14 years here.  Pattaya 1st 2 years, BKK 4 years, KORAT 8 years.  Have never really had trouble ( other than language problems ).

 

 3 out of 4 landlords great folk's.

 

Have taken better half to hospitals in Pattaya & BKK & Korat, always had great interaction with hospital staff.

On 10/9/2025 at 6:26 PM, FaridIsmail said:

I was at the hospital with my girlfriend and was sitting there using my phone.  The old matron started talking in a loud voice ''Why is HE here?''  ''Where does the foreigner come from?''  She then referred to everyone in the queue as ''Khon Thai'' in a loud voice.

 

Second day was the same place.  She was chatting to the young nurses and said ''Ai falang mein kii.  Mein kii!''  The foreigner smells of <deleted>.

 

So today I didn't go in because there was no where to sit.  But I could see her marching up and down and she looked at me one time.

 

It was at a Hospital.

 

Went to the Seven Eleven and woman literally looked up at me and started filing at her nails.  The other beanpole beside her just looked away.  My girlfriend got them working by telling them ''Nong, Mii All Member''  So they started to serve me but only because she was there.

 

Some other Seven Eleven guy slammed the change into my hand.

 

How about you?  Have you noticed a rise in racism recently?

 

 

What race are you?

6 minutes ago, edwardflory said:

14 years here.  Pattaya 1st 2 years, BKK 4 years, KORAT 8 years.  Have never really had trouble ( other than language problems ).

 

 3 out of 4 landlords great folk's.

 

Have taken better half to hospitals in Pattaya & BKK & Korat, always had great interaction with hospital staff.

 

I actually find landlords prefer me over Thai. This last condo landlord fancy BKK policeman and wife professor law thammasat approved me for condo in 10 minutes.  He said he spent 6 months turning down people. 

 

Despite what I said about Thai appearances many Thai homes are dirty and unkept. Thais are broke

First arrived in Thailand in 1962. Over all the years I've never experienced racism. However, in recent times, the appearance and behaviour of some foreigners in Thailand  has declined markedly possibly resulting in less respect towards foreigners from Thai people.

 

While I've encountered a few rude sales clerks in 7-Eleven who don't want to put down their phones, I haven't experienced real 'racism' here. In fact, quite the opposite. When I enter a hospital, almost immediately, there's a hostess or translator asking if they can be of assistance. Restaurant staff are usually patient and helpful with me as I struggle with the language. Fellow sportspeople are always friendly and helpful. Generally speaking, I'm treated better than I would be back in the US.

I have found the opposite, I have rarely experienced any racism, maybe when I first moved here and would get a few stares from older women when I was walking anywhere with my wife and we were holding hands but the far greater majority appear to have no problems, in fact most of the women want to talk to me or get a pic taken with me. Have you ever thought you are the problem, maybe your attitude etc may well be the cause of it happening, every event, get together, bbq, party, wedding, funeral etc we have attended the thais have been friendly and very talkative so maybe look at your own attitude/way you treat/talk to people, try being friendly and smile a lot, definitely works for me.

I've been living here since 2003, never had such an issue.

I'd rather say, on the contrary. So it looks suspicious to me, big BS???

Well, I'm almost fluent in Thai and this makes a huge difference.

Sometimes they say: " เป็นคนไทยอยู่แล้ว, pen khon Thai  yoo leeow ", you are already a Thai.

Now, there's always a possibility related to your behaviour and the way you are dressed.

1 hour ago, KhaoHom said:

 

I actually find landlords prefer me over Thai. This last condo landlord fancy BKK policeman and wife professor law thammasat approved me for condo in 10 minutes.  He said he spent 6 months turning down people. 

 

Despite what I said about Thai appearances many Thai homes are dirty and unkept. Thais are broke

As in all countries, some are house proud, some are not. My girlfriend is laos and she keeps our rented house spotless 

On 10/9/2025 at 4:57 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

Where are you located? 

 

This is coomon in Pattaya these days, the Thai's are fed up with all the disrespectful foreigners arriving. 

