How wary are thais of Foreigners who can speak the language?

[Smurkster]

from personal experiences....do you find that in many cases, Thai people aren't impressed when foreigners understand Thai as much as they are intimidated? Of course it's harder to pull the wool so to speak when a falang even has a minimal grasp of the language....I have heard the expression "Falang Ruu Mak mai dee" (the falang who knows too much isn't good). They can no longer use Thai as a "code Language" while in the presence of a foreigner who is versed in Thai, therefore they cannot "talk behind your back" even if you are sitting in the next chair...I speak Thai at a intermediate level, by no means fluent and cannot write but can read a little bit....I like to play the dunce from time to time, not letting on that I have any knowledge of the language, wait for them to say something derogatory towards me, then I jump in and inform them that infact I have understood what they have said....this has caused some indignation for sure

[Thai at Heart]

Define speak the language.

There is so slang available in Thai or any language that there aren't many foreigners who can decipher exact meanings if Thais want to talk.

There are not many foreigners completely and utterly fluent in Thai.

[KarenBravo]

Most Thais that I have met like it, especially market stall holders, contractors and people that work in shops.

You can see when you approach that they are worried that they will have to try and use what English they know, or, struggle with sign language.

When they realise that communication is possible in their native language, they are usually very, very happy.

The only people I have seen that don't like foreigners speaking Thai are some bar-girls, usually the hardened type. Most bar-girls, especially the ones newer to the trade, also like it.

[Seastallion]

Nope, in very very few cases do I experience resentment or regret from Thais that realise I can speak Thai well enough to understand them. In most cases, they appreciate it and are impressed.

Just once did I hear a disparaging comment made about me by a cleaner in a market. He saw me and said to the lady in the stall beside me something about "farang kee nok". She basically ignored him with an embarrassed smile but looked at me, so I said to her, loud enough for the cleaner chap to hear, "Kon chan dtam mai roo dtua farang kao jai pasah Thai". That brought a real smile to her face and the guy scowled as he walked off.

[Costas2008]

As I speak "fluent Thai" no Thai person can understand me when I speak to them.

They all look at me with eyes wide open and a funny expression on their faces.

I think I should not show them how fluent my Thai is as I think I am insulting their language.

But have to admit, everybody has been good to me, trying to correct me or switch to English if they see the farang is too stupid to understand that he can't speak a word of Thai language.

But I will keep trying to improve.......very young after all...........................

[h90]

tourist rip offs, prostitutes, etc.

Normal Thais are delighted to see Farangs speaking Thai....even barely understandable lo-so Thai is applauded at.

[KarenBravo]

They don't like gutter Thai, though.........

[robblok]

tourist rip offs, prostitutes, etc.

Normal Thais are delighted to see Farangs speaking Thai....even barely understandable lo-so Thai is applauded at.

My experience too.

[tingtongtourist]

Why would they resent you for a few words you do know? You sound like you talking from soi naughty in tourist pattaya,where they must make a living off the silly farang!!

If they wanted to pull one over you im sure they would have any dozen of ways of saying the same thing which you and nearly all farangs wouldnt have a clue.

if you live in suburban BKK and deal with people in the real business it is a novelty thing. They all want to hear how you speak and what words you know.

You will know when you are improoving your ability when they repeat any unusual words you do say.. probably thinking wow i can actually understand the ting tong farang.haha

[DP25]

In my experience, 99% of Thais love foreigners that speak Thai. Even if it's bad and you only speak a little, they love people that make an effort. Most want to try to speak with foreigners but are unable because they don't speak English and are shy, so are happy to speak with a foreigner that speaks Thai. A small minority don't like it, like people have said, some bar girls, tuk tuk drivers, touts, etc don't like it as they are just after people who are fresh off the boat and don't know what is going on.

Also, some Thai English teachers hate foreigners that speak Thai. Many of them are unable to speak English, so if as a foreigner you speak to them in Thai instead of their horrible broken English, they lose a lot of face and get extremely upset. This also applies to other Thais that are 'supposed' to speak English, but in reality can not.

[FritsSikkink]

Only people with bad intentions don't like it.

[Halfie]

I live in Pattaya. I know. From the way locals talk it seems to me that they really HATE it when foreigners can speak Thai.

[KarenBravo]

I live in Pattaya. I know. From the way locals talk it seems to me that they really HATE it when foreigners can speak Thai.

See post above yours........

[sipi]

They like even the most babbling attempt at Thai. Don't forget that most Thais speak Thai Plus their own local dialect; whether it be Isan, Southern....

If they don't want us to understand what they are saying for whatever reason, they just switch. My wife still does that with her family and friends after 12 years. I love it.

[mrtoad]

Only people with bad intentions don't like it.

I think that sums it up precisely. Nearly all the Thai people that I know appreciate foreigners that speak even the littlest of Thai.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

They like even the most babbling attempt at Thai. Don't forget that most Thais speak Thai Plus their own local dialect; whether it be Isan, Southern....

If they don't want us to understand what they are saying for whatever reason, they just switch. My wife still does that with her family and friends after 12 years. I love it.

A good reason never to visit rural areas.

Stick to towns where any random Thai group are unlikely to share a local dialect.

[chrisinth]

In the few years that I have lived here OP, I have found that if you use your knowledge of the language as you have described then certainly you are going to get resentment.

If you are going to use the language, use it from the start.

Hiding your capability and only making it known to discredit people can, possibly, put you in a whole world of hurt.....................

