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Is Thailand Racist?

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.

racism in Thailand

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.

racist thailand sign

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?


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About Chris

Chris founded LivingThai.org in 2011 and has received over 3 million visitors. He has lived here for over 10 years and speaks reads and writes very good Thai.

52 Responses to Is Thailand Racist?

  1. คลิฟ August 11, 2012 at 6:37 am #

    hmmm, … how to distinguish between “racist” and xenophobic-nationalism?

    • Chris August 11, 2012 at 6:41 am #

      True, Thai’s are xenophobic walk into any restaurant and watch everyone cringe they’re scared. lol it’s funny.

    • Norbert January 26, 2014 at 7:59 pm #

      It’s the same.
      Is Thailand racist?
      No.
      They are racists, fascists, violent, selfish, notoriously corrupt – in other words, they are a pest to humanity.

      Wait for my detailed book about this sick folk.

    • Gerry gwillam September 16, 2018 at 6:43 am #

      What everyone seems to miss is the racist ,deliberate use of Thai grammar.thai people refer to each other as khon Thai……Thai people.they do not however,describe us as khon farang,just farang therefore Suggesting that we are not people,rather some exotic subspecies.reality is created by the collective consciousness expressed through language.by speaking like this they create a reality in which we are less than human

  2. Dr. Taco August 11, 2012 at 9:29 am #

    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.

    • tukkata November 12, 2015 at 1:16 pm #

      racism against farang or westerners exist in thai society. “Farang Khee Nok” means westerners with bird poop on their head or westerners who have fake money. There is strong discrimination against women especially for Isan who date westerners, too.

  3. baconreal August 11, 2012 at 9:40 am #

    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 ?

    • sathit t. May 3, 2014 at 10:42 pm #

      ….. 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 …..

      – If Thais think they are “superior race” why they are so “fearful/scared/hate farang”? They should see farang as dirt.
      Actually, most Thais don’t speak English, they don’t know how to react when they can’t speak English. In our education system don’t encourage to use other means of communication e.g. body language. In western, students are train more to present themselves.
      We have a much poorer education system. In school, they are trained to memorize a lot but not think a lot.
      =====

      ….. 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…..

      – I agree that dual price in certain circumstance is annoying e.g. taxi ride or shopping. However, the dual prices in cases such as visiting grand palace or temples are still cheap for foriengers. In additional, the price is official published.

      Have you ever consider the cases that British and French robbed our country during the 5th king of present dynasty.
      – British stealed wester part of Thailand (now part of Myanmar) and Southern part of Thailand (now belong to Malaysia).
      – French stealed certain parts of Laos and Cambodia.
      How would compare to dual pricing.

      How many items in British museum were stolen by British? How many were killed by British invasions? How about using opium to poison and defeat china?

      • Arvi December 29, 2017 at 3:44 pm #

        That’s not an excuse. India has never robbed or stole parts of Thailand, however we still have to face dual pricing. I’ve also encountered various businesses that discriminate against Indians, I assume it’s because of dark skin?
        Thai people need to own up to the fact that they’re simply racist and xenophobic. Just cut the excuses out.

      • John April 21, 2018 at 10:31 pm #

        Thais love to have a distorted sense of history. Every country on the planet has experienced wars, and much of the behaviour learned by the English, French etc was from their own historic experience of being attacked repeatedly. Don’t forget Thailand sacked and destroyed the Angkor empire, looted the treasures and then spent 900 years crying because they were subsequently stolen by Burma during the sacking of Ayuthaya. They are on display in Mandalay for all to see. Everybody can use selective pieces of history in an attempt to justify hatred or discrimination, it’s still an ignorant stance.

        Based on the logic of the word ‘farang’ there is no Thai or Thailand, we should refer to you all as Asians, or some fruit that matches the colour of your skin tone and label you the same alongside Indians, Cambodians, Indonesians etc because you are all ‘roughly the same’. I don’t believe that, it would be ridiculous. Exactly as ridiculous as Thais calling white people farang and then trying to justify why it’s OK. It’s discriminatory, which should never be acceptable as it says we think it’s OK to hurt and make people feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. If that’s the intention, at least have some honesty.

        Do a bit of research and actually find out how many Thais live around the world, especially in the US vs number of US citizens in Thailand. Find out about the thriving communities they live in, especially in America (I have lived and worked among them on and off for 10 years in 3 US cities) and then ask yourself how exactly are foreigners supposed to be ‘kept out of Thailand’ to male Thailand for Thais as has become a common phrase nowadays. Many Thais seem to think they have some control over that decision. They are seriously deluded, especially if they think discrimination is the solution.

