17 minutes ago, transam said:

Is this proof you are in collusion with the bloke, him telling you his financial stuff..........

Glad you believe it 

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

Glad you believe it 

Not only me, Hf, not only me.................................

First with a Thai lady: well, my wife only speaks Thai and the language of Loei, close to Laotian. Without being able to speak Thai, no communication is possible. On top of that, speaking the language drastically changes your approach to the locals, they appreciate that you made the effort to learn their language. At home, I only speak Thai, I can read and write some day to day life basic vocabulary. 

It took a while, but it is well worth the effort.

9 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Lobster tastes like lobster. 

9 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

South Australian lobster, scientifically known as Jasus edwardsii, is a species of southern rock lobster found in the pristine, cold waters of the Southern Ocean off the coast of South Australia. It is renowned for its sweet, delicate, firm white flesh, rich 'sea spray' flavor, and a meat-to-shell ratio that is nearly double that of other lobster species, making it one of the world’s most indulgent food experiences. The lobster is a slow-growing, selective feeder, nourished by nutrient-rich waters originating from Antarctica

Now you are telling me they are not all the same.

Make up your mind you flog.

15 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

Nobody really knows the origin of the word - there are several theories, often contradicting one another. Additionally, some words tend to change their meanings significantly over time. From my own experience, farang is often (though not always) used today as a substitute for the word “stranger,” and more often than not carries mildly derogatory connotations.

BS

2 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Now you are telling me they are not all the same.

Make up your mind you flog.

Multi millionaire Malc. 

28 minutes ago, gargamon said:

You don't want to learn Thai. You'd understand if you did that they all hate falang and are just out to milk you. Best, if you do make the mistake and learn Thai, don't let them know you understand what they're saying so you know what they really think.

Another paranoid non thai speaker.

Just now, MalcolmB said:

Another paranoid non thai speaker.

Then you have company, eh.............😂

3 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Another paranoid non thai speaker.

You speak Thai? Lol

 

14 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

You use the word “Farang” as if it’s an insult.

 

It’s not and never has been.

 

The first visitors here were French, Farang-sed is their pronunciation of Francais and its shortened to Farang to include all white skinned foreigners.

 

They have a different word for Arabic types.

"Blah blah blah, yada yada yada."  I'm pushing living here for close to 2 decades, all of that time living in Thai communities - not Farang communities - in both rural Thailand where I presently live and in three of the major Thai cities.

The term "Farang" means next to nothing to me other than I know who is being discussed when I hear the term.  However, having lived in 100% Thai communities, as well as being the only Farang within an entire Tambons or Khets, I'm also acutely aware of the Thai population's ultra-nationalism and inbred xenophobia, as well as Thai social-strata.  I roll with the punches. I don't take it personal.

👉 However - what I find the most difficult to stomach are the holier-than-thou types like yourself, OP, who somehow feel they are Farangland's gift to the Thai community - The Shining White Knight From Farangland and Self-Proclaimed Ambassador to the Thai Nation (in Chiang Rai, correct?).  Then you talk yourself up like you're someone special.  You are not!  You're just one of us - possibly a long-stay expat married to a Thai or some guy on a work permit. But you must actually believe that the Thais around you venerate your privileged existence among them.

Reality - you are tolerated, in some circles perhaps even respected, but you will never be accepted as part of Thai society - ever.

My man, in the time I've been here I've seen you types, those who believe they are now part native Thai, come and go.  The "Look at me, I've assimilated into Thai society - I'm better than you!" rhetoric is just obnoxious and I've heard it before on this forum.  And that is exactly what this thread is about OP: 

 

22 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Many get by on the universal language of love.

 

most of the non-thai speakers walking behind their HoneyDoos  learn three thai words....

some quicker than others :

 

divorce : หย่า

lawyer: ทนายความ

buffalo:  ควาย

 

4 minutes ago, connda said:

 

"Blah blah blah, yada yada yada."  I'm pushing living here for close to 2 decades, all of that time living in Thai communities - not Farang communities - in both rural Thailand where I presently live and in three of the major Thai cities.

