Farang Negatitivity Towards Rich Farang In Thailand

[Lukjaa]

It seems to me that Thais look up and respect another Thai that has accumulated substantial wealth, especially in comparison to western countries. VIP parking at Emporium, invitations to exclusive events, better treatment by police and so on. Even just day to day, a driver in a new BMW seems to be looked at more respectully than say some normal guy on a motorcycle. Thai televsion perpetutates this every day in their soaps by always displaying the lifestyles of a Thai family that is representative of maybe 1% of Thai people. Compare this to the west where most shows (soaps, sitcoms, etc. just show average families of normal incomes).

If you agree with this aspect of respect by one Thai towards another Thai of substantial wealth, then why do so many farang living in Thailand not display that same level of admiration towards other farang (or Thai) with a high net worth? I can understand how a Western culture teaches us that everyone is equal regardless of wealth and that no one should be above the law. So if that was the case, then a regular farang would treat a rich farang with normal respect, not anger and envy.

What I sense on ThaiVisa is outright bitterness and envy towards any farang that mentions how they are above the normal farang welath level in Thailand. Every post of this nature degenerates into others calling the poster a troll.

If so many farang living in Thailand for decades have become fluent in Thai and understand so much of Thai culture and thinking, why is the Thai trait of respect and admiration towards rich Thais and farangs completely lost on normal farang towards rich farang (or even Thais) living in Thailand? And why the anger whenever someone posts of their higher financial status on Thai Visa?

I'm asking this because I am moving to Thailand and while I am very well off, in Canada I am just treated as any other person by my freinds and so on. I want to know if posters on ThaiVisa are representative of average farang in Thailand (if so, I will stay clear of most of them as I have no time for small minded, angry and envious people), or are these vocal posters a minority and most farang I will interact with just normal, easy going and regular people. I personally treat others equally in Thailand regardless of their wealth....I respect another based on who they are as a person and not due to their money or lack of it. When I encounter someone (Thai or farang) for the first time, I automatically assume they are a good person until proven otherwise.

[chiangmaikelly]

I think I am a good example of an outright bitter and envious towards any Farang that mentions how they are above the normal farang wealth level in Thailand. And I call most posters without at least 11 posts who post obvious troll posts; trolls. Hope that helps.

[clintonrichard]

The fact that you have written this may provide your answer

[Lukjaa]

I think I am a good example of an outright bitter and envious towards any Farang that mentions how they are above the normal farang wealth level in Thailand. And I call most posters without at least 11 posts who post obvious troll posts; trolls. Hope that helps.

Why are you bitter and envious? I would have always thought Thai people would be bitter and envious but when I talk to them, they are so accepting of thie position in life and really feel there is so little they can do to change it. With farnags, they have evey opportunity in the world and you might think they would admire another farang who worked hard and was able to rise above the general level, as we are taught to respect hard work and dedication.

What does 10 posts have to do with being a troll? So if I had 10,000 posts and lived my life on ThaiVisa, that in some way gives me more credibility?

[Pormax]

I tend to agree with you. Respect is earn't irrespective of wealth or position.

I have to admit I do not like the Thai custom of almost bowing down to someone if they are financially better off or hold a certain type of job, for example a teacher or bank or government worker.

As I have said in a previous post I have as much respect for the old man or woman pushing their cart along all day picking up cans , cardboard, plastic bottles etc so that they can feed themselves, as I have for others in much better jobs. I have a very close friend in the UK who through hard work and some luck is a multi-millionaire and I treat him the same as anyone else. Saying that there are those who think their wealth or status should automatically expect higher regard.. These people I can not tolerate.

As far as TV members, don't judge all farangs by what you read on this forum. Most of them will be the same as I but you will always get negativity from a few. The few however are the ones that tend to put their views on the forum. But yes they are the minority thankfully..

The old saying of 'never judge a book by it's cover' is so true when meeting people. Get to know them a little then make your own mind up.

You just have to remember that a a lot of what you read on this forum in negative terms on this subject is only posted by a small percentage of farang in THailand.

[panadolsandwich]

First of all - put on your flak jacket.

Second - if you are adamant to persevere like I have, then you should ignore all of the posts you receive here. This is a forum of jackals and wild dogs.

[uptheos]

"I'm asking this because I am moving to Thailand and while I am very well off"

Whilst reading your post I was wondering when you would say this.

My advice, don't come to Thailand unless you can afford it.

[jbrain]

I'm asking this because I am moving to Thailand and while I am very well off, in Canada I am just treated as any other person by my freinds and so on. I want to know if posters on ThaiVisa are representative of average farang in Thailand

Does that mean we gonna have to put up with numerous threads about how much money you really have ?

Edit to add: I know the answer already since 10 of your so far 11 posts on this froum were about your money

Edited November 9, 2012 by jbrain

[Huayrat]

so what equates to rich or poor.. I earn 100k per month.. Am i in the poor or rich band?

Edited November 9, 2012 by metisdead
:Bold font removed.

[panadolsandwich]

I'm asking this because I am moving to Thailand and while I am very well off, in Canada I am just treated as any other person by my freinds and so on. I want to know if posters on ThaiVisa are representative of average farang in Thailand

Does that mean we gonna have to put up with numerous threads about how much money you really have ?

Perhaps you like socialism? Or more likely perhaps because you're skint you don't like anybody else mentioning they've got some coin to spend. Good luck to him I say.

