Are Thais Racist?

[money number 1]

I was talking tonight about this topic with a friend he says that Thais are not racist towards farlangs and other races, I think they are my arguement being police take what they can for silly things that thais do everyday and get away with, dodgey charges in certain places one price for thais one for everyone else. Could you see any of the western countrys getting away with this, another is you cant own a bussness with out a thai having 51% in there name thats just a few that I can think of so is it racism or just igurence.

Edited June 23, 2009 by money number 1

[chuckrivera]

Not so much racist as nationalist. All the topics here have been covered before.

[MickyBangBang]

I have thought about this from time to time and it's really hard to say if they are just out and out racists. But I do think there are reasons for all of these things. The dual prices, we simply pay more because we can afford to and most of the Thais living in a 3rd world country cannot afford higher prices, so they will charge whatever they think they will get. As for the cops, well they get paid peanuts and I think they see the tourists as an easy target to try and improve their earnings, I have read here before that most of the cops don't even get to keep the money they scam off tourists but must hand it up to their boss in order to gain favour with him or improve their chances of promotion, not sure how true this is though. And I guess the reason you can't but land or a business is that the Thai Government don't want wealthy foreigners buying up the whole country and putting the locals out of business, I have heard before that certain countries in the Middle East have the same policy's so it's not just Thailand.

[LongPlay]

Yes. Simple and to the point. Ask any of our Indian and Arab friends here. Not all, like anywhere in the world, but in general. The answer is likely YES.

[Chezney]

My tg told me she didn't like black men 'cos they have big dicks.. maybe she was just trying to make me feel better about size of my dick

[Goldfishpie]

Think could be a fine line between whats percieved as injustice or racist.

[Ohyesuare]

Definitely felt the racism in Bangkok, also in Pattaya but it is not as blatant. I am white, european looking.

[hedonist]

Not so much racist as nationalist. All the topics here have been covered before.

I have thought about this from time to time and it's really hard to say if they are just out and out racists. But I do think there are reasons for all of these things. The dual prices, we simply pay more because we can afford to and most of the Thais living in a 3rd world country cannot afford higher prices, so they will charge whatever they think they will get. As for the cops, well they get paid peanuts and I think they see the tourists as an easy target to try and improve their earnings, I have read here before that most of the cops don't even get to keep the money they scam off tourists but must hand it up to their boss in order to gain favour with him or improve their chances of promotion, not sure how true this is though. And I guess the reason you can't but land or a business is that the Thai Government don't want wealthy foreigners buying up the whole country and putting the locals out of business, I have heard before that certain countries in the Middle East have the same policy's so it's not just Thailand.

Racist, not nationalistic methinks

If it WERE the latter we would all be treated equally as second class people, instead of there being various levels of it. and if you look on the board you will see reference to Indians and Arabs bearing the brunt of it, wheras white Europeans tend to get off lighter, but still get subjected to it sometimes.

I dont think i have seen a place where you get barred for "not being Thai" but hear of and see plenty of places where there is racial discrimination taking place.

Also, with regard to dual pricing "because we can afford it" does the Thai CEO of some company, who earns FAR more than most of the tourists to his country, pay the "non Thai" price when he wafts up in his Benz to an enterprise that practices this dubious form of fleecing people? My guess is he does NOT

The word "farang" so i've been told isnt "REALLY" a quirky way of describing us by the size of our noses, which WAS the popular thinking a few years ago (and probably still is, tbh), but more one of it being used in the same way that would, if used in Western countries be classed as racist.

Think of words beginning with N and ending in gger, beginning with C, and sounding like soon etc, etc. You get my drift?

And i was told that by a Thai who was very sheepish and embarrassed about it too, might i add

 

 

Hedonist

[Benny10]

Yes. Simple and to the point. Ask any of our Indian and Arab friends here. Not all, like anywhere in the world, but in general. The answer is likely YES.

Better ask any Burmese or Laotian.

[kambo]

.....or Cambodian.....