  4. Quasimodo August 11, 2012 at 1:41 pm #

    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?

    • Yra August 15, 2012 at 3:49 pm #

      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.

  5. David August 11, 2012 at 9:23 pm #

    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.

    • martin jewell April 21, 2014 at 5:00 am #

      very interesting comment David and very true ,a simple and quality life is what we are looking for , but i have found Thailand very racist not the majority of people , but the government itself and its laws , in the UK the government bends over backwards to assist all foreigners at the expense of its own people , but here in Thailand the only way you can own land is with a company , and then you are screwed at every turn , every thing you do that involves that company , will cost heavily , but Thais can own land in their own name , and everything is easy and does not cost anything like what we have to pay , that is racist ,.their argument is Thais are poor , crap , we all know this to be a complete lie , Thais have as much wealth as the UK , be it in 10 % of the population only , Thailand is as wealthy as the UK , i live in Pattaya and have seen more high range cars here than i ever saw in Watford Herts , it,s just 1 big con

    • sathit t. May 3, 2014 at 10:49 pm #

      Thais are not quite racists. I think your comment base on Bangkok people where rich and middle class people live and many of them have Chinese race. Darker skin are perceived as poor and labors.

      I think it is similar to every where in the world where people judge other by how they look and dress. People prefer well dress, look clean or well behave person. It is difficult to judge other if you don’t know the person well. Some rich westerner look down on pooer westener.
      =====
      Thais don’t like Burmese because we were defeated/destroyed twice
      – middle of Ayudhaya period; Thai royal family and people were brought to Mynmar unwillingly. They stealed from Thailand. There were movies about this which made many Thais don’t like Myanmar.
      – end of Ayudhaya. The whole city was burnt. You can visit the city and see by yourself. Just 80 Km. north of BKK. City wasn’t burn to ground by herself.
      Thai people were killed and enslaved. There were several attacked by Mynmar in our history.

      This is similar to the case the French don’t like German because of the world war.

      Thais don’t like Cambodia because they always attacked and stealed from our border town when the country in a difficult/weak position.

      Thai look down on Laos may be because the are poorer or less develop. Actually, Bangkok people also look down on Issan (north east of Thailand). May be because they are poorer. They eat bugs or lizard.
      =====

      Yes. Many Thais think western and tourist are rich. In the past, most people come to Thailand were rich. At present, poor tourists are still richer than poor Thais.

      Thais learn about wester people mostly by watching movies. This is another reason of not understanding westerner.

      Your comment is awaiting moderation.

      • we are fake thais June 12, 2015 at 10:22 am #

        real thai race is white like milk, and are the minority and the whitening genetics. we are in fact mon-khmer people thaitified by the thai race of the north. thai race invaded and conquerred the east northern part of burma and thaitified the people in those lands of burma until the shan estate emerges. that’s the origin of the war conflict between thais and burmease. burmese wanted their lands from the thai race. ask the burmese people, and they will say thais stole their lands. we are not the real thai race, but we are rather thaitified. if you look at the real face of the ruling class of Ayudthaya painted by france, their look is totally different from us. Kings of Ayudthaya are Dai/Tai race, a different race from us.

      • hello July 24, 2015 at 2:44 pm #

        Thais are colorist more than racist. Their mind is automatically programmed to respect white people and disregard black skin irrespective of nationality be in BTS, shops, restaurants, offices etc. This is quite deep routed. All you need to get respected in Thai community is milk white skin. You then passed most of their test.
        In short, in Thailand, if you are white then you have to prove that you can be bad and if black then prove that you are good.

  6. Daniel August 13, 2012 at 9:09 am #

    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.

  7. Per August 14, 2012 at 3:36 pm #

    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.

  8. Brian Sumpter August 15, 2012 at 12:29 pm #

    I’d give odds the “unacceptable behavior” from the black man was whipping out a 10″+ donkey dick! Will no longer be serviced! lolol!

    • Chris August 15, 2012 at 12:37 pm #

      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?

  9. Eric August 16, 2012 at 4:24 am #

    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

  10. David Humphreys August 16, 2012 at 4:50 am #

    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

    • Chris August 16, 2012 at 9:40 am #

      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.

  11. Jamie Candy August 30, 2012 at 9:56 am #

    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.

    • Stan December 20, 2012 at 12:51 pm #

      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.

