Look Kreungs

[MZurf]

Strolling past a school the other day it struck me that the number of look kreungs (half Thai, half foreigner) in Thailand must be staggering. They must number in the tens of thousands - if not more. 

Many of these kids will have a father (most often) that will have the ability to pay more than the average Thai for education, and in most instances these kids will be bilingual.

This means that they will have an edge over the average Thai when it comes to getting good jobs, and this again means that many look kreungs will in the future be in positions of influence.

My question is : How (if at all) do you think  this will affect Thai society? 

[mrklinton]

only place it will affect is the thai barscene. ive already noticed fairer eyes among those available for in room chatting.

one would think these luk kruengs are from dysfunctional relationships between you know and dodgy farangs!

[ilyelol]

Same as everywhere

the luk-krung from wealthy family will do as good as rich thais

and the millions of lukkrung in cheap thai school with sexpat parents will end up in crap

same as living in the hood or in a good neighborhood in the west

[onnut]

only place it will affect is the thai barscene. ive already noticed fairer eyes among those available for in room chatting.

one would think these luk kruengs are from dysfunctional relationships between you know and dodgy farangs!

Not everyone is a you know and dodgy farang! -1

the OP has a point and my thoughts are it could be possible in the long run for Look Kreungs to hold positions of power but I would say this would take a fair few years before that happenend.

[Ricardo]

most luk kruengs are the result of girls gonebad and samesame foreign man. do you think hiso thai girls and upstanding farang are mating in droves???

come on now!

I beg to differ, many luk-krung kids are the results of regular normal families, where one parent happens to be a farang. They may well be more likely to get a better-than-Thai-average education, and so have more to contribute to Thai society, unfortunately they are also more-likely than average Thais to relocate overseas, because they have dual-nationality.

Whether Thai society is ready to let ability/education overcome social/political-connections is debatable, but as an optimist, I hope this will prove possible.

[SpoliaOpima]

They have already made a huge impact, for many years now, on the entertainment business, with greater than average representation in TV and in pop music. Even look khreung popstars who can't speak Thai properly - or who can't read Thai at all - do well in showbiz here.

That's quite a difference from 30 years ago when look khreung were looked down upon. Not sure whether the explanation follows from the OP's suggestion that farang parents nowadays tend to come from a higher socioeconomic status than in the 60s and 70s. Maybe.

[MZurf]

They have already made a huge impact, for many years now, on the entertainment business, with greater than average representation in TV and in pop music. Even look khreung popstars who can't speak Thai properly - or who can't read Thai at all - do well in showbiz here.

That's quite a difference from 30 years ago when look khreung were looked down upon. Not sure whether the explanation follows from the OP's suggestion that farang parents nowadays tend to come from a higher socioeconomic status than in the 60s and 70s. Maybe.

I'm not suggesting that farang parents nowadays tend to come from a higher socioeconomic status than before. I would thing that it's the other way around as air travel the last 20 years has become so cheap that "now everyone can fly" (to borrow Air Asia's slogan). I'm thinking of the sheer number of marriages between farangs and Thai that seems to be ever increasing.

I'm aware of the large number of look kreungs in the showbiz industry. At least in front of the camera. I wonder if they are also a force behind the camera?

[floridaguy]

only place it will affect is the thai barscene. ive already noticed fairer eyes among those available for in room chatting.

one would think these luk kruengs are from dysfunctional relationships between you know and dodgy farangs!

This is one of the worst comments I have seen, even on TV. It sounds like you hang out at the kind of places that the dodgy farangs do, so what does that make you? Stay in your world of endless bargirls and Leo beers for breakfast.

I am a luk krueng. My parents had a "normally" dysfunctional American relationship, typical for the middle class family that we were. I have never seen a luk krueng working in any bar, unless they were the owner.

[a99az]

only place it will affect is the thai barscene. ive already noticed fairer eyes among those available for in room chatting.

one would think these luk kruengs are from dysfunctional relationships between you know and dodgy farangs!

