Chalerm: Immigration Bureau Needs To Implement Tougher Screening On Foreign Arrivals

[craigt3365]

A number of off topic posts and rants have been removed from view and one member has received an official warning. Please abide by forum rules. Specifically this one:

7) Not to post slurs or degrading comments directed towards any group on the basis of race, nationality, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

[PoodMaiDai]

"Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung plans to set up an

anti-terror center, following the US Federal Bureau of Investigation

(FBI)’s report that Thailand is one of the region’s most vulnerable

terrorist targets."

The FBI thinks Thais are to stupid to realize what is going on.

We know Chalerm Yubamrung is.

Just saying

I am not taking sides on it.

Will he be doing that before or after he rids the country of drugs in 3 months? Which it should be noted he is running incredibly late in accomplishing that task. Or perhaps he can just make a kill squad like Takki had.

[jamhar]

"I support about ten people in thailand and still not welcome....."

Immigration officials are not one of your employees. Dont expect them to treat you as your employees do.

Also there is no sign above your head that says, "I am important, and deserve special attention".

I suspect it is YOUR attitude that lead the immigration official to say

"if you dont like it, leave"

Just a guess.

My 2 cents

[maidu]

This is the same Chalerm who said at a press conference, words to the effect: "I know who the crime kingpins are, but we won't pursue them, and I won't tell you their names (ok, maybe their first initials) - because just mentioning that fact in public, will force the crime bosses to worry - and they will then stop doing illegal things."

Perhaps Chalerm will appoint one of his three delinquent sons to head the new screening process. If they don't get the answers they seek from questionable tourists, they can then point guns at their heads. His youngest son might do more than just point a gun.

[pitrevie]

Just returned to thailand from an eight day visit to Cambodia, what a joy pleased to see you anxious to grant on arrival visa ASAP welcomed by immigration oh so different, return to thailand with proper marriage visa extension and greeted like we really are not welcome hvae to renew later this year expect again more hasstle, I support about ten people in thailand and still not welcome not complaining because if you do not like it leave as I was told by one immigration official, I choose to live here and most of the time so long as I satay away from immigration I am very happy

is this the same cambodia where you have to queue and pay 20 bucks for that visa you are "granted" on arrival, or the one you have to pay again to leave, or both?

I have visited Cambodia twice recently, the visa is the easiest I have ever applied for. The whole thing can be done on the internet prior to arriving in Cambodia including uploading the picture and the complete visa comes back within 24 hours. Then it is only matter of presenting the visa with your passport at passport control no waits for a visa to be processed and no payment to be made in or out once you have paid your $25 for your visa on the internet. First rate service.

[spectre324]

Yeah this will piss the tourists off even more, and lets face it for the land of smiles i dont think ive ever seen one at thai immigration !!

wonder if the good capt has ever heard of a computer and a computer watch list? most countries have them now. but I would not hold my breath!

[spectre324]

Just returned to thailand from an eight day visit to Cambodia, what a joy pleased to see you anxious to grant on arrival visa ASAP welcomed by immigration oh so different, return to thailand with proper marriage visa extension and greeted like we really are not welcome hvae to renew later this year expect again more hasstle, I support about ten people in thailand and still not welcome not complaining because if you do not like it leave as I was told by one immigration official, I choose to live here and most of the time so long as I satay away from immigration I am very happy

is this the same cambodia where you have to queue and pay 20 bucks for that visa you are "granted" on arrival, or the one you have to pay again to leave, or both?

I have visited Cambodia twice recently, the visa is the easiest I have ever applied for. The whole thing can be done on the internet prior to arriving in Cambodia including uploading the picture and the complete visa comes back within 24 hours. Then it is only matter of presenting the visa with your passport at passport control no waits for a visa to be processed and no payment to be made in or out once you have paid your $25 for your visa on the internet. First rate service.

as for the clowns who say, "if you don't like it here leave" guess what? I can leave! can you? you are stuck in this hole for livfe! I am free to go anywhere I want anytime I want!

[Publicus]

Who do the United States think they are ?

Deal with the internal problems of a foreign nation. Thailand has always been proud to be the only nation in Southeast Asia which has not been colionalized.

But they just doing as the USA require. Because of these imperialists Americans, we will have to be subjected to a body search on arrival. A reason why I don't go to America, but impose that there, it's a scandal !

They should rather clean the mess at their home with all the xxxx, rifle massacres there before interfere in things that are none their business !