 

Years ago we were treated like kings, these days we are hated.

 

WARNING to those of you who are thinking about retirement in Pattaya, you've missed the boat, find elsewhere. 

 

Too many miserable, moaning, whinging and whining foreigners here now 

Same with Phuket. Super poor behavior by foreigners, many Thais fed up.

7 minutes ago, Expat68 said:

As in all countries, some are house proud, some are not. My girlfriend is laos and she keeps our rented house spotless 

 

Indeed 

 

My wife as well but I've seen absolute rural slums in Issarn, LAOS and central BKK 

I sometimes feel a bit of awkwardness toward me here and there, but almost never any real rejection or hostility behind it.
For example, in 7-Eleven when I pay for something, the change is almost always handed to my girlfriend. Or at a hotel, when I check in, the keys and directions to our room are given in Thai - to her. It’s a bit rude, but it can probably be explained by a certain shyness and laziness when dealing with foreigners (especially in English).
Overall, though, the Thais’ tolerance toward foreigners is truly remarkable, and that’s one of the main reasons I choose to live here.

I should note that I don’t understand Thai - and maybe I’d hear something unpleasant about myself if I did. Yet another reason not to learn the language!

P.S. There is, however, one noticeable trend in Thailand that isn’t directly related to xenophobia. Service staff everywhere  - room cleaners, condominium guards, and so on - no longer behave as modestly and respectfully as they did 13 years ago, when I first came to Thailand. It’s part of a global trend, and it greatly affects the overall feeling one gets when interacting with the local population here. 

On 10/9/2025 at 6:26 PM, FaridIsmail said:

I was at the hospital with my girlfriend and was sitting there using my phone.  The old matron started talking in a loud voice ''Why is HE here?''  ''Where does the foreigner come from?''  She then referred to everyone in the queue as ''Khon Thai'' in a loud voice.

 

Second day was the same place.  She was chatting to the young nurses and said ''Ai falang mein kii.  Mein kii!''  The foreigner smells of <deleted>.

 

So today I didn't go in because there was no where to sit.  But I could see her marching up and down and she looked at me one time.

 

It was at a Hospital.

 

Went to the Seven Eleven and woman literally looked up at me and started filing at her nails.  The other beanpole beside her just looked away.  My girlfriend got them working by telling them ''Nong, Mii All Member''  So they started to serve me but only because she was there.

 

Some other Seven Eleven guy slammed the change into my hand.

 

How about you?  Have you noticed a rise in racism recently?

 

Should have bought a bar of soap while you were in the 7/11.

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

First arrived in Thailand in 1962. Over all the years I've never experienced racism. However, in recent times, the appearance and behaviour of some foreigners in Thailand  has declined markedly possibly resulting in less respect towards foreigners from Thai people.

 

It has more to do with the fact that most Thai people are now much less dependent on foreigners. As a result, they feel less need to display the kind of exaggeratedly polite (almost colonial) behavior that used to be common. Let’s not forget that the main motivator for most Thais is money. In the past, almost any foreigner was seen as a sort of Rockefeller; today, genuine respect is reserved only for truly wealthy foreigners — not just anyone from abroad. That appearance and behavior thing is a bs. If you have enough money - they will accept any behavior from you. It is the Thais who changed , not foreigners.

"""the keys and directions to our room are given in Thai"""

 

I have no problems with that, my wife is Thai... Thai to Thai usually is better information given. 

 

Many Thai's feel uncomfortable speaking language other than Thai,

( Other than to practice )

 

My wife, after 10+ years still has problems with English with no formal English classes.

 

As to purchasing at a store, I give her the money because she will READ the receipt, and count the change received before we leave the register.

6 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

It has more to do with the fact that most Thai people are now much less dependent on foreigners. As a result, they feel less need to display the kind of exaggeratedly polite (almost colonial) behavior that used to be common. Let’s not forget that the main motivator for most Thais is money. In the past, almost any foreigner was seen as a sort of Rockefeller; today, genuine respect is reserved only for truly wealthy foreigners — not just anyone from abroad. That behavior thing is a bs. If you have good money - they will accept any behavior from you. It is the Thais who changed , not foreigners.

