Do Thais really attack foreigners for no reason?

[Jonathan Swift]

21 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Quite a few members on this forum seem to be under the impression that Thais like to beat up foreigners for enjoyment, pleasure or because of some sort of hatred. That happens in some countries obviously but I don’t think Thais are really wired that way. 

 

While others, including others always feel very safe walking around, even late at night around large groups of Thai strangers. As long as you are friendly and polite you have nothing to worry about, unless perhaps you come across someone with mental issues.

 

Of course if you are aggressive or rude to Thais as many foreigners are you will eventually come unstuck and they often end up in the news reports.. Some people mistake kindness for weakness.

 

what do you think?

Are you scared to go out at night amongst Thais or do you feel safe in Thailand?

Personally I feel safer here walking around alone, drunk late at night whether it be in Bangkok or a small village than I do back in London. 

I am naive or are others plain paranoid?

Not naive, I agree, and I've been here 11 years. Never felt unsafe

[Jonathan Swift]

8 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

And in Melbourne Australia,2 Thai guys stab an Australian man to death for no reason 

Luke Mitchell a good Samaritan 

And you were there? Saw it? One incident doesn't mean anything. I'm sure plenty of Australians stab people, exponentially more than Thai people.

[steven100]

is @Jonathan Swift taking over from Lou    ?  

[Jonathan Swift]

19 hours ago, Neeranam said:

100 times safer than walking around in London. 

Thais are peaceful and tolerant of foreigners. 

Absolutely right. One incident here and there means nothing in the big picture. Most of the commenters here come from violent crime ridden countries, mine the US included. I came here to get away from everything American

[MalcolmB]

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

at first glance I thought what a stupid topic to discuss ..... and then I seen the OP and realized why.

Well a bit more interesting than your topic about having zero friends and the other about eating a burger at KFC. 

[BangkokReady]

17 hours ago, Airalee said:

Never had a problem in Thailand at any time of day or night (other than a few soi dog encounters)

 

I think the Thais are indifferent to our presence even though they can overreact to certain situations or cultural faux pas.  It does seem to be that in all the articles of foreigners being “attacked”, just looking at the photos of the foreigners, they seem to give off a negative, aggressive vibe which can put the Thais on edge more so than someone just peacefully/lazily passing by.  Maybe it’s the look in the foreigners eyes, their body language or general demeanor but Thais, from what I have experienced are very good at reading people.

 

Or creating self-fulfilling prophesies...  

[BangkokReady]

11 hours ago, ColeBOzbourne said:

Could  you provide a few examples?

 

Obviously not.  He's trolling, just as he always does.

[BangkokReady]

9 hours ago, J Branche said:

Malcolm in the 1st post summed it up pretty well.  Show respect, don't yell, don't get angry, don't say something mean or call them stupid and you will be fine with 99.99% of the people.

 

Nice idea, but if someone is attacked for failing to show respect, yelling, getting angry, saying something mean, or calling someone stupid, then it is the person who is doing the attacking that is at fault.

 

If you're argument is genuinely, "Don't do anything from this list of fairly normal reactions to a range of incidents, otherwise you might be met with violence from a Thai person", then you're probably kidding yourself as to how peaceful Thai people are.

[BangkokReady]

8 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Sure you do Bob.

 

Tut, tut.  Glass houses SparkTrader, I mean Big Knok, I mean Dolf...  🙄

[georgegeorgia]

8 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

And you were there? Saw it? One incident doesn't mean anything. I'm sure plenty of Australians stab people, exponentially more than Thai people.

 

Your claim to fame ,you only joined this forum a week ago ,a anomaly !

just as you took hundreds of days sick leave all without a medical certificate in your job , one wonders about your morals in life , especially calling in late on a Monday morning knowing you have created chaos , a true narcissistic personality 

[GammaGlobulin]

No.

Such a thing happens mostly in the Bronx.

 

[Hawaiian]

On 12/17/2024 at 7:49 AM, soi3eddie said:

No. Thais do not attack foreigners for no reason. In my experience, Thais have been very kind to me, as a foreigner, for "no reason". They are very kind, respectful and generous. 

 

Agree.  I have been making annual visits for over 20 years and never once saw or experienced anything close to an assault.  Everyone has been polite and treated me with respect.