Thailand cooperated with the Japanese during WW2 and was "occupied" until the Japanese surrendered four years later. Despite Thailand's declaration of war against the allies, the United States after the war prevented the UK from colonizing Thailand - the Brits had pronounced the Thais an enemy while Washington chose to recognize the Seri Thai resistance, declaring that during the war Thailand had been an ally.Due to the Thais cooperating with the Japanese, however, Thailand got four of the resource rich, present southern provinces which had been a part of Malaysia from the occupier Japanese because the Japanese decided to reward Thailand for its good behavior. Now a significant number of the the Malay oriented populations of the provinces want to return to their country, their culture, their religion, their particular civilization. So they're bombing and shooting to try to accomplish that. We call that terrorism. So now after the FBI's findings, there'll be a crackdown for a while at Customs and at Immi. That's the present conumdrum. This is Thailand, so just be happy to go report your address every 90 days and then go back to your normal routines.

Edited April 5, 2013 by Publicus

[Docno]

Who do the United States think they are ?

Deal with the internal problems of a foreign nation. Thailand has always been proud to be the only nation in Southeast Asia which has not been colionalized.

But they just doing as the USA require. Because of these imperialists Americans, we will have to be subjected to a body search on arrival. A reason why I don't go to America, but impose that there, it's a scandal !

They should rather clean the mess at their home with all the xxxx, rifle massacres there before interfere in things that are none their business !

Thailand cooperated with the Japanese during WW2 and was "occupied" until the Japanese surrendered four years later. Despite Thailand's declaration of war against the allies, the United States after the war prevented the UK from colonizing Thailand - the Brits had pronounced the Thais an enemy while Washington chose to recognize the Seri Thai resistance, declaring that during the war Thailand had been an ally.Due to the Thais cooperating with the Japanese, however, Thailand got four of the resource rich, present southern provinces which had been a part of Malaysia from the occupier Japanese because the Japanese decided to reward Thailand for its good behavior. Now a significant number of the the Malay oriented populations of the provinces want to return to their country, their culture, their religion, their particular civilization. So they're bombing and shooting to try to accomplish that. We call that terrorism. So now after the FBI's findings, there'll be a crackdown for a while at Customs and at Immi. That's the present conumdrum. This is Thailand, so just be happy to go report your address every 90 days and then go back to your normal routines.

All true (re history of thailand). And the real reason why Thailand ended up not being colonised was a tacit agreement between France and Britain that it would serve a neutral buffer state between the two empires. If one side snatched it, it would mean war between these two superpowers. In fact, over several decades, the two sides managed to carve out parts of Thailand for themselves (parts of Laos and Cambodia to France, and parts of what is now northern Malaysia to Britain).

[SteeleJoe]

Who do the United States think they are ?

Deal with the internal problems of a foreign nation. Thailand has always been proud to be the only nation in Southeast Asia which has not been colionalized.

But they just doing as the USA require. Because of these imperialists Americans, we will have to be subjected to a body search on arrival. A reason why I don't go to America, but impose that there, it's a scandal !

They should rather clean the mess at their home with all the xxxx, rifle massacres there before interfere in things that are none their business !

Thailand cooperated with the Japanese during WW2 and was "occupied" until the Japanese surrendered four years later. Despite Thailand's declaration of war against the allies, the United States after the war prevented the UK from colonizing Thailand - the Brits had pronounced the Thais an enemy while Washington chose to recognize the Seri Thai resistance, declaring that during the war Thailand had been an ally.Due to the Thais cooperating with the Japanese, however, Thailand got four of the resource rich, present southern provinces which had been a part of Malaysia from the occupier Japanese because the Japanese decided to reward Thailand for its good behavior. Now a significant number of the the Malay oriented populations of the provinces want to return to their country, their culture, their religion, their particular civilization. So they're bombing and shooting to try to accomplish that. We call that terrorism. So now after the FBI's findings, there'll be a crackdown for a while at Customs and at Immi. That's the present conumdrum. This is Thailand, so just be happy to go report your address every 90 days and then go back to your normal routines.

All true (re history of thailand). And the real reason why Thailand ended up not being colonised was a tacit agreement between France and Britain that it would serve a neutral buffer state between the two empires. If one side snatched it, it would mean war between these two superpowers. In fact, over several decades, the two sides managed to carve out parts of Thailand for themselves (parts of Laos and Cambodia to France, and parts of what is now northern Malaysia to Britain).

