41 Different Thai Personality Traits
I've written alot about what I think about Thai people and whenever a Thai person comes to read what I've written I often get quite a backlash even amongst farangs who think that what I think about Thailand isn't what Thai people are really like. In general what I say about Thai people is the truth from my own experiences and since I've been coming to Thailand for a long time I've formed my own opinion whether right or wrong it's still only my opinion.
But for those who discredit me I thought I'd do a search on one of Thailand's most popular websites to see what Thai people think about Thai people. The results aren't that surprising, they are very similar to my own opinion of Thai people.
So to all you naysayers and haters here is the list of 41 different Thai personality traits from teenee.com one of Thailand's most visited websites written by a Thai. I haven't exactly translated it word for word but it's still pretty close and the meaning is the similar if not the same.
You can see the original article here. Anything I couldn't translate well I just left black
1. มีแต่คำด่า ไม่เคยมีคำเสนอแนะ
Thai people only have bad things to say, they never have any suggestions
2. ปากไม่ตรงกับใจ ทำอย่างหนึ่ง แต่ปากด่าอีกอย่าง
Thai people say one thing but mean another
3. ชอบทำตามกระแส
Thai people act like sheep
4. ไม่มีใครรุกราน ก็จะตีกันเอง แต่ถ้ามีใครมารุกราน ก็จะรวมใจกันเป็นหนึ่ง
5. วัวหายล้อมคอก
Thai people wait for problems to occur before fixing them instead of preventing problems from actually occurring
6. ไม่มาทวงก็เพิกเฉย
If a Thai person owes you something, they will wait for you to ask them about it before bringing it up acting as if they forgot about the 3000 baht they owe you.
7. เมื่อมีปัญหา ก็มักไปกราบไหว้บนบานสิ่งศักดิ์สิทธิ์
If a Thai person has a problem tend to go pray to make the problem go away instead of relying on themselves to fix the problem.
8. ไม่ค่อยสงสัย หรือสงสัยก็ไม่ถาม แต่ติ-วิจารณ์เก่ง
Thai people don't take any notice of things, or they notice something wrong and just don't care to do anything about it
9. หากจำเป็นจริงๆ ก็ทำจนได้ แต่ต้องมีผู้นำ ที่กล้าคิด กล้าทำ นำหน้าก่อน
If it's really necessary a Thai person will do it, but they need someone to go with them before they have the courage to think or do anything for themselves.
10.มีความยืดหยุ่นสูง ให้อภัยกันเสมอ
Thai people have a great ability to be more forgiving than most
11.ถ้าบอกว่าผิด เดี๋ยวคนนั้นว่าคนนี้ว่า
When a Thai person does something wrong, all other Thai people will jump down that persons through without
12.อยากทำเท่ ต้องซื้อรุ่นใหญ่สุด กินขวดใหญ่สุด
If Thai people want to be cool they have to buy the latest model everything, buy the biggest everything.
13.มีคู่แข่งเปิดมา ตัดราคาแย่งลูกค้าคุณ
Thai people like to open a direct competition to your business cutting prices and stealing your customers
14.มักนิยมแบ่งชนชั้น
Thai people divide themselves into Social classes
15.ไทยมุง ต้องเล่าให้เป็นเท่าตัว กว่าเหตุที่เกิดขึ้น จะได้ตื่นตัวเร็วขึ้น
16.ชอบซิกแซ๊ก
Like to Zig Zag instead of doing things head on.
17.ชอบหลอกเด็กๆ ถึงเรื่องผีๆ จับกลุ่มกัน ก็พูดถึงเรื่องผี ชอบดูหนังเกี่ยวกับผี
Thai people like taking advantage of kids, using scare tactics of ghosts, they are always watching movies about ghosts.
18.ชอบของฟรี
Thai people like free stuff
19.แก้ยาก ขี้โกงก็หนึ่งล่ะ ไม่ชอบเสียเปรียบคนอื่น ก็อีกหนึ่งล่ะ
20.ชอบและพร้อมที่จะเชื่อเรื่องเสียหายก่อนเสมอ ทำให้เราสะใจ
Thai people are quick to believe anything of bad nature
21.ขี้อิจฉา คิดว่าความเห็นของตัวเองดีและถูกทุกอย่าง ไม่ชอบเห็นใครประสบความสำเร็จหรือดีเกินตัวเอง
Extremely jealous as well everything one thinks or does is correct, don't like to see other people do better than them.
22.มาสาย นัดแล้ว ไม่ตรงเวลา
Thai people are always late, and are always late for appointments
23.หัวเราะแบบแห้งๆ "ฮะๆ" เพราะไม่รู้จะพูดอะไร หัวเราะหรือยิ้วไว้ก่อน
Thai people have a very dry laugh like "hahaha" because they have no idea what to say so they just laugh.
24.ช่างหัวมันเถอะ
Yeah, whatever!
25.ได้แต่นึกจะเอาเปรียบ แต่พอเขาจับได้ ก็มาโวยวาย
26.ยิ่งห้ามยิ่งยุ
If people tell them not to do something, they'll do it anyway
27.คิดแต่จะค้าน คิดแต่จะจับผิด
Thai people only think about calling people out for doing something wrong.
28.รอคนอื่นยกมือก่อน แล้วค่อยยกมือตาม
Thai people wait for others before raising their hands
29.ใครอย่าได้พลาดมาเชียว ไม่ว่าจะโกหกหรือไม่โกหก ก็โดนทับถมอยู่ดี ดีแต่ตัว ชั่วแต่คนอื่น
30.ไม่พกพวกตารางเดินรถ แผนที่ เวลาไปไหนมาไหน ถามชาวบ้านหรือพนักงานตลอด
Thai people are never prepared when they go somewhere, they never look at a map nor know how to use one, instead they rely on asking people constantly where do I go next
31.จะสงวนสิทธิ์ก็ไม่ได้ เพราะยังไงก็ต้องมีคนก๊อปอยู่ดี
32.ผลัดวันประกันพรุ่ง
33.พ่อแม่ทำไม่ได้ เลยฝากความหวังไว้กับลูก
If mom and dad can't do it, then they expect their child to do so
34.บังคับให้เรียนรู้ไม่ได้ ต้องหลอกล่อให้สนุก ใช้ความสะดวกสบาย
You can't make a Thai person learn, you have to make it fun or they won't do it, they prefer to do things that are easy.
35.เดี๋ยวก็ลืม
Thai people are quick to forget
36.ไม่ชอบคนที่รวยกว่า ไม่ยอมรับความจริง ชอบเชียร์มวยรอง หมดปัญญา
Thai people don't like someone who has more money then them.
37.มักง่าย เห็นแก่ตัว บางคนนึกจะจอดรถตรงไหน ก็จอด
Thai people are selfish, they will park their car anywhere they want.
38.นินทาว่าร้าย ชอบยุ่ง ชอบแส่งานคนอื่น เพราะอิจฉา
Gossip everything, like getting involved in other peoples business because their jelous
39.ต้นตระกูลของการปฎิเสธ
40.ชอบพูดคำว่า "ไม่" ก่อนจะทัน ได้ใช้สมองคิดเสียอีก
Thai people like to say "No" before they even know what they are saying "No" to.
41.ทั้งที่รู้ตัวว่าทำผิด แต่พอคนมาพูด ก็ตีความว่าเป็นคำด่า ไม่ยอมรับแก้ตัวสารพัด โยนความผิดให้คนอื่น
Even if a Thai person knows they did wrong, they don't do anything about it, rather instead they'd prefer to have a go at the person who caught them doing wrong
I just want to say that this entire list is basically a generalization of Thai people as a whole, it's not all my opinion either some things I agree some things I havn't. Still you could probably make up a list about pretty much any kind of country and the people there too. So do you agree with the list? Think I should add more to it?
Hey Chris,
My name is Jon. I have been living and teaching here in Thailand for about three years this coming April. I have a Thai wife who is also a teacher but at another school. About your list of Thai personalities, they are all 100% correct in my books! One thing you left out about Thai people borrowing things I think on #5, I and my other foreign friends all agree that if you let a Thai person borrow something, they will never take care of it and return it (if they do return it)broken or never in the same condition as you loaned it out to them.
