This entry will be out how Thai people seem to react to 'farang' - the Thai word for white foreigners.
Although there are quite a few farang in Uthai Thani (we've had 3 teachers that have arrived whilst we've been here and then left) we still seem to be objects of fascination.
At the river market, which is very small, the people recognise us as the teachers who work at UTW. However, this doesn't stop them staring at us and talking about us as we walk past. Not a day goes by without us hearing the word 'farang' being uttered between Thai people as we walk past.
Don't get it wrong. 'Farang' is not used as an insult, its just a way to describe us.
At the bus station market, which is a lot bigger, we're not as widely recognised. As we walk around this one we can just feel people staring at us in bewilderment. Although, there are a few stall holders who recognise us.
Just yesterday I walked into a cafe called Star Coffee for lunch and as I walked in everyone started. I just smiled at the people I made eye contact with on the way to my seat. As I sat down I heard the kid at the table next to me utter the word 'farang' to her parents. Halfway through my meal a couple sat down at the table behind me and - you guessed it - 'farang'.
Hearing this word makes me smile, mainly out of embarrassment for being noticed. However, sometimes its not great because I hear people saying the word but then, most of the time, I can't understand what they say after. It's like knowing that people are talking behind your back but you have no idea what they're saying.
Another word that we often hear is 'nalaak' - cute. We hear it everywhere. The teachers at school say it. The students say it. People we cycle past on our way into town say it. The old ladies in the market say it and of course the people we walk by in the market say it.
If you ever want an ego boost come to Thailand. You get so many compliments and have photos taken of you. On more that one occasion in Uthai Thani I've been asked to have a photo taken with someone. This even happened in Nakhon Sawan (where you'd think they'd be more used to foreigners, but it seems not). A mother and daughter were on the escalator behind Alex and I, when we go off they asked for a photo with me!
When other foreigners come to Thailand they probably won't receive this kind of treatment unless they go to non-touristy areas.
In Bangkok and Pai foreigners are 100000% normal as. Many live and work in Bangkok, whilst Pai is a popular tourist destination for foreigners. In Chiang Mai foreigners are a bit more abnormal, which we saw from the way people sometimes stared at us on our way to the language centre - but nothing compared to what we get in Uthai.
Foreigners may get a very bad impression of Thailand if they just go to these very touristy areas - especially Bangkok. It's fairly common to run into a taxi or tuk tukk driver who will try to exploit foreigners. I'm not saying all are like this, some are very lovely, but there are a few bad eggs.
In Chiang Mai our foreigness was definitely exploited. We realised this after just a few days (with the help from our teacher who told us how much we should be paying to get around Chiang Mai) and with the help of our Thai we were then able to get prices lowered to what they should be.
Thai people are, on the whole, very lovely. There's just a few who you have to watch out - but these people mainly exist in touristy areas. If you're a tourist in non-touristy areas the people will love you for bringing tourist trade to their are and just for being foreign. If you're a teacher in a non-touristy area people will love you for coming all the way to Thailand to help improve their English.
Thai people are great.