[jbrain]

so what equates to rich or poor.. I earn 100k per month.. Am i in the poor or rich band?

I hope you're talking about US$

[mjj]

Poor. I earn 100k an hour. Sterling. On a bad day.

[chiangmaikelly]

First of all - put on your flak jacket.

Second - if you are adamant to persevere like I have, then you should ignore all of the posts you receive here. This is a forum of jackals and wild dogs.

And one attack puppy!

[payak]

i have stuff all money to speak of, i do ok but nothing worth a mention, but to those with money i think its great, happy for them.

did you say thai's dont get envious of rich people, oh my, hhhaaa hhaaaaaa hhhaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

[jbrain]

I'm asking this because I am moving to Thailand and while I am very well off, in Canada I am just treated as any other person by my freinds and so on. I want to know if posters on ThaiVisa are representative of average farang in Thailand

Does that mean we gonna have to put up with numerous threads about how much money you really have ?

Perhaps you like socialism? Or more likely perhaps because you're skint you don't like anybody else mentioning they've got some coin to spend. Good luck to him I say.

Maybe it's you that's skint, otherwise you would know that people who have earned their money with working usually don't brag about it.

[ayayay]

Competition.

He simply does not want competition by other foreigners who are much better off than himself.

Edited November 9, 2012 by ayayay

[Pormax]

Looks like you have got the flak that I anticipated. The few I mentioned are coming at you in a big way.

Anyway I am very wealthy because I am in reasonably good health and happy with my life and love living in Thailand.

Saying that if any one has few hundred thousand Baht spare I am more than willing to take it off your hands.

P.s. Thank you in anticipation of your generosity

Edited November 9, 2012 by Pormax

[panadolsandwich]

P.s. Thank you in anticipation of your generosity

No problem - glad I could teach you something.

[panadolsandwich]

Poor. I earn 100k an hour. Sterling. On a bad day.

I wasn't addressing you - but still if you are earning that - I congratulate you. I don't do so bad myself - it would after all be bad taste to post it here.

[barefoot1988]

so what equates to rich or poor.. I earn 100k per month.. Am i in the poor or rich band?

far from being rich but further from being poor.

[tombkk]

Let‘s keep it in perspective, folks. We have had many threads about how much money is enough to live in Thailand. Some have income of 10k a month and are happy and still save some, while other wouldn‘t know how to make ends meet if they had less than 500k a month. Thai Baht, that is.

The beauty of ThaiVisa is that all these people meet here, even in the same threads.

Sent from my LG-P698f using Thaivisa Connect App

[roamer]

I have no envy,but I suppose that is just another sign of my nobility

[payak]

money does not make you rich

Edited November 9, 2012 by payak

[kennedy]

No envy here.You can have all the stuff you want.For me it would be a pain in the a$$ to figure out what to do with all that stuff. So I rather you have all that stuff.

[panadolsandwich]

Let's keep it in perspective, folks. We have had many threads about how much money is enough to live in Thailand. Some have income of 10k a month and are happy and still save some, while other wouldn't know how to make ends meet if they had less than 500k a month. Thai Baht, that is.

The beauty of ThaiVisa is that all these people meet here, even in the same threads.

Sent from my LG-P698f using Thaivisa Connect App

Nice sentiment - and I entirely agree - with the sentiment. However I wouldn't call it a beauty, not even the grossest optimist would call it that. Nice spin - but what you really should have written is it is an ugly depiction - which is closer to the truth as far as I can tell. I criticise because I would like to help TV - but not with rose-blinkered glasses.

[Jingthing]

My reaction is to something else in the OP. We live in Thailand so we're supposed to internalize stereotypical Thai values and Thai conditional behaviors such as being toadies to superficial wealth? Why? Do we pick our noses in public?

Edited November 9, 2012 by Jingthing

[cbrer]

It seems to me that Thais look up and respect another Thai that has accumulated substantial wealth

No, they despise them.

They just feign it as it might be an advantage to themselves. The same as they do with everything else that's likewise.

[vtjforyou]

I always respect more people who are richer than me, in Thailand or in the west !

[Songhua]

So we're supposed to be openly discussing something the OP would be the first to claim is none of anyone else's business?

I don't believe most people despise others for being wealthier - until they tire of hearing about it.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

It is very much part of North American culture, and even more so Aussie/NZ that people with lots of money shouldn't flaunt it and definitely shouldn't let it separate them from the rest of society and most definitely never imagine it makes them better than the "common people".

Those that handle their riches well and maintain genuine relationships with their poorer friends and family members are respected for their achievements - assuming it was earned in a way that's productive for society rather than harmful - and for themselves.

Not just for the fact that they are wealthy.

At least that's the way it's supposed to be, in practice these days more of a myth, at least in the US the upper reaches even nouveau have been more and more open about their lack of concern and even disdain for ordinary people, similar to the Thais, and therefore there's a huge backlash of resentment against their perceived arrogance and excesses.

In my opinion the only reason Mitt lost, he just couldn't fake that common touch needed to help normal people identify with him.

You'll notice I've left out the Brits. My perception is that classism is still much more acceptable there, probably reflecting the fact that they still consider monarchy an institution worth keeping, and is one of the reasons why the upper socio-economic elite here prefer that culture to the other English-speaking ones.

Edited November 9, 2012 by BigJohnnyBKK