Even my wife who is Thai agrees with all the personalities you listed. You don’t even have to live among Thai people to figure out their personalities. Just look on the news and see how Thai government leaders are running and handling things. One thing for certain…..the word “common sense” does not exist. You see it in their acts and especially their driving.
Anyway keep up the great work on the blogs,
-Jon
Thanks Jon! I couldn’t agree more, even the word common sense you will rarely if ever hear a Thai person say. I love Thailand but sometimes Thai people they make me shake my head.
Agreed dude. I mean, Thai people make me shake my head everyday; I’m Thai by the way.
So! suggest! please!!… but i think we should have a better vision and use our a million perspective to living.. our free time getting worth by looking at ourself first! and if we found some a bad spot blame to ourself first too..
I’d never met a Thai until my new housemate came along. She was absolutely wonderful at first, but things are going further and further downhill everyday. I would say I complete agree with most of the traits listed out on this page. One thing that didn’t match was the “quick to forget” bit. She always makes it a point to remember all the mistakes I’ve done and the moments where I’ve offended her (without intending to, mind you). Recently she’s broken one of my favourite possessions, and she completely blames me for it for having lent it to her in the first place. When I asked for a replacement, she went all sad and cried all over the place about how I’ve really upset her and said something about how “in Thai culture” people just don’t do that (ask for replacement if they’re friends). She even demanded an apology!? All her complaints about me (or the UK) always relates to how things/attitudes/practices are so different than “in my country”, “in my culture”. Honestly, I am absolutely sick of hearing it! Why not adapt? At least be reasonable, there’s so much drama!
i am another Jon who has lived in Thailand, i spent 8 years there and also have a Thai wife….spent a lot of time in Bangkok, Jomtien and central Isan [south of Kon Kaen]…..i agree with everything that you have said Jon and everything in the list above……i view the Thais as smooth skinned monkeys…..their behavior reminds me of the behavior of the macaque monkeys around the temples forests and holy towns of India…..even their language is primitive when compared with most other languages of the world…..the biggest cause of this backwardness would appear to be iodine deficiency in their diet and also a certain amount of heavy metal poisoning….add to that that their schools are not set up for real teaching, rather they are set up for programing zombie sheep……India sorted out their iodine deficiency problem by reinforcing table and cooking salt with it and by making sure that it was the only type of salt on sale…..the Thais would do well to copy the Indians regarding this.
I forgot to tell you that my wife has her BA in Thai and even she doesn’t know the word in Thai for “common sense”. I was born and raised in Hawaii where there are a lot of Lao people and even the Lao people in Hawaii seem to have more common sense then the Thais!!! And especially here in Isaan (Im residing in the upper Nakhon Phanom area just bordering Bueng Kan and on the banks of the Mekong River) the Thai people really look down on Lao people. I love it here in Thailand but the Thai people can get frustrating dealing with.
-Jon
For the most part your list is offensive and full of ignorance. I can tell you are Western, probably American, without even seeing your picture. The typical imperialist casting aspersion on an entire race of people with sweeping generalisations. Who are you, Adolf Hitler reborn? Are you saying Thai people are clones carrying the exact same traits…that Thai people are incapable of individuality? Thailand would of course be better without them, would it not? But then there would be no bar girls left to make you feel like a superior being.
And Jon – why did you marry your wife then?
My Thai GF is reading this list, and your blog in general, and wondering how someone who has lived in Thailand for 3 years can fail so terribly in understanding Thai people and Thai culture. She fears you may be spending a little too much time on the barstool. Time to go home farang keenock!
The only ignorance is yours, this list was written by a Thai person and not me! Although I do agree with pretty much everything on the list and the thoughts of this blog are also shared amongst Thai people. Based on the time you wrote your reply I can only assume you don’t even live in Thailand.
Comparing me to Adolf Hitler? Are you insane?
It’s probably you who have failed to understand Thai people and your ignorance and attitude is blinding you from seeing the truth behind what I write.
To Penguin,
You’re wife is right. I have been living here for almost three years now and fail terribly at trying to understand about the lack of common sense here in Thailand. The part of lack of “common sense” and “Inconsiderate” of others (and their things) is NOT part of the Thai culture that I love about Thailand but personality traits passed on. My love of the Thai CULTURE is what keeps me here in Thailand.
I forgot to mention earlier in my post that my wife agrees that the lack of common sense and doing things thinking with “feelings” and not “reason” is a problem here in Thailand. My wife and I are not perfect either in common sense but we try to always be aware of thinking with common sense in our daily doings. This is one of the main things I love my wife for.
-Oh, and by the way. I don’t drink and smoke so I don’t think you would find me on any bar stool. And can I ask….. what is a “kneenock”?
Have a good day.
‘Keenock’ is a slang Thai word (derogatory) what the Thais call Some Westerners. The backpackers that come here for a few months. You know the ones i mean, hippies, unclean and scruffy looking. And having no funds to really support themselves and wearing no shoes too lol.
Ben
So if they (Thais) call you a ‘Farang Keenock’ it’s not good lol
Thanks for the lesson in Thai. I’m pretty sure I wont be called that since I’m not the backpacker type. Even if I venture to Khaosan Road, I always try to dress decent. And plus, I always get mistaken for a Thai person since I am an Asian blood American. But if a Thai person or a foreigner or even one of my students calls me that then at least I know I have to rethink the image I’m presenting here in Thailand.
Are you residing here in Thailand now and if so where?
Take Care,
Jon
Yes, i have been here a looooonnnnggg time lol. But, Farang Keenock is also a small Thai fruit too (Forgot to mention). The golden rule is to remember to respect their culture/customs regardless how bizarre they may seem to us. And whilst here in Thailand, make an effort to learn their language. It’s amazing how much more respect you get when you can speak Thai. Enjoy life, because Thailand is a great place to be compared to back home lol !
I think it actually means bird shit and so equates some foreigners with the same value as bird shit, so to speak.
Yes, the direct translation for the word is ‘bird shit’. But, the Thai language can’t always be translated literally lol. Words often have other meanings.
Ben
Ben,
Thanks for the suggestion and learning Thai. Im always open in taking suggestions from especially people who lived in Thailand for a while.
Jon
yo you
what is YOUR EACTLYTYYY TRANSLATION of this?
lol
Do not knock the FEELINGS my friend..
I studied in Japan.. and the human thinking in the west is very flawed.. like a disease.. Feeling comes from within..
call it womans intuition.. , gut feeling… it is very real..
all the best.. (Yes I am a man..)
oh man.. you are an insulated individual…
95% of his list is CORRECT!!!!
the other 5% debateable…
I dont want to offend anyone but… you need to get around and see…
Umm no offense taken or given mate. But I don’t get your comment: you need to get around and see, what do you mean? And I’m insulated? please explain.
I think he was referring to one of the other commentators.
Agree with this list for the most part especially being sheepish and such. And if you’re doing well you’re treated like God but if you happen to have bad luck you are treated like… kee nok I guess, some people just seem to love to kick a man while he’s down, the more doing it the more others want to join in. Just look at how the Burmese are treated in this country.
Many of the other traits I believe apply to human beings in general, i.e. liking free stuff, and most people seem to complain a lot more than praise.
So if one was called kee nok, could you retort with kee maa or perhaps kee quay or kee chaang? or how about kee kratoey? meng maak!
you sound smart but why the hell do you have to drag kratoeys into the conversation! That’s just uncalled for!
Everyone is equal!
kii kwai is the best, which i refer to as chris.
I also studied in Japan and agree there are a lot of the time better ways that the western blah blah.. But living here in LOS I agree with this list in full.
I meant that those who don’t agree with the list should get out and about and see for themselfs…
I like you a lot but why do you have to assume he is
American. I’m American and i dont think like him at all.
Anyways, i agree with everything else though :)!
now you are doing the same thing you accuse Jon of.. putting all Americans in same boat…
I am NOT american but if you think Jon is ignorant then your just as bad…
Most of the list is true… if you dont see that then your blind …
Wow! that was uncalled for. It’s hard to realize one self until you look in the mirror.
Also.. No person should ever be compared to Hilter, shame on you.
