derogatory way (sometimes of course) then we are just simply WRONG according to her. No arguments entertained. 

If that's kind intentions from a Thai person, I'd like to see NASTY ones. 

Edited September 22, 2019 by Jingthing

[maxpower]

16 hours ago, kellersphuket said:

Farang is an impolite and racist word.

Im sick and tired of hearing it daily.

it stings my ears.

 

13 hours ago, Yinn said:

Wrong.

Again.

 

If you are what you say Yinn, below is some writing from your own academic stable.

 

 

QUOTE

 

The population are constantly fed a socialisation cocktail that strengthens hostile patriotism. Thais are best at everything and anyone else is foreign and inferior.

 

It is common to hear many Thais referring to something which is stupid as being “Lao”.

 

All Thais refer to white people as “Farangs”, a derogatory word equivalent to the use of the term “white devils” by Chinese racists. The term is used by academics. It depicts difference. “We are Thais”, they say and think proudly. But they are Farangs. And of course all Farangs think alike because democracy is a Farang concept. There is no recognition that there are right-wing and left-wing westerners. And of course, Farangs cannot possibly understand Thailand.

 

Most Thais refer to anyone who looks Malay, Indian, Turkish or Arabic as “Kaak”. This is no different from Anglo-Saxon racists referring to “Wops”, “Spiks” or “Dagos”. The highly offensive word “Kaak” is also used to belittle the Muslim Malays of Patani, thus increasing their oppression.

 

A lot of Thais refer to black people of African origin as “Aye Murd”, the equivalent of “black bas*ard” or even the “Ni**er”. The word even appeared in a public statement by a pro-democracy academic.

 

Until recently many Thais, including those of Chinese ancestry (which they covered up in the past), used the term “Jek” to refer to Chinese people. Today they refer to Vietnamese people by the offensive term “Yuan”. Japanese people are called “Aye Yun”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nyezhov]

5 minutes ago, mngmn said:

'Can the white n*gger eat Thai food'?  

 

Thats so sad dude. The fact that you would take offense at someone concerned about you, or concerned about losing face or having a problem when you run screaming from the restaurant from too much chili.

 

Whe I order SomTam Pla Rah, I am often told "no, farang cannot! Is OK? OK?, a bit more argument till I finally get it.

 

When I first stopped at my usual food stall, and I reupped on the PrikNampla, the Auntie told me, No, spicy, no good falang! Is OK? You can eat? Now I think I will try to marry her daughter, she is so beautiful and makes a killer Pad Krapow.

 

Its all about whats inside you. I read some of the responses here and I just see the level of self loathing that some folks have.

 

 

[mngmn]

2 minutes ago, maxpower said:

 

 

If you are what you say Yinn, below is some writing from your own academic stable.

 

 

QUOTE

 

The population are constantly fed a socialisation cocktail that strengthens hostile patriotism. Thais are best at everything and anyone else is foreign and inferior.

 

It is common to hear many Thais referring to something which is stupid as being “Lao”.

 

All Thais refer to white people as “Farangs”, a derogatory word equivalent to the use of the term “white devils” by Chinese racists. The term is used by academics. It depicts difference. “We are Thais”, they say and think proudly. But they are Farangs. And of course all Farangs think alike because democracy is a Farang concept. There is no recognition that there are right-wing and left-wing westerners. And of course, Farangs cannot possibly understand Thailand.

 

Most Thais refer to anyone who looks Malay, Indian, Turkish or Arabic as “Kaak”. This is no different from Anglo-Saxon racists referring to “Wops”, “Spiks” or “Dagos”. The highly offensive word “Kaak” is also used to belittle the Muslim Malays of Patani, thus increasing their oppression.

 

A lot of Thais refer to black people of African origin as “Aye Murd”, the equivalent of “black bas*ard” or even the “Ni**er”. The word even appeared in a public statement by a pro-democracy academic.

 

Until recently many Thais, including those of Chinese ancestry (which they covered up in the past), used the term “Jek” to refer to Chinese people. Today they refer to Vietnamese people by the offensive term “Yuan”. Japanese people are called “Aye Yun”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference?

[Nyezhov]

12 minutes ago, Victornoir said:

No,  it's not a match and you do not fail.
Many here like your kind intention and your interest in different cultures.
Please Yinn, continue tirelessly avoiding the trap of overshooting when you answer too quickly. We are also very interested in the differnt opinion.

well said.

[maxpower]

1 minute ago, mngmn said:

Reference?

Against the rules. Clue - G J U

[DannyCarlton]

15 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Funny, have we read the same posts?

I don't perceive her intention as kind at all.

