Thailand
Ask The Thais | Road deaths, dating foreigners, and is ‘farang’ racist?

Ask The Thais” is a new segment on The Thaiger where we ask some of our Thai staff to explain some of the unusual and sometimes inexplicable little nuances of Thai culture. You have a question?
Send it in and we’ll get our MUCH BETTER LOOKING Thai staff to explain, from a Thai youth perspective, some of their culture and what they really think. Send us your questions below.
YouTube link to the Australian Transport Accident Commission video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2mf8DtWWd8
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Thailand
Thailand News Today | Thai army trim the Generals, sugar making Thais fat | March 8

71 new Covid cases in Thailand today, the generals are being told they’re going to face pay cuts and a Thai doctors has issued a warning about the link between Thai’s love for sugary sweets and life-threatening diseases… there goes my afternoon donut. And don’t worry, I’m not going to sing my way through the news today, it’s just nice and cool in my home studio so you can enjoy the cool with me. We’ve also got a new segment at the end of the news today… you’ll see that soon enough.
71 new coronavirus cases have been announced today, 31 of them from the hotzone of Samut Sakhon, just south of Bangkok. This beings the total number of confirmed cases in Thailand to 26,441.
The death toll remains at 85 people.
The Thai Army, Navy and Air Force are aiming to trim the number of generals in the ranks by 25% by 2029. But plenty of critics say the plan is probably just more words and won’t ever happen.
A Thai doctor is reminding Thais about the clear links between eating sugary foods and the risk of various life-threatening diseases, including cancer. The doctor warns that high consumption of sugar can trigger everything from fatty liver, clogged arteries and liver cancer. 4 million Thais have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Hotels in the northern province of Chiang Mai have been forced to slash rates by up to 90%, desperately trying to attract more local tourists. The northern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association, claims, with tourists mainly favouring the southern beach destinations over the past month month, hotel operators in the north are now planning for low season.
Anti-government activists gathered at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument yesterday. Although the anti-government protests have kicked off again after a 2 month hiatus, the numbers are well down on last years crowds, now measuring more in the hundreds than the thousands.
Meanwhile the protest leader Panusaya aka “Rung”, has been hit with a fine of nearly 6 million baht. Her crime? Allegedly removing plants at the Democracy Monument. Panusaya and 5 other activists have been charged with removing plants placed as decoration around the monument, during a political rally back on February 13.
Various groups, including Amnesty International and the UN Human Rights Committee, continue to criticise the Thai government’s use of the country’s lèse majesté laws, with Amnesty International describing it as an attempt to silence dissent.
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Thailand
Local Thai politician arrested after allegedly firing shots at a pub

A local politician allegedly shot 4 people at a pub in Nakhon Phanom. Witnesses told the Bangkok Post that the man started firing shots at throughout the pub because he was drunk and unhappy with the table service. Police arrested 58 year old Paisal Saengnarai, who is a kamnan, the governing official of a tambon or sub district.
Witnesses say the kamnan of tambon Na-ngua at the pub drinking with friends when he got unhappy with the waiter. He then walked out to his car, drove to the front of the pub, grabbed his 9mm CZ pistol and started firing random shots in the pub, witnesses said, according to the Bangkok Post.
8 to 9 shots were fired, hitting 4 customers at the pub. They were rushed to Ban Phaeng Hospital. Paisal was arrested on a firearms charge.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Quarantine for vaccinated travellers to be reduced to 7 days

