Why Do Some Foreigners in Thailand Still Call Other Foreigners “Farang” and is it Cringe?

[NorthernRyland]

7 hours ago, 123Stodg said:

One of the most awkward language habits I often see in Thailand is when foreigners refer to other foreigners as “Farang” while speaking with each other in English. Sure, it’s a term that some Thais still use to describe Westerners, but when used by an expat or tourist, it comes off as awkward and often just pretentious.

 

People saying "westerners" all the time feels tedious to me. You're all Farang or white people as far as I'm concerned. Plus, when in Rome....

[NorthernRyland]

6 hours ago, FriscoKid said:

For many locals who aren't well educated, it might be the only word for foreigner that they know. But I think the question here is more about foreigners using the word who do have a larger base of vocabulary. 

Farang is a handy term for white people, doesn't need to mean anything more than that. It only hurts you if you desire a belonging in Thailand and feel isolated when they remind you that you're not one of them. IMO you shouldn't be seeking validation from them and be proud of your heritage as Europeans.

[Harrisfan]

29 minutes ago, MisterPooFarty said:

2 Thai languages? Little and none?

Great name you have. 

[Harrisfan]

2 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

Farang is a handy term for white people, doesn't need to mean anything more than that. It only hurts you if you desire a belonging in Thailand and feel isolated when they remind you that you're not one of them. IMO you shouldn't be seeking validation from them and be proud of your heritage as Europeans.

Just a word. Actions mean everything. Words are nothing. 

[simon43]

[quote]

...

But it's fun to watch them wai the hookers and serving staff.

[/quote]

 

Some Russian guy did this today in 7/11, a high wai to the serving girls.  They looked at each other, looked at me and burst out laughing.  I said to one of them (in Thai).  "Are you a monk???"  🙂

[Harrisfan]

5 minutes ago, simon43 said:

[quote]

...

But it's fun to watch them wai the hookers and serving staff.

[/quote]

 

Some Russian guy did this today in 7/11, a high wai to the serving girls.  They looked at each other, looked at me and burst out laughing.  I said to one of them (in Thai).  "Are you a monk???"  🙂

Why would a farang wai a monk?

[simon43]

11 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Why would a farang wai a monk?

Whoosh!!!!  Right over your head 🙂

[FriscoKid]

21 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Some Russian guy did this today in 7/11, a high wai to the serving girls.  They looked at each other, looked at me and burst out laughing.  I said to one of them (in Thai).  "Are you a monk???"  🙂

Most foreigners who don’t live in Thailand see Thais wai-ing each other and just follow along, trying to be polite. They don’t always know when or with whom it’s appropriate. But hey, better than flipping someone the bird, right?

[Aforek]

Girls in the bank wai me every time before job and when the job is finish, so I do the same 

 

for " farangs ", I speak only with Thai people in thai, it's what they say, so do I ; and "farangs" has two syllabes, foreigners, white people etc have more than two syllabes

farang is an easy word, I use it every time I speak of foreigners , convenient word 

[Harrisfan]

12 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Whoosh!!!!  Right over your head 🙂

What a stupid response.

[Harrisfan]

6 minutes ago, FriscoKid said:

Most foreigners who don’t live in Thailand see Thais wai-ing each other and just follow along, trying to be polite. They don’t always know when or with whom it’s appropriate. But hey, better than flipping someone the bird, right?

Thais don't wai each other very often. 

[NickyLouie]

8 hours ago, Purdey said:

A bit like Polack. Yes, they are Polish Americans, but Polack still sounds rather off.

 

How do you tell the Polack in a submarine ?

 

--

he's the one with the parachute  

[scorecard]

8 hours ago, 123Stodg said:

One of the most awkward language habits I often see in Thailand is when foreigners refer to other foreigners as “Farang” while speaking with each other in English. Sure, it’s a term that some Thais still use to describe Westerners, but when used by an expat or tourist, it comes off as awkward and often just pretentious.

 

Are these people trying to sound more integrated into Thai culture? Is it an attempt to flaunt their (often very limited) Taxi-Thai language skills? In most cases, it seems to be short-term visitors or those with only a surface-level understanding of the Thai language who use “Farang” instead of simply saying “foreigner” or “Westerner.” They may think it makes them sound more in tune with local culture, but to many long-term expats, it just sounds unnatural and even cringy.

 

Most foreigners who have lived in Thailand for a long time don’t use the word “Farang” when speaking with other foreigners. They understand that in an English conversation, words like “expat,” “tourist,” "Westerner", or “foreigner” make more sense. The only real reason for a foreigner to even use “Farang” is when speaking Thai with a Thai person, especially if that Thai person doesn’t speak much English, but even then there are better words in Thai which don't carry any kind of negative stigma. 

 

So why does this habit persist? Maybe some foreigners enjoy peppering their English with the small handful of Thai words they know, hoping it adds a bit of local flair to their speech. But to others, it just sounds forced, unnatural, noob, and in poor taste. 

 

Ultimately 'up to u'.

 

[FriscoKid]

2 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Thais don't wai each other very often. 

You truly haven't got a single clue. Sad. 

[FriscoKid]

7 hours ago, riclag said:

More insults from the forum kids!

Farang! 🙏🏻

[altayvan]

11 hours ago, FriscoKid said:

Because it's a derogatory form of vocabulary. 

The one word more loaded than farang is farang sa or whatever is France 

[josephbloggs]

3 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Thais don't wai each other very often. 

Utterly and completely clueless. Explains a lot. But keep going, got to keep up the 100+ per day post count, that's the most important thing!! Go you!

