Why is there such a disdain of foreigners

[chessman]

Does anybody think Thais have more disdain to Farang than the disdain shown towards Thais in this thread?

[NanLaew]

2 hours ago, drbeach said:

4 hours ago, Yinn said:

I think because Bangkokbarry attitude.

 

Thai not hate foreigner because is foreigner. Most foreigner nice, polite, friendly.

But hate some foreigner because attitude and behavior. Not every foreigner good people right? 

 

Think barry have bad experience. Lonely. 

Most foreigner enjoy live thailand, is very popular. (Not this thread)

 

If not like, can live another country right? Thai not make you stay, not want you stay if you not like. Up to you.

 

i think some foreigner believe thai care/think/talk about foreigner a lot. Not true. Imagine.

 

Some post this thread look like have male menopause mix with paranoia and Alzheimer’s. Imagine bad thing.

 

 

Your post reads like you are suffering from Alzheimer's or schizophrenia. You certainly aren't living in the same world as the rest of us!

You mean that POTY isn't living in the same world as you and @Bangkok Barry?

 

For which I for one, am truly grateful.

 

[EricTh]

I see a lot of complaints about Thai people and yet every year there are tons of foreigners who still want to come to Thailand to live instead of other countries in the world which is probably nearer to their home country.

 

I find this amusing and contradictory.

Edited April 4, 2020 by EricTh

[chessman]

Does anybody think Thais have more disdain to Farang than the disdain shown towards Thais in this thread?

[yogi100]

On 4/2/2020 at 5:58 AM, stouricks said:

Asked my Mrs and 21 yr old step-daughter who was boss of USA....No f...ing idea, or boss of UK, France, Canada, Russia. Same

They don't even know which is N, S, W or East.

How many falang wives and 21 year old falang women know who is the boss of all those countries? Let alone who is the boss of Thailand.

[gamb00ler]

On 4/1/2020 at 8:41 PM, KhunFred said:

When you lack intelligence and the rule of law, the obvious path of least resistance is to blame non-Thais. This basic concept works well for people like Donald Trump, who demonizes the hardest working people in America. (Mexicans)

 

On 4/1/2020 at 10:39 PM, tropo said:

Never miss an opportunity to demonize Trump, hah? Believe it or not we don't all come from the USA...

 

Ironically, you're doing exactly the same with Trump as what Thais do with Farang. You blame him for everything that goes wrong.

Demonizing foreigners is rampant in the political sphere.  America is unfortunately experiencing a short term epidemic of that tactic.

 

When there is clear evidence of someone's attitude and actions, it is correctly called critiquing rather than demonizing.

 

Do you think it is unjustified for KhunFred to claim Trump demonized Mexicans?  You definitely aren't an American if you're unaware of Trump's attitude towards and treatment of Mexicans.  Uninformed opinions are legal but don't garner much respect.

[fhickson]

what i like about thailand is that it is cheaper (less so these days) then my home country for what i get and the natives are good at serving me when its needed and i can isolate when they are not needed (mostly).

 

take away these two things and there are better places with warm weather.

 

i dont care why it is or is not that way, and dont spend my day analyzing it, i just react accordingly. i dont owe the country anything and nobody cares if i stay or go on a personal level.

 

 

[Thainess]

Falang him all have virus, Thai no have khrap. Falang no spend money any more. Falang worry him no have job when go back him home, because falang country him all have virus khrap.

[gamb00ler]

19 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

It is difficult to respect people and a country in the form of its government who look for every way they can to make life difficult for you by making up rules as they go along, while also discriminating against non-Thais. Just one example - why do certain foreigners have to have 400,000 or 800,000 in the bank, but Thais do not? We all live in the same country.

Respect isn't a right. It has to be earned. RESPECT ISN'T A RIGHT. IT HAS TO BE EARNED.

It's very hard to treat your question as legitimate.

If Thais were required to keep a certain amount in the bank, what would the authorities do when a citizen failed?  Would their citizenship be cancelled and then shipped out of the country?  Where would a stateless person go?

Is there a country anywhere on this planet that stipulates such a requirement for its own citizens?  I'm going to make a wild assed guess that there is not ONE.