The term "Farang" means next to nothing to me other than I know who is being discussed when I hear the term.  However, having lived in 100% Thai communities, as well as being the only Farang within an entire Tambons or Khets, I'm also acutely aware of the Thai population's ultra-nationalism and inbred xenophobia, as well as Thai social-strata.  I roll with the punches. I don't take it personal.

👉 However - what I find the most difficult to stomach are the holier-than-thou types like yourself, OP, who somehow feel they are Farangland's gift to the Thai community - The Shining White Knight From Farangland and Self-Proclaimed Ambassador to the Thai Nation (in Chiang Rai, correct?).  Then you talk yourself up like you're someone special.  You are not!  You're just one of us - possibly a long-stay expat married to a Thai or some guy on a work permit. But you must actually believe that the Thais around you venerate your privileged existence among them.

Reality - you are tolerated, in some circles perhaps even respected, but you will never be accepted as part of Thai society - ever.

My man, in the time I've been here I've seen you types, those who believe they are now part native Thai, come and go.  The "Look at me, I've assimilated into Thai society - I'm better than you!" rhetoric is just obnoxious and I've heard it before on this forum.  And that is exactly what this thread is about OP:  JBChiangRai speaks some Thai so he's special, much more special than lowly expats who don't.  🍭

 

 

 

hahaha  it's ok, connda..... calm down .😅   YES,  i know how you feel ...  Usually it's someone been here maybe a few years,  maybe 10 .   Telling others what life in Thailand is all about .   

 

something in the water in CRai...... that's for sure

57 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

You speak Thai? Lol

 

Yes, I live in Thailand.

read and write also.

 

A poor non Thai speaker finds it difficult that someone can be reasonably well off and can speak the lingo.

 

It is important to build trust with the Thais. 
Otherwise they will just see you as the village idiot and you will confuse this with racism from them.

Just now, MalcolmB said:

Yes, I live in Thailand.

read and write also.

 

A poor non Thai speaker finds it difficult that someone can be reasonably well off and can speak the lingo.

 

It is important to build trust with the Thais. 
Otherwise they will just see you as the village idiot and you will confuse this with racism from them.

Cool stories

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

Cool stories

Hard for a flog to believe I suppose.

23 minutes ago, connda said:

 

"Blah blah blah, yada yada yada."  I'm pushing living here for close to 2 decades, all of that time living in Thai communities - not Farang communities - in both rural Thailand where I presently live and in three of the major Thai cities.

The term "Farang" means next to nothing to me other than I know who is being discussed when I hear the term.  However, having lived in 100% Thai communities, as well as being the only Farang within an entire Tambons or Khets, I'm also acutely aware of the Thai population's ultra-nationalism and inbred xenophobia, as well as Thai social-strata.  I roll with the punches. I don't take it personal.

👉 However - what I find the most difficult to stomach are the holier-than-thou types like yourself, OP, who somehow feel they are Farangland's gift to the Thai community - The Shining White Knight From Farangland and Self-Proclaimed Ambassador to the Thai Nation (in Chiang Rai, correct?).  Then you talk yourself up like you're someone special.  You are not!  You're just one of us - possibly a long-stay expat married to a Thai or some guy on a work permit. But you must actually believe that the Thais around you venerate your privileged existence among them.

Reality - you are tolerated, in some circles perhaps even respected, but you will never be accepted as part of Thai society - ever.

My man, in the time I've been here I've seen you types, those who believe they are now part native Thai, come and go.  The "Look at me, I've assimilated into Thai society - I'm better than you!" rhetoric is just obnoxious and I've heard it before on this forum.  And that is exactly what this thread is about OP:  JBChiangRai speaks some Thai so he's special, much more special than lowly expats who don't.  🍭

 

 

Racism is worldwide plus people are often shallow. 