Well, to continue the off-topic tangent - not quite "all true":

The British wanted to treat Thailand as an enemy combatant (with good cause) and severely punish Thailand - to an extent that may have caused horrible consequences for its populace - after WWII (and there was some of the same sentiment on the part of the French) and the US did put a stop to that. But I am unaware of any plans or desire to colonize Thailand - which NEVER would have happened - all the forces of history and popular movements as well as the US policy was in opposition to even retaining colonies let alone gaining new ones. (It was only with some reluctance and with Cold War geopolitical pragmatism in mind that the US went along with the French returning to Indochina)

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[simple1]

Who do the United States think they are ?

Deal with the internal problems of a foreign nation. Thailand has always been proud to be the only nation in Southeast Asia which has not been colionalized.

But they just doing as the USA require. Because of these imperialists Americans, we will have to be subjected to a body search on arrival. A reason why I don't go to America, but impose that there, it's a scandal !

They should rather clean the mess at their home with all the xxxx, rifle massacres there before interfere in things that are none their business !

Thailand cooperated with the Japanese during WW2 and was "occupied" until the Japanese surrendered four years later. Despite Thailand's declaration of war against the allies, the United States after the war prevented the UK from colonizing Thailand - the Brits had pronounced the Thais an enemy while Washington chose to recognize the Seri Thai resistance, declaring that during the war Thailand had been an ally.Due to the Thais cooperating with the Japanese, however, Thailand got four of the resource rich, present southern provinces which had been a part of Malaysia from the occupier Japanese because the Japanese decided to reward Thailand for its good behavior. Now a significant number of the the Malay oriented populations of the provinces want to return to their country, their culture, their religion, their particular civilization. So they're bombing and shooting to try to accomplish that. We call that terrorism. So now after the FBI's findings, there'll be a crackdown for a while at Customs and at Immi. That's the present conumdrum. This is Thailand, so just be happy to go report your address every 90 days and then go back to your normal routines.

Where did you obtain this information? At the time of the Japanese occupation they were Thai territory. The deep South provinces were ceded to Thailand by the British in the 1909 Anglo Siamese treaty. As a reminder the Japanese invasion forces landed on Thai territory at Pattani and Songkhla to attack Malaya.

Edited April 5, 2013 by simple1

[Publicus]

History lesson concluded except to say that, as many of us know, we are called "fahlang" from the French word "farang." I'm not French (to the great relief of all of France) but I know the word farang is a French word from the French language vocabulary. It means French or France depending on contextual use. But it primarily means French. The Thais disliked the French with a great intensity due to squabbles over lands east of the Mekong, especially Angkor Wat which, as we know, was a part of French Indochina. However, in the early 1960's even the UN agency rejected Thailand's appeal to instead declare that Angkor was a part of Thailand. The UN court will do so again in the present appeal. So "fahlang" became a hostile word in Thailand which continues to be applied to us and shall forever be applied to us.

I don't anticipate Immigration giving fahlang a hard time because of the FBI report. Thais want our money and they often get it - a fool and his money are soon parted. Certainly by overcharging us as a cultural imperative, they get some of our money anyway. I can say I don't look like a terrorist from the South of Thailand, so why should Thai Immi hassle me because of Chalerm? I may look terrible after 22 hours on an airplane and in transit from New York, but that's not a crime or even grounds of suspicion.

I think this Immi stuff from Chalerm and the fear some fahlang have of processing through it is nothing more than a long runaway train of possible horrors. Which fahlang here truly believes he or other fahlangs are going to be held up (so to speak) at Immi for long periods of time because Chalerm and the army chief Prayuth had something crawl up their posteriors?

For you and I it's a big ado about nothing (I thought I'd say something original here to help give me a strong conclusion to my post). .

[chrisrazz]

We really can thank terrorists and criminals for eroding the personal freedoms that decent law abiding individuals living in truly democratic secular societies have enjoyed.

This country is a democracy, though corruption is the tool by which true democracy is diminished here.

Regarding immigration officials at entry points. It does seem that the thai side is less welcoming than that of my recent trip to laos. But what a boring and tedious job that really is, who can truthfully say that if in the same situation you wouldn't present a surly demeaner. You could say that those who don't like the job and resent the influx of wealthy foreigners should quit and find something else at which to make a living. Though, I must admit the border post at Aran is possibly the worst I have experienced. This is perhaps due to the mass of Thais passing through to visit the casinos.

Using the term terrorist to describe actions and behaviour is often a political stunt used in order for the authorities to justify their own actions, the same can said for denial of such . I'm sure the nazis would have described the French resistance as terrorists.

[maidu]

So Thailand is not a pseudo colony of China? Fooled me.