Penguin –
Well said! Ironically, I am an American male and I first went to Thailand 42 years ago and I have been back many times. My wife is also Thai and has very few of the 46 bad traits mentioned. I also have many Thai friends, and acquaintances, both here in the U.S.A and in Thailand. While many of them are not perfect (neither am I and most of us), they all certainly have their own personality traits – many good and some bad.
Yes, these 46 traits he claims ALL Thai’s have is ridiculous and spoken from ignorance, as you said. I respect Thai’s of all lifestyles and economic social levels. I knew a guy who married 2 bar girls and divorced both and kept saying, “All Thai’s are no good”. I told him to try going to respectable establishments to meet good, well bred, educated Thai girls, not bars, and maybe your opinion will change. He did what I suggested and has been happily married now for 8 years to a wonderful Thai lady – his opinion of Thai’s has also changed.
The only thing I take issue with is your assumption he is an American….. Please don’t generalize Americans either as we are also as unique and diverse as the Thai’s you mention + some. Peace brother!
i am another Jon and i have lived in Thailand [not by choice, and not with a bar girl…….from my 8 years of experience in that country iagree with everything that the other Jon has said…..i just watched one horrible Thai man bankrupt his wife and her family saddling them with unmanagable debt and then run away to his mother’s house at Nong Kai, leaving his wife, children and the ageing and sick parents with nothing…..he even has the cheek to be furious with others because they cannot and will not try to bail him out of the deep hole that he has dug for himself…..the man [if that is what you would call him] has a top job in local government and has zero excuse for what he has done….but this is not the only case like this that i have seen in Thailand…….i find the Thais to be very weak and greedy people…….the Kmers are far far more civilized and decent and the Thais should look to them as an example of how to behave around others……thankfully i am no longer living in Thailand but am forced to visit in order to take care of the wife’s ageing and sick mother…..i have given vastly more than i have ever taken during my time in Thailand [ including funding private medical care for several Thais , helping finance a young Thai during desperate times while at university, contributing at temples etc etc etc] and as such have the right to voice such an opinion…..if you think that i have a colonial attitude then it just shows your gross ignorance.
So penguin……..
I believe it is you that doesn’t understand your own people. Perhaps you fall in the category of the sheep in the Thai education system. No one understands your people like me!!!!!!! The last twenty years of my life has been ruined by Thai people. I have been married to a prominent Thai guys for this long. I am a educated women, MBA and I still got ruined. My husband and his family have a big chain of Thai restaurants in Michigan. (All of which I actively helped acquire loans for.) We own a Budest Temple in MI. We also have resorts in Thailand. We have hundreds of employees and sponsor families every year to come here. Let me tell you the list is 100 percent correct. Let me add a few things. They are completely dishonest. If you ask anything it is “I don’t know or someone else is working on it. They don’t know how to do the basic crap. Auto , household etc. they would rather pay someone and even that takes enormous amount of time. Large amounts amounts of money kept disappearing claiming we had to pay (whatever). Cash coming in was hidden and the secrets were ridiculous. I wS on a need to know basis no matter what I said. When fights would arise from his gambling cheating he would put it on me that I upset him. He would even get violent and beat me. All because he is confronted with anything. One time he put a gun to my head while I slept. He had two lives ours and his personal life. AlwAys had to be showing off, taking friends out traveling with friends. We never had a family vacation with the kids . His family stole so much from me. I finally left 4 yrs ago totally with nothing. as soon as it started going down hill they started shifting assets around, especially my husband. He dumped everything in someone else name and left all bills and loans for me to pay. I went bankrupt from them. I picked myself up went back to school( mind you this was never allowed) got an amazing career, put my kids through college( again with zero help from them). now my kids are in Med school, I am making great money. but it doesn’t stop there, he has been chasing me down since my new found success. He wants to be associated with the success of the kids and me. I have not been able to move on the last 4 years because he chases any suitor off. He thinks he owns me and carries a gun. My kids won’t see him because he had abused me openly whe. They were growing up even wielding a gun. Funny though when some people were trying to break in our home and has got there car stuck in our yard he stayed in the house scared while I went outside and called police. Hands down I was the man and women in this family.
You’re so full of shit! I’m half american half thai and i can read thai!!!!! The Thai didnt sound half as bad as when you translated it. It’s much more offensive and ignorrant.
As for number 7 any religious person around the whole fucking globe would do that. Expressing to Buddha when you are down and need help. Its a way to still have hope that what you believe may come true.
Your Thai probably is horrible dont translate if you cant get the facts right.
I dont know which Thai’s you guys have been hanging out with and the original writer of this list but be fucking high. Jon, your wife is probably a Thai whore since you dont think Thais have any commen sense. Anyways, who the fuck are you to tell if anyone has commen sense.. did your mother teach you if you dont eat your own shit you have no commen sense?
Any culture has commen sense just in their own way. You have no right to tell them they are wrong or correct. Don’t say you love this country if you think everyone is stupid. Jon, you sound like a loner posting all the time on this site your wife probably is bored of you and is with you for your money.
Fuck you all ai farang NGO and dont know how to really fucking translate.
While I don’t agree with you i’ll certainly let you say whatever you like here. As for the translation, it’s pretty spot on and if you don’t think so please offer more than having a go at the other commentors, the part about Jon’s wife being a whore, please that’s not called for you don’t know him seems like the only person ignorant is you!
The fact your posting was allowed gives all the more cred to this site.
As for that outburst, that should be on the list too lol. Not looking at the truth but attacking all the Farang as it is their fault for saying anything, the list just became more true.
go fuck yourself
No offence, but I for one have fucked myself. It was considerably better than some of the other sex I have had. You could say I’ve tried my hand at it. Angry woman sex might be OK, but the half-American part of you might be a turn off Megan. So, may I politely ask: does that mean you’re half super-hot (bit emotionally unstable) and half angry beeeatch (and still emotionally unstable)?
My actual thoughts now: why not translate it better if you can, and ADD something to the conversation instead of just bitching about it?! (otherwise you’re just proving the list correct).
I have spoken. Any others agree?
Ahh, spoken by a true american ruined female; the only ‘thai’ left in MEGAN is when she turns on the fake charm to get what she wants.
Please do us all a favor and show some class you westernized bag of flesh.
Totally agree with you too Eric!
To Eric,Seth the chef, BigC and anyone who happens to read Ms Megan comments
On behalf of Thai people in this country and around the world.. I would like to apologize for her lack of ” Common Sense” vulgar and rude. she doesn’t represent the other HALF Thai in her for the rest of us Thai people!
Well said gentlemen !! I agreed.. Cheers 🙂
From a Thai Guy.
@Chris: Thanks for backing up my wife. Even though I haven’t met you…. yet, I already know youre a great guy to have as a friend. Anyway, whats up with this Megan character? When is it not allowed to post about our feelings for something? I thought that’s what blogs are for? I can only think of these reasons:
1) She is just fooling around and just trying to stir us all up.
2) She has her dam period and is on her raging hormones now.
3) Shes been smoking up some Ya ice.
4) Shes drunk on that Thai whiskey that makes a lot of men (not ALL Thai men, Megan…take it easy!!) crazy and go in killing mode.
5) Or, she is simply having a bad day.
I usually don’t like talking smack on someone but this girl is just ASKING for it!
My guess is some farang guy made her a little Jaded.
Couldn’t agree more.
Something happened and we just need to befriend her.
@Megan: Not to be rude but why all of sudden you start ripping on me and my wife? OK if its your time of the month, Ill understand. I can proudly say my wife is FAR from being a whore. And anyways, what does being a “whore (which you are wrong anyway) has to do about a Thai person thinking with REASON and not FEELINGS” (as of what you seem to be doing)and admitting that many Thais lack in the common sense department?
Some advice: If you want to see common sense with Thais, look at how most Thais drive for one like people just through intersection without looking or slowing down, pulling way off the road on the left to turn across the whole (not “whore”)road to make a right turn, driving down the wrong side of the road, speeding around cutting off everyone WITH their children’s lives in their hands,etc etc. You MUST think with REASON and not your FEELINGS and then decide.
You are right, at this moment I’m a loner because I’m where I’m the ONLY foreigner living in the WHOLE (not “whore”)town.