This is one of the worst comments I have seen, even on TV. It sounds like you hang out at the kind of places that the dodgy farangs do, so what does that make you? Stay in your world of endless bargirls and Leo beers for breakfast.

I am a luk krueng. My parents had a "normally" dysfunctional American relationship, typical for the middle class family that we were. I have never seen a luk krueng working in any bar, unless they were the owner.

Well said! But I often wonder where my own children will end up living and what they will do. We are in Thailand now and think we will stay so my guess is my children will stay here too.

[Chunky1]

There isn't any reason to believe that the tiny number of mixed family children is going to have any substantial impact on Thai society as compared to fully Thai children.

Edited October 24, 2010 by Chunky1

[Jingthing]

I have never seen a luk krueng working in any bar, unless they were the owner.

Ummm. I have. More than once. So what?

I have also seen Asian American homeless people. Also supposed to not exist.

Again, so what?

Edited October 24, 2010 by Jingthing

[afarang]

My children are Look Krung. Currently going to school in Australia. Where they are receiving a much better quality education. and they speak 3 languages.I have to admit, I am not sure that they will return to Thailand to live. But if they do, I have no doubt, that given their education and English language skills., They would be instantly employable, in a fairly significant position.They are fortunate ,they live in an area ,where their are a number of other Thais, so they have not lost their Thai languages. They both work part time in a Thai restaurant, as well.

[Richb2004v2]

I always get thrown off balance when I see a very western looking kid acting and talking Thai. There are one or two acting on TV that look totally none Thai but have obviously been brought up here. For some reason it seems quite wrong to me. It's hard to explain why.

I think the addition of leuk Krung kids has to be a good thing if they are also brought up by their western parents. It may add a slight injection of common sense and logical thinking into Thai society.

[Heng]

Just keeping it real, but there are more luk krungs that end up like Annie Brooks (typical when family history involves mom working as just the cashier at the bar where all 50 girls were also cashiers... etc. etc. and the father is no longer around or at least in no position to offer support) than Meechai Viravaidya (typical but not always what happens when both of your folks are PhD's).

It's just the way the system is. Not that you can't get ahead in a tough system, in fact it'll probably just make the survivors/those naturally selected even stronger.

[ChristopherWilliamsBKK]

I think they will affect Thailand as they affected the rest of the planet. The strong come from the widened gene pool. Sure, many of them will be born into difficult circumstances - for obvious reasons, but genetically they will be strong and make Thailand a culturally and genetically richer and more diverse, hence evolved society.

[jubby]

I think they will affect Thailand as they affected the rest of the planet. The strong come from the widened gene pool. Sure, many of them will be born into difficult circumstances - for obvious reasons, but genetically they will be strong and make Thailand a culturally and genetically richer and more diverse, hence evolved society.

I'm sure there's something in this widened Gene Pool thing.

I was always a 'Could do better' student. possibly a 'B' student but certainly not an 'A' student.

naturally I'm proud of my daughters but I don't pressure them educationally, I'm more concerned that they have a happy Childhood. Saying that my eldest is 'top of the Class' in all her subjects, all of them. She certainly didn't get it from me and although her mother is intelligent, she's certainly not an 'A' student either.

some of her peers are under enormous pressure to excel at school. Some of the parents will spend a lot more on education than I do/Will.

I suspect there will become a time when they are seen as just Thai, and not luk Kreung.

[citizen33]

I'm surprised at the optimism of the thread. I agree that the growing number of half Thai/half Western children is a very significant development with the potential to bring about real change in Thai society, but I'd say there are also very significant obstacles and that many individuals are going to have bad experiences. Thailand is a deeply hierarchical society, in which social contacts often count for more than merit. Unfortunately, irrespective of our income or professional standing, westerners don't rank very highly in that hierarchy as far as upper-class Thais are concerned, and aren't as well connected. My perception, which may be quite wrong, is that while luuk kreung do well in the entertainment industry, they hit a 'glass ceiling' in most other fields. Western parents struggle to work the system to gain an advantage for their offspring. I'm not talking about grades in a middle-ranking secondary school, but something like a good degree from Chula or a decent professional career track. I'd love to be wrong, but I have decided, albeit reluctantly, that my son is better off in school in the UK.