Who own the largest businesses and who runs government here ? .....nearly all Chinese names.

[Publicus]

Who do the United States think they are ?

Deal with the internal problems of a foreign nation. Thailand has always been proud to be the only nation in Southeast Asia which has not been colionalized.

But they just doing as the USA require. Because of these imperialists Americans, we will have to be subjected to a body search on arrival. A reason why I don't go to America, but impose that there, it's a scandal !

They should rather clean the mess at their home with all the xxxx, rifle massacres there before interfere in things that are none their business !

Thailand cooperated with the Japanese during WW2 and was "occupied" until the Japanese surrendered four years later. Despite Thailand's declaration of war against the allies, the United States after the war prevented the UK from colonizing Thailand - the Brits had pronounced the Thais an enemy while Washington chose to recognize the Seri Thai resistance, declaring that during the war Thailand had been an ally.Due to the Thais cooperating with the Japanese, however, Thailand got four of the resource rich, present southern provinces which had been a part of Malaysia from the occupier Japanese because the Japanese decided to reward Thailand for its good behavior. Now a significant number of the the Malay oriented populations of the provinces want to return to their country, their culture, their religion, their particular civilization. So they're bombing and shooting to try to accomplish that. We call that terrorism. So now after the FBI's findings, there'll be a crackdown for a while at Customs and at Immi. That's the present conumdrum. This is Thailand, so just be happy to go report your address every 90 days and then go back to your normal routines.

Where did you obtain this information? At the time of the Japanese occupation they were Thai territory. The deep South provinces were ceded to Thailand by the British in the 1909 Anglo Siamese treaty. As a reminder the Japanese invasion forces landed on Thai territory at Pattani and Songkhla to attack Malaya.

We're all gonna get our posts zapped by a mod if we continue this discussion that has so much history going on.

To save further discussion, you might want to check out this link: http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=qFTHBoRvQbsC&pg=PA580&lpg=PA580&dq=british+colonialism+thailand&source=bl&ots=ZYuTbxvOvd&sig=mwCx-b4zhecLXASQ0z1yMiwrU18&hl=en&sa=X&ei=N1teUaSUL8vMiAfplIDIDQ&ved=0CEkQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=british%20colonialism%20thailand&f=false

If you want to discuss it further in any respect, go ahead and PM me.

[ZhouZhou]

So Thailand is not a pseudo colony of China? Fooled me.

Who own the largest businesses and who runs government here ? .....nearly all Chinese names.

No, Thailand isn't a pseudo colony of China.

[OZEMADE]

All the Terrorists/Insurgents are down south Thailand, most don't have passports and can cross the border by boat or land just about anywhere down there.

They are mostly Thai and Malaysian. To this date unless they catch one with a bomb or a gun in his hand, which they haven't done to date. The Immigration screening on Foreigners will mean nothing. I doubt Interpol have the southern insurgents on computer/file.

The real overseas Terrorists are on R&R in Pattaya.

Edited April 5, 2013 by OZEMADE

[SteeleJoe]

Who do the United States think they are ?

Deal with the internal problems of a foreign nation. Thailand has always been proud to be the only nation in Southeast Asia which has not been colionalized.

But they just doing as the USA require. Because of these imperialists Americans, we will have to be subjected to a body search on arrival. A reason why I don't go to America, but impose that there, it's a scandal !

They should rather clean the mess at their home with all the xxxx, rifle massacres there before interfere in things that are none their business !

Thailand cooperated with the Japanese during WW2 and was "occupied" until the Japanese surrendered four years later. Despite Thailand's declaration of war against the allies, the United States after the war prevented the UK from colonizing Thailand - the Brits had pronounced the Thais an enemy while Washington chose to recognize the Seri Thai resistance, declaring that during the war Thailand had been an ally.Due to the Thais cooperating with the Japanese, however, Thailand got four of the resource rich, present southern provinces which had been a part of Malaysia from the occupier Japanese because the Japanese decided to reward Thailand for its good behavior. Now a significant number of the the Malay oriented populations of the provinces want to return to their country, their culture, their religion, their particular civilization. So they're bombing and shooting to try to accomplish that. We call that terrorism. So now after the FBI's findings, there'll be a crackdown for a while at Customs and at Immi. That's the present conumdrum. This is Thailand, so just be happy to go report your address every 90 days and then go back to your normal routines.

Where did you obtain this information? At the time of the Japanese occupation they were Thai territory. The deep South provinces were ceded to Thailand by the British in the 1909 Anglo Siamese treaty. As a reminder the Japanese invasion forces landed on Thai territory at Pattani and Songkhla to attack Malaya.