Megan: You can start putting faults on my culture and heritage (Asian American born and raised in Hawaii) I will think first with REASON and not FEELINGS and not take it personally.
Have a nice day
@megan: if you cant figure out in my post
of what you are doing is thinking with FEELINGS
and not with REASON. Just pointing that out in case
you dont understand.
Hey Jon,
sorry about the previous comments about your wife. I’m sure she is a great women. You’re right i was having not only a bad day but bad year. I lost a lot from the floods and other personal issues. I shouldnt of mentioned you in this.
I still dont like the way Chris phrased his wordings for the translation and that is a matter of a opinon if you dont agree that’s fine as well.
You should look at Chris “How much is a Thai girl worth” It’s very offensive! Yes, there are prosititutes in Thailand but the they way he talks makes me feel like he is protraying that he can turn any girl in Thailand into whores. His technique wouldnt work on everyone and thats for sure. He mentioned that the end of the month is when Thai girls are HOT for money but dont we all want money at the end of the month? He has a girlfriend yet he cheats on her with others and he is trying to teach this methods to others online. I think it’s sad and its also one of the reasons why i starting attacking him. For crying out loud, he is freaking 50 or something years old and he is dating a girl my age (18). Thats absured!
He thinks he get’s so much “pussy” but in reality those pussy’s are just rusted and noone wants them he’ll never get the golden one that everyone wants.
Sorry I attacked you to though you did nothing wrong.
Bye.
Ps. Half Americans are awsome!
@Megan: Apology accepted. By being humble, you are showing the good side of Thai people. What I really meant about common sense is what I see and many foreigners see. My wife…as you know is Thai but also looks outside the box and accepts the bad personal trait Thai people have. This is not saying that other nationalities are perfect. Every nationality has a bad trait but this one is what I and many other people feel is lacking here in Thailand. I asked my wife who has her BA in Thai and is now a teacher what is the Thai word for “common sense” and she didn’t know. I also looked up the word online and in Thai dictionaries and since I work in a high school here in Thailand, I asked some other teachers and no one knows the Thai word for common sense. Its like I said in an earlier post, it doesn’t exist.
About Chris, he writes about what others would be interested in even though we might not agree with all of his topics. I hate to say it but I, and MANY other foreigners and Thai people see how Thai men treat Thai women. I know of many directors, teachers, even farmers, who cheat on their wife on a daily basis and some even hit their wives on a daily basis.
And I have a daughter who is 4 years old and a son who will be born any day now that are half American…..well half Asian American. I’m an Asian American born and raised in Hawaii.
Take Care,
Jon
it is always fun to watch an imbecile throwing a nationalistic tantrum…..go get yourself a bunch of bananas and a bottle of lao kao and climb back into your tree…….i have lived in your country and i have lived in Cambodia…….The Khmers are a vastly better behaved people……the Thais would do well to learn from them how to behave around others…..if you don’t want to be criticized then do not exhibit such sub human [in many cases sub mammalian] behavior and then no one will be slagging you off…..it is no good getting angry with others for noticing the fact that you are publicly disgracing yourselves.
Listen you guys don’t had e any fucking common sense! I lived and breathed Thai. Worse time of my life. So completely igniorant and incapable of any analytical thought.
I dont agree if Jon wants to write about my heritage and culture in that way i can write whatever i want about him.
I’m not ignorant im only 18 years old and im open-minded about other cultures. I’ve learnt social antropology and sociology and one things for sure you shouldnt judge on other cultures by saying ones right or wrong! This is disrespectful. Trust me, your translation aren’t “spot on” in fact they are so bad i can tell a farang wrote it. In thai, most of them sounded ok and somewhat true but you flipped the words totally around.
No affense, but your thai isn’t that good. You shouldnt be teaching Farangs thai… for crying out loud even my dads thai is better then yours!
If you want respect for your work from others stop being so fucking ignorant and stupid.
** IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR THAI CONTACT ME BUT I MIGHT HAVE TO TEACH YOU FOR 5 YEARS UNTIL YOU LEARN THE BASICS.**
Good luck with life.
No you couldn’t possibly be ignorant I mean your 18y/o all grown up and know everything in the world.
I don’t think it’s disrespectful at all, I merely translated what a THAI person said into my own words which is why you think it’s not “spot on” i’m not an official translator neither are you but it is pretty much on the mark. I think you should review your own English before commenting on my Thai.Again you fail to provide any examples.
But hey i’m not here to get respect or to teach anyone Thai. I run this blog because it’s the only place people can come to say what they really feal and want about Thailand. Don’t like it, then don’t read it.
@Megan: And just like what Chris said, I am also going on what I have observed and what my wife (A Thai person) agrees with. And also similar to what Chris told you, NO ONE is forcing you to come to this blog site. You don’t like it, go read somewhere else.
@megan: FYI, “common sense” and “culture” are two different things as I was mentioning in an earlier post and that I LOVE living in Thailand for its “culture”. And for going off on your rant about Chris and his Thai language abilities. Considering he IS a foreigner here in Thailand and not half Thai, AND that he learned on his OWN, I give Chris the highest respect. If youre having trouble reading the past post and going off on a meaningful rant, why dont you ask your DADDY for help.
Thank you
By the way, I’m not attacking because I’m also American but i just dont like how you disrespected and looked down on the Thais.
I dont agree with Thais in many ways. Why is it that there is a price for farangs and a price for Thais. We are all people why do they have to separate it like that? In America, you dont see them posting up a different price for Thais. It’s Bullshit! They try to find advantages to get money from any dumbass farang that walks by. My dad always fights and never pays the extra amounts becuase he believes it is unfair.
A lot of Thais do weird things but so do other people of other cultures. Aiming this on Thais having no commen sense is too extreme!
Im not attacking the farangs Eric or whoever the fuck you are. I’m simply stating out what he wrote isn’t what it said in Thai.
Thailand, the land of smiles is the best place ever. Probably, one of the only places which really accepts gay. Everyone is equal farangs, thais, gays, or whatever.
The english part of this list is just bullshit thats all im saying. I’m mostly attacking jon and chris so fuck off eric. Your probably one of those fuck farangs with huge beer belly playing on the computer and looking for a bar girl.
all i have to say is IGNORANT, IGNORANT, AND IGNORANT.
Oh it all makes sense now, daddy’s little girl 🙂
@megan: With the profanity you’re throwing and oh yeah…..the using of the word “whore”, I wonder, geee………..what job your mom was doing when your dad met her. Hey, don’t get mad. This was thought up with “common sense”. Now if you think back how you attack everyone here and myself included, and you used “common sense”……you had this coming.
Have a nice day
“I’m mostly attacking jon and chris so fuck off eric.”
But if he’s “probably one of those fuck farangs with huge beer belly playing on the computer and looking for a bar boy” it’s okay?
After all, gays are perfect, right?
Hahaha.
PLUS ERIC YOUR NOT A FARANG YOU CANT EVEN TYPE LIKE A NORMAL PERSON UR PROBABLY FRENCH or some other european country get out of here.
Hey…let’s not discriminate. Granted, Europeans are nice. Peaceful…and okay. Fine. I only said that because my late best friend was French, mais encore, c’est aussi parce qu’il y a quelque chose que s’appelle RESPECT. I am saying this as a pacifist who just happened to be Thai, ya know?
I provided plenty of examples, but yetyour point isnt very clear yet. I’m not a grammer freak and im not writing my college essay so i dont think this stupid comments need to be perfect.
I’m not saying i know everything in the world but im a thai fluent speaker and i know for sure what you wrote is “not on the mark” you made it sound 10 times worse!
If you made your list more accuarate to the Thai it wouldnt have made me pissed. Your old ass should know better then to discriminate!
I might be 18 but i sure have a lot more to say about Thai people then you do. Age isn’t the factor here. The fact that im half thai and was born and raised here probably proves that i know more about my own culture then you do.
I have something to say about Thailand! That’s why I’m here! Why is it so hard for old people to understand easy conversation.
If you feel I should change the wording to one of the points on the list just say so instead of going on and on like a child.
Chris, Megan is a child…in fact most Thais never grow mentally and emotionally beyond the age of 8……which is why they behave in such hideously ridiculous ways and piss so many of us off.
Please stop. I beg you.
