[fetesiceWaist]

Old Fat Bald Farang

99% of the Pattaya expat community?
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[Bejemoelemymn]

Being called a farang doesn't bother me.
But, I find being referred to as "the farang" a little rude.

Example:

If someone met me, and remarked "Farang", I wouldn't be offended. But, if the same someone then referred to me as "the Farang", I would find it rude.

[Quaganoca]

HI

thai's also will call you fat if you are fat

Bald if you are bald.

old if you are old

would you find these words offensive also.

thai's are not hung up with being PC correct like we westerners

they speak how they see it.

so If you are an Old Fat Bald Farang don't go to Thailandl if you are offended easyly
or can't or won't accept the truth about yourself

[VoriEremiagem]

whenever this discussion comes up, I always repeat that if HM the King of Thailand used the word "farang" to refer to foreigners in his birthday speech a couple of years ago, then it must be an acceptable word, because I cannot imagine him using inappropriate words in a formal speech, or in any context.

That's a good point Betti.

[fetesiceWaist]

Anyone guess what I think of the word ?

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[BalaGire]

Thai call European 'farang' as for white people almost similar to the Malay's that use the term 'mat salih' which is quite soft. But normally if you speaks English the kids will also call you 'farang' either you are black or white. Even if the late MJ come to Thailand he is still call 'farang'. cosmetics technology can change anything

Now, that is interesting: Would MJ be called farang in Thailand?

[JacomoR]

Thank goodness PC language has not caught up to Thailand. It is out of control in the West. It gets so one has difficulty understanding what someone is actually saying anymore. In America, nobody is mentally retarded; they are just developmentally delayed. However, one is not "delayed" if one is never going to get there. Nobody is black; they are African-American. However, this term does not work for actual Africans or Caribbean Islanders, etc. In Thailand I am farang, which is reserved for white foreigners. I don't mind it at all. I often wear a t-shirt that says farang written in Thai, just as a joke. Lighten up and enjoy the ride.

[JacomoR]

Farang is the Thai word for foreigner and thats what we are - foreigners. I suggest you don't take offence where none is intended.

However I have to admit that Benjawan Becker's dictionery does not give "Farang" as the word for foreigner (she says foreigner is "Khon dtaang chaat" - ¤¹µèÒ§ªÒµÔ). And her word for "European" is Chowyoorop - ªÒÇÂØâû). Which does make you wonder whether there might be a slightly negative connotation with the word "Farang".

I have seen a few situations where it was definitely meant to be insulting, usually from children not accompanied by their parents. Last time I went on a boat trip upriver from BK some kids were diving off a pier into the river and as we passed they laughingly called out "Farang khi nok" (Farang bird shit"!). And up in Isaan little kids used to run alongside my Landrover excitedly shouting out "Farang Dung dong! Farang Dung dong"!! (not sure what that means - anyone know?). But in all cases I think it was just kids being kids and having michievious fun.

On the very few occasions when I have been in a serious confontation with an adult Thai, (I used to work in their Dept of Public Welfare where even Mother Theresa would have been driven to expletives - and besides I was very young at the time) the word "Farang" was only one of very many other words that were spoken at me with intent to insult. So context and body language are probably the best indicators.

"Dung dong" refers to a nose that stands out from the face. Dung is what Isaan people (ethnic Lao) call the nose. People Thai are typically dung pae, which means they have a small nose. I have always heard kee nok to mean someone with very little money, which differs from kee niaw (stingy).

[chppjdf]

well lets see,
I'm a foreigner in Thailand and the name for that is farang! well I'm a farang then, when I'm in England and i see people who are on holiday they are foreigners to me, but most are probably immigrants who live in the UK,

Foreign tourists stand out easily, normally camera and ruck sack,i have no problem being called a foreigner/farang when i live in Thailand as i believe that's what i am.

[Hamucevasiop]

Now, that is interesting: Would MJ be called farang in Thailand?

He's one year older than me but previously we share the same colour, suddenly I'm left behind. hihihi

[pertikuss]

hahaha your comment made me laugh

made my day.