Edited October 24, 2010 by citizen33

[SpoliaOpima]

Just keeping it real, but there are more luk krungs that end up like Annie Brooks (typical when family history involves mom working as just the cashier at the bar where all 50 girls were also cashiers... etc. etc. and the father is no longer around or at least in no position to offer support) than Meechai Viravaidya (typical but not always what happens when both of your folks are PhD's).

Really? Any evidence to back your conclusion?

[geriatrickid]

Same as everywhere

the luk-krung from wealthy family will do as good as rich thais and the millions of lukkrung in cheap thai school with sexpat parents will end up in crap

same as living in the hood or in a good neighborhood in the west

What a load of b*ll*cks, it's people who think like you that make the world so f'd up.

What about children who excel at school, some (not all) go onto better things.

You need to get you head out of your ass and look around.

I think you have misinterpreted his comment. The reality indeed is that those children with wealthier parents do have a chance to succeed because the parents can pay for the education. University tuition is out of reach for most Thais, even those that are gifted academically.

You do realize that in countries where tuition is ehavily subsidized, many students still cannot afford to attend university because they cannot aford the living expenses and supplemental fees. Many sudent that do find a way to pay for their educations emerge in a state of debt that cripples the chance of success. My education was paid for and I had it easier than my friends who had the double whammy of worrying about exams plus paying the rent.

[samran]

we rule Thailand already.

You just don't know it yet.

[farang000999]

I never seen an unattractive Leuk Kruengs and that alone is already a huge life advantage. Just want to point out one thing, it is not as though Leuk Kruengs are some kind of race. Their children either go back to being Thai (75%) or farang (75%).

[Heng]

Just keeping it real, but there are more luk krungs that end up like Annie Brooks (typical when family history involves mom working as just the cashier at the bar where all 50 girls were also cashiers... etc. etc. and the father is no longer around or at least in no position to offer support) than Meechai Viravaidya (typical but not always what happens when both of your folks are PhD's).

Really? Any evidence to back your conclusion?

Just anecdotal, like any other opinion here. Try naming more than a handful of luk krung captains of industry (CEO's, CFO's, etc. of any publicly listed company), judges, or politicians for example. I don't exactly rub elbows with folks who run SET listed companies, but I can't recall anyone ever mentioning one of 'half Thai' origin.

Another issue entirely if you were to ask the names of half Thai porn starlets and half Thai pseudo starlets in the local 'entertainment' industry.

[Heng]

I'm surprised at the optimism of the thread. I agree that the growing number of half Thai/half Western children is a very significant development with the potential to bring about real change in Thai society, but I'd say there are also very significant obstacles and that many individuals are going to have bad experiences. Thailand is a deeply hierarchical society, in which social contacts often count for more than merit. Unfortunately, irrespective of our income or professional standing, westerners don't rank very highly in that hierarchy as far as upper-class Thais are concerned, and aren't as well connected. My perception, which may be quite wrong, is that while luuk kreung do well in the entertainment industry, they hit a 'glass ceiling' in most other fields. Western parents struggle to work the system to gain an advantage for their offspring. I'm not talking about grades in a middle-ranking secondary school, but something like a good degree from Chula or a decent professional career track. I'd love to be wrong, but I have decided, albeit reluctantly, that my son is better off in school in the UK.

And the pearly gates surely don't all open up after graduating college, that's for sure. There are some, but there aren't nearly enough factories and businesses run by foreigners being handed down to the 'next generation' for there to be much 'luk krung' presence. Inheritance of property is another issue, since foreigners have to go through all of these hoops to own land, and many choose not to at all because of this. Cash holdings are often depleted by the time it's meant to be passed on to the next generation, so the 'luk krung' masses often are 'only' on square 2 (if not square 1) when they are getting their lives started.

On top of that, by generation 3 and 4... you're likely not going to be 'luk krung' anymore. Either you're going to be another 'group' entirely if you've moved abroad or you're going to be 'Thai' and reabsorbed into the system if your family is here.

