12 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

 

Thailand is one of those (probably quite rare) countries where speaking the local language doesn’t necessarily help you — and in many cases, it may even work against you. Especially if you are a farang: a creature from another world, exotic, beautiful, and full of money — which, in the Thai “gypsy-like” hierarchy of values, is the highest virtue.

 

Did all those fools who spent years learning this exotic language ever realize that it might never bring them no real advantage? People like Nick Carter with his “perfect balance” idiocy — do they understand how absurdly naive they actually are? 

 

You mentioned 'understanding' yet clearly you failed to understand how absurdly daft your comment is  !!!

 

Speaking Thai, even a little, is never going to be any disadvantage or work against anyone - I've read some preposterous comments on here before, but this level of stupidity is only surpassed by a special few.

 

 

 

11 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

OK... So he was a 'twit'... and that happens...  but your anecdote is hardly representative of wider exposure.

 

I find that when speaking Thai, due to my 'tonal errors' the intelligence of the person I'm speaking with matters... 

I can have decent conversation with a taxi driver, then on another journey a different driver hardly understands me - its often about how adaptable the 'listener' is to the idiosyncrasies of my often imperfect enunciation which is primarily overcome by context.

 

I also encounter the 'eyes not believing the ears' issue, when speaking Thai in a shop I get a completely blank look, the listener is lost and has no idea of what I said... then the penny drops and they realise I've spoken Thai when they were expecting English.

 

Most common is the pleasant reaction - speaking Thai in a shop etc and the other person is either simply non-plussed and engages in the process in a very matter of fact way, or they show interest and ask questions, where I am from, compliment my Thai etc, ask where I learned etc... 

 

In short - its a very mixed bag but primarily positive, as would be expected when interacting in any country.

 

Agree. I have gotten the blank stare look as well. Like many I tend to remember the negative encounters rather than the positive. It has not been all bad but based upon my LOS experience there have been more bad then good. 

On 9/4/2025 at 7:14 PM, richard_smith237 said:

It might just have been the “heroic pair of Crocs” that sent them fleeing in terror…

…(satire: someone was bound to bring it up sooner or later).

 

 

But really, this has nothing whatsoever to do with some imagined “dislike of foreigners” .... You’re misreading the signals entirely.

 

What you witnessed was nothing more exotic than the juvenile mindset of many here – a lack of confidence that makes them retreat into silence. So they huddle behind their keyboards, nervously hoping someone else will jump in and do the talking for them.

 

Ironically, the moment you switch into Thai, you’ll see the tension melt away almost instantly. Suddenly, the very same people are transformed – a whole group buoyed by new-found confidence, each of them eager to pitch in and help, talk with you, laughs, smiles...   and a generally pleasant encounter.

Interesting experience at the tire shop last week.  I parked and walked toward the area with the sales girls.  I could see that some of them had that look like "hmmm.  how do we deal with this guy".  After i greeted them in Thai, they were all smiles and happy to help me.  We continued the process of selecting new tires, order, pay deposit (also using Thai language).  Then the sales girl gave me a few extra coffee coupons for the shop next door.   Amazing how the interaction can can change for the better after a friendly greeting.

On 9/4/2025 at 6:57 PM, Aurelien said:

It happened more than once that i'm being quietly 'ignored' because i'm a farang.. 
The other day i was at the copy shop, i entered the shop, it was quiet 3pm in the afternoon, there was 5 or 6 employees, no one looked at me. I sat down, got up again, moved a bit like if i was looking for something but nothing. I had to come up to one guy hiding behind his computer and say a very loud 'Hello' for him to acknowledge me. I sat then and observed, as soon as Thai people entered the shop, employees rush to greet them and ask them what they need. It's the same in the restaurants. Or if I'm with my gf, waiter and waitresses will always deter to her to ask my order, which make things extra complicated, i can just point the menu... It seems they are scared to speak to a farang. Anybody else notices this ? Or at the supermarket, employees will go out of their ways to help other Thais but always avoid getting into contact with the foreigner..only if they have to. And FYI i'm not the scary type, i'm a normal guy mid thirties, dressed properly, not hanging around in flip flops and singlet... 

No, as I don't start moving around and shout hello suddenly, but just say hello when I enter the shop and tell them what I want in Thai.

On 9/4/2025 at 6:57 PM, Aurelien said:

It happened more than once that i'm being quietly 'ignored' because i'm a farang.. 
The other day i was at the copy shop, i entered the shop, it was quiet 3pm in the afternoon, there was 5 or 6 employees, no one looked at me. I sat down, got up again, moved a bit like if i was looking for something but nothing. I had to come up to one guy hiding behind his computer and say a very loud 'Hello' for him to acknowledge me. I sat then and observed, as soon as Thai people entered the shop, employees rush to greet them and ask them what they need. It's the same in the restaurants. Or if I'm with my gf, waiter and waitresses will always deter to her to ask my order, which make things extra complicated, i can just point the menu... It seems they are scared to speak to a farang. Anybody else notices this ? Or at the supermarket, employees will go out of their ways to help other Thais but always avoid getting into contact with the foreigner..only if they have to. And FYI i'm not the scary type, i'm a normal guy mid thirties, dressed properly, not hanging around in flip flops and singlet... 

I find every where I go,absolutely the opposite.

Maybe your not friendly looking or even that friendly.Why should Thais have to approach you,"katort,'" You've got attention with one word.try a few words that's all you need.No I don't speak Thailand,but,Katort Khun Thailand not noi, it works and so do they, to help you.

Aurelien, I couldn't agree more with you. I suppose all the people who say that the Thais are so very friendly are people that have come from environments where people are NOT so friendly, and Thailand is a boost to their sense of social well-being. I come from a small town in Tennessee in the US, and I am used to good ol' Southern hospitality where all people greet each other with enthusiasm whether they know you or not. I get it...... Thai people feel intimidated to interact with farangs due to their inability to communicate well in English, but that is inexcusable in my book. A simple look in my direction with a smile on their face is not such a hard task to accomplish, and that isn't necessarily an invitation to a long, drawn-out conversation in English. It's just a simple social courtesy. I've been walking around my village for exercise most every night for 15 years, and I can't remember a time when a neighbor spoke to me or even glanced my way without my having to initiate the greeting. I've greeted every villager numerous times thinking that it won't be long before they will initiate eye contact, but the next time I encounter them is just like all the previous encouters....zero interest. Heck, I take a shower every day, I dress well, I have the best-kept home in the village, and social status and wealth accumulation back in the US is certainly heads above anyone in the village. Whatever happened to the myth that all Thais pay proper respect to their elders and those who are perceived to be above them in social standing? Why isn't the same courtesy applied to farangs? I'm not on some ego trip and wanting attention. I just want to be recognized as a fellow human being. Why is it that I feel disrespected and looked down upon? It makes one feel totally alienated from this society and unable to assimilate, and it's simply catastrophic to one's sense of well-being. Were it not for my fantastic Thai wife who has no desire to live in America, I would have been gone from Thailand 15 years ago.