 

The US requires evidence of financial stability for those emigrating.  That is a reasonable requirement for any country when evaluating immigrants.

 

A better thought out post will earn you more respect than THIS post of yours.

 

Perhaps you can find a more realistic case of discrimination.

 

Edited April 4, 2020 by gamb00ler

[Bangkok Barry]

5 hours ago, yogi100 said:

On 4/2/2020 at 11:58 AM, stouricks said:

Asked my Mrs and 21 yr old step-daughter who was boss of USA....No f...ing idea, or boss of UK, France, Canada, Russia. Same

They don't even know which is N, S, W or East.

How many falang wives and 21 year old falang women know who is the boss of all those countries? Let alone who is the boss of Thailand.

Everyone - everyone - I know would know because they watch the news instead of women screaming at each other and men hitting cowering women every night of the week on tv. They wouldn't have a clue or care who the head honcho is in Thailand, because the country is just small SE Asian backwater that plays no part in and has zero influence anywhere in the world. The country is known primarily, if at all, for ladyboys and prostitutes. They probably know of Thai food through its restaurants, food that is largely based on Indian and Chinese dishes but don't tell the Thais that. They think they invented the dishes.

[dbrenn]

Another "Thais hate us" post.

 

Thais reflect the temperament of the observer. Treat them with contempt and they'll do likewise. Show friendship and courtesy, and you'll find how nice most Thais are.

[Bangkok Barry]

2 hours ago, gamb00ler said:

21 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

It is difficult to respect people and a country in the form of its government who look for every way they can to make life difficult for you by making up rules as they go along, while also discriminating against non-Thais. Just one example - why do certain foreigners have to have 400,000 or 800,000 in the bank, but Thais do not? We all live in the same country.

Respect isn't a right. It has to be earned. RESPECT ISN'T A RIGHT. IT HAS TO BE EARNED.

It's very hard to treat your question as legitimate.

If Thais were required to keep a certain amount in the bank, what would the authorities do when a citizen failed?  Would their citizenship be cancelled and then shipped out of the country?  Where would a stateless person go?

Is there a country anywhere on this planet that stipulates such a requirement for its own citizens?  I'm going to make a wild assed guess that there is not ONE.

 

The US requires evidence of financial stability for those emigrating.  That is a reasonable requirement for any country when evaluating immigrants.

 

A better thought out post will earn you more respect than THIS post of yours.

 

Perhaps you can find a more realistic case of discrimination.

 

You're looking at this the wrong way around. Of course Thais would not be thrown out of the country if they didn't have income of a certain level. But why then are foreigners thrown out for that very reason. That is discriminatory. One rule for them, another for us. Why? And it's no good arguing that foreigners need more to live on. One size does not fit all. Everyone's situation is different. In a couple of months, when my car is paid for, I will be able to live very comfortably on 15,000 a month. House was bought when the baht was in the toilet, so no rent. I have aircon, IPTV, internet, eat a mix of Thai and western food, go out for dinner once a week (to be resumed when allowed), support a wife and five dogs. I don't need 40,000 or 65,000 in the bank, or income of 40,000 a month. But whether I need it or not is totally irrelevant to the authorities. You farang, must have. Again, why, when I don't need it?

 

I'm from the UK, and there is a social welfare system there for those in need of financial assistance. I have no personal experience of using it, but believe you are quizzed on your financial needs v income if any. When giving a visa, why don't they ask us for that kind of relevant information? Far more useful than some of the other 'supporting documents' they demand (which, of course, vary from office to office, officer to officer, day to day). Why I still need a visa after being married to a Thai for nearly 30 years and after living here for 26 years with never any problem of any kind at any time to any authority is another subject for another day.

[Bangkok Barry]

14 minutes ago, dbrenn said:

Another "Thais hate us" post.

 

Thais reflect the temperament of the observer. Treat them with contempt and they'll do likewise. Show friendship and courtesy, and you'll find how nice most Thais are.

How does that relate to the arbitrary immigration rules and demands for tea money from officials, which I've personally experienced more than once as they do everything they can to obstruct? Most Thais are fine, but it is those in government and many local officials in uniform who struggle to treat us 'aliens' (as they call us and which is an insulting term to many) with respect. So, treat us with contempt and I'll do likewise. Works both ways. Respect has to be earned. It isn't a right.