Not in my opinion.

23 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Not in my opinion.

 

When I first visited Thailand in 2012, I rented a rather expensive condo (60,000 baht). The place was paradise. The guards and cleaning lady were super polite and almost invisible. There was no condominium office full of unnecessary staff — it felt like my own private oasis.

Two years ago, however, I made the mistake of returning to that same condo. As they say, never go back to places where you were once happy — and it turned out to be absolutely true.

This time, the place felt unpleasant. The guards were rude and constantly wandering around, making noise, peeking into windows, even giving my wife intrusive looks. The cleaning staff were unfriendly and careless, and as I later realized, often reported residents to the central condo office. Yes, they’ve even built a whole office now, where a heavyset woman sits acting like she’s in charge of the entire building. This time I mostly felt as unwelcome guest there.

All this increased, pointless and ill-behaving staff completely ruined the atmosphere that once made living there so enjoyable. It perfectly reflects the changes Thailand has gone through over the past 13 years — and unfortunately, it seems things will only get worse, with the locals behaving less and less respectfully to the foreigners and the level of service sinking lower and lower. I suppose, one can still get a good service in Thailand but this time you have to pay much much more for it.

In all my years here never had a problem with Thai people always polite and courteous 

And I am the same back  to them 😇

20 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

 

When I first visited Thailand in 2012, I rented a rather expensive condo (60,000 baht). The place was paradise. The guards and cleaning lady were super polite and almost invisible. There was no condominium office full of unnecessary staff — it felt like my own private oasis.

Two years ago, however, I made the mistake of returning to that same condo. As they say, never go back to places where you were once happy — and it turned out to be absolutely true.

This time, the place felt unpleasant. The guards were rude and constantly wandering around, making noise, peeking into windows, even giving my wife intrusive looks. The cleaning staff were unfriendly and careless, and as I later realized, often reported residents to the central condo office. Yes, they’ve even built a whole office now, where a heavyset woman sits acting like she’s in charge of the entire building. This time I mostly felt as unwelcome guest there.

All this increased, pointless and ill-behaving staff completely ruined the atmosphere that once made living there so enjoyable. It perfectly reflects the changes Thailand has gone through over the past 13 years — and unfortunately, it seems things will only get worse, with the locals behaving less and less respectfully to the foreigners and the level of service sinking lower and lower. I suppose, one can still get a good service in Thailand but this time you have to pay much much more for it.

It may have something to do with the way the staff were treated!! I live in a rented house in a very small soi with what was a small upholstery the only business. Daytime no problem but come evening, mega blaster was turned on very loud 3 or 4 times per week each evening, the police visited two or three times during a 2 month spell. One day the business was shut without warning by the police It turned out the workers were Laos and had never been paid by the owner of the business 

I could probably dig up some few minor annoyances I've had over the years and try and make a story of it.

Or get on with my life. 

     Way too many foreigners stink to high heaven.  Seriously.  I've been in department stores and you can literally track where thay have been with the horrible smell.  If the nurse is saying you smell, likely you smell.  If the 7-11 staff don't want to deal with you, likely the same problem--they don't want you stinking up the place and hope you leave and never come back.  Try wearing your clothes only once, shower in the morning before going out, and use a good deodorant.  

On 10/9/2025 at 3:35 PM, still kicking said:

What about Indian bashers in Pattaya? I am in the West at the moment, married to a Thai for 22 years, and have been to Pats many times, never seen Indians sharing a bottle of Coke. We mostly frequent Indian or Chinese restaurants. Spotless clean. Indians like to wear gold, but we don't have many ladyboys. Never seen one. Why bash Indians? Bash Farangs, they are the worst.