Have you thought of how everything you’ve said could affect everyone? I know it seems wrong sometimes, but everyone has their own opinion on things. Just please, keep them to yourselves. I have never met you, and to say even if it is indirectly, you still insulted my intelligence, of all things. To think that this is smattering of insults that happened with a discussion on race is hideously disgusting. I am thirteen, and I can fully assure you that I have a right to say something despite my age. I have a cruel outlook on people and I do try to keep my selfishness in, but please refrain from assuming things according to my race. And matters of Thai families are out of the question.
…now that I’ve finished ranting and gone back to my peaceful self, I’m fearing that I should end with calling you a…bird poop…but I am still respectful to my elders, so…good day, I guess?
If his translation is so off, would you please provide me with a proper translation?
Yeah i’m my daddy’s little girl but so what?
Your statments are wrong; if you were handsome maybe you could get any with your outrageous list but your not. Oh well…..
Your old ass has noone i guess
lol and I thought I was young still at 31. Hang on i’ll just go ask my g/f (20) and my kik (18) if they think I’m old.
they’re probably just with you for your money dont feel flattered. GROSS you have a kik my age! How dare you. I bet she’s ugly anyways. Anyways, i was mad how you translated because it made Thai people look like shit. Just know you should changethe wordings! I wasnt going on like a child you just wouldnt listen carefully.
you old ass.
Lol, indeed, an angry girl striking out at everything.. guys, the child is not worth responding too, you will get no “sense” out of it, it will just rant and rave, don’t blame her as they say doctors can prove it is their upbringing…
It’s a good laugh though..
Enough of that, I see Chris also posted in Thai, so perhaps the readers who are interested and can read Thai can add their 2 THB’s worth… as for me, it’s just a fact I can see over and over again… But I am talking about most Thai’s, naturally there are some minority exceptions… Just like how Americans are normally quite loud, but I have a friend here that is not..
Or how Italian’s wave their arms about whilst talking, or how Germans are a bit cold until they get to know you (and make great cars) and so on..
Don’t let anything here slow you down Chris, we enjoy your postings……..
@Eric: Your right Eric, we should ignore this young lady who seems to reflect her upbringing. I usually don’t attack people like that. I guess its all this built up frustration dealing with people with no common sense. Like I said before, I LOVE living in Thailand for its culture, not for personality traits. I think its because I am now residing in an area where even though I’m an Asian American, there are no foreigners living in the same town I’m in and I also, work in a school with no other foreign teachers. This is why my plan next year is to move to Chiang Mai mainly for the more foreign exposure. And I totally agree with you that Americans tend to be loud. Thats why I try to be more quiet in my ways and talking and NOT go off on a rant about.
@Chris: Like I said before, keep up the great work on your blogs. And hopefully we can meet up next year.
I do not have anything against anyone, really, but I do think that you’re discriminating against girls. I enjoy everything, too. I came here hoping for a good laugh on stereotypes in Thai people, not men insulting girls and girls calling men immature names. I absolutely despise cussing, especially towards elders, but if I were a teensy bit less polite, I would’ve been calling everyone sexist pigs with no mind for things other than butting heads with each other. Gosh. Just…have you heard of something called Women’s Rights? Feminism? Equality? Justice? Freedom of Speech, even? Stop calling everyone children. I don’t care what they did or what they said, just stop grouping everybody as a whole.
Megan, the guy is just wanting to make money off other’s confusion and failure to take responsibility. Live at cause.
Megan, How much (baht or any currency you want) to get you to STFU?
megan i think you just wont a good fucking and u be ok
I think Chris is not exaggerating here in his article because as a foreigner in BKK I’ve also observed some of these listed traits being practiced by most Thai. Those traits have really existed and like become the acceptable norms because those either part of the culture or possibly become habits, which some has no time to question whether those traits are beneficial or not to daily interactions with the locals and farangs. However, I have nothing against their 41 personality traits because back home, we have also some undesirable traits (maybe more than 41, lol). I think everyone has regardless of colors and culture.
For Megan, I understand her reaction because she’s a (half)Thai and that would mean an insult directing towards her. I respect her feelings. (I think as farang, “just visitors” in her own land, we need to).
I think there is no reason to rant, call names or attack personal lives in here while defending each other’s view because whether we like it or not we are free to express our reactions, thoughts and observations. It needs professionalism and respect each other’s point of view in handling interaction online because at the end of the day, after we turn off our computer, no one really wins!
At the risk of being told I need a good fucking I think most of the list is the sort of rubbish you read in magazines in doctors waiting rooms.
Thank You. So correct.
It sounds like you’re real magnet for negativity. With very poor self esteem. If these things are what you see in Thai people. It is just mirror of your own personal problems. Why not try being open minded and helpful person. Good luck with your sorrorful sounding life. Happy New Year.
You are correct, I don’t see the world through rose coloured glasses. I don’t have any problems to think of except where to have my next meal which seems to follow me no matter where I live. Happy New Year too. 🙂
Well, its all great to be positive, but regardless in what area Chris is, this is not the issue right? he is the author, in that he brings up a topic and opens it for debate AND includes his own opinion.. he is a star… he allows all the replies that I have seen.. he is honest and transparent… he just puts it out there.. so dont be sensitive, but put it back for sensible debate.. there are many smart people on here..
THINK, why do you follow this link? because you know it is true.. if you get upset, then debate it! There are many very smart people here… give it a chance…
Chris just bring forth what we already see… be honest and move forward …. may the truth set you free…
42. If Thai people breed with Americans, they produce offspring who can’t spell common words like ‘common’.
I notice that number 1 really applies to Megan.
(1. มีแต่คำด่า ไม่เคยมีคำเสนอแนะ
Thai people only have bad things to say, they never have any suggestions)
While criticizing the translations, she won’t provide any alternative suggestions!
We get what we give. What goes around comes around.
The only thing that’s going on here is some awful stereotyping. I mean, the guy’s not even creative enough to write his own list. If we just ignore him instead of blowing up the issue with our Armchair Advocacy, maybe he’ll just go away.
… Haha, plus, he’s ugly as fuck with an extreme Asian fetish, so that probably doesn’t help his case or his life in general, lolz. P.S. Chris, congrats for making yourself look like a fool in the comments. Now go home and look at your life choices.
Sorry knickers but i’m not going anywhere.
You seem to rile a lot of users with female names. Ones with odd logic, like “If we just ignore him instead of blowing up the issue with our Armchair Advocacy, maybe he’ll just go away”. So they write more… er?
What happened to the one who said you mistranslated the Thai but didn’t offer up her own translations at any point?
Most of the points seem pretty uncontroversial too.
A lot of these chicks have a stick shuvved up their ass.
Because no where else would want someone like you. Poor you Chirs, May I ask you one thing? Did you really feel love from your mother or did she hate you?
wtf
Excellent and i have to say 90% of it is just 100% True
Now for anyone here who has balls, go and post a few on your facebook page and watch how many friends talk to you instantly.
Better yet print out a few copies and leave them in classrooms, colleges, public places, workplaces and see how Thais react.
Lots of fun !
I am Thai and have to agree with many on the list. Yes, Thai culture has evolved and unfortunate that turn out not so pleasant as it should have been due to overwhelm of immigrants and refugees that brought their own cultures into the mix with a survival instinct. Since Thais are very open mind and accepting the differences that other brought with them to be able to live in harmony. Unfortunately, I would say that our culture has been corrupted. So here is the social classes will come into play. Yes, we have too many nuevo rich pretended to be Thai, only real Thais will know the different.
u r right about ()them … that’s why we enjoy “sanuk” heheh
When someone have fun on your expenses, I don’t think you will think it is funny. It will leave the bad tastes in your mouth for a long time and in return the stereotyping will continue for both ends. I am Thai but immersed in western cultures since young so I think am qualified to speak out in this subject. When I presented myself as Thai, I will behave as an ambassador for the Thais( of course the better upper class of Thai). When I presented myself as an American, I am an ambassador for America not an ugly American. Keep that in mind that you are a representative of your native root. It is all up to you how would you like others to view you….nice or ugly inside out.