Holy smokes, I totally missed that part of his post. You are of course totally correct.

Not to speak for Publicus but perhaps he is confused with territory to the east gained at the cost of the French.

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[SteeleJoe]

History lesson concluded except to say that, as many of us know, we are called "fahlang" from the French word "farang." I'm not French (to the great relief of all of France) but I know the word farang is a French word from the French language vocabulary. It means French or France depending on contextual use. But it primarily means French.

Sorry. Although it's a commonly held belief "Farang" almost certainly does not come the French language )and they don't as far as I know have such a word). The first foriegners here were primarily Portuguese. They were Farang - a word which (like the word France) comes from "frank" ie outliers. It exists (with slight variation) in many languages in the Indo-European language group and always means essentially "foreigner".

No, it does NOT mean French or France regardless of context.

If you are going to call it a history lesson and speak with such a tone of authority and in such absolute terms, you might want to check on your facts!

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Edited April 5, 2013 by SteeleJoe

[pgangeles]

yes for those who live here and contribute and support & pay taxes, the yearly hassle to beg for an extention for the right to stay with your own wife and family + the 90 day report hassle...

and before i tought i was an international human right, to stay with your family, wife and children... but hey, we are only guests here, i mean, we are treathed like guests and not residents

Who do the United States think they are ?

Deal with the internal problems of a foreign nation. Thailand has always been proud to be the only nation in Southeast Asia which has not been colionalized.

But they just doing as the USA require. Because of these imperialists Americans, we will have to be subjected to a body search on arrival. A reason why I don't go to America, but impose that there, it's a scandal !

They should rather clean the mess at their home with all the xxxx, rifle massacres there before interfere in things that are none their business !

Where in the article does it say US requires."US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s report that Thailand is one of the region’s most vulnerable terrorist targets". Read the article again. The US is trying to help Thailand not hurt it and what does colionized have to do with the current threat in Thailand -0-.

[justathought]

It is unlikely that we shall see justice here

[Soutpeel]

So Thailand is not a pseudo colony of China? Fooled me.

Who own the largest businesses and who runs government here ? .....nearly all Chinese names.

Using this logic..you could say the state of Israel runs the US then considering all the jewish names in goverment and business..

[MichaelShort]

And so again do we have the Americans to "put the noses" in everything again and to dictate countrys what to do...

They are like mosqitos, everywhere...

And so again we have those creatures that live under bridges... What are they called again?

Anyway what we were discussing, the Lerm been on the soup again has he? Never mind, he'll have it fixed within 90 days!

Hehehe, well the truth can be hard mate...

[SchuetzRob]

the americans are trying very hard to bring bad attention to Thailand. This country unlike usa has no enemies. Why are the americans trying to turn the floodlights on Thailand? Maybe because the arab tourists stop going to american and thailand has become a popular tourist spot for them. I am not fond of arabs but they usually make far less trouble here then most farlangs.

sometimes, mind you, just sometimes i have the impression that the thais can manage 'the bring bad attention to thailand' game quite well without any outside help. a country with no enemies....... well, there seems to be a lot of occasional war games with a neighbouring country......

[MichaelShort]

the americans are trying very hard to bring bad attention to Thailand. This country unlike usa has no enemies. Why are the americans trying to turn the floodlights on Thailand? Maybe because the arab tourists stop going to american and thailand has become a popular tourist spot for them. I am not fond of arabs but they usually make far less trouble here then most farlangs.

Well actually there is a lot of criminals that is living in Pattaya from Europe, so in one way I understand but why can't the thai see this themselfes?

What I don't get is how these can get into the country, when they should be internationally wanted by Interpol. Or that could be also that some are only wanted for "stealing money" so they don't get on the list..? Well I don't know.

[DonaldBattles]

Could jealously be the primary reason for people disliking the USA.

[Soutpeel]

Could jealously be the primary reason for people disliking the USA.

Nope...typically its the people running around beating their chests, declaring the greatest nation on earth^TM and threating to wipe people off the face of the earth that p*sses people off, incidently before you accuse me of spouting vile Anti-american rhetoric, I have a lot of good friends who are from the US and and even they get embarrassed with this sort of behaviour and even they call them assh*les.

and in their words not mine..."its not the American people that is disliked, but the American goverment with their bully boy tactics"

In the words of one of your presidents I believe, who said tread shortly and carry a big stick...the US has the big stick, but not very good at treading softly it seems

[Publicus]

History lesson concluded except to say that, as many of us know, we are called "fahlang" from the French word "farang." I'm not French (to the great relief of all of France) but I know the word farang is a French word from the French language vocabulary. It means French or France depending on contextual use. But it primarily means French.

