[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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'!!

[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!

[halfstreet]

Hey how did you get a visa

[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....

[andrekuper]

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

[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] (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....

[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]

[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

[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!

[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.