Instead I read them as infected with arrogance, Thai chauvinism, blatant unashamed INTOLERANCE. making lame hollow excuses, about lack of understanding of major world history events such as WW2, and last but not least not interested in the perception of the white foreigners she has tried to LECTURE to. If many FEEL that farang is used in a derogatory way (sometimes of course) then we are just simply WRONG according to her. No arguments entertained. 

If that's kind intentions from a Thai person, I'd like to see NASTY ones. 

All this is due to you subconciously thinking like an American. Americans are always right, the opinions of others is always subordinate to theirs. My father, who fought in WW2, refused to watch war movies made by Hollywood. Claimed that they were so far from the true facts, they should have been made by Disney.

 

Really ironic for an American to be talking about arrogance and the distortion of history.

 

 

Edited September 22, 2019 by DannyCarlton

[DannyCarlton]

1 minute ago, luckyluke said:

We are indeed, Yinn isnt.

 

According to her writings, she is convinced that her opinion is the only right one. 

 

Others, with a different opinion, are simply wrong. 

 

 

 

 

Maybe they are. 555

[Jingthing]

8 minutes ago, Victornoir said:

The only intention I see is kind:
  - When we call you Farangs it is not hostile.
Only that.

Sounds like you haven't read very many of her posts then.

Cheers. 

[RJRS1301]

1 hour ago, CharlieH said:

Given the age and the Thai education system it's unlikely to have studied or even mentioned it.

My wife had no knowledge of the Holocaust ! but literally cried when I explained.

Thai also died on the Thai Burma railway construction, some were forced labour, others executed for assisting the POWs with food etc, surely that has been taught as part Thai history?

 

I can understand the general populace not having much knowledge of the European part of WW11.

 

 

[luckyluke]

1 minute ago, DannyCarlton said:

Maybe they are

Everything is relative. 

[CharlieH]

Member Yinn is NOT the topic of discussion and personal references to her will be treated as Troll comments and removed.

 

7) You will respect fellow members and post in a civil manner. No personal attacks, hateful or insulting towards other members, (flaming) Stalking of members on either the forum or via PM will not be allowed.

[Momofarang]

40 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

every thai i deal with I treat as a friend, because I am just so happy to be here ????

 

I think they treat me as a friend back.

 

I watch the falangs pass by the security guys in my condo and not even acknowledge their salutes. I watch falangs walk by motosai guys and ignore them. I sit in the booth with the seccurity boys and watch football. I return their salutes. I fist bump them. I ask them how their day is going in my limited Thai. I sat with a local motosai guy a few days and talked about the weather using Google, now all of them greet me with smiles and fist bumps and hellos. I smile and greet the Condo maids. Every time I make a purchase in the local market I ask the vendor "sabai dee?" I tip decent cab drivers. Last night in Thermae, I saw one of the old dude staff guys I have known for years for the first time in like 5  months and he greeted me with a bro hug. Every one of the staff guys there greets me with a smile and a hello.

 

Yeah, Im a falang. But that word isnt about anybody else, its about me, inside. Im happy to be known as the falang to the folks in my area, I get more smiles and happy feelings from ordinary folks on a daily basis than I get in months in the states.

 

Just like everyone else in this world, I was born naked and helpless and I will die like everyone else. Life is too short to worry about the interpretation of words used in an alien culture.  like I say to the little kids that stare at me "du ti falang, OK?" with a big smile. Works wonders with young mothers :)...Oh falang, where you come from? USA? Ehhhhhhhh? LA?

 

 

More of the Stockholm syndrome.

 

These nice people see you as a playful puppy jumping around and liking their feet. Stand your ground and keep your distances will get you a lot more than begging from some "fraternity". They are Thais, you are Non-Thai, period. Make it work both ways.

Edited September 22, 2019 by Momofarang

[DannyCarlton]

8 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

Thai also died on the Thai Burma railway construction, some were forced labour, others executed for assisting the POWs with food etc, surely that has been taught as part Thai history?

 

I can understand the general populace not having much knowledge of the European part of WW11.

 

 

When visiting the bridge over the River Kwai I took a tour of the museum there. It was stated, in Thai and English, that 10 times as many Thais died in the construction of the Burma Railroad as all the allied troops combined. I don't know how true that is but that is what Thais are taught.

[luckyluke]

3 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

don't know how true that is but that is what Thais are taught.

So most of the Thai will automatically assume it is true. 

[DannyCarlton]

1 minute ago, luckyluke said:

So most of the Thai will automatically assume it is true. 

Yes, of course but it may well be true, I honestly don't know.

[amykat]

3 hours ago, Yinn said:

Sorry. Bored with this sensitive people. 

But

I never see Uncle bomb the other farang. Only Asian, Black and Arab?

 

 

 

Really??? Never heard of the GERMANS????