On 10/22/2025 at 6:31 PM, Nickcage49 said:

I don't feel like I should have to take the abuse. If someone is very rude I get even. It's the American in me.

And you wonder why most of the world has a negative attitude towards Americans 

I've not had any bad experiences, but of course there will always be a few individuals with chips on the shoulders or are having a bad hair day.  Doesn't mean the whole country, all 70+ million of them, are unfriendly or racist towards farang.  

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.

 

 

Okay just a question you seem to be very self centered.

 

Have you ever in New York tried to have a conversation in English 

 

Have you never gone to DMV or any american government jobs.

 

Sunshine you are in Thailand where the number 1 language surprise is Thai.

 

There are very few schools that teach English at a level that breeds confidence.

 

I have been here 15 years and  watched the changes from people being afraid in mall stores to talk to me to Thais that engage.

 

I have dealt with many hospitals and while in the mid tier the level of English can be difficult it is functional.

 

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital is part of the BDMS which is top tier and very expensive meaning all their staff are fluent in English.

 

Then again if dealing with a custoemr that has issues or is being or perceived to be rude they can simply play the sorry not understand so you go away.

 

 

I(t is their way of saying

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a nurse at Hua Hin hospital get in my face when I asked how long before I would see a doctor.

She raised her voice so everyone could hear, and said " you very pompoi, you wait."

I returned her compliment "No I not want sex with you, you dirty ladyboy"

Never saw a person run away so fast as he did

P.S. Still waiting to see the doctor 

 

Did you asked them rude questions...

Look at the Thais offen being bullied by farangs at walking streets in Pattaya and Phuket...

My opinion, the OP is both right and wrong!

He is right in saying many Thais openly despise foreigners and will treat us in a way we often find dismissive and even hostile. It offends our cultural sensibilities. We often consider their behaviour and manners to be oafish and ignorant.

This can be attributed to a flawed education system, an over-the-top nationalistic upbringing, a lopsided wealth distribution system or simple envy of "rich" falang marrying Thai girls. The boorish or criminal behaviour by increasing numbers of foreigners can only enforce their opinion. Of course much of this is self inflicted because of Thailands open borders and widely promoted drug and sex industries.

 

However, much of this cause and effect behaviour can equally be levied at Americans. There are many similarities in the bad attitude and arrogance of both, as demonstated by the OP's dismissal of "paper pushers". Most of us are aware that an office job here pushing paper is considered prestigious. In the Thai version of social standing an office worker is higher on the scale than many, and abuse by a rude foreigner is not tolerated.

We are frustrated at times with the way things, that seem ludicrous to us, work here.  We have to remember we chose to live in this country because overall it is way better than where we came from.  We have to accept, and often bite our tongue, when confronted by  stupidity, resentment or anger by citizens.

Getting angry at the locals or suggesting a more commonsense approach, is a losing game as I  found out during my induction period.

We are outside their social structure

On 10/22/2025 at 6:33 PM, Nickcage49 said:

And Bangkok Pattaya Hospital tends to have very polite people. But I wish a few more of them spoke English. It's like 80% of their customers.

You live in Thailand, why don't you learn to speak Thai?

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

but not to this extent.

I guess everyday life getting tough for some Thai. It affects their behavior toward others, especially farang. 

On 10/22/2025 at 6:37 PM, Nickcage49 said:

Nope. Very few speak conversational English. I have lots of other complaints about the place, but that would be defamation, lol

The language in Thailand is Thai - learn it or go away.

On 10/23/2025 at 12:31 AM, Nickcage49 said:

I don't feel like I should have to take the abuse. If someone is very rude I get even. It's the American in me.

 

Go for it, Chuck, and come back and tell us how it works out for you.

On 10/22/2025 at 6:33 PM, Nickcage49 said:

And Bangkok Pattaya Hospital tends to have very polite people. But I wish a few more of them spoke English. It's like 80% of their customers.

"It's like 80% of their customers."  What do you mean when you say like?  Do you mean that it is 80% of their customers (Not true by the way), or do you mean the same as 80% of their customers?

Perhaps to need to remind yourself that you are living in a foreign country - Thailand - and learn the language of that country or go home.

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.

My Thai Mrs is an ex Government worker   she talks down to most everyone, including me , but with me she's met her match, she gets a good as she gives, if not more so. 

On 10/22/2025 at 6:31 PM, Nickcage49 said:

I don't feel like I should have to take the abuse. If someone is very rude I get even. It's the American in me.

So you did something to aggravate a situation that was unnecessary. 

 

Don't blame all Americans for your personal deficiencies in self-control. 

 

Nobody likes being disrespected but there are better ways of reacting than "getting even" 

 

YOU are part of the problem.

 

I wonder about "just asking a question" provoking anyone to be disrespectful and abusive!

42 minutes ago, Grumpy one said:

I had a nurse at Hua Hin hospital get in my face when I asked how long before I would see a doctor.

