The Word Farang explained… well, sort of

I have read on some Thai forums that some foreigners take offence to the word “Farang” Farang is a word Thai people use meaning “White people”

Personally, when ever I’m called a farang (on a daily basis) I’ve not once thought it was said in a negative way. It’s just a term Thai’s use to class white people, no matter what language you speak, if you a white you are automatically labeled as a farang. Black people are often labeled as Nigros (Most Thai’s do not understand that this is rude as it is in the west) while Indian’s and people from west Asia (including Arabs) are called Khak which translates to Guest. Asian people are often referred to their country name.

I asked each of my team mates at work what the world “farang” meant to them (I meant the word, but it looks like some team member’s thought I meant farang people) and if they thought it was ever used in a negative way. Here is what they had to say:

Jock:

The word ‘Farang’ possibly originated in the colonization period. At that time, many French was colonizing Thailand’s neighboring countries, so the word ‘Farang’ could be slightly derived from the word ‘France’.
Nowadays, the word ‘Farang’ represents all people who are from Europe, America and Australia as well.

Alitta

Farang in Thai language has two meanings; one is a kind of fruit ‘guava’ while the other is a pronoun referring to foreigners particularly come from America, Europe, Australia or even New Zealand or to say ‘white people’. Actually for me, I feel like the word ‘farang’ is kind of related to only blue-eyes and blond-hair people, but in reality I usually use the word with all of those who come from the mentioned continents above, no matter what eyes and hair colors they have.

When Thai say ‘farang’, it’s not an insult at all so do not get offended if you take a trip to Thailand and are called ‘farang’, it’s just a common word used to describe foreigners!

Yu

About “Fa-rang” for me

It’s just a word to called the foreigners who can speak English (may be ahve blond-hair or white-skin).

In my opinion “Fa-rang” is normal word, doesn’t mean want to “look down on” or “deride” the foreigners. I know that many foreigners don’t like this word, but in Thailand it’s simple to called , easy to remember and brief. It just only “slang” in Thailand and it isn’t guava.

Pat

In my personal opinion, most Farang are friendly, kindly and easy to make friend with. However, some of them have occupied some bad habits which make them beastly and loathsome to surrounding people. The most undesirable habit of Farang in my view is they are so stingy and always gets angry easily when they are forced to pay for something that they don’t want, even if that thing is so cheap. The other bad habits are arrogance and snobbishness, especially when they’re traveling in the poor country. This may be because they think they come from the richer country or higher society, so they always act impolitely and respectfully to the inferior people. I hate to call that “Racism” or “racialism”.

Gun:

In the Thai language, the real meaning of the word ‘farang’ means a fruit, a guava to be precise. Through time, the word ‘farang’ became somewhat a slang, used to describe someone who is a foreigner, most commonly used with White Westerners. I’m not exactly sure how the word meaning guava came into the context of being used as a slang to describe White Westerners and when it came about but ever since I can remember, everybody in my family, friends and the people I know uses the term. The most likely theory I can think of is during the 17th century (if I’m not mistaken) France became the first European nation to have cultural ties with Thailand. The Thai word for France and French is ‘farang-sed’, since they were the first Europeans to be seen by Thais, it was probably derived from that.

What people need to understand though is the fact that this particular word does not serve the same purpose as English words such as Nip to describe Japanese people or Chink to describe Chinese people. It is simply used to describe a White Westerner but I guess in some context it can be used in an insulting manner, depending on the user. Most Thais are somewhat afraid to communicate with so called ‘farangs’ due to the language barrier which ultimately leads them feeling too embarrassed because they may get some vocabulary or grammar wrong. To me, this is a load of nonsense as everyone, when trying something new, gets it wrong the first time. No body on this planet is perfect, even God was not perfect, look at the evil creatures who call themselves ‘human’ that he created. Mistakes leads to perfection, well maybe not perfection but good enough to be able to do it again. What Thai people need to understand is that, ‘farangs’ will not look down on you, they will not harm you if you get their language wrong. Ask any tourists to speak Thai, see how they would do! When Thais hear foreigners speak Thai, it makes them happy. It puts a smile on our faces to hear someone looking the complete opposite of a Thai person speak our language. It may be the same case with farangs hearing Thais speak their language, it does not matter if its right or wrong.

Personally, I’m not xenophobic due to the fact that I have lived in England for nearly a decade and I’m used to White Europeans, or any foreigner from any country, they like myself are only human beings, we are fellow creatures that occupies this world but we have different ways to live our life. If you look at them closely, all humans have the same values in life, or more or less along the same line. Plus, 50% of my friends are farangs! I do not believe in treating someone differently because the way they look and certainly not the colour of their skin, though I’m not sure if everyone on this planet will share the same views as myself! Farangs are just people who wishes to explore Thailand, the culture, the beliefs and values, everything that is Thai, as in their homeland, it is very much different. We, as Thai people, should appreciate the fact that these foreigners traveled all the way from their homeland to experience Thailand, we should appreciate the fact that a developing country like Thailand appeals to the people of developed countries. We should be proud that we have something different and unique to offer these people such as fascinating culture, beautiful attractions in and out of Bangkok, relaxing islands with friendly locals (though some will try to screw over farangs!) and sandy beaches that they can get away to. For me, the word farang is only used to describe the looks of certain groups of people, but inside we are all the same.

Mac:

Thai people call white people ‘Farang’ (including Europeans and Americans). If we put the word ‘Kheenok’ at the end of ‘Farang’ to be ‘Farang Kheenok’, it will be meant farangs who are crummy and poor. The different term of ‘Kheenok’ seems to be the word ‘Tanamkhaw’ which means good-looking or hi-so farangs (actually Tanamkhaw means the eyes in a color like water from washing rice which probably tends to be blue like blue eyes).

The origination of ‘Farang’ is unclear as another meaning of ‘Farang’ is ‘guava’.

Do you take offence when someone calls you Farang here in the land of smiles?