Hi Chris, Wow, what a read. I can understand where everyone is coming from. I have a very positive outlook on life and people and whilst I can see in Thais what you wrote, my philosophy is “it’s not good or bad, it just IS!” I am enjoying my path of learning about this fabulous land and culture. My Thai wife is also learning about our culture aswell and shakes her head at some of our ways, but does’nt try to change them, only to understand and accept them.
Keep the blogs coming.
You will never understand them! Thai men are the worst!
ถ้ามีใครขอให้คุณเขียนถึงคุณลักษณะด้านลบของบุพการีของคุณ คุณอาจเขียนได้มากกว่า 41 ข้อ เพราะไม่ว่าใคร ก็มีข้อด้อยด้วยกันทั้งนั้น และท่าทางคุณคงถนัดด้านนี้
since many thai people have now posted that the translations are not completely correct, it would be great to have someone post the correct translations in here 🙂
(instead of just saying that it is a wrong translation)
or else the entire conversation does not make much sense and is not constructive.
the wording on the sign is cryptic which makes it incorrect, it’s kinda like the way I write english without correct grammer making the sign confusing I think i already gave an explanation but to be sure it’s going to be a one way road and the sois you’ll only be able to go in or out one way.
hi dear! every thing in this world always have 2 side, that right? of course! that you know… Noone are perfect!
Most of westerner who i have seen they are smart,gentleman and polite include the THAIS,I respect them culture and the country, love and like them all.
We should not hate each other we should help for each other,
Love is sooooo beautiful and make the world soooooooo colorful to live.
We are all have different situation,experience,chance in life.
Also depend who you meet or contact with.
Please,so kind or maybe learn more about the history, culture,custom,tradition,background of family ect. would be nice and understand more… not only can speak and understand
word. Thai language some time you also must translate too because have different meaning.
Love you all,no matter where are you come from?
Best wishes
Ah I have to say that many of your statements are correct. BUT I don’t think that it imply to only THAIS but to any HUMAN BEING IN THIS WORLD.
Jealousy? Selfish? Want to be popular? Gossip?
WOWW ALL THESE THINGS ARE IN HUMAN NATURE!!!
Name me a nation where everyone is perfect and have no needs. I understand that you’re stating your opinions about Thais and not other nations, but please consider it before posting them in the internet. I understand that some personalities listed above are more obvious in Thais and not other nation but I think that you have a very negative view about the country. It is not wrong to express your thoughts.. but please point out the goods too. Thailand is named the LAND OF SMILE for a reason. People and tourists come to Thailand for a reason! They are friendly, happy and sweet to everyone. I totally understand your blog and respect your opinions because many of them are true.. but as I said, I think these personalities are found in human not in only in Thais. Don’t have such a negative view on the country 🙂
P.S. – One of the most interesting blogs! Good job!
I’m sure most of these are very general and could apply to anywhere in the world, i live in Thailand so that’s why it has a Thai specifics, also this particular story an actual Thai wrote. Glad you like the blog though. thanks for reading.
Hi thanks for replying. I used to live Thailand for about 5 years so I’m pretty familiar with thais and understand their society and cultures. Please don’t get the wrong impression that I’m defending them but i do believed that there are bads and goods anywhere in the world. But in general I think thai people are sweet and thailand is surely one of the country people would enjoy living in.
Have a nice day 🙂
Thanks !!! LAUREN
Hope very much that you have had a good time in THAILAND.
Sorry,If THAILAND can not support all you wish and needs please understand that THAILAND are developing the country.
@chris
Hello Chris,
my name is charles.
‘normal’ is an illusion.
what is normal for the spider,
is chaos for the fly.
so what is this all about?
cheers from holland,
charles
Let me help Megan a bit. E.g no.3 refers to collectivism & conformity rather than act like sheeps. It’s not abt not thinking but abt belonging, having fun, being a part of smt. Not too different from going to church. There’s others that need better translation to consider cultural context rather than literal teanslations but here’s a sample.
Thai people are stupid because they don’t actually learn how to do anything properly. They buy a driving license, they buy a degree, there are no standards here in anything. This is not 100% the fault of the people but the Government control them from a young age at school to be nationalistic and pro Thai no matter what. The Government does not want an uprising here. If you ask any Thai person a question about world history, Geography or any general knowledge they will not know the answer. They have no knowledge of anything. They spend 20 years in education but learn nothing, everything is for sale here.
Hmmm, I don’t think so and not all. People are have different chances in life. (more or less) That is pity.
I heard that a lot of SHIT farangs in Thailand too.
They though THAILAND the best place and easy for make shit BUT the end they are in the PRISON or DIE. Maybe sometime take time to find them but will be successful.
Normally,Farangs are good so, the Government supports well if you were the same situation like Thai people maybe you are more stupid. I’m really sorry to say that.
These traits are not limited to Thai people, as many nations have the same traits. Degree of presence of any trait is associated with the degree of education and law status. That is all.
“Common sense” is left at the airport upon arrival. You may pick it back up when you leave.
Trying to understand another culture, especially one so very different from western culture is allways going to be difficult. But that does not make it wrong, just different! For over 2,000 years these cultures have led seperate identities and it is only recently they have started to intermingle. Something we need to get our heads around is Thai people and farang ‘think’ differently. The question should be ‘why’ do they think differently and ‘what’ has influenced that thinking! We should not think about it in terms of right or wrong!
Having a Thai person actually generalise about these ‘Thai traits’ is very interesting as it is taken from a Thai point of view. Trying to translate them to English, the meaning can often get lost in translation.
Generalisations are just that, but they can often describe attributes in very simple, yet often true terms. Somebody British may be seen as having a ‘stiff upper lip’, Germans may be seen as ‘having no sense of humour’, Americans as ‘arrogant or confident’ The list goes on! These generalisations would have been borne out of a collective history, so they are important.
I would like to try to offer some explainations of these Thai traits but understanding the heirarchy system and buddhist faith is a good start.
In Thailand everone knows their place in the social structure, from family to workplace. While you may call your boss Dave or John, Thai people would not dare! This goes for family also, Thais know their place in the family structure.
In Buddhism, the present moment is very important. You cannot change the past as it has allready gone, you cannot dream of the future because nobody knows the future, you can only be rooted in the present. This is vital at understanding some of these traits.
E.G.
5. วัวหายล้อมคอก
Thai people wait for problems to occur before fixing them instead of preventing problems from actually occurring.
The actual translation of this is more like ‘closing the barn door after the buffalo has gone’
This has more to do with actually ‘thinking about a problem before it has arisen’. But if your thinking is allways rooted in the present why would you be thinking of future events? Buddhism is telling them ‘you cannot change the future’.
8. ไม่ค่อยสงสัย หรือสงสัยก็ไม่ถาม แต่ติ-วิจารณ์เก่ง
Thai people don’t take any notice of things, or they notice something wrong and just don’t care to do anything about it.
This could also be linked to ‘thinking’ about the future.
When Farang think, they tend to be thinking about past or future events, Thais tend to think ‘in the moment’ if they are thinking at all.
I had a Thai girlfriend once, we were having a meal overlooking the Chao Praya river, she was gazing across the water. I asked her ‘what are you thinking about’? ‘I not thinking, i just looking’ came her reply! She was just lost in that moment !
Anyway, enough from me! I can try to offer some explainations about the rest of these listed traits if anyone is interested! Thanks for listening!
Awesome thoughts Mitch. Congratulations.
C´est très vrai, heureusement, il y a une différence de “culture” ou de “raisonnement” de la part d´un Thai par rapport a un western…Les Indonésiens on exactement la même façon de penser ou de voir les choses comme partout dans le sud-est asiatique…et pourtant avec des religions différentes…j´habite a Bali depuis 7 ans et après voir écouté ou participé a des dixaines de dialogues ou forum de ce genre… je sais que, a tort ou a raison, malgré toute les critiques ou opinions des expats, touristes, journalistes amateurs ou intelectuels prétentieux, c´est avant tout et grâce aux merveilleux sourires des asiatiques du sud-est que nous restons chez eux et apprécions avant tout leurs qualités avant de critiquer leurs défauts…
Je vous souhaite une agréable journée
lerubio
Hello, I am Thai student who now are studying in western. From my point of view, I totally agree with Mitch about how the writer translated. Honestly, my personality is far more this kind of fact. And I do know a lot of my friends who are different too.
