Comments on: 10 things you should not do whilst in Thailand

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 23:59:00 +0000

I’m Thai. Regarding racism, I would like to say that perhaps Jeremy was very unlucky because I think usually Thai people are not racist. Farang just simply means foreigners. And one thing to however not with a mocking intention.(Mocking is considered very rude in Thailand)I discover this myself as I am now living in Europe and sometimes I laugh at something that all my friends wonder why is it funny. So forgive us for that:)

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 16 May 2010 00:42:00 +0000

I was looking at Jeremy’s statement and just wonder if he was in the same country I was. I have been in many countries and I feel most comfortable around Thais. I hate being surrounded by people looking to get some kind of handout from me (Philippines and Mexico come to mind) and I don’t run into that in Thailand. When I lived there I found that most of them ignored me unless I had a direct contact with someone. Is that because they’re racist? Maybe, but I’m perfectly happy with that. I can’t stand phony friendliness. I have found the Thais to be very polite and easy-going; that’s enough for me. They don’t have to like me, but as long as I’m shown the same respect that I go through the trouble of giving out, I’m happy. But, I have had great times drinking Mekong with the in-laws and spent time a lot of time in establishments where no other farangs could be seen. What little ridicule I have run into, I laugh it off because I like to laugh at myself as well. I have run into way more open racism in Japan, as well as black and Hispanic neighborhoods in the US. I think it helps that I’m very mellow and humble (and Buddhist)though. I realize how lucky I am to be born in a wealthy country. I know I’m not better than them but luckier. I think if one tries to lose himself into the Thai culture, especially following rule 3 (yum), Thais will tend to show more respect. Bottom line, the Thais I relate to are a very beautiful people. Also I find the violence in this political crisis very heartbreaking and hope more peaceful minds will prevail.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:00:18 +0000

Hi Jeremy,

Thanks for your comments…I think every country has its racist element, and many times I was also subjected to staring and pointing, accompanied by generally giggly comments about “Farang”, but I usually took this more as an observational “He’s different” behaviour on the part of the Thais, rather than in an aggressive unfriendly way.

I am sure some of the comments were probably less than polite, but if any Thais went into provincial England they would certainly encounter an uneducated element who would probably point, stare and call them “Chinkies” or some other derogatory term…

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:51:00 +0000

In the last two years I have spent 6 months in Thailand. I have witnessed many times western tourists screaming at Thai people. It sucks; I agree. However, any notion that Thai people are a bunch of angelic little Asians that have to suffer the monstrous western tourist horde is absurd. In six combined months I have been victim of more blatant racism and aggression over in Thailand than I ever have in my 33 years of life. It’s not just that Thais are racist, but that they are so uniformly and openly racist. Here the west you have many racists and generally society officially views them as social deviants. But over there racism is like a national institution. It’s a actual, true-to-life accepted social more. Little toddlers are taught to recognize and single out white people as being alien. Countless times I witnessed parents hatefully spitting out the word “Ferang” to their little children in reference to me for the obvious purpose of poisoning their little minds against westerners. I have had entire public buses of Thai people all laughing at me and mocking me in Thai. I am not fluent in Thai but I know enough to know when “westerner” and “pig” are combined in the same sentence followed by raucous, mocking laughter and stares it’s not a nice thing. I’m talking about an ENTIRE bus full of people, not just a couple of random jerks. Now, is this just pure racism? Is racism ever totally pure racism? I believe it is a blend of racism and financial envy. What do individuals or groups do when they envy you? They constantly seek to put you down and make you appear to be stupid. Everything you say and do is idiotic. Contempt is the mask that envy wears. I find that to be universally true, but in Thailand it’s like everybody is on the same page. You walk into a guesthouse or a local restaurant filled with Thai staff and immediately the game begins. Anyway, guess who’s had their fill of Thailand? I’ll never go back. Cambodia, however, is a totally different story. Khmer’s have their share of turds, it’s true, but generally speaking I have never met such truly nice people. Considering what Khmer people have been through, and their economic standing compared to Thais, you would expect them to be the haters. As for the Thais who are decent, I apologize for my criticism in advance, however YOU are truly a minority in your country. You should chew out your fellow countrymen when you seeing them behaving in the way I’ve described. God knows they wouldn’t give me the time of day if I did it.

By: Armchair Expat

Armchair Expat — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:05:21 +0000

Great List Compilations:

Three more add-ons that is insulting to the locals and should never be done by civilized farangs…

Using your left hand for contacting/touching food or the locals: Pointing/displaying the soles of the feet at a person or Budda; Worse is to tap/pat a person on their head.

Too err is human; to do all three of the above simultaneously is unpardonable. : )

By: Thai guy

Thai guy — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:53:36 +0000

Many of these are not so strict, but i strongly recommend about speaking something about the King or religion. They’re very sensitive things to Thai people. Thailand is awesome, I always miss Thailand so much while i’m living in USA. It’s very good experience going to thailand. Wish all of you will enjoy life in thailand!!

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:02:29 +0000

I’ll admit to breaking #2/the motorbike one, in my case driving around the ring road at Chaing Mai on a borrowed scooter after a few pints very early on Christmas morning. I didn’t crash but I did wake up the next day thinking what a bloody stupid thing to have done.

Also, drink bottled water, obvious I know, but always worth remembering.

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 04:37:56 +0000

That is a wonderful list, it is well thought out and points out the really key points that people should know. This should be a mandatory read for foreigners traveling here.

By: josh

josh — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:54:19 +0000

12. Never happened to me but i have heard of it happening. If you do decide to pick up a bar girl make sure she is a girl. Best way to avoid this is to not pick up a bar girl or at least look for an Adam’s apple.

By: Funny

Funny — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:13:57 +0000

Haha great read will know what to not do in Thailand.