The other day I posted a random thought about Farang Zones in Thailand it was really more to do with where we like to congregate and ownership of land and condos but somehow the comments started going on a tangent about Racism in Thailand. Therefore I decided to write a post about my own thoughts about Racism in Thailand so you can comment your own thoughts here.
Firstly the word Farang get’s a lot of westerners wound up about the racism behind the word. I don’t think the word is racist at all but it can be used in derogatory sense. See a Thai can’t see us for what country we’re in and to be completely honest I can’t either, I can generally say if a person is American but if a Canadian comes a long I get that wrong too, Europeans have a distinct look but I can’t tell a german from a french person. We like to say things like European, American, Australian, Russian because we can identify with a certain look to those nationalities but you think Thai’s can? Thai’s can’t even tell a Russian from an American so we’re just all Farang nothing racist about that and certainly not like Slope Heads and Chinga’s. It’s really more like how we’d say caucasian or european that’s all.
But in general are Thai’s racist? Compared to where I grew up in western Sydney I’d say nowhere near to what we are. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black isn’t it. As far as I know there have been no race riots in Thailand and I could be wrong but compared to the race riots of our countries think of France, USA, Australia I can count dozens of similar incidents over the course of my life but never heard of that happening here. When it comes to racism I don’t think people decedent from western Europe should really be preaching about racism in Thailand. The English started black slavery, Americans had segregation, and Australians well we tried to breed people white. Honestly compare that to some stupid distasteful signs it’s really nothing much to scoff at. Remember Thailand is still developing.
When I think of dual pricing in Thailand I often think that’s racist when I go somewhere and a Japanese gets in for free and I don’t because I’m the Farang it ticks me off which is why I don’t go to Mandalay or Fabrique and you shouldn’t either. In the other post guy sent me these pictures. While I’ve never seen the black man sign I’ve seen the only Thai customers signs, but I think that’s more got to do with the fact that the customer service representative can’t speak any language and spends too much time dealing with Farang. You know what I get that the sign is rude but Thai’s are still simple and lack a lot of tact however it’s not racist.
When it comes to the color of you’re skin though Thai’s are judgmental and tend to look down on anyone with a dark skin tone. That’s being pretty general though because the majority of Thai’s I’d say don’t hate people with dark skin they just want to have white skin kinda like the way I wish I had hair on the top of my head. Thai’s hate Burmese and well they are born hating them listening to all the stuff the Burmese did to Thailand however I wonder if they just forgot about what they did to them? If Thai’s are racist then the Burmese are enemy number 1.
So well I guess I’ll turn it over to you guys let me know what you think, think Thai people are racist?
hmmm, … how to distinguish between “racist” and xenophobic-nationalism?
True, Thai’s are xenophobic walk into any restaurant and watch everyone cringe they’re scared. lol it’s funny.
I say they are racist, absolutely. They have a caste society. How could they value their own countrymen based on where they are from in this tiny country and NOT judge foreigners. If you know any Issan here in CM ask them how they are treated by the Lanna. Then watch how badly the same Issan will talk down to a Burmese, so on, so forth.
Its just a lucky quirk of fate that “Thai Racism” works out in a farang’s favor. They think we are wealthier, worldlier and generally smarter then we actually are.
Thailand numba 1
I do believe Thais think they are a superior race to most….. my belief is they are fearful/scared/hate farang if not familiar with our characteristics, customs etc…. And vice versa for the farangs that visit here.
The dual pricing is somewhat annoying for sure, (especially for those of us who live here) however I would have a greater admiration for our UK government if they applied the same policies to foreign guests visiting the UK. That’s something else entirely for a different subject on a different blog…..
So yes, Thais are racist and xenophobic….. but aren’t we all in SOME SMALL way ?
Down on Koh Phi Phi, on Loh Modee beach, there is a sign saying “We do not service Israelis” Perhaps it is because it is predominantly Muslim there?
I have seen the same sign in Burma and Laos. I asked to a guesthouse manager in Laos why he refused Israelis, he just answered he had too many problems with them.
For sure, just like all nations, they are racists based on skin color and nationality. Definately hate Burmese! My wife is Burmese (Living in America) and she is always treated differently in Thailand. My wife walks down the streets in BKK and sometimes she’s stopped and the police give her a hard time, til they see her American Passport.
I think Thais truly don’t understand the Westerner. They see the TV shows..and think all Westerners have money and easy life. It is unfortunate because most westerners come to Thailand not with alot of money in their pockets, they are just looking for a simple and quality lifestyle. I know this is why I always desire to move to Thailand.
Life is life, all you can do is educate those around you…and do your best. Remember….Westerners have many of the same failings, we just need to be open to them.
There’s never been a race riot in Thailand because to a large degree the country is homogeneous (there is not a huge mix of ethnically diverse people) and because the are extremely ignorant an submissive. What I mean by that last statement is that very few people in Thailand are of Chinese heritage or have white skin, yet the darker skinned people never rise up because of cultural norms and not lack of numbers.
As far as the word farang goes, you as a Thai speak must know that they have words for different nationalities. Believe me, even if they cannot tell based on features an Italian from a Spaniard they understand there is a difference. The most common question most tourists are asked is where are they from. For further proof call at Thai Cambodian and see how they react with anger/disgust and then call them Chinese and see how their eyes light up with joy. I think the whole farang thing is mainly a way for them to justify cheating/mistreating foreigners by lumping us all in together.
Technically you can call Thais racist (by the sociological definition of the word) because they do think the Chinese are superior. More apt words would be prejudiced and ignorant.