Edited April 5, 2020 by Bangkok Barry

[Skallywag]

On 4/2/2020 at 10:33 AM, Bangkok Barry said:

The locals have been browbeaten into just accepting the official corruption and having to deal with mountains of paperwork whenever they want to do anything. It's tiresome,

Wow - some serious bashing here.  What is the point of complaining?  Governments will not change, cultures will not change, either adapt or move on.  As my father used to say:  If you cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.  

Thailand is not even in the top 10 of places to retire, so what were your expectations in the first place? 

https://www.businessinsider.com/best-countries-to-retire-in-2020-according-to-expats-cost-of-living#1-portugal-10

[Bangkok Barry]

5 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

Wow - some serious bashing here.  What is the point of complaining?  Governments will not change, cultures will not change, either adapt or move on.  As my father used to say:  If you cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.  

Thailand is not even in the top 10 of places to retire, so what were your expectations in the first place? 

https://www.businessinsider.com/best-countries-to-retire-in-2020-according-to-expats-cost-of-living#1-portugal-10

Why do you assume I chose Thailand to retire to? I came here 26 years ago as my wife of 29+ years was more comfortable being close to her large family. I travelled most of the time as a journalist so had no problem moving here. But, 26 years ago, it was a very different place, as any long-termer will tell you.

 

Do you never complain about anything you have no chance of changing, I wonder?

[Skallywag]

1 minute ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Do you never complain about anything you have no chance of changing, I wonder?

Yes of course I have.  Just seems too many threads complaining over the last year or so I have been on TVF.   Am a newbie and keep forgetting this forum is not for just retired expats.  Carry on sir

[Nyezhov]

7 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

'm not in the USA. Maybe because of redneck, uneducated gun happy policemen.

You are wanted?

[ravip]

10 hours ago, chessman said:

Does anybody think Thais have more disdain to Farang than the disdain shown towards Thais in this thread?

Thank you for an honest and true question.

You will NEVER receive an honest answer to your most appropriate question. There's none, who is that honest or true.

 

[josephbloggs]

4 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

How does that relate to the arbitrary immigration rules and demands for tea money from officials, which I've personally experienced more than once as they do everything they can to obstruct? Most Thais are fine, but it is those in government and many local officials in uniform who struggle to treat us 'aliens' (as they call us and which is an insulting term to many) with respect. So, treat us with contempt and I'll do likewise. Works both ways. Respect has to be earned. It isn't a right.

From the tone of your posts it is obvious you go searching for things to be angry about, looking for discrimination where it doesn't exist, seeking out slights, persecution and building your own paranoia.

A perfect example: the Thais call us alien which is insulting.  Aaaaw, poor nasty word.  An "Alien" is actually a legal term for someone who is not a naturalised citizen of a given country.  It is used globally in national and international law.  It is no more insulting than any other legal term, unless you are a ridiculously oversensitive person who sees meanings that aren't there.

And in my 24 years of living and working here I have never, not once, been asked for money by any immigration office or official.  Nor does anyone else that I know - including several who have obtained permanent residency.  Were you perhaps asking someone to bend the rules?

Edited April 5, 2020 by josephbloggs
Typo

[gunderhill]

On 4/3/2020 at 12:57 PM, Toosetinmyways said:

that they seem to think laws and rules in Thailand do not apply to them. 

Because as we know  all Thais wear a helmet on a motorbike.

[tifino]

2 minutes ago, gunderhill said:

Because as we know  all Thais wear a helmet on a motorbike.

and hate it that they'll never advance to a real one...  

[JAFO]

4 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

How does that relate to the arbitrary immigration rules and demands for tea money from officials, which I've personally experienced more than once as they do everything they can to obstruct? Most Thais are fine, but it is those in government and many local officials in uniform who struggle to treat us 'aliens' (as they call us and which is an insulting term to many) with respect. So, treat us with contempt and I'll do likewise. Works both ways. Respect has to be earned. It isn't a right.

