Is Farang an f word?

[Hanuman]

I'm Thai.

Dont be serious!

i accept that some bad Thais use the word " Farang" for insulting. i'm sory about that!

However, I insist that most of us (Thais) dont mean any offense. it just a word referring to Caucasian foreigners.
I believe that most of uneducated Thais or those who live in countryside dont even recognize that some foreigners dont like this word. For them, Farang just means Caucasian foreigners. That's it.

Farang = normal conversation in daily life.
Chao/Kon tang chat = formal conversation and it is in formal written documents

How can foreigners understand Thai language better than me.

believe me and be positive man . Then u will be happy in this country

don't worry... all those farang who think that they know Thai better than Thai people just don't speak read and write Thai very well - or even not at all. I have never met a farang who could read/write Thai decently well who thinks that the word farang is an insult.
It is just a small part of the uneducated farang who think that "farang" is an insult. None of them have a degree in Thai language at a reputable school anyway.
Farang specialists in Thai language know that the word is not insulting, and use the word themselves.
Most average farangs don't have a problem with the word and know that Thai are better in Thai language than them. It's just a small portion of weirdos that has a problem with the word "farang"...

I don't even know any farang personally who has a problem understanding the word. It was just when coming across this forum that I see some farang who completely misunderstand the word and need to go to a decent Thai language school

[sibley]

You are 100% right mate, when I am with Thai friends I have used the Farang word many times in conversation it is not a problem to me or the average Farang but some people just like to complain, but that's life.

[Hanuman]

For me, "farang" in Thailand is the equivalent of "gringo" in Mexico, ......

sorry, there is no such thing as "for me, it's the equivalent of......"

Something is or isn't. Nothing more nothing less.

Sorry Mr Math teacher : for me, "5" is the equivalent of a "7",
Sorry Mr butcher, for me "pork" is the equivalent of "cod"
Sorry Mr Whoever you are : For me, a Texan is the equivalent of eskimo
For me, the sun is the equivalent of a moon
For me, a spoon is the equivalent of a fork
For me, a ladyboy is the equivalent of a website
For me, farang is the equivalent of gringo
For me, farang is insulting, a term of endearment, is ...

[kingston]

Live in Pakistan where they callyou all sorts of different names that are "F" words.

I am sure that in Thailand that it started out as one just as the N word did int he states however, i think now it justsignifies that I am different.

I am so no harm no foul.

By the way when i screw up I call myself a dumb Farang so it takes any of the sting out of what others may think.

[MTT]

For me, "farang" in Thailand is the equivalent of "gringo" in Mexico, ......

sorry, there is no such thing as "for me, it's the equivalent of......"

Something is or isn't. Nothing more nothing less.

Sorry Mr Math teacher : for me, "5" is the equivalent of a "7",
Sorry Mr butcher, for me "pork" is the equivalent of "cod"
Sorry Mr Whoever you are : For me, a Texan is the equivalent of eskimo
For me, the sun is the equivalent of a moon
For me, a spoon is the equivalent of a fork
For me, a ladyboy is the equivalent of a website
For me, farang is the equivalent of gringo
For me, farang is insulting, a term of endearment, is ...

Your life must be full of surprises and...oh wait I get it...a feeble attempt at some kind of weird sarcasm. Nevermind.

[dutchboy]

Amazing how we can write so much about one single word.

Just accept it, you're a white guy in an Asian country. Got a pick of roughly 50 countries (probably more) where you could be from. You're white, you're in Thailand so you're a Farang, live with it.

I'm married to a Filipina, and when we're back in the Philippines I'm referred to as Kano (short for Americano) or Joe (general perceived firstname of an American).
As my postname would suggest, I am not American.
However, if I would need to get upset everytime I'm called Joe or Kano, I don't have a life.

[goldmaster]

Dear Guys,
Now com on guys, I’m a “farang,” and all you guys are alien!! I hope that solves the problem. No seriously, I’m a half/half myself and never have I felt any degradation from other thai people, friends, close friends, colleagues, Thai bosses,
lady friends, calling me Farang. Sometimes they have a nick name and call me “lung” behind my back. Thais in general, Servants, maids gardeners, drivers, call me Nai Farang. I do have enemies who call me “I” Farang. Farangs don’t call each other Farang. They call each other by name. “Hi, I’m Charles.” The other says. “Hey Charlee, how ya doing!!” Well, I certainly didn’t ask him to call me “Charlee.” I introduced myself as “Charles.” Thai kids call me “Uncle Farang” They come running to me grab my hand and fondly say “Uncle Farang.” I go to a crowded bank. A lovely young bank attendant comes to my side, gets a hold of my elbow and says, “Uncle Farang, what’s your business today,” and leads me to a chair. When I go to a crowded shop, the owner or someone shouts “farang kaow rhan” meaning that a farang customer is the shop. See what he wants. You know, it’s quite natural. I understand the Thai language and Farang is just a word used to indicate that you’re a foreigner caucasian, white, long nose, colored eyes. As a matter of fact, it’s a word used to show a certain respect towards foreigners living in this country. It’s no where near the “Ching-Ching-China-man” thing that we used to say in the States….remember!!
Regards to all “Farang” living here in Thailand.
From me…An Alien!!

[renbe]

What's in a name?

That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet...

[russellb]

Well, I have to say that after living here for almost 8 years, I still find it offensive.
It is a very lazy way for Thai people to simply categorise people who look western and white.
Not only that, there is always an underlying assumption that I am richer than they are, and only speak English.

When I am with Thais I know, I insist on their calling me by my name, and if people call me 'farang' I just call them 'Asian'. It is sadly just another indicator of how Thailand has moved too quickly from being a largely uneducated agrarian race to a modern developed nation with no social or educational development in between.

[thaigirl]

As i am thai ...Farang word that we called you guys ...not a racism for sure
no any complicated reason...just an easy term and everybody understand