[lopaayd]

thanks great story!

[andrekuper]

For such violations is there no on-the-spot fines?

[secondmortgagek]

Hm I think a lot of your experience was not particular to Thailand alone, but to a foreigner in a new country in general.

I know they drive like maniacs in other Asian countries too and it's kinda fun sometimes, like an amusement park ride

Foreigners of all colors can relate to the staring. Heh they're just used to everyone looking alike. But I can relate to you feeling even more stared at and talked about because of your color. I am Mexican and live back and forth between the US and Asia. Those few who did take "extra notice" of my skin color, usually as soon as they heard my English and my accent they saw me as American and stopped classifying me by skin color. I often wonder how they would react if I was not American, but from a third world country. Would they still look wearily at me? So as you may have noticed you being black, but also English made a difference.

Yet I am not extremely dark-skinned so it may take some people a bit longer to get over your skin color All in all though I believe it is our personal paranoia that gets in our way. I often have to remind MYSELF to stop caring so much about my skin color

I can relate to the loneliness and isolation too. In many cities I go to I do not have any friends or speak the language very well. I find that forcing myself out into the town and not sulking in my room helps me, cause hey at least I am out seeing something new. Though every now and then I do retreat into my room. It just gets so bad sometimes

I think perhaps you did not research Thailand enough before you moved there? I find that reading a bunch of books on multiple aspects of the country, visiting forums, doing internet searches, and finding people in your home city that have lived where you are going helps very much. So at least you have read about many of the country's quirks - like the maniac driving - and do not find yourself so horribly shocked

I hope you do go back and give it another shot!

[ELURNSERB]

Hi

While searching the www for idea for my first trip to Beautiful Thailand, i came accross this thread.

I am from Melbourne and my skin colour is "Brown". I am very sad to hear of this "skin colour" issue, do you think i will be treated differently because of my skin colour ? i don't want a unpleasent experience during my holiday.

Please tell me what should i do

Warm Regards

[Butiqueso]

Quote[/b] (trangam @ Aug. 14 2005,16:02)]For such violations is there no on-the-spot fines?

I don't think so... when my local Thai friend was caught for changing lanes between single white line at Sri Racha, the police stopped us and gave him a ticket... and confiscated his license... he has to go back Sri Racha to pay the fine and collect back his license! Talk about efficency.....

I think the reason why they want foreigners to follow them back to the police station on the spot is because they worry that we'll not pay the fine and run back to our country... i might be wrong though....

[rfceicizgm]

That was a really strong story and yes sadly enough darker skin can be an issue out there,nonetheless you are from london and a teacher,that's good credit.As long as you act decently around Thai people they will respect you.I myself had a couple of bad experiences out there on 2 occassions but have not let that stop me from returning a further 3 times.Although i only go there for holidays i still try to help who i can when i visit.

I have love for the country and it's people.

[VipInoLo]

Quote[/b] ]I have to pay the 100baht or else they bring me back to their police station to pay the fine on the spot...... which'll be time consuming

Drive a car with a big long toe bar and a bumper size rear bull bar, when the police try to pull you over, break very heavily, since the Thai police travel to close behind you and there reflexes are poor they will run into the back off you destroying there radiator. You then drive off with one finger in the air and no damage to your car, of course never use a genuine set of registration number plates.

[Butiqueso]

Quote[/b] (Kino @ Aug. 24 2005,01:15)]I know they drive like maniacs in other Asian countries too and it's kinda fun sometimes, like an amusement park ride

Its not fun when u're driving along them or.... towards them!

[Butiqueso]

Quote[/b] (stevesuphan @ Aug. 04 2005,12:24)]Do you plan on committing any illegal activities when you come to Thailand?
If not, then why even worry about the police or bribing them. Pls inform the person that advised you this to 'get a brain'. You just cant come here break the law and buy your way out every time. That is dangerous thinking. This is the year 2005 not 1955.

hehe.. this is funny... maybe she's refering to breaking traffic laws or littering laws or jay walking laws or... u know.. minor laws...

I do give the traffic police "a sum of token" of 100 baht whenever they caught "breaking traffic laws"... but i swear i'm not really at fault sometimes because some of the rules are really "stupid" like no travelling in this area unless u've more than 2 passengers in this time.. how'll i know when the sign board is in Thai? Or the no changing lane on single white line rules....

I have to pay the 100baht or else they bring me back to their police station to pay the fine on the spot...... which'll be time consuming....

[Breilopmil]

Coma, good advice about the lotion, you don't get that blistering heat shimmer you get at the Aussie beaches, but at the end of the day you will be cooked.
Only have to look at the Latitudes to get an idea, very similar here as in Townsville or Cairns.
In Phuket similar to Darwin.

[ambiddetcat]

black girl in Thailand
you say you have lived in London so just do the same, look listen take note, and use your London sense
ps dont burn plert-plern (enjoy)

[UnmariKam]

Coma 17
I'm from Melbourne as well, and if you read all of this thread you'd realise that skin colour is a non-issue.
All they care about is how much money they can fleece out of you.
Keep your eyes open and you'll have a great time.
Enjoy the sun and get a great tan.

