Has racism been experienced by anyone in Thailand?

Klaus Burmester sad loser

Don’t be so hard on yourself.

@So *******

No, not racism, that's called 'colorism" but still, generalisation and discrimination.

Just like racism, "colorism" can affect job prospects, particularly in industries like hospitality, entertainment, and media. Lighter-skinned individuals are often favored for higher-paying and more prestigious jobs, while darker-skinned individuals may face discrimination or be relegated to lower-paying positions. In some cases, job advertisements explicitly state a preference for applicants with fair skin. ( Have a look at Thai movies, westerns often play the "baddies" 😉)

On the other hand, the term "farang" which includes anyone who's not Asian it's a sort of racism. Typically referring to (white Westerners), experience both positive and negative racial stereotypes. African and South Asian foreigners, on the other hand, can face more direct discrimination or negative stereotypes.

Thai media often reinforces racial stereotypes, with depictions of ethnic minorities or foreigners in negative or simplistic roles.

Thailand may not have the same history of institutionalized racism seen in Western countries but these societal issues persist.

In the end it doesn't really matter if it's racism, sexism, colourism or nationalism it's still all discrimination.

@Joe *****

I’ve always heard that the word “farang” originated from the word “farangcet” which was the best way a Thai person could prononce / repeat the nationality “français” when told by a french person.

It became “farang” with time to describe a white skin foreigner.

But this might just be a story…🤔

@So *******

I'm sure there are other explanations too.

Yeah, some suggest "farang" comes from the word "Français," referring to the French. This is due to the French presence in Southeast Asia during the colonial period in the 17th century.

Others believe "Farang" is much, much, much older. Most likely influenced by ancient trade routes in the 13th century (Marco Polo time?)and eventually adapted in Siam.

In medieval times the Greek term "Frangoi," used to describe the Franks. The Arabic and Persian influence, was "faranj" which refers to Europeans or Westerners and in Sanskrit the word "parang," means outsider.

@Minenhle *****

how can it be my problem when I hear Thai ladies call a black American "Chocolate man" the fact you have never experienced racism doesn't mean it doesn't exist, that's like saying you have never had cancer so it must not exist

@Brian *******

ok

@Christopher ********

- Are you familiar with the history between Thailand and the other countries you mentioned? I don’t doubt that there is some form of discrimination that goes on, however I think it’s natural, and likely more based off of history, cultural, behavioral, & economic differences, etc… vs just something superficial like skin color. Thai’s are very protective of their country and its people. They truly believe Thailand belongs to the Thai people and will fight to keep it that way. However unlike a lot of other Asian countries they are not completely homogeneous like Japan, Korea, Mongolia, etc… They do accept mixing (I believe 40% are mixed with Chinese.)

I think it’s easy as a foreigner to make judgments based on surface level interactions and observations. But unless it is actually your country/ people/ way of life at stake, or you are able to completely suspend your own biases and judgments, it’s difficult to understand all the nuances and possible reasons for underlying feelings of resentment if any in that regards.

@Lisa ******************

so what is racism?

@Christopher ********

This is interesting to know this among Asians.

Thai person here who grew up in a White community in the US. So racism for me was obvious in my current climate. But every time I'd meet a fellow Asian we'd welcome each other with open arms.

@Racha ****

Ask Thai people here what they think about people from India or Myanmar or china or Cambodia.

@Christopher ********

I wasn't questioning you

Perhaps you misunderstood me, I just meant I found this perspective interesting. I believe you. It's weird how different sides of the world have different views on race. Not just in different sides of the world but even in local communities I guess too.

@Racha ****

ohhh ok yeah I get what you are saying.

@Par *****

I’m from the UK if I look down on people from neighbouring countries e.g France, Germany, Europe etc doesn’t make me racist.

Hating someone for their skin colour does though.

@Christopher ********

Thai people are not racist. Yes, they would like to be white but that is not because of racism...It is a "class" thing. They see a "darker" fellow Thai as being "lower class". Like...they associate it with being darker from working in the fields.

@Rob ****

it's not just about the color a lot of them don't like people from Cambodia, china, Myanmar.

@Christopher ********

why do you call everything racist tho? No one calls Europeans racists when they they hate Russians. But when an Asian country dislikes another Asian country it's suddenly racist?

Heightened tension and war between neighbouring countries is extremely common and happens throughout the world. It isn't racist and calling anything and everything racist just degrades the meaning of the word.

@Alistair *********

hating all Russians is racist.

Hating all Jews is racist.

@Christopher ********

bull sht

@Christopher ********

so if your brown Thai girlfriend uses whitening lotion and becomes whiter, does she change race?

@Alistair *********

yeah it's only the human race so you can't be racist. 🤣🤣

Stop being annoying you know what I mean. Discrimination on color or nationality.

@Christopher ********

more to do with class not race. This goes way back where lighter skin meant you had money and didn’t have to work in the sun.

@Christopher ********

That's not racism, that's just bullying. Thais with darker skin are considered poorer because they're assumed to work outdoors doing manual labour.

@Steve ******

This

@Steve ******

I have been in Thailand for 3 years. They don't like people from India, laos, Cambodia and a lot hate Chinese.

Now they are all asian but I'm just saying definitely some discrimination.

@Christopher ********

That's a fair point but you were talking about 2 Thai citizens

@Christopher ********

Is that racism or is it a cultural thing to do with, for want of a better word, hierarchy?

@Christopher ********

lighter skinned Thais and darker skinned Thais are the same race

@Jonathan *******

well yes obviously they are both asian.

But I am saying there is discrimination on color of skin.

But also there is discrimination on which type of asian you are.

Like if you are from china, Korea, Japan, Philippines. Asian people definitely have a hierarchy in their heads.

@Christopher ********

what a load of bollox and I mean this in a nice way. It’s nothing to do with racism!

Yes they have whitening lotions etc but that is just because all the magazines, adverts, models etc have a lighter skin tone and they see this being more beautiful. You’ll notice the Chinese on vacation use umbrellas to hide from the sun etc. It’s a choice and it’s not racism! What you will find is they don’t like particular countries as a whole for example India because of the way they behave in areas but nothing to do with skin colour.

The English for example like to sit in the sun all day to get a tanned skin tone so would that make that population racist?

They have a culture and traditions that foreigners make comments on and try to change which annoys them.

The hierarchy you talk about with skin tones/countries is the farming working class in the sun all day with dark skin and the lighter skin tone of the sheltered office working class = who has the money.

They see things as they are, in a simple way, without the filters like the west have because of the racism or discrimination card being pulled every 2 minutes. All because a single person is offended.

My point is, yes in the west we can label this as racist or discrimination, but who are we to tell them they are wrong or that it’s wrong when they had no intent on being racist or to discriminate and really it all falls to the individual that feels offended.

@Jonathan *******

agree. Using a whitening product or a getting a tan isn’t being racist. A few comments going adrift here.

@Gareth *******

discrimination comes in many forms...

@Sean ******

I agree. Racism is a very specific form.

@Gareth *******

there's discrimination in electrical circuits but I doubt those cables are racist 🤣🤣

depends how you read it I suppose...