5 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Lopburi police ( North of Bangkok)  were the most inefficient police when I went to report an assault.

 

It was only when I requested tourist police and even contacted my local member of parliament in Australia was the offender spoken to .

I thought the offender in Lopburi was a monkey. What was the outcome after they talked to it? 

Like others have mentioned, this happens all over, and when they have your life and future living here in the balance, it's always best to roll with the punches and let it slide. Just be consistently nice and they have no ammunition. I have never had any problems going to immigration and in my case, the Sisaket immigration has always be congenial and accepting. As far as other places, it has happened that I was looked at with disdain, without speaking a word and only a smile, but that shows how some people just are. Can't please everyone every time. 

52 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

So the clerk across the desk from you - in whatever office it may be - has been reading the financial & economic news for the last few years and loathes Falangs as a result?

 

It's an ASEANNOW myth that Thais are oblivious to what's going on in the world. Tourism numbers, tariffs and trade wars, and the state of the economy is all over the news here. Ask any Thai if they're aware of Trump and the trade wars, and the answer's going to be yes. Its affecting employment across a wide range of sectors from tourism, manufacturing, farm commodity prices. You'd have to have your head under a rock not to be paying attention to what's going on. Also "loathes" is a word you chose to use. I just said that the extent to which Thais see foreigners as being a net benefit to them (or not) can bleed into their behavior towards foreigners.

5 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

I've recently experienced a rash of what I consider to be terrible service from employees at the amphoe office, the post office, my bank, a 'drilling for dollars' dentist, and a courier who jacked me around about when a package would be delivered. These unpleasant experiences were largely offset by very positive interactions with another post office, my vet, gas station attendants, and convenience store counter clerks, etc.  I, too, have been wondering whether this perceived mistreatment can be attributed to anti-foreigner sentiment, but it is also possible that after feeling mistreated the first time, I developed a chip-on-my-shoulder attitude which bled into subsequent interactions. In other words, I may have become more prone to voice irritation after the first incident. The jury's still out, but I have to say in general that I echo the sentiment that I too have picked up a low-grade resentment towards foreigners from time to time and I think it might have to do with trade tensions and economic weakness that tariffs have done to the Thai economy. Sentiment towards foreigners does seem to fluctuate from time to time, and in the past I've observed negative sentiment does seem to correlate with weak economic conditions.

Now I have heard it all........🙄🙄

On 10/22/2025 at 5:01 PM, Nickcage49 said:

I have to admit I stay in my cocoon a bit. I'm home most of the time.

 

But the last two days I've had horrible experiences at two Thai government agencies.

 

At the first one I was yelled at for asking a question and treated rudely by numerous Thai people. I even went into the manager's office and spoke to management about one particular person's actions. The managers were very receptive and they planned to talk to the person involved. They even asked if I wanted her to come in and apologize to me. I said that wouldn't be necessary.

 

Today I was at another government agency today. Same level of rudeness and dismissiveness. But when I complained the manager was worse than the employees. He waved his arm like "get out".

 

I don't believe I was out of line at all in either situation. The first time I got yelled at for asking a question and then I told her not to yell at me, which made her madder. The second time, again, tried to clarify something. 

 

I refuse to be disrespected by anyone, especially these Thai paper pushers.

 

So I believe that there is a definite anti-foreigner sentiment among Thais. These two experiences (3 actually, since I went to the same facility 2 days in a row) have sealed that idea in my mind.

 

What do you think? Do you find Thais, especially government workers, treating you badly, talking down to you, yelling at you and dismissing you like you don't matter?

 

I've lived here about 25 years and I've never felt this way before. I've had rude government people before, but not to this extent.

 

I'm wondering what your experience has been.

Never had that problem.

What made them yell, what and how did you ask things?

On 10/22/2025 at 6:41 PM, couchpotato said:

Maybe you have the wrong hospital, because this is definitely not the case at BHP. If you still insist this is the case then please list some examples.

Do you own the joint?

On 10/22/2025 at 6:48 PM, save the frogs said:

 

They probably just hate their jobs.

 

Don't take it too personally. Nobody cares about you. 

 

It's obvious.

 

But they must hate their jobs more than before. Because I had only one guy be rude to me before. Many times actually. The rest were ok. Curt, but not rude and they didn't yell at me.

On 10/22/2025 at 6:51 PM, johng said:

Well yes but you are not in Kansas any more.

I witnessed myself an entitled American use the F word with an Immigration 

official at Jomtien immigration the I/O was furious and  called for him to be

hauled to room number 9   I don’t know what that room is or if he ever was hauled there  but no doubt that the I/O would remember him and give him a very hard time if ever he turned up again...she sent him back to Bangkok for paperwork irregularities..

The Yellow cog or even hospital worker people are not in the same league   as Immigration  who  are the paper pushers with ultimate power

it is a no brainer to defer to to them  99.9999% of the time  they hold the power to remove you from the country.

I'm careful not to insult them there. But they insulted me. They should go to room number 9...

On 10/22/2025 at 7:00 PM, CharlieH said:

Reading your OP, it sounds like the issue lies more in how things were handled than in the staff themselves. Three similar incidents point to a pattern, something in tone or approach is setting people off.

