An old Thai insult that gets thrown around in certain circles: "Farang Kee Nok". Literally, “bird sh*t foreigner.” The stereotype of the bottom-rung farang in Thailand living on scraps, always broke, maybe overstaying visas, lurking around cheap rooms and drinking outside the 7-Eleven. The type of foreigner that generally gives other foreigners in Thailand a bad name.

 

But like most labels, I've noticed it gets thrown around pretty loosely. Some people use it for anyone who doesn’t live the high life in an expensive condo. Others think it means any guy who goes native and lives like a local, eats Thai food every day, rides a motorbike, and avoids tourist traps.

 

Perhaps what actually qualifies someone as a farang kee nok depends on a mix of factors. It’s not just about money, but also about behavior and attitude. Living in an inexpensive apartment and keeping a low budget doesn’t automatically make someone kee nok. It’s seemingly more about being rude, sloppy, and constantly trying to game the system.

 

Have you ever been called "kee nok" and is it really such a bad thing?

Keep away from Pattaya and you might just avoid this kind of stereotyping

7 minutes ago, SoCal1990 said:

Have you ever been called "kee nok"

Ask bignok. Done!

The lowest, cheapest, stinkiest low life foreigners I have met live in Pattaya. 

I sure they get called that a lot.

Personally prefer the term kee-kai khwai, mostly used for lame behavior and it gives the wife a good laugh.

I quite like sitting on the 7/11 steps drinking a beer with my cheese and ham toastie at 7am, the locals don't seem to bother, they always give me a smile.

I am called either Khun Ta, or Santa Claus.

11 hours ago, SoCal1990 said:

"Farang Kee Nok". Literally, “bird sh*t foreigner.” The stereotype of the bottom-rung farang in Thailand living on scraps,

 

What do they call Thai people who don't have much money?

 

What should we call a person who berates someone who is not at a financial level that they consider normal? 

 

 

Just now, roo860 said:

I quite like sitting on the 7/11 steps drinking a beer with my cheese and ham toastie at 7am, the locals don't seem to bother, they always give me a smile.

Living the high life.

2 minutes ago, roo860 said:

I quite like sitting on the 7/11 steps drinking a beer with my cheese and ham toastie at 7am, the locals don't seem to bother, they always give me a smile.

How are you able to buy a beer at 7am?

4 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Living the high life.

Yep, toasties from 7-11, sitting on the ground outside eating it, baller level status!

My nic is Farang Anaconda 

1 minute ago, Celsius said:

My nic is Farang Anaconda 

What about when you aren't wearing the strap-on?

Nah. I'm more of a Farang Kee Mao

Always been called Loong-uncle

Kii niaw happens but kii nok is really low class stuff. I've never heard kii nok in public. Kii niaw once in KSR.

1 minute ago, short-Timer said:

What about when you aren't wearing the strap-on?

 

Then its just anaconda 

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

I've never heard kii nok in public.

Sure you have. bignok-kiinok.

15 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

The lowest, cheapest, stinkiest low life foreigners I have met live in Pattaya. 

I sure they get called that a lot.

Farang kee nok, hok bpai sip satang

And what do we call a Thai woman who sleeps with 10 monks and blackmails them? Birdsh!t Thai?

 

It's not like there's no low class Thais..

19 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

 

What do they call Thai people who don't have much money?

 

What should we call a person who berates someone who is not at a financial level that they consider normal? 

 

 

Phrai 

27 minutes ago, SoCal1990 said:

Have you ever been called "kee nok"

 

Yes by my wife on many occasions....my counter is to call her

"kon Thai grajock"

  ( an unimportant/small of no standing Thai person)

 

Then we both laugh   55555

11 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

And what do we call a Thai woman who sleeps with 10 monks and blackmails them?

A slut?

8 minutes ago, khunJam said:

What do they call Thai people who don't have much money?

Poor

16 minutes ago, flexomike said:

Farang kee nok, hok bpai sip satang

Sorry I don’t get it.

 

Bird<deleted> farang, six go 10 satang?

chai lao
 

Falang kee nok yang chan

I always feel that I get more respect than I probably deserve. Never been called Kee Niow and if I have been called Kee Nok, I am not aware of it. I keep a low profile and try to be as generous as I can.

1 minute ago, MalcolmB said:

Sorry I don’t get it.

 

Bird<deleted> farang, six go 10 satang?

Old saying from many years ago, six foreigners only worth 10 satang, circa 1968

17 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

And what do we call a Thai woman who sleeps with 10 monks and blackmails them? Birdsh!t Thai?

 

It's not like there's no low class Thais..

rich?

 

27 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Kii niaw happens but kii nok is really low class stuff. I've never heard kii nok in public. Kii niaw once in KSR.

How would you know Susan? You can't speak Thai.