[fondue zoo]

On 12/18/2024 at 2:07 AM, worgeordie said:

In the now 37 years I have lived here I have never been attacked once, 

only signs of trouble was while driving , few times looked like there

could be conflict ,until I got out of my truck ,then they calmed down 

and got back in theirs ,

 

Not something I would do now as I am a lot older ,and more of them

seem to be carrying weapons of some kind, any traffic problems now

just let them go , and don't jester  or sound the horn ,nowadays does

not take much to set them off, like that the World over, people have

become angry ....

 

regards Worgeordie

 

 

I suspect this isn't just in Thailand, many everywhere are very "heaty" and appear to go weapons hot over nothing.

 

"You shame my family, you shame me, you have no right to make me feel this way for my dumbassery."   blam blam stab

 

 

 

[fondue zoo]

2 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

Agree.  I have been making annual visits for over 20 years and never once saw or experienced anything close to an assault.  Everyone has been polite and treated me with respect.

 

 

 

I'm actually beloved, when my canopied palaquin is set down in front of the local 7/11 so that I may purchase a 30 baht americano (yes I am that cheap bastard), the love is palpable... from the soi dogs. I secretly feed them and the crows. Soon I shall raise a soi dog/crow army and then everyone is gettin' it.

 

 

 

[NoshowJones]

On 12/17/2024 at 9:12 PM, MalcolmB said:

Quite a few members on this forum seem to be under the impression that Thais like to beat up foreigners for enjoyment, pleasure or because of some sort of hatred. That happens in some countries obviously but I don’t think Thais are really wired that way. 

 

While others, including others always feel very safe walking around, even late at night around large groups of Thai strangers. As long as you are friendly and polite you have nothing to worry about, unless perhaps you come across someone with mental issues.

 

Of course if you are aggressive or rude to Thais as many foreigners are you will eventually come unstuck and they often end up in the news reports.. Some people mistake kindness for weakness.

 

what do you think?

Are you scared to go out at night amongst Thais or do you feel safe in Thailand?

Personally I feel safer here walking around alone, drunk late at night whether it be in Bangkok or a small village than I do back in London. 

I am naive or are others plain paranoid?

Of course there will be the odd exception, but the only time you need to fear Thais is when they get behind a steering wheel or ride motorbikes.

[cdemundo]

Been vacationing here since 2000 and now live here year round.

Only times I had aggro from anyone was 2 times from "my fellow Americans", and once from a group of Brits (these fellows were maybe yobs or chavs I didn't ask).

In both cases alcoholic beverages were involved and I exercised the better part of valor and either ignored or moved on.

[ElwoodP]

Post advocating violence removed.

Along with a reply.

Please be polite and civil in all posts.

[Hellfire]

The only group of people I’m slightly wary of in Thailand is ladyboys. These are usually adult men with mental deviations, from whom one can expect anything.

[richard_smith237]

Of course, violence occurs here. It would be naive and overly simplistic to think otherwise.

 

The perception of Thais as universally benevolent, wholesome, and peaceful is an unrealistic stereotype.

 

Like people everywhere, Thais are human, capable of both kindness and conflict. To dismiss this reality is not only naive but also highlights a failure to understand the complexities of any society.

 

A glance at the news reveals numerous reports of violent incidents, with a recurring pattern: the triggers often appear trivial, yet situations escalate with shocking speed, sometimes culminating in fatal outcomes.

 

This isn’t unique to Thailand but is a stark reminder of how unpredictability can manifest anywhere and it often does so here in Thailand.

 

That said, I still consider Thailand to be safer than many other places. Personally, I rarely feel threatened here. However, it would be equally naive to assume foreigners are entirely immune to danger.

 

While rare, random and unprovoked attacks on foreigners do occur, as documented in the news. These incidents underscore the importance of staying vigilant and respectful, regardless of perceived safety.

 

Additionally, the adage "familiarity breeds contempt" seems particularly relevant in areas with high tourist traffic. These environments often foster a double-edged stigma where impolite behavior from both tourists and locals can contribute to friction and misunderstandings. Such dynamics naturally lend themselves to more frequent confrontations, where fault often lies with both parties.

 

So, yes, Thais do occasionally attack foreigners without provocation, but such incidents are uncommon. Far more common are altercations triggered by seemingly trivial disputes, where minor misunderstandings or actions escalate into significant confrontations.

 

 

 

 

 

[lavender19]

I think you are wrong about the UK. It's the gimmigrants that are going around stabbing , robbing,attacking and raping . Not the British people

[Thingamabob]

First arrived on these shores in 1962. I've been in all kinds of potentially dangerous situations but I've never, ever, felt threatened in Thailand. However, mugged twice in metro Manila, and twice in south London, England.