People from the West play chess; Asians plays checkers. You can’t use the rules of one for the other. The way you deal with things “back home” doesn’t work the same way here.

 

And thinking it can’t be me, it must be them only confirms that the problem probably is you, because nothing changes until you do.😄

 

I was completely polite with them. But it doesn't matter. So no, it wasn't my approach. Although I admit by day 3 I was getting pretty pissed off.

On 10/22/2025 at 7:08 PM, CallumWK said:

I live here for more than 30 years, and the last few years I do notice there is an increasing hostility against foreigners at the government level.

Thank you. Good, it's not just me! And unfortunately the government workers are probably a reflection of society in general. Makes me question whether I want to continue living here. I had planned to stay for life, but I'm reassessing. 

On 10/22/2025 at 7:10 PM, Myran said:

Sounds like the common denominator is you.

Sounds like you don't know what the f&*k you're talking about.

On 10/22/2025 at 7:15 PM, mfd101 said:

In Thai culture asking questions is generally frowned upon, even for school children in class with their teacher.  I meet this on a daily basis with my b/f.

 

Asking questions raises the issue of status: What happens if the 'high-status' person you ask a question of doesn't know the answer?

 

If he or she doesn't know the answer they lose face, which is the second-worst fate that can befall a Thai.

 

So you have to learn to phrase your 'question' indirectly (eg suggesting what you will do as a result of the information you now have and how you understand it).

Perhaps you're right. But I opened my mouth and this chick started yelling...sooooo I didn't have a chance to set a tone.

On 10/22/2025 at 7:16 PM, novacova said:

Too many people now days seem to be easily offended and personalize things. Folks really need to lighten up more.

Oh I tend to agree. But I refuse to be shouted at. That's unacceptable anywhere and anyplace. Wouldn't you agree?

On 10/22/2025 at 2:00 PM, CharlieH said:

Reading your OP, it sounds like the issue lies more in how things were handled than in the staff themselves. Three similar incidents point to a pattern, something in tone or approach is setting people off.

People from the West play chess; Asians plays checkers. You can’t use the rules of one for the other. The way you deal with things “back home” doesn’t work the same way here.

 

And thinking it can’t be me, it must be them only confirms that the problem probably is you, because nothing changes until you do.😄

 

Right.Looking ourselves in the mirror first is a good start.

On 10/23/2025 at 4:30 AM, Gecko123 said:

I've recently experienced a rash of what I consider to be terrible service from employees at the amphoe office, the post office, my bank, a 'drilling for dollars' dentist, and a courier who jacked me around about when a package would be delivered. These unpleasant experiences were largely offset by very positive interactions with another post office, my vet, gas station attendants, and convenience store counter clerks, etc.  I, too, have been wondering whether this perceived mistreatment can be attributed to anti-foreigner sentiment, but it is also possible that after feeling mistreated the first time, I developed a chip-on-my-shoulder attitude which bled into subsequent interactions. In other words, I may have become more prone to voice irritation after the first incident. The jury's still out, but I have to say in general that I echo the sentiment that I too have picked up a low-grade resentment towards foreigners from time to time and I think it might have to do with trade tensions and economic weakness that tariffs have done to the Thai economy. Sentiment towards foreigners does seem to fluctuate from time to time, and in the past I've observed negative sentiment does seem to correlate with weak economic conditions.

Maybe it's because I'm an American. Many people around the world resent Trump. I do too. Sometimes I don't even want to admit where I'm from. Canada, eh?

On 10/22/2025 at 7:45 PM, ukrules said:

 

They look down on ordinary Thai people like they're some kind of bug who managed to creep in from the street at certain government departments.

Questions are ignored completely, complete and utter contempt.

They hate everyone - not just you.
 

Well, that's good to hear, lol

On 10/22/2025 at 7:10 PM, Myran said:

Sounds like the common denominator is you.

🖕

On 10/23/2025 at 3:37 AM, georgegeorgia said:

Lopburi police ( North of Bangkok)  were the most inefficient police when I went to report an assault.

 

It was only when I requested tourist police and even contacted my local member of parliament in Australia was the offender spoken to .

It's all the police here. I've been in a couple of scrapes with my car where the Thai was clearly at fault. And they said "no fault". One guy came around my car when I was turning right and almost got himself run over. Nope, not his fault. It's not a level playing field.

On 10/23/2025 at 4:08 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

Ha ha, get used to it, the good old days have GONE. 

Back in the day we were treated like KING'S, not anymore. 

 

Too many nasty, disrespectful foreigners arriving. 

 

The Thai's are fed up with all miserable, moaning foreigners. 

 

Yeah I get it. There are some real undesirables here. Many are wanted by the law in their home countries.

On 10/23/2025 at 4:25 AM, Celsius said:

Instead of whining and arguing I would be GONE IN 60 SECONDS

 

After all this is BANGKOK DANGEROUS

 

Just because you are American it doesn't mean you are NATIONAL TREASURE

Oh I'm aware. But at least be civil.