[Crazeepitbull]

Now this is a very interesting topic. When I went out to Patts for the first time in April I found that some BG were very "selective" for use of a better term. I am actually of Filipino heritage (although a British Bull dog through and through) and as a result I found that some bgs were not always that keen or eager to come over and talk to me unlike they would do with my falang pals...for awhile I couldnt figure it out.

 

After awhile I realised that the majority of the bgs I spoke to seem to have thought that I was Thai and as a result probably assumed I was a Thai local who was just showing some pals around. One girl even told me that they she doesnt usually speak to or let alone "entertain" thai guys because they have no money.

 

I think I may have also offended a number of thai girls who would randomly come up to me and talk in thai in a couple of bars and some I passed in the street....at that point though I didnt click that I had the thai "look" going on.

 

But in saying that I was a little bit like Marmite, some girls stayed always because they thought I was thai, other gilrs loved the idea of me looking thai but being very falang with my mannerisms and partying antics!

 

From then on when asked if I was thai, I would reply: "same same face, but different!...you come teach me thai in bedroom". That always worked a treat ;-)

 

So I guess from my experience depending on the situation some discriminatory measures are implmented depending upon the objectives that the Thais have.

It's their country so its up to them to enforece the rules.

[Grumpy]

Thai rak Thai.

[hungryandy]

I think there very racist.

But don't feel particularly persecuted as they are racist within the different groups of Thais.

 

GENERALIZING

There are distinct groups of Thais that all think the others are second class Thais . . . .

Theres the North East (Isan ) Lao speakers.

The Northern Chang Mai Chang Rai group with heritage from Cambodia, Pale skin and taller.

The Central Plains "Lana Thai" traditions

Southern Thais with their distinct strong accent and dark skin.

Then there is the Bangkok Thais who most other Thais seem to think come from / belong on, another planet!

 

Of course there are teh illegals and new immigrants from across teh border on various sides who eh Thais treat as some type of sub human life form.

 

Then the wrest of teh worlds populations some where below the 5 Thai groups.

 

Its also TOTALLY based on stereo types as well.

 

After 20 years you just learn to ignore / live with it.

[Samui]

By British standards i think they are very racist.

Thing is i can't really get to pissed off with it

because i still go to their country every chance i get.

[Jumbo]

Almost the only thing a Thai has to be proud of is the fact that Thailand was never colonized.

But now it sort of is......Farangs with money in their pockets are every where screwing their most beautiful women.

So basically they hate our guts imo.......

[hedonist]

Almost the only thing a Thai has to be proud of is the fact that Thailand was never colonized.

But now it sort of is......Farangs with money in their pockets are every where screwing their most beautiful women.

So basically they hate our guts imo.......

I'm not too sure Thailand has NEVER been colonised before.

WAY back in time, didnt the Chinese go rampaging through the whole of SE Asia?

In modern times, didnt the Thais just give land (some of it back) to those that threatened to conquer them?

The 2 maps i attach make for very interesting comparison. One shows how Thailand USED to be. The other is more or less how it is now. Notice its a lot smaller now?

What about the cosy little deal made with the Japanese to build the Burma Railway? Etc, etc

Just mention the words "Vichy France" to a Thai and they dont know what you mean (or pretend not to)

Look it up on the net and you will see that Thailand actually LOST a battle to the French, and was subsequently erased from every textbook and neve talked about again.

Brainwashing and bullshitting a whole nation. Anyway....time to get off my soapbox now

 

Hedonist

[bolly]

A complicated question.

One way to examine the question is to answer these questions---

 

Is Thailand a signatory of the UN declaration of human rights?

If so, does Thailand have any criminal laws on the books for violation of human rights? (civil laws have no teeth and are not an accurate assessment of a country's commitment to human rights.

Does Thailand have any laws recognizing indigenous people, and or criminal statutes for violation of indigenous peoples' rights--i.e. land issues, cultural artifacts etc...

 

As with any country, you will certainly find assholes who hate others just for the fact they are different. That is only proof that the world has lots of assholes, but does not answer the question of Thais being racists.

 

I, personally, dont know the answer to the above questions, but they are the best place to start.

 

 

Now, if you want me to talk about Japan and racism-----LOL---- that I DO know about

[strong02]

I think racism exists in each and every country.