Edited October 25, 2010 by Heng

[feeter]

Sure, many of them will be born into difficult circumstances - for obvious reasons,

whats so difficult being born into a family of wealth, brains ,and looks . Seems the only look kruengs being born are by thses hiso types. no one seems to think the majority come from papernts whos first words to each other wer "you buy me drinkie"

[MZurf]

Just keeping it real, but there are more luk krungs that end up like Annie Brooks (typical when family history involves mom working as just the cashier at the bar where all 50 girls were also cashiers... etc. etc. and the father is no longer around or at least in no position to offer support) than Meechai Viravaidya (typical but not always what happens when both of your folks are PhD's).    

Really? Any evidence to back your conclusion?

Just anecdotal, like any other opinion here.   Try naming more than a handful of luk krung captains of industry (CEO's, CFO's, etc. of any publicly listed company), judges, or politicians for example.  I don't exactly rub elbows with folks who run SET listed companies, but I can't recall anyone ever mentioning one of 'half Thai' origin.  

Another issue entirely if you were to ask the names of half Thai porn starlets and half Thai pseudo starlets in the local 'entertainment' industry.    

I can't name any captain of industry that are look kreung and it might be true that there are obstacles (as has been suggested in a post) in the way for this to ever happen on a large scale. But I think that this is something that will not be answered before another 20 years have passed and the first large wave of look kreungs have reached an age that enables them to assume such positions (based on the eighties being the start of the "let's go to Thailand" era).

[kevkev1888]

They seem to do well in Beauty Contests.

Fair skin is a big advantage here.

My Mrs was complaining that in the Miss Thailand comp awhile ago nearly all the contestants where Look Kreungs.

Then again the same with Miss Teen Thailand earlier this week.

[bermondburi]

I always get thrown off balance when I see a very western looking kid acting and talking Thai. There are one or two acting on TV that look totally none Thai but have obviously been brought up here. For some reason it seems quite wrong to me. It's hard to explain why.

I think the addition of leuk Krung kids has to be a good thing if they are also brought up by their western parents. It may add a slight injection of common sense and logical thinking into Thai society.

Why does it seem wrong. Tell that to my boys.

[IanForbes]

You can't change what is. All you can do is treat everyone with respect and understanding. It's easy to generalize about any subject, but unless you actually have the power to make a difference then there isn't anything you can do about it. About all you CAN do is help just one person have a better chance in life. If you can do that then you've done something special. I have a lot of mixed race friends. Some are doing well and some not so good. It's got litte to do with where they live, but more about how they've been treated.

[Spee]

Their children either go back to being Thai (75%) or farang (75%).

A fish doesn't know that it lives in water. A baby born of mixed heritage doesn't know that he or she has a Thai mother and foreign father, or Thai father and foreign mother. All the baby knows in the first few years of his or her life is the love and learning that are brought from the mother and father. If the child grows up seeing, learning and absorbing love, respect, and the value of work and/or education, then the child would certainly be a asset to Thailand, or any other society in which he or she chooses to live as an adult. Some of the responses in this thread smack of jaded pessimism, xenophobia and ignorance.

Edited October 25, 2010 by Spee

[bermondburi]

Their children either go back to being Thai (75%) or farang (75%).

A fish doesn't know that it lives in water. A baby born of mixed heritage doesn't know that he or she has a Thai mother and foreign father, or Thai father and foreign mother. All the baby knows in the first few years of his or her life is the love and learning that are brought from the mother and father. If the child grows up seeing, learning and absorbing love, respect, and the value of work and/or education, then the child would certainly be a asset to Thailand, or any other society in which he or she chooses to live as an adult. Some of the responses in this thread smack of jaded pessimism, xenophobia and ignorance.

I think you're wrong here. My eldest who is four already understands thta daddy is from England and mummy is from Thailand and that they are different countries. He also understands about people speaking different languages. He also knows that daddy is different from the vast majority of people he sees around him, on the TV etc. Agree with the rest but kids understand things pretty quick IME.