[laolover88]

You will recall that there used to be a subject called 'O'Level French. Hundreds if not thousands of UK children learned it, sat exams in it etc.; Only to discover than no French person could understand a word of it. I don't suppose there is 'O'Level Thai, well there are not 'O'Levels available any more except in phone boxes in the Edgware Road. Though I see Cambridge iGCSE offers Thai, along with Afrikaans. I have yet to decide which of the 80 dialects spoken in Thailand to learn. When Thais fail to appreciate my fluent Thai I just speak to them in Sassarese

[robblok]

In the few years that I have lived here OP, I have found that if you use your knowledge of the language as you have described then certainly you are going to get resentment.

If you are going to use the language, use it from the start.

Hiding your capability and only making it known to discredit people can, possibly, put you in a whole world of hurt.....................

I don't 100% agree with this.. I would not talk bad of people or behind their back in Dutch and if I did i deserved all the discredit i get. So sometimes I hide and listen and see what pops up. And sure then at some point i make it known i speak the language a bit. Other times i just flat out start with it. If people have good intentions they wont talk bad of you behind your back if they do they deserve to be exposed.

[SoiBiker]

If the main way you use the language is to try and score points by playing the 'aha! I understood that!' card, then yes, they're probably a bit wary of you.

On the other hand, if you just engage them normally, you'll probably get a different reaction.

[daveAustin]

If there have been wary ones in the past, it is typically a certain demographic we don't need to elaborate on. Generally find surprise/intrigue if they cotton on I speak a bit as opposed to negativity. Op, if you're picking up bad vibes, avoid a certain type if bar/tourist areas

[chrisinth]

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In the few years that I have lived here OP, I have found that if you use your knowledge of the language as you have described then certainly you are going to get resentment.

If you are going to use the language, use it from the start.

Hiding your capability and only making it known to discredit people can, possibly, put you in a whole world of hurt.....................

I don't 100% agree with this.. I would not talk bad of people or behind their back in Dutch and if I did i deserved all the discredit i get. So sometimes I hide and listen and see what pops up. And sure then at some point i make it known i speak the language a bit. Other times i just flat out start with it. If people have good intentions they wont talk bad of you behind your back if they do they deserve to be exposed.

Understand where you are coming from, but, (and I know I shouldn't extract) when the OP has this written, it's generally not so good:

"...not letting on that I have any knowledge of the language, wait for them to say something derogatory towards me, then I jump in and inform them that infact I have understood what they have said..."

If someone is going to disrespect you, they are going to do it regardless if you speak the language or not. That has been my experience anyway.

Edited September 21, 2014 by chrisinth

[Halfie]

If the main way you use the language is to try and score points by playing the 'aha! I understood that!' card, then yes, they're probably a bit wary of you.

On the other hand, if you just engage them normally, you'll probably get a different reaction.

Your final sentence is not necessarily true. Many times when I've spoken nicely to Thais i've recieved quite nasty and hostile responses. I'm always with my toddler.

[robblok]

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In the few years that I have lived here OP, I have found that if you use your knowledge of the language as you have described then certainly you are going to get resentment.

If you are going to use the language, use it from the start.

Hiding your capability and only making it known to discredit people can, possibly, put you in a whole world of hurt.....................

I don't 100% agree with this.. I would not talk bad of people or behind their back in Dutch and if I did i deserved all the discredit i get. So sometimes I hide and listen and see what pops up. And sure then at some point i make it known i speak the language a bit. Other times i just flat out start with it. If people have good intentions they wont talk bad of you behind your back if they do they deserve to be exposed.

Understand where you are coming from, but, (and I know I shouldn't extract) when the OP has this written, it's generally not so good:

"...not letting on that I have any knowledge of the language, wait for them to say something derogatory towards me, then I jump in and inform them that infact I have understood what they have said..."

True.. that is why i said I don't agree 100% in most cases i start speaking Thai.. i live outside the tourist area's if i start speaking English there forget about it. When in tourist area's and certain situations I dont let on that I speak Thai. But not to get at them but it can be interesting at times. Other times i start in Thai later and get the why did you not start out speaking Thai remarks.

Actually even if I don't let on it seldom happens that they misuse their language advantage (that they think they have) but at times you do pick up some information or fun stuff. Derogatory stuff or cheating me.. that is rare to pick up onto and rare to happen IMHO.

Edited September 21, 2014 by robblok

[godden]

_{up to them}

[swissie]

I live in Pattaya. I know. From the way locals talk it seems to me that they really HATE it when foreigners can speak Thai.

Of course they do. By understanding some Thai, you indicate that you also have some knowledge as to how Thai's and Thailand "ticks. This means, that you are less likely to fall victim to any of their schemes, unlike a "greenhorn" just off the boat.

Cheers.

[SoiBiker]

So before you learnt Thai, were you under the impression that all Thai people automatically admired you?

Edited September 21, 2014 by SoiBiker

[swissie]

2 scenarios:

- In my village they know I understand some basic Thai. Result: By entering a restaurant or store, the conversation among Thais stops or turns to "let's talk about the weather".

- In Pattaya they don't know that I understand some basic Thai. Result: This is usually the time, I deeply regret ever having made the effort to learn some basic Thai.

Alas, but this is how one learns what they really think of us. Devastating !

Cheers.

[MAZ3]

I knew a bar owner who was fluent in Thai, but none of the staff knew it. And they could never work out who the spy was in the camp,whenever his wife found out about their cheating ways and tricks. Clever sod!

Edited September 21, 2014 by MAZ3

[swissie]

So before you learnt Thai, were you under the impression that all Thai people automatically admired you?

But of course. In my former life I was Elvis Presley.