My frustration with these types of threads is the extreme generalization. Foreigner  "Bob" lives in "XX" area and has to manage himself to a different situation as some rules are not the same for Foreigner "John" in "XX" area.  Such as life. How does that equate to "Thais and their disdain for foreigners". In all my years here I have never felt at any time a Thai person has an issue with me. 

 

I have always felt that a foreigners personal demeanor sets the stage for them being shunted or accepted. I see some foreigners walking around like they hate everything, have a scowl on their face, dressed like a slob etc. Its those same ones that go ballistic in a store because the line isn't moving fast enough or they can't get the help they want because their facial expressions are clearly uninviting. Its no different then any other place in the world. 

 

As I said in another post, to think that Thais are sitting around coming up with ways to hate or make foreigners lives here uncomfortable is utter nonsense. As some one said, act like an a$$hole you will be treated as one. Its really quite simple.

[Bangkok Barry]

It's been interesting to read the comments, many shooting the messenger for pointing out flaws in government attitude to foreigners. I haven't at any stage put down the people of Thailand, most of whom in my experience don't exactly hold the government in a warm embrace. There are special rules for foreigners, and rules made to make life inconvenient for many, to no practical purpose. Many are happy to suck that up,  just as Thais suck up the attitude of officialdom to them. I find that a little sad, but understandable in the circumstances.

 

Some have accused me of racism or of trumpeting colonialism. That stemmed from my pointing out that Britain (and, in other countries in the region, France and the Netherlands) had laid useful and excellent foundations for transport, education and law. I even said that at times the 'invaders' behaved appallingly, but still I was accused of trumpeting the colonial attitude and that by pointing out the benefits enjoyed by the 'invaded countries' I was being racist.

 

My main point was that a country like Thailand might well be suspicious of foreigners as 100 years ago foreigners invaded neighbouring countries, while ignoring the unquestionable benefits that resulted. (I even agreed that those benefits were often to the advantage of the invaders, mostly for trade purposes). But that was 100 years ago and it might be useful if instead of fearing that we are a threat to national security they recognised that in this century and as individuals we are not a threat to anyone and play a useful role in Thai society, many supporting Thai families and businesses.

 

It is a pity that some have not focussed on what I actually wrote rather than choosing to respond with their own agenda - mainly that anyone who has the audacity to point out flaws is a sad, scowling, angry individual who should go back to his own country. Constructive criticism is fine, but I haven't detected much of that. Only denial. That's okay. I don't know any of you and you don't know me, so I won't take it personally. As of this moment, I've had 41 positives and only three negatives, (four laughs too, but I don't know what that means - perhaps negative as well) so perhaps the comments don't match what people actually felt about what I wrote. For those one or two who took the time to extend my insight, thank you.

[JAFO]

1 minute ago, Bangkok Barry said:

There are special rules for foreigners, and rules made to make life inconvenient for many, to no practical purpose

I wasn't shooting the messenger BB, I was merely using your post as a lead into my POV.

 

Yes there are some special rules for foreigners and honestly some I like. Why?  If they let this become an open free for all, it would get out of hand as virtually anybody could land here and as many know, there are likely quite a few that would come here to exploit the lack of policing by selling drugs, scamming people both locally and using Thailand as a home base, start Porn businesses and engage is pedophile activities. 

 

I like that Thailand is making it more challenging to live here.  I have no issue adapting to the rule changes. If you comply then you are probably a value add to the country and not a drain on it. I wish the US had started making rules for immigrants years ago. Look at the mess us Americans have now. 

[transam]

20 hours ago, Yinn said:

I think because Bangkokbarry attitude.

 

Thai not hate foreigner because is foreigner. Most foreigner nice, polite, friendly.

But hate some foreigner because attitude and behavior. Not every foreigner good people right? 

 

Think barry have bad experience. Lonely. 

Most foreigner enjoy live thailand, is very popular. (Not this thread)

 

If not like, can live another country right? Thai not make you stay, not want you stay if you not like. Up to you.

 

i think some foreigner believe thai care/think/talk about foreigner a lot. Not true. Imagine.

 

Some post this thread look like have male menopause mix with paranoia and Alzheimer’s. Imagine bad thing.

 

 

Hmmmmm, "Some post this thread like have male menopause mix with paranoia and Alzheimer's".