Its not only in the 3rdworld country, its there in 1st world country as well.

Only thing that we should follow is RESPECT EVRYONE.

Everyone are having thier own style and standards, whichever the things looks good for you may be bad for others.

 

Answer:

Yes. Racism exist in thailand as well.

[PepeLePew]

A complicated question.

One way to examine the question is to answer these questions---

 

Is Thailand a signatory of the UN declaration of human rights?

If so, does Thailand have any criminal laws on the books for violation of human rights? (civil laws have no teeth and are not an accurate assessment of a country's commitment to human rights.

Does Thailand have any laws recognizing indigenous people, and or criminal statutes for violation of indigenous peoples' rights--i.e. land issues, cultural artifacts etc...

 

Amnesty are fairly concerned about human rights in Thailand. Various campaigns about the state of the prisons, especially the one where overstay falangs are sent, closed trials, the Myamar refugees, Loas immigration etc. To be fair though Amnesty has campaigns regarding human rights in pretty much every country in the world!

 

Also it was Thailand that gave Pol Pot a place to stay and a base to continue his attacks from back in the 80's. As far as I can remember Mr Pots humans rights record was pretty poor!

 

Not sure how that relates to racism though. One interesting thing I have seen in some places is the go-go girls reticence to be seen naked by a Thai man. Girls who moments earlier had been happily sticking ice cubes in each other scream and cover up when a Thai man enters the place. Not everywhere I know, many thai guys work inside the go-go but i've seen it a fair few times.

[alexth]

No matter how I hate admitting it, most of them are racist and also very xenophobic, even the ones with good education and especially amongst chinese-thais

[loneranger]

I have thought about this from time to time and it's really hard to say if they are just out and out racists. But I do think there are reasons for all of these things. The dual prices, we simply pay more because we can afford to and most of the Thais living in a 3rd world country cannot afford higher prices, so they will charge whatever they think they will get. As for the cops, well they get paid peanuts and I think they see the tourists as an easy target to try and improve their earnings, I have read here before that most of the cops don't even get to keep the money they scam off tourists but must hand it up to their boss in order to gain favour with him or improve their chances of promotion, not sure how true this is though. And I guess the reason you can't but land or a business is that the Thai Government don't want wealthy foreigners buying up the whole country and putting the locals out of business, I have heard before that certain countries in the Middle East have the same policy's so it's not just Thailand.

no thais are not racists and as you point out in everything above it is why we are targetted by the police

because we earn more

and the question why the thais and others that drive big mercs and earn more than we do normally have contacts in the police and bribe a few of them so in the long run they do pay

the same as bar / go go owners pay and have a bib on there books

and the police are only trying to put food on the table for their familys

and remember they have to pay for their own uniform and equiptment

plus as above they have to give most of what they get to their boss for favour

think of it like this instead of getting a fine for speeding and 3 points on your license

your getting a £4 fine for most things

better than £60 and 3points any day

so imho no they are not racist just try to feed family

like Robin Hood steal from the rich to give to the poor

but he never actually gave it to them either lol

[loneranger]

and yes we are not allowed to buy land or property unless 51% is giving to a thai

but there are ways round that one too

if you are married to a thai

she gets 51% and you have 49%

unless of course you know another thai that your wife does not

then give 3% to them your wife gets 48%

and you get 49% so you have the majority holding in it problem solved

[loneranger]

and yes we are not allowed to buy land or property unless 51% is giving to a thai

but there are ways round that one too

if you are married to a thai

she gets 51% and you have 49%

unless of course you know another thai that your wife does not

then give 3% to them your wife gets 48%

and you get 49% so you have the majority holding in it problem solved

[loneranger]

No matter how I hate admitting it, most of them are racist and also very xenophobic, even the ones with good education and especially amongst chinese-thais

i agree about the chnese thai s

[hedonist]

Loneranger, all you are doing is trying to justify, and then list ways of getting round the racist systems they have in place.

THEN you agree about Chinese Thais being racist

Come on now !!!!!!

All your posts point to the fact that you think the Thais ARE racist, so how can you come out with a statement like .................they are not?

 

Hedonist