      • KJ June 11, 2013 at 9:38 pm #

        Ironic, I thought all white guys living in Thailand were pedophiles that don’t know how to respect Thai culture.

    • Arvi December 29, 2017 at 3:48 pm #

      Bullshit. I’ve seen plenty of discrimination against Indian people in Thailand as well. I’ve lived here for 6 months and have seen enough to decide to leave once my work here is done. I have encountered various forms of racism in the short time I’ve lived here, especially pronounced when travelling with a group of Indian males. I should say most of my friends are well educated, earn respectably and are not “disrespectful” to the locals.
      I also see how Thais seem to worship white skin. That to me is racism. All the excuses for poor treatment of black people “because” they did that is just shifting the blame from the perpetrator onto the victim. That to me is shameful.

  12. arq September 4, 2012 at 10:10 am #

    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’

    • Jamie Candy September 6, 2012 at 5:03 am #

      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

      • Luke March 2, 2013 at 3:49 am #

        Your comment sounds like Thai people all think the same. You wish.

    • sathit t. May 4, 2014 at 12:59 am #

      “no diversity here”
      – This is not true. Issan (north east) have their own culture, food, and dialect. Southern is also different from central and Issan. Northern also have their own way of living. Serveral hundred years ago they are all independent. Then Ayuthaya start to take over the cities and become the capital of Thailand. Each region still have their own culture and way of living.
      =====
      “Farang” is the term used for Caucasian. By looking Thai can’t distinguish US form UK, France, … By listening, not many can distinguish English from others (English or not English).

      “Thai” or “Kon Thai” make no different for me.
      =====
      “the world’s largest brothel”
      Who are the major costumes of this brothel? Who help support this brothel business? Both the sellers and buyers in this business should be embraess. Both of they help create problem in the society.
      =====
      “falang” is definitely not the negative term at least in the environment that I live and work in.
      Actually, it is quit positive. More people prefer to work in US or European firm than Japanese, Korea, Chinese, or India. That also true for traveling. US and European products are perceived as better quality but expensive. This fews examples should give an idea how Thai perceive “farang”.

      • tuk April 24, 2015 at 3:01 pm #

        Super white like milk is “Dai Race”, the true whitening genetics of thai people. Chinese blood is darker and short. I once saw a northern girl at Chulalongkorn, the number one university of Thailand and her skin is thick milky, and she is not chinese but a girl of pure white dai race, and her face is sth near to northern east asian girls.

        A lot of my friends have no chinese blood and have very light skin, ligher than chinese women born in Thailand. Their skin turns pink when exposed to sunshines. Their white blood is white Dai race of altai mountains and the white mon-kher. A lot of High IQ thai students have this skin and have no chinese blood. But they are smallest in the number and invisible in streets.. They studied at the number 1 high school of the country (The Triamudomseuksa school, the most famous high school).

        A lot of chinese immigrants fail to win seats for the number 1 university of Thailand. Thai chinese are generally dark because chinese men married super dark girls without hidden Dai race and hidden white mon-khmer bloods.

        Thailand is the black-white mixed race majority and the white race minority. The majority is a mixed race of southeast asian aborigines of negro race and white race (white mon-khmer, dai race of altai mountains, recently chinese), and their thick black skin becomes lighter but still dark or superdark (dark brown, medium brown). The white mon-khmer is said to originate from high lands in north of today’s china. Dai Race is the white race of Altai Mountains above china near Russia. The white race minority is a mixed white race of the white mon-khmer and the white dai race, and their look is totally different from the rest of the country. Thais have 3 main cultures under the rule of 3 ancient empires: Mon-Led Empire, ancient Khmer-Led Empire and the lastest Dai Race-Led Empires. The key culture influenced by the rule of the Mon Empire and Khmer Empire are Songkarn water sprinkling, mon-based writings, khmer dresses with sabai, indian language under the influence of Buddism. The key cultures under the rule of the lastest Dai-Race Led Empires are northern east asian cultures. Dai Race once lived north of China so their culture is similar to that of manchu people, mongol people, such as Dai noodles, head shaving, horse loving. The holy dress of the Thai king is under the Dai Race culture, that is, a winter long robe and a high hat. Thai army is the under Dai race culture. The concept of “freedom”, “self-ruling” is under the Dai Race culture. We call ourselves “Thai” culturally, linked to the Dai Race who conquerred the mon empire and the khmer empire 700 years ago. “Siam” is an equivalent to the word “shan”, “siem” and is an accent of the taitified mon-khmer people of dark and white skin, and does not mean “dark” as misunderstood by the west. As the majority of people have dark skin, the west misunderstand that “siam” is an indian word that means “dark”. In fact, they forget considering the true skin of the thai kings that is light skinned. “Siam” or “siem” is another branch of the Dai Race tribe.