[Hawaiian]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Of course, violence occurs here. It would be naive and overly simplistic to think otherwise.

 

The perception of Thais as universally benevolent, wholesome, and peaceful is an unrealistic stereotype.

 

Like people everywhere, Thais are human, capable of both kindness and conflict. To dismiss this reality is not only naive but also highlights a failure to understand the complexities of any society.

 

A glance at the news reveals numerous reports of violent incidents, with a recurring pattern: the triggers often appear trivial, yet situations escalate with shocking speed, sometimes culminating in fatal outcomes.

 

This isn’t unique to Thailand but is a stark reminder of how unpredictability can manifest anywhere and it often does so here in Thailand.

 

That said, I still consider Thailand to be safer than many other places. Personally, I rarely feel threatened here. However, it would be equally naive to assume foreigners are entirely immune to danger.

 

While rare, random and unprovoked attacks on foreigners do occur, as documented in the news. These incidents underscore the importance of staying vigilant and respectful, regardless of perceived safety.

 

Additionally, the adage "familiarity breeds contempt" seems particularly relevant in areas with high tourist traffic. These environments often foster a double-edged stigma where impolite behavior from both tourists and locals can contribute to friction and misunderstandings. Such dynamics naturally lend themselves to more frequent confrontations, where fault often lies with both parties.

 

So, yes, Thais do occasionally attack foreigners without provocation, but such incidents are uncommon. Far more common are altercations triggered by seemingly trivial disputes, where minor misunderstandings or actions escalate into significant confrontations.

 

 

 

 

 

Well said.  As for the video, there is never any excuse for that kind of behavior, drunk or sober.

[1FinickyOne]

On 12/17/2024 at 9:12 PM, MalcolmB said:

many foreigners are you will eventually come unstuck

like Billy Pilgrim? He came unstuck.

[1FinickyOne]

11 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

No.

Such a thing happens mostly in the Bronx.

 

Orangutans are skeptical
Of changes in their cages
And the zookeeper is very fond of rum
Zebras are reactionaries
Antelopes are missionaries
Pigeons plot in secrecy
And hamsters turn on frequently

[1FinickyOne]

2 hours ago, Hellfire said:

These are usually adult men with mental deviations, from whom one can expect anything.

Drunks?

[georgegeorgia]

2 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

First arrived on these shores in 1962. I've been in all kinds of potentially dangerous situations but I've never, ever, felt threatened in Thailand. However, mugged twice in metro Manila, and twice in south London, England.

Metro Manila 

Yes I do frequently go there on my side trips 

Back in May I patrolled the Subway train at night from Edsa to Abdo Santos with an erecttion   ,I didn't have any problem but I know many who did around that Malate area 

 

[Keep Right]

Maybe the Thais will not attack a foreigner for no reason such as in South Chicago but the Thais are some of the most corrupt people in the world behind our backs. Laws mean nothing to the Thais and foreigners need to realize that behind the friendly smile lies a heart of deceit.

[Mr Meeseeks]

21 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

Most of the commenters here come from violent crime ridden countries

 

I don't. 

 

Don't project on others your own background and experiences.

 

[thrilled]

There are bad people everywhere. I haven’t had a problem. But I don’t walk out of a bar drunk at 3 A.M.

[Mr Meeseeks]

Some of the posters here must live in another country if they have never seen violence in Thailand.

 

I have seen some horrific violence in person, some provoked, some unprovoked:

Student getting stabbed inside and outside Panthip Plaza. Blood everywhere.

Yaba'd up fruit seller on Soi 22 randomly stabbing passers-by until collared by Police. He had a go at the Police as well btw.

Bus driver assaulting taxi driver on Soi 22 with an iron bar after he got stuck trying to turn the corner and the cabbie wouldn't/couldn't move.

Korean tourists being laid to waste by bouncers outside Shark Bar in Soi Cowboy.

American expat having his neck broken on Soi Cowboy after a Thai kicked him in the head.

 

Fortunately never have been a victim of it myself.

 

Also had two friends murdered by their Thai spouses in my time here. 

 

As to foreigners, I've drunk with murderers (later caught and convicted), Scotland Yard's Most Wanted, top football hooligans (Chelsea Headhunters), UVF paramilitaries, etc.