26 minutes ago, connda said:

JBChiangRai speaks some Thai so he's special, much more special than lowly expats who don't. 

It is a fair point.

The non Thai speakers walk around in a state of paranoia thinking every one is talking about him when they are really talking about guava, chewing gum and potatoes.

 

”Ohhh Thais are so racist” 

2 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

It is a fair point.

The non Thai speakers walk around in a state of paranoia thinking every one is talking about him when they are really talking about guava, chewing gum and potatoes.

 

”Ohhh Thais are so racist” 

Guava kii niaw 

1 minute ago, MalcolmB said:

It is a fair point.

The non Thai speakers walk around in a state of paranoia thinking every one is talking about him when they are really talking about guava, chewing gum and potatoes.

 

”Ohhh Thais are so racist” 

Speak like a dickhead, your on the right track OP

Yes I'm lazy and not good at languages anyway, but the great thing about living in most places in Thailand, is that it's not necessary to speak the language.  At 65+ it's too late for me now, but I've survived happily for 20+ years and I think I will continue to do so.

14 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

So why many Aussies here then? 
It is boring if you have no money, but for those not on a shoestring budget it is the best place to live in Thailand.

If you are on a shoestring budget it definitely would be boring. You do need money to live here.

Money is needed to live in most places. It's what you make of the important, less material things that makes a happy life. Some can't seem to grasp that.

4 hours ago, gargamon said:

You don't want to learn Thai. You'd understand if you did that they all hate falang and are just out to milk you. Best, if you do make the mistake and learn Thai, don't let them know you understand what they're saying so you know what they really think.

I  learnt to speak Thai by accident really. I lived as a single man in an area of with very few people who could speak English, with those few speaking poorly. I just picked it up as I went along. Within 6 months I could pretty much understand what was going on. I've never once had a problem with what people have said about me either with them knowing I understand or not. I guess it's about how you are regarded and present yourself and how you regard and treat and respect them

9 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Racism is worldwide plus people are often shallow. 

Racists are not the type of people to learn another language.

 

 To sum up a long discussion: there is nothing wrong with learning Thai — in some cases, it can even be useful. That said, considering the legal realities of foreigners’ status in Thailand, learning Thai can in no way be regarded as obligatory, since cultural integration that exists entirely apart from legal integration is a manifestation of a certain kind of idiocy.

 

One could also compare the desire of the rightless farangs to learn the Thai language to a manifestation of Stockholm syndrome.

 

Outside literal hostage situations, “Stockholm syndrome” is often used metaphorically, for example:

 

-People staying in abusive relationships

-Citizens defending corrupt governments

-Employees loyal to exploitative workplaces

-Members of a subordinate class displaying an eager interest in the language and culture of the dominant group.

5 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

To sum up a long discussion: there is nothing wrong with learning Thai

And there is a lot wrong with not learning Thai if you live in Thailand.

Nonsense post about racism & replies removed.

 

@Harrisfan

 

@MalcolmB

 

 

Well, i gave up trying to learn Thai after 2 years. I am slightly dyslexic, always had a problem with learning languages (even at school) and i have some degree of hearing loss - I am deaf to Thai tones. I have learnt a few Thai phrases (like  'where is the toilet' and how to order petrol) and know the Thai numbers. And as i get older, slowly forgetting those words i did know. 95% of my daily conversation is purely in English, the other 5% limited to one of 2 words of Thai. In 15 years never really had a problem.

On 11/9/2025 at 9:29 PM, MalcolmB said:

Racists are not the type of people to learn another language.

 

Or maybe they choose to only speak other languages of their own race.

On 11/9/2025 at 9:50 PM, MalcolmB said:

And there is a lot wrong with not learning Thai if you live in Thailand.

What's wrong......?  🤔

if she understand english, no need to learn thai, but it is a necessity if you want to communicate with anyone that doesnt,

you will also be left out from much in a group that speaks thai