[RotsLoado]

Teachers in Thailand are considered models for their children. If you act inapropriatly your actions will sabotage your career there. A good teacher will not be seen out and about drunk. Especially in a bar. You will learn that you have to be an upstanding representative of your teaching community. It's okay to party, but don't go overboard. Maintain your good character and good appearance in the public eye. I am sure you will make friends with the locals easily. It is easier to get around if you go with a Thai friend. Single girls alone seem to be targetted by opportunists. Somehow, some guys on the street believe that single Farang females are up for free sex. If you are careful, you won't have any problems. All of the advice given above seems to be good advice in my eyes.

[Wavgbtif]

Every time I saw a policeman in Thailand, they saluted me! If you're not going to be doing anything illegal, I can't imagine you having any problems at all.

[VipInoLo]

Unfortunately every thing you said there is true.
Only I would add one thing, Thailand is basically a safe country, so long as you stay away from the far south you should be OK.
Basically just use common sense, if you go out at night, don't walk down any dark alley's, same as in London, if you stay in a crowded part at night you will be safe, just one thing, be careful of pick pockets in crowded areas, it is a very common crime in Thailand.
Your dark skin will put you at a small disadvantage, but the Thai people will still talk to you and treat you with respect, just there opinion of you will put you in a lower class, than some one with a lighter colour. You have one advantage, school teachers are very respected in Thailand, that may help offset the colour thing a little and put your class level up a little. Any way, if you mix with the low class laboring Thai's with dark skin, then you would be upper class in comparison to them as you are a teacher, unfortunately they probably won't speak English.
About going out, I'm shore you will meet many Thai people as they are very friendly people, I was invited out many times in Thailand by Thai people, so you will have many opportunities for a social life.

[andrekuper]

Everytime I saw a policeman or watchman they saluted my friend. LOL! We are both Indians but he is fairer - almost farang, I think and I am brown. He thinks it was his charm, but I had to joke that its his colour Plus, I am sure the 'discrimination' is not a mean one or personal.

The fact is that I love Thailand more than my 'fair friend' does... we both know it. And such issues hardly matter to me. I have had great friends I met in Thailand. Everyone was polite and sweet and to me its close to some place I always knew. What people see as a group is not necessarily what they are individually. Even I have at times in past, got my perceptions so misplaced when chatting with friends and that is not me as a person. Now, I am a bit more evolved!

I will be back in Thailand as soon as I get my next chance... so believe me its no issues . And suppose there is someone around who has some wrong ideas about 'dark people' he or she deserves to experience your love even more!!!

My suggestion: Go ahead! Be a 'shade-more-daring'!!

[tevyrefficy]

But those codes of conduct are not observed by all in the profession, as I have seen quite a few deviate from them, both at school and after school in private places of business..Teachers are just like everyone else, even teachers and school personal in high places..

[RalfDweflywex]

Was up everybody !!!!

I need a bit of advice!

I have been offered an English teaching position in Thailand. The only thing I am waiting for is my Visa then I’m off to this enchanting world.

However I am terrified about the racism/ sexism I may face, as I have heard many stories about the racial tolerance of Thais and their obsessions with fair skin.

I originally have light brown skin but wanted got darker sunbathing in Cyprus. I'm from London. Where I’m from everybody wants to be darker. They sunbathe at every opportunity they get and buy fake tan, even black people like myself!!!

I found it amazing how a nation with such beautiful complexions actually bleaches their skin to get lighter.

People would die for your colour!!

This makes wonder how I would be accepted in a nation that sees darker skin as inferior to light skin.

Also as I am young female and will be traveling alone I wonder if anyone could give me some tips on how to stay safe and were I can go out and have fun.

I hear the police can be corrupt......I’ve been told to bribe them! ........what do you think?


Are my discoveries an exaggeration and pure hear say? Or should I reconsider coming to Thailand alone? xxxxxxx

[pataagusata]

Firstly, don't bother believing all that you've been told by fellow travellers/teachers that have 'supposedly' done this and done that.

Asians also find it 'amazing' to how whole nations of Farangs want to sunbathe for hours on end, and buy fake 'tanning' machines regardless to the dangers of skin cancer.

Us Farangs would also die for colour!

So, if we want to laugh at Asians with their whitening lotions we can also laugh at ourselves. Absolutely no difference!

For a single Farang girl wanting to have fun and enjoy the nightlife while living as a teacher your best bet is Bangkok. Buy a copy of the Metro or Farang mags etc.. and theyve lots of advice on places to go for single Farang ladies.

As for upcountry/in the provinces it would be a darned shock for the locals to find some foreign girl in a bar/disco alone. As for Bangkok, it's quite normal.

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.

Anyway happy times in Thailand and if yould like any more info just ask.

[RalfDweflywex]

Thanks guys!!!

You've been really helpful... I came to the conclusion that a lot of the things I heard are true but exaggerated.

Thailand, like every other country is made up of individuals. So I will go there with nothing but an open mind.

I cannot wait to get there..........if I do face any problems I will not take it personally.

Besides I will be to busy getting to grips with the idea of being in Thailand.

I will arrive in Bangkok on Tuesday 9th .........Wish me luck!!

I will keep you all posted!
xxxxxxxxxxx

[GEAntonio]

Quote[/b] (lai @ Aug. 06 2005,09:28)]I will arrive in Bangkok on Tuesday 9th .........Wish me luck!!
..I will keep you all posted!

Please do keep us posted.. it would be great to read about your experiences.
"Wish me luck"....sure glad to.. ...chok dee mak

[lalffibra]

Yes, good luck! Let us know about your experiences.

[VipInoLo]

I know you will enjoy your trip, mostly every thing will work out, but I am know on this forum for researching the negative, so if any thing bad happens let us know on this forum.

[andrekuper]

LOL @Paul!!

Best of luck lai!

[Sx1qBli0]

yes good luck. too bad that company screwed you.

i am thai. live in usa (the best country) and only visit thailand for vacations.

[Butiqueso]

Quote[/b] (lai @ Aug. 23 2005,20:36)]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.

Nice sharing... glad u took this experience positively...

cheers

[tevyrefficy]

Enjoy the sun and get a great tan 5555

[Ijkavylo]

Thanks for sharing your story. I don't know if you realize it, but writing your thoughts like this helps the people that are following in your footsteps. In Thailand, you will get stared at no matter what your skin colour. If you are different, they will stare. Other Asian countries are like this. Some are worse. It is something you will have to get used to. But, as more Westerners come to Thailand, the situation will gradually get better. Theother day I took two new volunteer teachers out to a local popular restaurant. As they had fair hair and one of them was taller than the average Thai person, I saw that literally everyone was staring. They were just curious. It must have been really hard for you being in a "small' town with no support. The Thai people do have a thing about darker skin colour, but I am sure once they had a chance to know the real you everything would have calmed down in time. It sounds like you had already started to experience that with the people you had come into close contact with. Even though you may have been there only a short time, you have provided some important groundwork for other people who might later go to that same school.

[tevyrefficy]

I checked your profile and your bio tells exactly,,,,,, nothing, but I take it that you are dark complexion, I can't see where that will cause any thing to go bad for you.

[halfstreet]

Hey how did you get a visa

[Poeetiol]

Hi, please come back to Thailand again. I think Thailand really need honest people like you. Maybe you should give it another try

[tevyrefficy]

Yes it is and damn similiar to Cabo San Lucas, Baja Sur, Mexico.