That reads like you married a farang like that to even post that stuff...............????

 

Now tell me, why can't ladies like you, a 27 year old Thai, just hop on an airplane to near any country in the world without jumping through loads of visa hoops.

I mean, English ladies can jump on an airplane to Thailand, USA, AUS and a zillion other countries ladies can too with no problem....Why is that...?

[Bangkok Barry]

2 hours ago, JAFO said:

I wasn't shooting the messenger BB, I was merely using your post as a lead into my POV.

 

Yes there are some special rules for foreigners and honestly some I like. Why?  If they let this become an open free for all, it would get out of hand as virtually anybody could land here and as many know, there are likely quite a few that would come here to exploit the lack of policing by selling drugs, scamming people both locally and using Thailand as a home base, start Porn businesses and engage is pedophile activities. 

 

I like that Thailand is making it more challenging to live here.  I have no issue adapting to the rule changes. If you comply then you are probably a value add to the country and not a drain on it. I wish the US had started making rules for immigrants years ago. Look at the mess us Americans have now. 

I agree with you. Thailand does attract many from, let's say, the lower end of the social scale, because laws and standards are lax and they don't have to try as hard to keep up in Thailand as they would at home. The problem is, in its effort to keep those who would exploit the previous easy-going attitude at bay, the authorities treat everyone as a potential criminal even though there are clearly no grounds to do so.

 

I mentioned the absurdity of my still having to apply for a visa, and then only being allowed to be in Thailand for a limited time, despite being married for nearly 30 years to a Thai. The 90 day report nonsense is like being on probation and having to report yourself to the authorities, and having to apply - at a price of course - to be considered to be allowed to stay beyond 90 days. None of the people I know outside of Thailand can believe it. They ask me why, and there is no answer I can give them.

 

You mention the USA. For many years I had a journalist visa, for which I had to attend an interview. Every time I entered the country they would write D/S in my passport. Eventually I asked an IO what that meant, and he told me 'duration of stay'. I was allowed to stay in the country for an unlimited time, no 90 day report, no asking for an extension, nothing, until my passport and therefore the visa expired. But in Thailand, despite having a totally clean record in my 26 years here, I still have to report myself or get out of the country for five minutes every 90 days.

[Bangkok Barry]

2 hours ago, transam said:

Now tell me, why can't ladies like you, a 27 year old Thai, just hop on an airplane to near any country in the world without jumping through loads of visa hoops.

I mean, English ladies can jump on an airplane to Thailand, USA, AUS and a zillion other countries ladies can too with no problem....Why is that...?

I don't think she understood the subtlety of your question ????. Or perhaps she wouldn't want to acknowledge that her country has a worldwide reputation for producing a disproportionately large number of ladies who work in a certain profession. One of Thailand's biggest export successes, possibly. And for that reason countries with higher moral standards are very wary of letting ladies from her country into theirs.

[ravip]

3 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I don't think she understood the subtlety of your question ????. Or perhaps she wouldn't want to acknowledge that her country has a worldwide reputation for producing a disproportionately large number of ladies who work in a certain profession. One of Thailand's biggest export successes, possibly. And for that reason countries with higher moral standards are very wary of letting ladies from her country into theirs.

...countries with higher moral standards 

Any exist on this planet? Few examples, please.

 

[transam]

59 minutes ago, Yinn said:

No thankyou. 

TVF enough.

 

Disdain for foreigners. Like the OP say. 

Same for 65 year old Thai man. 

 

Hope you get well soon.

"Hope I get well soon".......What does that mean.....?

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, transam said:

Hmmmmm, "Some post this thread like have male menopause mix with paranoia and Alzheimer's".

That reads like you married a farang like that to even post that stuff...............????

 

Now tell me, why can't ladies like you, a 27 year old Thai, just hop on an airplane to near any country in the world without jumping through loads of visa hoops.

I mean, English ladies can jump on an airplane to Thailand, USA, AUS and a zillion other countries ladies can too with no problem....Why is that...?

I've taken you off ignore for this post.

Well done sir.

 

(Saw the post when BKB quoted you)

Edited April 5, 2020 by BritManToo