  13. james reid January 11, 2013 at 12:09 pm #

    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.

    • Luke March 2, 2013 at 4:41 am #

      I guess you call your family members and fellow countrymen creatures in your daily speech? We the creatures of ___________

  14. df lummer April 24, 2013 at 9:13 pm #

    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

    • Gerry gwillam September 16, 2018 at 8:10 am #

      My Thai neighbour has poisoned my dogs on 3 occasions.when I confronted him I received a barrage of racist abuse from his entire family.he also tried to attack me in front of the police.the police did nothing.

      • Gerry gwillam September 16, 2018 at 8:20 am #

        Whilst sitting alone in a steakhouse,ordering my food,2 Thai gentlemen at the next table started berating the waitress.i quote…why are you talking to the farang…farang motherfucker.thailand is not racist?

  15. biggee May 22, 2013 at 7:20 am #

    Hey df Look who has a big chip on both shoulders Chill out a bit with some Love We are all as bad and good as each other and if you do not agree then you are fooling yourself.

  16. JENS May 22, 2013 at 4:51 pm #

    It is amazing that the Thai are not much more racist aginst the Farang. Just look at us and the way we behave.

    The neandethals never died out – and they love to spend their holidays in Thailand !

  17. Dinger July 31, 2013 at 7:14 am #

    Thais are xenophobic as a whole, racists do exist here but are less common. But, this is down to a lack of an educational system that incorporates anything outside of Thailand. They educate them to believe that Thailand is the be all and end all, that you have no reason to go anywhere else in the world. This is done for a reason, I firmly believe its done so that they dont have anyone(workers) that questions authority, that rocks the status quo.
    It means that Thailand has a lack of creativity, yet is full of people that copy and go along with what is the norm. Name an invention that originated in Thailand, anything but a food dish? No, cannot do it…because they havent. A Thai will also never know were things where invented, they will never understand that the world went to war twice or that if the world went to war again, that they would be obliterated along with the rest of us. I swear, they believe that they are totally safe from anything the rest of the world could do.
    My point is that until the educational system changes and incorporates some amount of world view, this country will remain this way, a stagnant pool of zombies, where life can be worth as little as 55 baht to a taxi driver.

    • Chris August 5, 2013 at 7:16 am #

      Dude a little harsh but i respect your right to comment.

    • Jeff March 30, 2014 at 5:58 pm #

      Hey Dinger. I just read your comment. I couldn’t stop laughing as it was just too funny in some parts but also felt that you were spot on with a number of points though.

    • HereYouGo February 9, 2015 at 9:15 am #

      “Thailand has a lack of creativity…”

      Absolutely not true. I’ve taught here for ten years and am surprised at how creative these kids are compared to the west. Is there racism? It’s obvious from adverts like I’ve posted below. Charging farang ten times the admission charge for a Thai national, the attitude (even amongst their own population) to black skin …

    • Rob K July 17, 2015 at 10:58 pm #

      Just a reminder.

      Red Bulls originated in Thailand
      Shinkansen – The fastest train in the world, was invented and designed by Thais.
      Chang beer is invented in Thailand and is now the main sponsors for teams in premiere league

      There are many more. so please do not judge – cause it’s clear that you do not do your homework very well.

      • Chris July 18, 2015 at 4:17 pm #

        Red Bull originated in Thailand – It’s from a drink called kratingdang and Thai’s didn’t invent Red Bull an Austrian company created it from the original drink.
        Shinkansen – the Japanese invented it
        Chang Beer – Beer is not an invention made by Thai’s, the Thai’s copied it and it tastes like crap.

        So what else you got?

    • John April 21, 2018 at 10:47 pm #

      I’d put it down to having a language only used in Thailand more than anything else. It means most Thais don’t read anything in other languages, so even in the current days on the Internet where most nations have learned a hell of a,lot about the rest of the world, Thais have largely skipped that step.

  18. Ed Zed August 10, 2015 at 12:38 pm #

    I don’t get why calling a Thai a buffalo is the worst insult imaginable?