[fetesiceWaist]

In fact I enjoy it.

Care to elaborate?

[ceagstuntee]

I use it to refer to myself quite often when in Thailand. I grew up, in Australia, surrounded by migrant Aussies and we had many terms for each other, any of which might be meant as an insult or meant with affection. Intent was everything.
Personally I am pretty hard to insult. If someone says something about me that isn't true, eg, "you moron", well, it isn't true so how stupid do they look in my eyes? If they say something negative that is true, well, it's true, so I suck it up. To allow words in someone else's mouth to do me emotional damage, just isn't on the cards. Why allow that?
The person who does not respect me, doesn't, and demanding they not say it doesn't make it any different. I'd rather know, frankly, than have such attitudes to me stay hidden.
I have found Thais, even strangers, (With the possible exception of some taxi drivers.) generally to be pretty helpful and to make allowances for me as a visitor, so I'm happy for the title Farang to also be part of that deal.
Peace,
Mikel.

[77Dinaartickire]

Farang is the Thai word for foreigner and thats what we are - foreigners. I suggest you don't take offence where none is intended.

However I have to admit that Benjawan Becker's dictionery does not give "Farang" as the word for foreigner (she says foreigner is "Khon dtaang chaat" - ¤¹µèÒ§ªÒµÔ). And her word for "European" is Chowyoorop - ªÒÇÂØâû). Which does make you wonder whether there might be a slightly negative connotation with the word "Farang".

But if you look up fà ràng in section two of Becker you find the correct translation of Caucasian.

I have seen a few situations where it was definitely meant to be insulting, usually from children not accompanied by their parents. Last time I went on a boat trip upriver from BK some kids were diving off a pier into the river and as we passed they laughingly called out "Farang khi nok" (Farang bird shit"!).

The word ¢Õé here just means just means a bad or negative characer trait. ¢Õ鹡 = Khee nok = fake; phoney; bogus; spurious; pretended; feigned; sham; low-class; inferior; insignificant; meaningless; worthless

David

[ceagstuntee]

Also, being white in Thailand is considered a positive.

I noticed all the skin whitening creams advertised on tv. I was often grumbling at the tv, "No No No No, don't try to get white, you're gorgeous just the way you are."

Is this a recent thing in Thai aesthetics?

I remember the first time a Thai woman said to me in chat that she stayed out of the sun because if she didn't she went very dark and I had to laugh because of all the pale skinned people in Australia trying to get dark and giving themselves skin cancer in the process. The world is a weird place!

Peace,
Mikel.

[pertikuss]

some of these views are pretty interesting reading.

[Quaganoca]

HI

For me no big deal it is only a word .

but I am aware many farangs who don't truly understand Thai culture take it as a dis respectful word.
it is no different than westerners calling all asian people" asian" until we understand where they are from .
For most thai's Farang only means none asian. it is not a disrespectful word
to thas's it is only a factual word describing what they see

depending how a word is used and in what context any word can become offensive.

If you are setting somewhere and a busload of school kids come by you will hear shouts of Farang Farang to me " music to my ears."

If you are in tourist area you might hear Farang as a disrespectful word like saying "that stupid Drunk Farang "

Next time you hear the word look for it's true meaning not what you perceive as it's meaning
understand the context of what is being said.

[JacomoR]

Yeah, in American you can't say black anymore. In Thailand you can say khon dam and nobody gives you a second look. I prefer things simple. When I was growing up, the blacks in American had a saying, "Say it loud...I'm black and I'm proud!" I guess maybe some people are less proud these days.

[RBJamez]

For the thais....
Farang means a person with the caucasian in appearance, and it's just easier and shorter than saying "khon tang chad".
However you will find that many will use the word "khon tang chad" also, esp in just about all of the official government documents.

And even tho I'm a thai, quite often I am also being referred to as a "farang kid" by my family, because most times I'm a bit too westernized in my thinking....hehe
No I don't mind it at all...never feel offended.

[iNYZgxNC]

I guess the word farang does sound a bit blunt. But, it is the Thai word for us who travel to and I presume enjoy being in there country. So farang it is.