Sorry. Although it's a commonly held belief "Farang" almost certainly does not come the French language )and they don't as far as I know have such a word). The first foriegners here were primarily Portuguese. They were Farang - a word which (like the word France) comes from "frank" ie outliers. It exists (with slight variation) in many languages in the Indo-European language group and always means essentially "foreigner".

No, it does NOT mean French or France regardless of context.

If you are going to call it a history lesson and speak with such a tone of authority and in such absolute terms, you might want to check on your facts!

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Your reference to the Indo-European language group is correct. However, because the Indo-European language group consists of a broad variety of languages, let's get more specific about the word "farang" in specific languages within the group. The consensus of philologists is that the word farang is of ancient Arabic origin, also specifically connected to the word "Frank," which we know to be a reference to the French people. The word farang and its many Indo-European variations extended far enough that the Portuguese were also given the descriptive name "farang" by the locals when when they sailed and made landfall several times in the place they called Malacca and which the Malays and Indonesians alike called Melaka. Check it out while you're killing an hour standing in one of Chalerm's long immigration lines, or is it a queque - or simply a que?:

http://baheyeldin.com/linguistics/thai-word-farang-variations-in-other-languages-arabic-origin.html

[SteeleJoe]

History lesson concluded except to say that, as many of us know, we are called "fahlang" from the French word "farang." I'm not French (to the great relief of all of France) but I know the word farang is a French word from the French language vocabulary. It means French or France depending on contextual use. But it primarily means French.

Sorry. Although it's a commonly held belief "Farang" almost certainly does not come the French language )and they don't as far as I know have such a word). The first foriegners here were primarily Portuguese. They were Farang - a word which (like the word France) comes from "frank" ie outliers. It exists (with slight variation) in many languages in the Indo-European language group and always means essentially "foreigner".

No, it does NOT mean French or France regardless of context.

If you are going to call it a history lesson and speak with such a tone of authority and in such absolute terms, you might want to check on your facts!

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa ap

Your reference to the Indo-European language group is correct. However, because the Indo-European language group consists of a broad variety of languages, let's get more specific about the word "farang" in specific languages within the group. The consensus of philologists is that the word farang is of ancient Arabic origin, also specifically connected to the word "Frank," which we know to be a reference to the French people. The word farang and its many Indo-European variations extended far enough that the Portuguese were also given the descriptive name "farang" by the locals when when they sailed and made landfall several times in the place they called Malacca and which the Malays and Indonesians alike called Melaka. Check it out while you're killing an hour standing in one of Chalerm's long immigration lines, or is it a queque - or simply a que?:

http://baheyeldin.com/linguistics/thai-word-farang-variations-in-other-languages-arabic-origin.html

You've done some research since your last post! Good. But you need to do some more maybe.

1) I'm aware of all of that. None of it contradicts what I said but it directly contradicts what you said previously. Most of that confirms what I said - or simply repeats it. I've known about those various words for over 20 years.

2) "Frank" is not " a reference to the French people". The Franks came before there was a France or French people. You've got cause and effect confused.

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[youngXpat]

History lesson concluded except to say that, as many of us know, we are called "fahlang" from the French word "farang." I'm not French (to the great relief of all of France) but I know the word farang is a French word from the French language vocabulary. It means French or France depending on contextual use. But it primarily means French.

Sorry. Although it's a commonly held belief "Farang" almost certainly does not come the French language )and they don't as far as I know have such a word). The first foriegners here were primarily Portuguese. They were Farang - a word which (like the word France) comes from "frank" ie outliers. It exists (with slight variation) in many languages in the Indo-European language group and always means essentially "foreigner".

No, it does NOT mean French or France regardless of context.

If you are going to call it a history lesson and speak with such a tone of authority and in such absolute terms, you might want to check on your facts!

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Although I agree with you to an extent, there is an argument for both:

1) 'Francais' in Thai is Farang-set. These aggressive (at the time) war makers were taking what ever they wanted on and around Thailand's borders so a fear of these white 'farang-sets' was a natural response. This being Thailand, any man with white skin was also labelled 'farang'.

2) There is a story of Arabic traders bringing a fruit, 'Farangi' (Guava) to Thailand to trade. These foreigners were also called 'Farang'.

So whatever the story, it stuck!