    I post this in defence of buffalos’ everywhere;

    10 Reasons a buffalo is more useful than a Thai.

    1. A buffalo will pull it’s weight.

    2. Buffalos’ aren’t racist or xenophobic.

    3. Buffalos’ aren’t concerned with appearance so much, they’re happy to be brown.

    4. Buffalos’ aren’t desperate to get to the front of a cue.

    5. Buffalos’ don’t complain about foreign ownership.

    6. Buffalos’ don’t smoke ice.

    7. Buffalos’ are vegetarian.

    8. Buffalos’ don’t borrow money they pay back late.

    9. A buffalo can’t make a living lying it’s back.

    10. Buffalos look after their own children.

    Ouch!

    Yes a very unkind list of generalisations, still, I don’t think Thai folk are consciously racist or xenophobic, mostly resentful their lot isn’t better. If your from the upper-crust, well it’s a class thing – “We don’t like farangs at our karaoke meets, quick pass me that mic so I can belt out a Queen or Elton John song.” They’re worse to their own, sneering at the folk that come from up country.

    Regardless, some of the government policies, while I can understand the motivations behind them, aren’t exactly extending the glad had to foreign investment. Sure Thailand wasn’t colonised, but through development it sort of has been by proxy.

    The debate is less about race these days and more about “haves and have nots.”

    Now where can I procure that mysterious quotient they call Thainess? I want to bottle it and export it.

    Chris, you’re a westy bogan impressing clueless Thailand sheilas’ with yaw language chops.
    Go pick up a buffalo, sure to have everything you’re looking for in a partner and more.

  19. B November 12, 2015 at 4:24 pm #

    The word “farang” is a racial epithet. It makes me cringe, but less than your inability to master the apostrophe.

  20. Eye Witness July 17, 2016 at 5:23 pm #

    Ignorance is a bliss in many Third World countries.What’s funny is that even Thai people hate each other since it has a culture based on caste. Even Muslim Thais don’t get along with Buddhist Thais which that has to do more with religion and the fact that Thais tend to call all muslims as “kaak” included the Thai muslims as if they are not even Thais. I tend to hear these terms very often in Thailand like “farang” for white people and “kaak” similar to sand n*gger which sounded very derogatory similar to terms like “jek” for chinese or “tee” for people with slanted eyes and some Thais have that too or “Yuun” for Japanese and “negro” or the N word. They should be derogatories in nature because farang also means cheap guava fruit. It was disputed that farang comes from word Frank but Thais cannot pronounce it well and they have anti-western colonial sentiment since the Franks invaded Siam in the past so when the Portuguese merchants brought Guava fruits from Brazil or South America then both the Portuguese merchants and guava were been called farangs as a hatred against the French or anyone who look like Frank or French people since Portuguese are White people too. How ignorance…. Many westerners in Thailand don’t know Thai language so they are not offended but one day if they know then an ignorant Thai could get a smack like it already happened to a lady boy at gogo bar one time. It’s pure madness because they even hate each other based on skin colour. Crazy and totally shame. Imagined, they called everyone from Morroco to India as “Kaak” as if they are of same race. They are crazy and they know nothing about middle east, persian empire and india. These terms also sounded like derogatory terms like “gooks” or “chings” or “japs” that were used by American MPs during WW II and Vietnam war. There is no excuse for that. Using strange names to call somebody is plain rude. Also, many Thais don’t want to accept the negative truth about their country or themselves so when somebody who look foreigner mentioned it then they judge that this foreigner is looking down on their country. Very difficult to debate with these ignorant people with low IQ. Of course, not all Thais are low class or being ignorant but it seems to me that most of them are like this unfortunately. Imagined, you can even get yourself kill by just looking at strangers in public places in Thailand which indicates that there seems to be many illogical retards that could be dangerous there in Thailand. For instance they might stare at you for no reason because they irrationally think that you are against them even if they don’t know you and you never get into a fight with them before. Mad People with low IQ must be lock at a mental hospital because they could be dangerous to our society but unfortunately, Thailand looks like a very big open asylum of mentally retards or mad irrational people. Its a Land of no logic so I’m not surprise if there are many racists around there…

    • Truthbomb December 29, 2017 at 4:17 pm #

      Best comment here. I can tell this guy’s been there and isn’t speaking from some imaginary la-la-land ivory tower.

  21. John August 22, 2019 at 4:21 am #

    British started slavery … LMAO …

    Go look at history … blacks in Africa have killed, enslaved, robbed, raped other black Africans long, long, long time before any white man came to Africa.

    Also most black slaves were caught by other blacks and sold as slaves to other blacks, to Arabs and to European slaves traders.

    SLAVERY WAS NOT A EUROPEAN INVENTION

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