The personally traits in my own language seems a bit the cruel joke for Thai people. Most of them are true(not all Thais but some of them), but I can understand the reason why people do that. And I understand why many foreigners agree with that fact too because of our culture, and how we were raised. After I experienced western people, I love some way of life of foreigners. However, I think writer did not cover all of traits. There are still interesting thing of Thais.
I agree in all of what you wrote here. i am living here more than a decade and was living with them 6 years only with thai people. ALL you wrote here i observed and is true.
Good job.
Tom
Hi
I am new here on this website.
Being 61 I am trying to find my home again in this strange world where I had to migrate twice in my life to find place and people to live in .Thailand is my last place to look for spend my last days.
It looks as lot of you guys here on this blog never lived in poverty …in communism and as a really migrant and newcomer having no money at all just counting on others help .
I had it all money wifes, personal goals and finally I have nothing now and looking for community to be accepted at least for some time.
Many of you have been right and not about this subject you are argue about.
Thing is…why you are judging others ??? if you are all the same …..
We are all the same and only our characters are dictated by our past and experiences.!
I think ..Everyone should closely look in the mirror in the morning and ask yourself some questions about yourself.
Believe me …sometime I am doing it…and specially after reading all of it here.
You are all against this country people as is Thailand should ask yourself only one question …; why are you here? what are your plans?
When i started to read all those funny comments on Thai people I just took at it as nothing to argue about.
For those who are so angry…I can say one thing ; WE ARE THE SAME EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
Looks like some of you did not see much life in different part of the world at all ..and from lowest point of view.!
But I did ! even when my life was in danger.. OK
Please do not be so “cocky” about where you from or what your values are …please.
World is full of differences that’s why we are human .
Some of you displayed here so much hatred to each other….ohhhh where is it come from??? from your background ? from your perfect country???
My perfect country was Australia and guess what …wherever I turn in my life I am finding exactly same values and jokes about people living there.
Do you know how narrow minded Aussie was many many years ago ?? but I did not hated them .
I was happy they let me stay.
In time we exchange our differences to find out that we like each other.
The only differences are build when we are on different level in bank account !
Then all this shit start to build.
If someone build this list of Thai character doesn’t mean anything for me !
I simply do not care.
I am far from being perfect too and could be easly attached to this list OK
But I am trying my best to be more flexible and understanding.
If you came here to argue then use at least human language without swearing.
Believe me I am a master in swearing ! But what for ?
Everyone here should feel welcome because even for most experienced this country is really unknown.
Please keep respect for those people her and specially for yourself because we are minority here and everyone of us is an example of own culture.
SHOW THIS TO THOSE PEOPLE WITH FRIENDLY MANNER.
NOBODY REALLY WANT US HERE….ONLY OUR MONEY .
SHOW THEM OUR GOOD ATTITUDE AND MAYBE THEY START LIKE US REALLY LIKE.
LOOK WHAT GOOD WE LEFT BEHIND IN THIS COUNTRY in just last 20 years.
And what ? Now you are judging those Thai smiling people for own or your parents shit ?
I DO NOT TAKE SITES IN THIS “DISCUSSION !
Simply whole world is like big joke this days and we are in it.
This whole argue looks for me like monkey theater!
Sorry, usually I am trying not to be involved in rubbish like that but because you started to boil in language exchange hence here it is my opinion.
I do not think many of you here really love and even like this country … and specially those ones who call Thai woman a whores.
Heheheh, they just fighting for survival !!!!!!!!!!!
My ex woman was whore too ….
She sucked me out from my money and my life for 20 years and she still have choice to survive on the doll or pension whatever you want to call it now.
Those woman here mostly have a lot of reasons and not a choice.
Shame on you!
How many of you used their services ???
I did ! yes . Many times and with full respect !!!!!!
BECAUSE I LEARNED LIFE A DIFFERENT WAY THEN MOST OF YOU!
I am coming here to fight for my living here by learning this language their customs (whatever it suits me or not) and to be at least accepted by my good attitude to those ones who are same like me and I believe that is more them that bad one like some of you here argue in bad manner about life you pretend or stubborn to understand.
IT IS SIMPLE ; You don not like them or being here ?
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT .
IF I KNEW 35 years ago that I will find myself here begging to stay here I would stay 35 years ago and do not have to read it today.
I am very grateful for Chris for this website where I do not feel alone in this country but sometime I have feeling that to be alone here maybe is better chance to emerge in Thai’s people…
Can you show me I am wrong????
Cheers
P.S
Please dont forget to look in the mirror sometime a little longer on yourself guys.
Hi Again
Just forgot…
For those who don’t get exactly what I wanted to say in my previous comment..
Sorry but I learned English to speak write in read by myself without schools.
Maybe my thoughts are not very clear but I can assure you that I can write much much better in different scenarios without emotions you created in me .
If I may…??
For many of you should be to taste to live in between Thai people in province …
YES… in province in poor village .
I have this pleasure to be in very poor places with friendly people who fed me with their poor food who none of you probably would swolow….
I did and I know this taste….
Yes ..I slept on concrete bitten by mosquitoes without shower and higenic toilet..too.
You do not even imagine how much respect i showed them OK?
My g/f explained me later that they want’s me to come back again..OK
Dont be wrong …I did not spoiled them with my money …I do not have much at all for myself.
I spoiled them with my nature and understanding even helping them …
Only this way you can start learning this country …even without one word in Thai..
I did found them very intelligent to understand me without words…
HEY … Maybe you should try too before any comment on me???
Hi again
Sorry last time I am on this blog.
for those who forgetting something.
Don’t you see how easy is to stay here over and over ??
Don’t you forget that we are have granted visas for nothing or peanuts …
Are they can get the same if they wants to go to Australia ???
Anyone tried to invite her girlfriend to Australia ???
Any success ??? heheh
Who is discriminating who ???
I am telling all of you !
We are living in dream bubble! fed by bullshit everyday everywhere and brain washed by media.
Have a good day in paradise guys !
Humble Thai guest.
hi Andrew
For me you are not wrong!!!!! I really like what you wrote on 11st January 2014. And i look back at myself too how to respect and treat another as like we are human same not matter where from? And yes, i like CHRIS too that i can learn something from this site. Of course not good thing i dont do it. Thanks for your post.
also they are extremely shameful, no kisses on the cheek, no hugs, only in private.
Why is it shameful? I agree that more affection is needed with Asian couples in general, but why? They still all love each other the same.
I found this website by accident and I must be honest I was really upset with all these sh!ts. I’m a 22 year-old thai female and I don’t believe we can measure Smart , ignorance or even right or wrong by ages and Stereotype. Though I agree with all Thai people traits you post. I hope you are not living in Thailand now or you didn’t stay here long enough. If you would you should know that Thai people or people from anywhere in the world don’t like to be offended. I saw the girl named Megan posted something rude and act emotional which I had the urge to do that also for the first time I saw these. Now it’s my anger part. Please, show some respect I know most of Thai people seem to have all those traits but I couldn’t agree with how some said He loves Thai cultures. Because the comments that were added later seem trash. I’m not a hypocrite and I try my best to not judge other people and learn that each cultures are different. But I’m a human with emotions and I’m Thai. So I will try my best to NOT assume that you are all unhappy guys that dont have better thing to do in your free time than judging people. And I don’t think it’s nice to team up insulting 18 year-old girl. What she did is rude but it makes me thinking that for you assumption about Thai traits Online and her talking about someone’s wife in the bad way is the same thing. However I could be wrong about all these. 🙂
Hello all of you here
I’m a Thai girl. Wait! i’m not bar girl, so don’t build any bad image about me. I’m not here for saying evasion, i just feel uncomfortable to see you guys talking bad about my country. Somebody here said no putting all american on same boat, i just wish you would think like that too, no putting all Thai people on same boat. Every where have good and bad people same, or anyone not agree? In your country also have bad people, and also have bad common sense too. Many of my foreigner friends, Both Westerners and Asia have told me about some bad common sense of American, English, Chinese, etc. I’ve listen to their opinion and i always think as nothing is perfect. And people shouldn’t blame others people. We all was born and be alive in the same world, we are different just because different places we’re grew from. The list about Thai common sense here is true, but it doesn’t mean every Thai people will be all like that, and some common sense here is also belong to some foreigner. I always be on time. Before i hate people who aren’t on time to me, but time by time i learned that, i can’t wish anyone think or do same as me. so i never blame to people who come late, i just say “You want to come late, you can. But i will never come late because i understand the feeling of person who should wait for me” Sorry if my English isn’t so fluent, and i hope you guys not blame me about the language.
