34 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

Yes I do. I speak Thai. I avoid farangs.

Yes, I speak, read and write Thai.

I avoid everyone outside my immediate family, same as I did in England.

38 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

Yes I do. I speak Thai. I avoid farangs.

So why are you on this forum? There are plenty for Thais where you won't have to deal with Farangs.

Assimilation definition:

 

 

1. take in (information, ideas, or culture) and understand fully.

"Marie tried to assimilate the week's events"

 

2. cause (something) to resemble; liken.

"philosophers had assimilated thought to perception"

 

By these strict measures, most people can never fully understand Thai culture, and I have no desire to make my life resemble theirs.

 

That doesn't mean I can't appreciate many aspects of Thai culture. GENERALLY SPEAKING, I've seen again and again a very giving nature; I love the way families share with each other, and how they revere and respect elders.

 

There are too many misfires for me - their atrocious driving, their tolerance for soi dogs even when these beasts attack, maim and kill their children, and keeping chicken feet on the menu. There's more on this list, y'all know what they are.

 

I keep my distance while showing respect for their culture. We are all ambassadors here, it isn't our country and never will be. It's been a great ride and will be to the end of my days.

17 minutes ago, proton said:

what you avoid fat, loud mouthed know it all's in cargo shorts who are probably sex tourists, have shady pasts at home or who don't even have the cash to be here legally, I'm shocked ????

Don't put us all in the same boat as yourself.

1 minute ago, Boomer6969 said:

So why are you on this forum? There are plenty for Thais where you won't have to deal with Farangs.

Entertainment.

20 minutes ago, proton said:

what you avoid fat, loud mouthed know it all's in cargo shorts who are probably sex tourists, have shady pasts at home or who don't even have the cash to be here legally, I'm shocked ????

Hm, now I understand why I'm so lonely ????

5 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Don't put us all in the same boat as yourself.

I never wear cargo shorts, not fat and not a sex tourist, so you missed that boat

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

The longer you stay in Thailand, the less you want to associate with Thais. 

Agreed.

53 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

Yes I do. I speak Thai. I avoid farangs.

Sabai sabai

12 minutes ago, proton said:

I never wear cargo shorts, not fat and not a sex tourist, so you missed that boat

What shorts do you wear?

Whats wrong with cargo shorts? They are designed for modern living. Phone plus wallet in front. Plus they are stronger than old style shorts.

 

A big phone doesnt fit into old style shorts and sitting on the wallet is uncomfortable.

 

 

I think you mean 'integrate', not 'assimilate'.

Can I answer the poll, I'm not a foreigner, but used to be?

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

Learning the language is a huge barrier (for me)....and I know some on here will start spouting off about how you must (only those that can speak THAI I would hasten to add)....but I have lived in France, Germany and Italy.....was I supposed to learn all those languages as well?

 

Assimilation to me means not rubbing up anyone the wrong way....it's their culture so go with the flow.

Meet sometimes foreigners who proud tell me they speak almost fluent Thai, or belive they speak fluent thai, but my gf continue to tell me they do not. So I guess as long most believe they do, its good enough for them. 

41 minutes ago, Boomer6969 said:

So why are you on this forum? There are plenty for Thais where you won't have to deal with Farangs.

Problem is he does not understand the language so he can only play with farangs.

According to statistics 53% of the thai population speak thai...

 

% of Thais speaking thai language

 

To paraphrase Col. Jessup ("A few good men"), I'm an educated man, but I'm afraid I can't speak intelligently about the speaking habits of Thais and Foreigners in Thailand...

 

I work in Thailand and speak, fluently, 3 languages (english, chinese and french) but never bothered to become fluent in thai. Does it hurt in any way ? Not really...

1 minute ago, Fab5BKK said:

According to statistics 53% of the thai population speak thai...

 

% of Thais speaking thai language

Nonsense, it's 100% unless a mute. 

31 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

What shorts do you wear?

Never, they are for lo so farang ????

38 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Can I answer the poll, I'm not a foreigner, but used to be?

You will always be a foreigner in Thailand, no matter what nationality you aquire. 

26 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Nonsense, it's 100% unless a mute. 

Nonsense!

 

We are talking about the "Official Thai Language" not one of these dialects..

 

Languages of Thailand - Wikipedia

 

Got it?

2 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Drink beer with ice

I keep 5 baht in my ear when I take a Songtaew

16 minutes ago, Fab5BKK said:

Nonsense!

 

We are talking about the "Official Thai Language" not one of these dialects..

Im afraid you are wrong, everyone speaks official thai, and most below 60, also write thai. Tv and schools they speak thai without dialect. 

49 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Can I answer the poll, I'm not a foreigner, but used to be?

If you must.

3 years ago, i left Thailand after living and working there for nearly 15 years. I own property and try to return every 6 months to visit my wife and daughter, but i am finding it more and more difficult to return as i no longer enjoy the "sabai sabai- mai pen rai" attitude of the locals.

So the stats and articles are ALL wrong ???

 

Even, in Bangkok not every Thai is able to speak, write & read "Central Thai Language"

23 minutes ago, proton said:

Never, they are for lo so farang ????

was in koh chang this week. totally wore my jeans into the water. didn't wanna disappoint the likes of you.

 

am i a lo so if i ride a scooter ? 

55 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I think you mean 'integrate', not 'assimilate'.

I think there is a difference.

 

I feel completely integrated into Thai society, considering the roles I play in their society. (i.e. I fit into their society in key several roles; I ain't a tourist).

 

However, I certainly don't think I can assimilate with their culture. I am still a farang at heart. ????

 

 

29 minutes ago, proton said:

Never, they are for lo so farang ????

Long pants? Sounds like a fun life.

3 minutes ago, Fab5BKK said:

So the stats and articles are ALL wrong ???

 

Even, in Bangkok not every Thai is able to speak, write & read "Central Thai Language"

You might met imigrants? Everyone in school learn Thai, but older generations who came from Laos, Mayanmar, China, or other etnic groups, might not learned thai in school, but most speak thai, and maybe reason for the statistics you prevented. 

18 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

You will always be a foreigner in Thailand, no matter what nationality you aquire. 

Im a foreigner in the west.