[carlyai]

9 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Nobody says falang or falong

I do. 🙂

[carlyai]

12 hours ago, Celsius said:

When I meet a Farang I refer to him as Farang and do a proper wai after I lick my balls

Do you identify as a Thai speaking dog?

[rattlesnake]

13 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Yes. It is a derogatory term regardless of how normalized it's become here, and I always refer to people from other countries as foreigners, and refuse to use the word farang. 

 

And it's most polite version it means outsider or "not one of us". For an expat who's been living here for many years and contributing to Thailand in countless ways, that is an insult, and I don't like it, nor will I use the term. 

 

A farang is what you are and what you will always be.

[SAFETY FIRST]

13 hours ago, 123Stodg said:

Why Do Some Foreigners in Thailand Still Call Other Foreigners “Farang” 

Some Foreigners here are ignorant, poorly educated. 

 

[thrilled]

When I talk to a Thai and I’m speaking in Thai and the subject of a foreigner comes up I surely say farang. If I said a foreigner in English they wouldn’t understand. I talk so Thais understand me

[Cory1848]

16 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Yes. It is a derogatory term regardless of how normalized it's become here, and I always refer to people from other countries as foreigners, and refuse to use the word farang. 

 

And it's most polite version it means outsider or "not one of us". For an expat who's been living here for many years and contributing to Thailand in countless ways, that is an insult, and I don't like it, nor will I use the term. 

That is very weird. I speak half-decent Thai, and I use the word farang all the time, whether speaking Thai or speaking English. My Thai friends, many of whom are educated professionals, all use the word as well; I’ve never had any indication that it’s in any way disrespectful. My neighbors call my house *baan farang*; some people in my girlfriend’s family call me *lung farang* (“Uncle White Guy”), entirely respectfully. The word apparently derives from the Persian, originally referring to the (European) Franks. (???)

[sikishrory]

It doesn't bother me as much as it once did.

It's when I for examples:

Hear a table full of thais in a restaurant saying bla bla bla farang bla bla bla farang often accompanied by laughter or not that makes me think to myself don't these people have anything better to talk about.

Getting in a minivan in issan and standing out like dogs balls. Mum hands phone to toddler who's 30 second conversation to dad on other end goes something like "dad theres a farang in the van".

News readers usually use the correct term chao dang chart but when they use farang to me it makes them seem kind of scummy and unprofessional.

However to answer the question I agree with ChatGPTs answer below:

It is a curious thing indeed! Some foreigners in Thailand call other foreigners farang for several reasons:

Assimilation – They adopt local speech patterns after hearing Thais use it often.
Convenience – It’s a simple way to refer to other Westerners when speaking with Thais.
Jokingly/Ironically – Some use it playfully, aware of its usual context.
Exclusionary or Derogatory – Rarely, some long-term expats use it to distance themselves from "tourists" or newcomers.
It’s mostly harmless, but how it's said matters!

[brianburi]

1 hour ago, thrilled said:

When I talk to a Thai and I’m speaking in Thai and the subject of a foreigner comes up I surely say farang. If I said a foreigner in English they wouldn’t understand. I talk so Thais understand me

You must talk with poorly educated unpolite Thais then.  Ever heard your Doctor, hospital staff, Bank staff,  Dentist, Police officers,  immigration officers refer to you as a ''farang''

Thais themselves know its a slang word.

Similar to Paddy, Scouse, Brummie, Jock,  Taff,   plus all those foreigners: Frogs, Boxheads,  Spams , ......

[newbee2022]

17 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Yes. It is a derogatory term regardless of how normalized it's become here, and I always refer to people from other countries as foreigners, and refuse to use the word farang. 

 

And it's most polite version it means outsider or "not one of us". For an expat who's been living here for many years and contributing to Thailand in countless ways, that is an insult, and I don't like it, nor will I use the term. 

.... it's an insult to call someone "farang" ??....

Why that ???😳

[Gottfrid]

17 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Yes. It is a derogatory term regardless of how normalized it's become here, and I always refer to people from other countries as foreigners, and refuse to use the word farang. 

 

And it's most polite version it means outsider or "not one of us". For an expat who's been living here for many years and contributing to Thailand in countless ways, that is an insult, and I don't like it, nor will I use the term. 

 

17 hours ago, FriscoKid said:

Because it's a derogatory form of vocabulary. 

 

 

So guys, now we are far out of line. If you don´t like a specific word, that´s your right. However, it´s time for some explaining. What makes it a derogatory term or form? You can not just take a word that is used in another language and give it the meaning you see it as or feel it might have. In Thai language "farang" is a word that describes all white-skinned foreigners (mainly westerners). Nothing more. School children are still sitting on the bus driving by our home, and when I am out they try and say hello in English, but some shout farang instead. They are just smiling and want to be seen, so I just smile back and wave at them. If foreigner use this word, it doesn´t matter at all, and the meaning, as they use it as a term from Thai language, does not change.

So, plainly, farang means foreigner in Thailand. I think some people have a hard time here. Never able to relax. You should lighten up guys, embrace the culture and stop making things so hard.

[rwill]

Farang is not a derogatory word.

You just think it is.

[carlyai]

42 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

.... it's an insult to call someone "farang" ??....

Why that ???😳

It's because these people haven't lived in Thailand for over 30 years and never learnt to speak Thai and never lived in other parts of Thailand except Falang parts. 🙂

It's only an insult if you say ' look at that f....ing Farang'.

[brewsterbudgen]

29 minutes ago, rwill said:

Farang is not a derogatory word.

You just think it is.

Correct.  Why are some so sensitive?