Nasty and twisted. With 25 million tourists "so they say" there will be plenty if bad apples. To all those rose coloured glasses wearers, try taking them off and step out of your bubbles. Thai's are very racist even to others Thai's when from different parts of Thailand.  Burma, Cambodia even Chinese are not liked and Thai's are very racist of them. Then Black racism,  infact all colours to different degrees Thai's are very racist people to all non Thai's. But, ignoring foreigners in shops is quite common but that isn't racism, it is them being shy about their foreign language skills. I've been married to a Thai for 20 years and we have two children. We lived many years in Thailand and also in the uk. Thais are very racist!

There certainly is some racism, but Is this "story" true... I just don't accept it, unless the op is an <deleted> (good Aussie slang word for a bum hole) and everyone knows him.

On 10/9/2025 at 6:57 PM, SAFETY FIRST said:

Where are you located? 

 

This is coomon in Pattaya these days, the Thai's are fed up with all the disrespectful foreigners arriving. 

 

Years ago we were treated like kings, these days we are hated.

 

WARNING to those of you who are thinking about retirement in Pattaya, you've missed the boat, find elsewhere. 

 

Too many miserable, moaning, whinging and whining foreigners here now 

Seems you're one of those "miserable, moaning, whinging and whining foreigners," glad I'm not like you.

7 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

Seems you're one of those "miserable, moaning, whinging and whining foreigners," glad I'm not like you.

Crikey, Albo has messed with your mind. 

Are you a Woke, lefty guy? 

 

Time to move out of Australia, Mr Grumpy 

7 hours ago, Hellfire said:

It has more to do with the fact that most Thai people are now much less dependent on foreigners. As a result, they feel less need to display the kind of exaggeratedly polite (almost colonial) behavior that used to be common. Let’s not forget that the main motivator for most Thais is money. In the past, almost any foreigner was seen as a sort of Rockefeller; today, genuine respect is reserved only for truly wealthy foreigners — not just anyone from abroad. That appearance and behavior thing is a bs. If you have enough money - they will accept any behavior from you. It is the Thais who changed , not foreigners.

 

Which countries is the main motivator for most people NOT money?

 

Sure Thais like money but I find most westerners to be more greedy and money driven that many Thais who somehow seem to often simply be more or less happy with what they have.

 

After 25 or so years in different areas of Thailand I have found nearly all the Thais i deal with to be very pleasant and helpfulf people even when there is no money at all involved. 

 

Many Thais put up with more whinning farang complaints as to why Thais have to behave like it is their country and live by their cultural norms.  Are there a few Thais that hate farangs?  For sure and based on a lot of farang interactions I have observed over the years I can certainly understand why. I suspect that Thais give farangs more respect than many farangs deserve. 

 

Overwhelmingly my experiences have been positive especially if you behave  like a decent person, don't get all irritated and raise your voice over nothing and try and remember that you are in Thailand where surprise surprise most people speak Thai and unless you are fluent there will often be misunderstandings.

 

 

Change the depends more often.

17 years living in Thailand.  Have lived in 7 different provinces.  Never seen nor heard anything like racism.  

11 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

First arrived in Thailand in 1962. Over all the years I've never experienced racism. However, in recent times, the appearance and behaviour of some foreigners in Thailand  has declined markedly possibly resulting in less respect towards foreigners from Thai people.

 

Agree.  Foreigners seem increasingly more disrespectful of Thais and the country during my 17 years living here.

On 10/9/2025 at 6:26 PM, FaridIsmail said:

How about you?  Have you noticed a rise in racism recently?

no but I have noticed an increase of people who seem to spend their lives looking for examples of racism, no matter how ridiculous, just so they can virtue signal their outrage to like minded morons

Generally its woke whities taking offence on behalf of others  but there does seem to be an increase of extremely thin skinned perennial victims who have found something else to whinge about 

1 hour ago, Jim501 said:

Agree.  Foreigners seem increasingly more disrespectful of Thais and the country during my 17 years living here.

Its a global thing , nothing unique to Thailand,    The decline in manners and politeness is a result of socialism