Look at two of Thailands neigbouring countries. Malaysia and Indonesia, where it has been race riots against Chinese residents. Nothing of the kind in Thailand. I can’t come to think of more than a few developing countries where I as a Westerner would feel as welcome and safe as in Thailand. The Thais also have a word for people from neigbouring countries including middle east. “keek” meaning guest. I have heard both farang and keek used in derogatory meaning. But far many times I’ve heard those words in neutral context. It’s all in the speakers personal opinion. The words are neutral. They also have a word for people of African decent. “Piu dam” which litterally means skin black. That as well is neutral.
The Europeans institutionalized and industrianalized racism. But Racism itself don’t have a color or nationality. It’s everywhere, but I’ve seen less of it in Thailand than in many other places. But I can understand how Burmese and Cambodian people can feel. They have a history of war with Thailand and now Thailand have an edge on them in terms of economical development. I’m from Scandinavia and all our Nordic countries have a sort of love/hate relation based partly on history. But here in South East Asia they are still mainly poor and it gets more serious for a desperate poor Burmese seeking job in Thailand.
I’d give odds the “unacceptable behavior” from the black man was whipping out a 10″+ donkey dick! Will no longer be serviced! lolol!
You know how they have measures when you get on a roller coaster, you have to be this high, they should have these out the front of brothels or like the numbers on the girls if there a 6 they take up to 6 if there a 10 they take up to a ten, sure would help don’t you think?
Wow – I learn so much from articles like these.
So us Brits invented Black slavery. And all those stupid historians try to make us believe the Romans and even the Arabs were up to it hundreds of years earlier. Lol
The English started black slavery?
Really, well that is a sweeping generalisation, and quite wrong in fact.
I think you find that modern slavery was well established in Europe by the Portuguese and Spanish, before the English.
William Wilberforce was the British politician, behind the movement, that led to the abolition of slavery in the British empire in the early 1800s.
Before the Europeans, slavery was endemic in Africa instigated by the continents various African Kings or maybe have a look at the Egyptians, Romans or any other empire in the last few thousand years.
Cheers
David
One could argue on different dynasties of slavery and types thereof. in the end my point is this, Thailand is nowhere near as racist as our countries.
Thai people are not racist
We actually appreciate that people from all over around the world visit Thailand.
Here are some facts why a lot of Thai girls are sick and tired of Black Africans who come to Thailand.
1. They are dramatic and are likely to ask for sympathy that they are black and thats why ppl don’t like them.
2. They behave like they are god that Thais have to bow for them or be their hands every time they want.
3. They see women as an object that can be touched and disrespected.
4. They are aggressive wankers that they tend to be proud they can hit women.
5. They pretend to be hip hop black African American but speak English with strong French accent lol
Well, good and bad people are everywhere no matter what nationality. I’m just saying why we dont like ‘em. black Africans.
Jaimie,
You have pretty much described black people around the world. They are no different here than anywhere else in the world I’ve been to and seen black people. That’s a hasty generalization but for the most part I have to say I believe it’s true.
Wow, Jamie – you really must be a thai making sweeping assumptions like that.
thais are not racist at all. There is no diversity here, with the exception of slant eyes and skin color, and even then … for the most part, they’re ignorant in many ways, coupled with their nationalistic attitudes.
Once I asked what an American was. “Falang” was the reply. Then I asked what a Spaniard was. “Falang” yet again. Then I asked what a Japanese was. “Kon Nyibun.” Of course.
Yet the other day I was helping a Chinese-thai with his English (which was impressive, compared to what I’ve heard from the past few years I’ve been here), and while explaining the comparisons between thais and other countries I’ve been to, he was quick to say ‘but you must say kon thai.’ Sorry bitch, no I don’t – there are other countries who see siam for what it is – the world’s largest brothel (sorry for that, I’m taking pointers from the poster above me). That made me realize how close-minded they really are – not being able to think outside the box is an under-statement.
There’s a reason why siam has some say in the world … and look at where all of there major officials were educated …
Oh, and by the way, play them at their own game. They call you ‘falang’, you call them ‘thai’ or ‘isaan’ (especially the ones who don’t want to know they’re from the country), no need for ‘kon.’ If they get real ignorant just call them ‘cambucha’
What you said possibly makes sense but it doesn’t be like that. I’m not meant to argue with you but as a Thai person lemme explain a lil bit more about the word farang. I’m not sure the origin of this word but it tends to be derived from the word “foreigners”. It’s like the slang but it DOES NOT mean anything bad or insulting. The offensive word that Thais all foreigners or farang IS “farang kee nok”. Farang kee nok means cheap charlie, or wanker, or asshole(it depends on the context)
If farang call Thais ” Thai ” , it doesn’t insult us. Calling Thais ” Kon Thai” or “Chao Thai” doesn’t mean anything but it just refers to population that has Thai nationality. Esan is not insulting word either but “Lao” is. When a Thai being called “Lao” it means they are out of fashion or eat weird thing that normal Thai people wont consume.
I hope this helps
x
Your comment sounds like Thai people all think the same. You wish.
i would say thais are very racist creatures. They constanly make a joke out of foreigners and make fun of anyone who is not asian. They are sneaky in the way they do it. But having travelled the world i would say thais are about as racist as your going to get. It isnt violent racism more a belittling racism.
I guess you call your family members and fellow countrymen creatures in your daily speech? We the creatures of ___________
Look honky,crackhead, hey just kidding NOT. Albert Einstein wrote a book , with compelling
evidence White people invented Violent racism . You whites butchered more native people
not with modern weapons but with the common axe, milions and millions.
Look who started the Vietnam War ,ask Jesse Ventura . Whites are liars, cheat and murders.
.
Have a good Day Farong puke