I'm from Melbourne as well and the sun isn't nearly so bad in Thailand as here but you will still want to wear a hat and sun-protecting clothes and use plenty of sun screen when you're out in the sun.

[Breilopmil]

Coma 17
I'm from Melbourne as well, and if you read all of this thread you'd realise that skin colour is a non-issue.
All they care about is how much money they can fleece out of you.
Keep your eyes open and you'll have a great time.
Enjoy the sun and get a great tan.

[RalfDweflywex]

Quote[/b] (QuietRiver @ Aug. 13 2005,22:47)]Hey how did you get a visa

I got my visa from the Thai embassy in London.

I provided my certificate...my passport...and a letter of acceptance from the company. Two passport sized photos, along with the completed application form.

That was all I needed.

I hope that is helpful info

[Butiqueso]

[quote=paul_au,Aug. 14 2005,22:03]

Quote[/b] ]Drive a car with a big long toe bar and a bumper size rear bull bar, when the police try to pull you over, break very heavily, since the Thai police travel to close behind you and there reflexes are poor they will run into the back off you destroying there radiator. You then drive off with one finger in the air and no damage to your car, of course never use a genuine set of registration number plates.

*LOL*

I was never stopped by Traffic Police in a police car.. normally in Thailand, the Thai police like to conduct "road blocks"... they'll stand in the middle of the lanes.. or hiding at some blind spot waiting... praying and saying, "come to mama"... *LOL*

weird... but i think most of the times, they're the one causing the traffic jams..

[RalfDweflywex]

Hi guys,


I think that all Thai people are maniac drivers. Especially police and taxi drivers. I felt like I was in a seen from the fast and furious whenever I was on the road. It was exciting but I saw too many people dodge death on those roads. In my school children as young as eleven drove peds to school. They are just as wild.




GUESS WHAT...! I’m back in England already...I got back yesterday evening.

I was staying in Samutsakorn.... which is about 45mins away from Bangkok.

I was the only foreigner in my area and hardly anybody spoke English. Which was very isolating.

My school was nice. The management was a little shocked that I was black and was rather cold towards me. They interrogated me with all sorts of questions. I thought my colour would be a problem but on my first day they were really nice and actually praised me, which was strange. All my students thought I was African or American and were very shocked that I was English.

I was staying in an apartment close to my school. It was not great but manageable and clean.

I experienced constant stares. Some people were nice but I hardly experienced the great friendliness and hospitality of Thai people. Probably because of my colour. I didn't have any bad experiences though.

It was too intense for me. I had to retreat to Bangkok for a few days whenever I had a day off. I found the people in Bangkok to be just as friendly as the English. Except more friendly when they were selling. I found that the Indians were the most social. The blacks/ whites were not very social at all. All I did in Bangkok was shop and watch TV in my hotel...bit sad really.

I made the decision to leave because I discovered that I was working for a big agent rather than a language school, which wasn't clear in the contract. I also was getting paid by the hour, that didn't help, as there were a few unpredicted days that I had off. I would not have received a full salary until 3 months into my employment because of escrow and a month without pay due to a semester break.
I was alone...I hadn't been introduced to the management team and didn't meet any other English teachers except an Indian couple from America who were only volunteering and there for a holiday. I had no TV no music...no kitchen.


They tried to persuade me to stay with several offers...especially because the school really liked me and didn't want me to leave, which was very flattering. However I had already booked my ticket home before their negotiations and actually really missed London.
My school did offer me a direct job with them for more money once the contract with my company ends. Which should be February. So I may be back.

Some people didn't understand why I didn't just look for work in Bangkok until February...and then return to my school. But the Indian teacher who was volunteering told me she had tried to get work in Bangkok but had trouble finding work because of her colour...which was actually quite fair skinned. I wanted to get back to England and clear my mind...so I could travel again with a fresh approach.


I did meet some Thai boxers at the stadium. A black Thai boxer from South Africa called me over and introduced me to the rest of the Thai boxers and I met the Thai boxing champion of Thailand.

We went to Patpong for drinks.... I went once before to shop in the market.
I was harassed by the ### show promoters and was taunted by this man who followed me as I shopped offering to give me a free sample and free drinks if I came to watch the ### show...is that a common thing for lonely women to watch ### shows? Maybe he thought I was just shy at first!!!

I didn't know the ### industry was so big...I’m a little naive I guess...I didn't realize that half of the masculine looking women were actually transvestites until somebody told me.

I was in this restaurant. And these English men came in one by one with these Thai men some were really young.
I don't know to measure the ### industry. People need to do what they have to do to survive and support themselves. Tourists are feeding their businesses. It is a ride or die business. I don't think those tourists are bad people. But it still isn't right. It is sad to see.



Overall it was a great experience. I wouldn't change anything. The good/bad experiences were both valuable. I will return to Thailand, most likely for shopping purposes. Especially when the gem merchants open to the public for the week. I went on the last day and couldn't buy anything because I lost my debit card.
I may teach again but it isn't very likely...unless I teach in another area.
[B]