Maggie
I know what you mean. Yeah, it might be true, but it is considered offensive and stuff. Dudes, I’m pretty sure I might be be 1/5 of some of you guys’ ages, but I can be indignant and stubborn when it comes to sexual or racial discrimination. Or even worse, discrimination according to age.
I agree with your list John. I’m Asian and just started working in a hotel in Thailand. I stumbled into your blog because I wanna understand Thai’s and their personality. My first week at work they talk to me, they befriended me, the next day they gossip about you as if ur not in front of them.. Now i realized that they are very jealous if someone is better than them. Especially if you speak, read and write English. All the English word they no is just yes & no. They also get very jealous coz I’m paid higher than them.Naturally coz I have a degree, work experience and whatever it is that I’m paid for, actually for me Im still underpaid. And they get so freakin pissed if you say something bad about their country.They are surely hypocrites. Its like a cult thing that ur not allowed or cursed to if u do so. Lack of common sense is very common in them. I’ve been almost all over Asia, I love to travel, I have different experiences too. I believe its different everywhere, but this is just far different. This is based on my experience, the people I meet and whom I work with.
My ex GF was just like what you has described,, point by point… his sisters, mother and sons too… If you want a totally illogical relationship, to have a girl that talk less than a wall, to live in a country where you are the last one to all and the first to pay for all.. and many more… go Thailand what you waiting for….
Amen! Married to a Thai guy 20 years. I was made to feel ignorant or rude if I wanted to have a conversation.
Ah…right. With that matter, I am not the best person to voice in, but I’ll say let’s not judge an entire group based on one person. It’s hypocritical of me to say this when it comes to men, so I’m not entirely sure, but I think women need more rights in this world. More respect for what they do, more defensiveness in what they do right, more recognition. We need to stand up, because we know we’re better than what they make us out to be.
Thai schools are almost 100% evil and I know because I taught English in them for many years- when will this horrible ruination of souls ever end?
The turmoil started in the late 1930’s when Japanese imperial army in cooperation with Phiboon Songkram sought to herd the Thai people like sheep so that they would become good colonial factory slaves. That trend continues today, sadly.
It’s not just in Thailand, school all around the world is a collectivist nightmare that herds people into age based groups rather than ability and forces young people to spend the best years sitting around regurgitating crap instead of thinking. The Prussians invented school back in the early 1800’s and Asians have perfected it sadly.
Wow. We agree. The American public schools are very much like that.
They originated, believe it or not, as a place where people learn to recognize the Devil. How quickly that changed.
Of course, a school is supposed to be a place where one goes to learn how to differentiate the truth from falsehood.
(Please don’t tell me about “your” truth. I just ate and don’t want to lose it so soon.)
Sawatdeeka to everyone here. I am a Thai girl who had moved to Australia and have been studying at an Australian school for 5 years now.I found this website because I wanted to know what people think of my country. When I’ve read this list of Thai people characteristics and some of the comments, I felt very offended and upset by what foreigners think of Thai people. I believe that every culture of different countries are not exactly the same. So wouldn’t it be better if you just try to understand others? From the list, I think that they fit into people all around the world. Not everyone in a country has the same personality, some are bad and some are good and I think this applies everywhere. I couldn’t read every comments because most I found very rude and vulgar. Maybe some of you have just met the bad type of Thai people and been going to places in Thai that are bad, that is why you have bad impression of Thai people.
And I can tell you that when I was still in Thai, the education wasn’t all about Thai. I mean, yeah, most country would focus more on their history and all that. But when I was learning in Thai we also learned many other countries’ history and also other religions. We also learnt many things such as mathematics and science that were taught in Australia yet when we came here( not offending any Australians). We learnt the English language too. And I went to a fairly ‘poor’ government school.
I think some of these traits do apply in Thai but not everyone in Thai have the same personality. Many of my Thai friends there are nice and generous. Some were mean of course but we were young. And that people said Thai people treat Burmese people wrongly, it does not mean every thai person threat Burmese people badly. I am half Burmese myself, my mother and her family were in hiding in Thai. Many of my teachers and my father’s friends were very nice to us. They understood our situation and helped out, none were disgusted.
And can I please point out that the list does not say any good things about Thai people?
I also want to tell you that most Thai people I know actually think that tourist or ‘farang’ are very nice people and we admire them in some way. So why can’t you see the good side of thai people too?
And also Thai language doesn’t really have an exact meaning of common sense. There are many ways to say it in phases though.
P.S. I am 15 years old and don’t understand why adults are so complicated.
Korbkhunka
Thanks for the comment but you have it wrong, this is a list written by a Thai person about what the person felt about Thai people, the original post I believe was on pantip can’t remember now but it resonated with Thai people and most of the people who commented felt the list was correct if not too short. You’re only 15 and it seems you haven’t lived in Thailand since you were 10 so not to discredit you too much, you still have a lot to learn. Thanks again for your feedback.
I would just like to say I love Thai people and culture. I have found them friendly and I haven’t met any bad Thais (except for Tuk Tuk drivers 555) My partner is thai and I haven’t had one moment of regret.
Good day, everyone. I’m Thai and did agreed with all 41 traits. I’m sick of Thai people too, many things in Thai cannot be improved from these traits. But…what are you doing here, is it # 1? people only have bad things to say, they never have any suggestions.
Very interesting reading…white female living in Thailand for 16 years..i agree with all the points and so does my Thai husband. But not ALL Thai people are like that..my main annoyances of Thai people is the inconsideration..
1) staring and pointing..farang..farang!!! erm.. (Do you want anything? shall i take a picture for you?mee arai reu plao kaa..diow tai roop hai (with a big sarcastic smile) ai dum..ai dum!!! chorp mai?ไอดำ..ไอดำ!!! ชอบไหม????
2)mai gleang jai kon eunไม่เกรงใจคนอื่น..What’s up with playing loud music every night, kids screaming up and down the street and banging on your front gate and hard sweeping the street every morning at the crack of dawn. GRRR!! lol
3)Driving in the fast lane at 40 kph refusing to move so you have to quickly and carefully dodge in between the big lorries and the fool who is so important probably talking on their phone…ever wonder why all cars have blacked out windows? it’s so we can’t see the face behind the stupidity.
4)Never being able to say what you really mean for fear of giving offence/losing face..grow a set of balls and give it to me straight!!! It would save so much emotional effort.
5)Shouting really loud “KUP KHUN KA” when you hold the door open for some important person who is incapable of saying Thank you.
6)Pushing in line at 7 Eleven. Why are you more important than everyone else?
7)constantly drowned with”you can eat spicy food..oh my god amazing..you can eat kanom jean..oh my god amazing..No i cannot do any of these things it is physically impossible i will kill over..lol ENGLISH SARCASM!!!
8) Cant be bothered to go on..but there is a lot more, I love Thailand I have lived here since i was 14 this is my home (although i am treated like i just got off the airplane every single day) To Thai people: open your minds..question your superiors/elders they are not right about everything. too tired to continue going to sleep..ready to teach 40 thai students that it okay to ask WHY? to say NO!!! and to tell them that i don’t need a big bamboo whip to keep them in line..which is easier..yes..but..effective..NO!!
I don’t get hurt about this kind of stuff, but now I get it. I feel extremely hurt by this. Not every Thai person is like this (I am Thai myself). Granted there were 3 things that sounded like me, but all the rest was the complete opposite.
It’s a generalization, there’s truth to it, but of course, not everyone will have every single trait listed.
Builder by trade.
Helped build a toilet with my g/f’s father and brother at their place of business in Rayong. absolute nightmare (bless them). The basic ethos was
1. Do it
2. Redo any mistakes made
3. Redo again if necessary
As shocking as it was for the most part; I thoroughly enjoyed the experience!