She raised her voice so everyone could hear, and said " you very pompoi, you wait."

I returned her compliment "No I not want sex with you, you dirty ladyboy"

Never saw a person run away so fast as he did

P.S. Still waiting to see the doctor 

 

Another one with personal communication attitude problems!!

26 minutes ago, CM Dad said:

You live in Thailand, why don't you learn to speak Thai?

Probably because he's not Thai....

On 10/22/2025 at 6:36 PM, couchpotato said:

Very strange...I can't remember any doctors, nurses, Guest relations, receptionists. cashiers, etc not speaking english. Maybe you are talking about the cleaners!.

Many many Nurses at Bangkok Pattaya  Hospital have very limited english, i have found a couple with limited Nursing / Medical skills too

On 10/24/2025 at 10:57 AM, Nickcage49 said:

Do you own the joint?

I can tell by your question what your problem is.  I am also an American, but we differ because when I chose to live here, the first thing I did was to begin to learn the language.  The second thing I did was to make sure I did not become an abrasive American.  It seems that you made no attempt to do either of those things.  

35 minutes ago, chuang said:

Probably because he's not Thai....

Then he should move to a country that speaks his language.  By the way, you don't have to be a Thai to be able to speak Thai, just like you don't have to be a citizen of an English-speaking country to speak English.

1 hour ago, CM Dad said:

The language in Thailand is Thai - learn it or go away.

Their 2nd official language is English, and all the Thai officials have spent at least 8 years in school learning it.

1 hour ago, CM Dad said:

"It's like 80% of their customers."  What do you mean when you say like?  Do you mean that it is 80% of their customers (Not true by the way), or do you mean the same as 80% of their customers?

Perhaps to need to remind yourself that you are living in a foreign country - Thailand - and learn the language of that country or go home.

Most everyone, Thai, under 30 or even 40 yrs old knows English enough to converse with foreigners.  They just prefer not to, and understandable, considering the foreigners they come in contact with 

 

I know enough to live rural and get by with no issues, and didn't try to learn Thai.  No need to be fluent, unless wanting to engage in a real conversation with locals over 30 ish yrs old.   Most foreigners don't apparently, and I think that's mutual.

 

The 'class', for lack of better word, of foreigners that come here to live, if forum is anything to go by, then Thais avoid them as much as I do.    Why would anyone want to talk to people that have little education, no common sense, no respect for you or themselves, or think they are better, more intelligent, when nothing could be further from the truth ... IMHO

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.

You will find some rude government employees in every country.  Why pick on Thais?

3 hours ago, JoeRan said:

And you wonder why most of the world has a negative attitude towards Americans 

Where do you get that from? Judging from how many visit the US every year, it seems they like America. And seeing how much trade is done with all the countries, they like what the US has, and of course vice-versa, as we like most other countries exports, food, etc. 

19 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Their 2nd official language is English, and all the Thai officials have spent at least 8 years in school learning it.

And from what I see in Thai schools, their English teachers didn't learn much. My English school owner friend says the same thing, as he has school camps all year long with many other schools, and sometimes I help, and see how little English the teachers and students know. The higher ups in the government seem to know more English, as they have to,  to communicate with any English speaking countries visitors. 

1 hour ago, chuang said:

Probably because he's not Thai....

unlike most employment opportunities, the Thai language is not reserved for Thai nationals,  

2 hours ago, CM Dad said:

The language in Thailand is Thai - learn it or go away.

It is not that simple if you are partly deaf and tone deaf.

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

Sounds like the common denominator is you.

 

On 10/24/2025 at 11:03 AM, Nickcage49 said:

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

Your reply to the comment pretty much clarifies where or rather with whom,  the problem lies.  If you don't learn how to behave correctly with officials, especially at immigration,  you will not need to reconsider staying here permanently, the decision will be made for you one way or the other

On 10/24/2025 at 11:14 AM, Nickcage49 said:

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

further evidence (if any was needed) of a bad and somewhat entitled attitude

 

On 10/24/2025 at 11:11 AM, Nickcage49 said:

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

Yet they still manage to remain polite with officials

...One Factor, I Have Learned, Is 'Volume'...

...Speaking 'In A Normal Tone'. For Me, Has Been Considered 'Yelling'...

 

...Then Again, Another Possible Factor Can Be Their 'Sense Of Guilt For Realizing They Are Wrong' ...

 

...Or Simply, 'Misunderstanding/Miscommunication/Misinterpretation'...

 

...Different Cultures Express & Understand Different Mannerisms In Different Ways...

 

...That Said, There Does Seem To Be A Lot Of 'Underlying Edginess' Going Around These Days... (?) 

22 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

The higher ups in the government seem to know more English, as they have to,  to communicate with any English speaking countries visitors. 

The "higher ups" are   generally better educated than the "lower downs"  many are educated overseas

5 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

The "higher ups" are   generally better educated than the "lower downs"  many are educated overseas

My school owner friend was educated in America, and he knows full well how much better the schools are there