On 10/23/2025 at 8:35 AM, mfd101 said:

So the clerk across the desk from you - in whatever office it may be - has been reading the financial & economic news for the last few years and loathes Falangs as a result?

Perhaps. 

On 10/23/2025 at 8:46 AM, fredwiggy said:

Like others have mentioned, this happens all over, and when they have your life and future living here in the balance, it's always best to roll with the punches and let it slide. Just be consistently nice and they have no ammunition. I have never had any problems going to immigration and in my case, the Sisaket immigration has always be congenial and accepting. As far as other places, it has happened that I was looked at with disdain, without speaking a word and only a smile, but that shows how some people just are. Can't please everyone every time. 

Maybe I need to go up to Sisaket. I can visit my wife's family, lol

On 10/23/2025 at 9:38 AM, Gecko123 said:

 

It's an ASEANNOW myth that Thais are oblivious to what's going on in the world. Tourism numbers, tariffs and trade wars, and the state of the economy is all over the news here. Ask any Thai if they're aware of Trump and the trade wars, and the answer's going to be yes. Its affecting employment across a wide range of sectors from tourism, manufacturing, farm commodity prices. You'd have to have your head under a rock not to be paying attention to what's going on. Also "loathes" is a word you chose to use. I just said that the extent to which Thais see foreigners as being a net benefit to them (or not) can bleed into their behavior towards foreigners.

I'd love to see this economy if we all picked up and left.

On 10/22/2025 at 7:38 PM, Gecko123 said:

 

It's an ASEANNOW myth that Thais are oblivious to what's going on in the world. Tourism numbers, tariffs and trade wars, and the state of the economy is all over the news here. Ask any Thai if they're aware of Trump and the trade wars, and the answer's going to be yes. Its affecting employment across a wide range of sectors from tourism, manufacturing, farm commodity prices. You'd have to have your head under a rock not to be paying attention to what's going on. Also "loathes" is a word you chose to use. I just said that the extent to which Thais see foreigners as being a net benefit to them (or not) can bleed into their behavior towards foreigners.

HAHAHAHAHAH I CANT BELIEVE SOMEONE ACTUALLY BELIVES THIS, ARE YOU TROLLING?

1 hour ago, FritsSikkink said:

Never had that problem.

What made them yell, what and how did you ask things?

I opened my mouth and she started yelling. I was about to ask a question and she yelled "sit down".

8 minutes ago, norsurin said:

Right.Looking ourselves in the mirror first is a good start.

Oh I agree. And I try to do that. When I'm at immigration I swallow my pride and try to get through it (like a bad cold). But this time the abuse was over the top bad.

1 hour ago, Nickcage49 said:

Oh I agree. And I try to do that. When I'm at immigration I swallow my pride and try to get through it (like a bad cold). But this time the abuse was over the top bad.

Maybe ur attitude when u arrived get them upset.U said two days in a row on different offices.

Calm down and just smile whatever happens is better I think.This never happened to me wherever i been in different places.In a office in surin city years ago a foreigner arrived and started screaming to the employees.They throw him out right away.In Copenhagen Airport a lady came to the SAS desk screaming like an idiot because the flight to Bangkok was delayed about 3 hours.I didn't say anything just observed.

When it was my turn i asked the guy on the desk if i could upgrade my flight to business class using points.We had a nice conversation and actually he upgraded my ticket for free without using points at all.

I mentioned the rude lady and he agreed that she was acting crazy.I been to 43 different countries about my work as a seaman offshore many years and i have never had any problems.

On 10/23/2025 at 4:08 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

Ha ha, get used to it, the good old days have GONE. 

Back in the day we were treated like KING'S, not anymore. 

 

Too many nasty, disrespectful foreigners arriving. 

 

The Thai's are fed up with all miserable, moaning foreigners. 

 

I have been impressed by the change in receptive attitudes, which I interpret as "the western visitor has passed his 'sell-by' date". In the early 1980s, when first visiting a new town (Prachuab Khirikhan comes to mind) I was in the habit of trailing high school kids to their school, and when confronted I asked to speak to the English teacher. They always welcomed someone to lighten classroom drudgery and I was invited to do a little show'n'tell for the students, who in turn treated me like a movie star. This way I got steered to the best cheap lodging, good eats and even appealing hiking trails. In short, friendly young westerners were considered charming novelties.

 

I would never consider doing that today. No one would be interested - not when TikTok is much more amusing, and farang have a bad rep as well.

 

An era has certainly passed. From all reports, people are acting tired of each other's routines and are certainly not as entranced by foreign faces as was the case historically. The 1970s were great fun, and part of that was undoubtedly the paucity of westerners (long after the VN War - the American GI invasion had subsided).

 

Show me somewhere that the flood of arrogant, loudmouthed, suspicious, penny-pinching tourists has not defiled, and I'll award you a commendation. Even the ever-polite Japanese are feeling the effect of "over-tourism". 

 

I also blame the internet (easy target - I know).

Seems to be a Thai bashing thread soon.

(I never got bad experience)

Thai people have to put up with the horrible rude officials every day, just visit the local amphur to see how the special classes treat their fellow compatriots.