Dorothy, you're not in Kansas any more

Published: 23/01/2011 at 02:47 AM
Newspaper section: News

Recently someone sent me an article titled Xenophobia in Thailand on the Rise. The article, dated March 26, 2007, discusses the strict foreign business law and the growing disdain of foreigners among Thais.

One Thai banking executive was quoted as saying: ''We are getting a lot of weird retirees here. They can't survive in your country so they come here.''

A Thai accountant said: ''I've seen so many old farangs with young Thai women. These old farangs damage the reputation of Thailand; they turn Thailand into a land of prostitutes.''

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About the author

: Writer: Voranai Vanijaka; Position: Political and Social Commentator

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uptoyou
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Discussion 23 : 20/02/2011 at 03:36 PM23
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"But unlike in the West, there is no skinhead racist gang stomping you into the ground simply because of the colour of your skin." - I'm sorry, I've spent most of my life in the West and never come across a skinhead racist group. So far Thailand is the most racist country I've ever experienced. Thank goodness I'm not dark skinned / African as the attitudes here towards dark skinned people is sickening and worse more it's tolerated and encouraged.
I would like to see Western countries put the same restrictions on Thai Nationals abroad and see what reaction we'd get.
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geoffo
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Discussion 22 : 29/01/2011 at 10:28 AM22
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K Vorani

Home is where the heart is, the rest is only justification
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englishbob
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Discussion 21 : 28/01/2011 at 11:05 AM21
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Disc19 - Don't you see? That kind of comment is exactly what the article is about! You can walk down Pattaya beach road and see the dregs of human society - from a multitude of countries - and you lump them all in together as 'farang'.

And the REASON this type of people flock to Pattaya is that all their needs are met by traders in the city. Which is worse? The buyer or the dealer?
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piriformis
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Discussion 20 : 27/01/2011 at 10:35 PM20
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This is a very insightful and accurate article.
Seems racism and Xenophobia are present wherever there are human beings; and people like to complain.
The, "You're not in Kansas anymore" perspective is very useful.
The first time a Thai police officer said he would do us a favor by paying the traffic ticket he just issued to us, I was deeply afraid. In America, if a policeman offered to do this, most of us would assume it was a method to entrap us so that we could be charged with bribery, a much more serious offense than not wearing a seatbelt. But putting on a Bangkok perspective, I was happy to pay the small fee to remind my wife to wear her seatbelt. It was worth it.
In America, the term, "foreigner" may be considered exclusionary and therefore inconsiderate or "politically incorrect", but it doesn't serve well as a term of derision unless accompanied by some expletives, just like "falang".

I do have a question about "expat" saleries. How do I get one? :)
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wantmyony
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Discussion 19 : 27/01/2011 at 02:04 AM19
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@dis 17 & 18, the answer is simple, just take a walk along pattaya beach and you will see why and maybe find our answer there. That's just the fact and we must not hide but be truthful about it, that's thai society uncensored.
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trojan
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Discussion 18 : 25/01/2011 at 11:04 AM18
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If us farang could get Thai nationality easier then it might help us to be more supportive of the Thai way. For instance I've been here nearly 10 years and have a child here with a Thai but have absolutely no chance of becoming a national or resident. So when we try to visit places the beach in Sattahip where farangs are banned my son can't understand why I'm treated like an alien.
The fact that I'm now back on a tourist visa after 10 years makes me bitter and resentful of Thailand.
Why are they so scared to give us residency, its not as if its worth anything anyway.
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englishbob
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Discussion 17 : 24/01/2011 at 09:00 PM17
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Succinct and even handed column - as usual.

@Disc 15 - after reading a column about racism, you follow up with a post containing an offensive, stereotypical description of Westerners? lol - great timing!
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Aussie John
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Discussion 16 : 24/01/2011 at 04:49 AM16
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Voranai...I enjoyed your article and yes you are right in saying everyone should 'chill' yet as you know western culture loves to question and debate, we are educated in this way. My Thai family and friends both here and in Thailand rarely question and usually avoid debate. Yet many of your articles are written with the type of 'questioning' many western journalists use especially when you discuss Thai political and cultural issues. You are not afraid to tell it as it is which is the basis of 'critical thinking'. The internet is a great democratic tool as you yourself know as it allows for knowledge of different cultures to open up and be discussed. I do not live in the kingdom but one question I ask my Thai family and friends here in Australia is; why did you choose Australia to live and they tell me opportunity, fairness and a real sense of security. I know Thailand is still developing but their are many not so old westerners living in the kingdom who are trying to achieve the same things, opportunity, fairness and a real sense of security for their families. Discussing the similarities and differences is healthy without the hatred and as the Lord Buddha proclaimed 'nothing is permanent' so slowly we move forward.
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wantmyony
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Discussion 15 : 24/01/2011 at 12:02 AM15
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Well I am asian but during a few visits to Nokia Service Centre, the staff called me "farang". I was stunned and distrubed. I dont have blonde hair or blue eyes, I am just as asian as any thais. I find the word "farang" degeratory, images of fat, poorly dressed and drunk walking swearing blobs which I am totally not! We all have our racism and idealism, some people could not hide it best like others but one time is for sure, thailand has become less welcoming to visitors. Its the visitors money they love most.
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timjackelton
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Discussion 14 : 23/01/2011 at 09:12 PM14
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yeah, I agree with the article, pretty much what I think as well. Like any country in the world Thailand has its problems that can annoy farangs but hell, Thailand has a unique lifestyle, (much less stressful than my home country) based on family and a great food culture that keeps me coming back.

Sometimes I complain too but only because I care about Thailand. I am happily married to a Thai with three kids born here. I feel part of the place and would defend this country the same as I would for my home country.
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