I have heard that, when describing SEA people of darker complexion, it is better to say  คนผิวสีน้ำผึ้ง  instead of  คนดำ

 

But would educated Thais consider it inappropriate for a farang to describe people of African descent as  คนดำ   ?      On a similar note, is it socially acceptable to describe the African continent as   ทวีปดำ  ?

I wouldn't say any of this. 

2 hours ago, BananaBandit said:

คนดำ

Is just plain bad. This can get you killed. Same for the continent,  be careful.  Don't use dam to describe people. 

 

2 hours ago, BananaBandit said:

คนผิวสีน้ำผึ้ง

Implies they are not white, that's the worst you can say about a Thai. It's not the same if a Thai says this about Thais, or if a foreigner says this. 

 

Just avoid the topic.

 

And if you see a girl always tell her how beautifully white she  has become during the last weeks or months. She will invariably say how dam she is.

13 minutes ago, Lorry said:

Just avoid the topic.

Will do, man.  Thank you for the blunt warning.