The mandatory quarantine period for those who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus will be reduced from 14 days to 7 days, Thailand’s Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirankul said in a press conference. Those who have not been vaccinated, but have a medical certificate declaring that they are Covid-free, will be required to quarantine to 10 days, Anutin said, according to Reuters.
The health minister says vaccinations must be administered within 3 months of travelling to Thailand. Travellers must still show negative Covid-19 test results issued within 72 hours of their departure to Thailand. Those travelling from Africa must still quarantine for 14 days due to concerns about new variants of the coronavirus.
SOURCE: Reuters
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Thomas Bangerter
Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 9:29 pm
the word Farang mean originally Farangsy “French”. The French were the first foreigners doing business in Siam, today Thailand. Farang stands for any westener and I got to know it decades ago while learning the thai language in my hometown in Switzerland before moving to Thailand and Lao to work
brian mc
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 10:01 pm
I read this somewhere many moons ago. The version as i recall it was that the french were the first to invade (although i am told thailand has never been invaded). As i hate the way the word sounds, especially when pronounced falang, i usually point out i am not french. i have yet to meet anyone who knew or had at least heard of the words origin and association with the french.
i also hate the word gin for eat and drink… tarn and derm sound much nicer.
Mr cynic
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 6:23 am
I’ve heard a slightly different take on the above along the lines of falang is a corruption of the word Flemish and is from the times when the Dutch East Indies company had trading posts in Siam.
The one about the guava fruit as mentioned in the interview however is by far the most common explanation I have heard.
Simon
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 6:53 am
Thailand never been invaded? It’s never been colonised by a Western power although every inch of Thailand has at some stage been ruled by a foreign power. The Khmer, Mon, Lao, Lanna , Funan, Langkasuka, Kanduli, Srivijaya, Tambralinga Kingdoms have all ruled in what is now Thailand.
In fact, the Tai people didn’t even settle in present day Thailand until around 700AD (by some accounts)
brian mc
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 7:37 am
conquered was more the term i was groping for
Jeremy Kipling
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 8:57 am
Think you will find that the Portuguese where here first.
French came later with their ridiculous idea to covert Siam into Catholics.
brian mc
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 3:31 pm
their more dogoholics than catoholics
Kk khun
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 2:49 pm
They call foreigners firangi (notice the close similarity) in india where the French hardly existed! So i am not sure of this
Ian
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 1:10 am
Loved this video do more as we get unbiased opinions good or bad for m 3 lovely people briliant
Bob Dumbrill
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 9:55 am
I watched with interest today with regard to commentary made re Road Safety within Thailand. I am Australian and spent over 20 years in professional fire services going on with a career change to Work Health and Safety Management within a variety of International and multi state corporate bodies. I retired here to Thailand in 2019 after the death of my Australian wife in 2017. I have since married a Thai national and live in North East Thailand. I was interested in your commentary today after spending the last 10 years of my Fire Service Career as a Command Training Officer within the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service with a predominant part of this time in Motor Vehicle Accident Rescue and Heavy Rescue. I am astonished from experience and observation of the lack of Road Safety understanding here and at the sad loss of life through incidents occurring on the road network. Your commentary and Video on the implementation of the Australian Road Safety campaign is well received but its impact on the current situation here is going to be minimal unless it is shown to the Road Safety related Government Officials for reference and maybe similar implementation into Thai Society. All Australian citizens clearly now understand what is required from them as responsible road users – yes there will be exceptions but those exceptions are dealt with rapidly by the responsible authorities over there. I sat for and received my Thai Drivers and Motor Cycle Licenses last year and was astonished at its ease of receipt. From my observations the lack of understanding of the impacts of death or disablement from Road Incidents including the financial impacts upon Thai Society by these incidents by the populous is not at all clearly understood. Simply Education is the key at a base level within Primary and High Schools including as Tim hit upon the impacts of these incidents upon the actual human body and the their family members having to deal with any loss of life or the ongoing support of those impacted by a prolonged sustained injury including the impact upon the families lifestyles (EG: Farming or Business related families). If these students clearly understood what I had seen and had to deal with during my Fire Service career (including dismemberment removal from vehicles) such education would I dare say make some stand back and realize the impact(s) on the consequence of their ongoing actions with regards to themselves and others on the road network. Sadly it is a long road ahead for the Government, Religious representatives, Employers and Citizens to reduce these road tolls and can only be achieved by a hand in hand response to a complete re-education of drivers on the roads here including an appropriate licensing system with impacts for non conformance to road rules that actually hurt the pocket and / or loss of the privilege of driving. Good subject keep up the good work.
maxcorrigan
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 9:39 am
All well and good Bob, but as long as you have got rampant corruption as in Thailand none of that will apply, where Hi-So’s can get get away with literally murder on the roads, until corruption is seriously tackled and just (not selective) punishment’s administered nothing will change!
Anh Lam
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 10:20 am
Max, your right, nothing will change until the government get kicked out and a new governing body gets in. I went to the drivers license office in Nakhon Ratchasima in October last year. What a joke. The operators of the various test’s need to be replaced with professional testors. I did not even finish the color blindness test, passed! I didnot complete the depth perception test, passed! Finally the residency test, which was not accepted by one of the 3 admin staff. I had to go to Immigration office 31km away to get a document stating my address in Korat. Well, i informed this 2 bar officer look at your requirement list and tell me what document is required.
She disappearedand came back with a ugly no good document answer. Me as a farang went donwstairs to the chief’s office and complained. I finally did get my renewed drivers license. Not a baht lost or paid under the table to staff that don’t take their jobs seriously.
Albert Bertram
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 9:59 am
I very much enjoy “Ask the Thais” except for one thing.
The young people on the show have the irritating habit of the overuse of the word “LIKE”
This is a disease that all English speaking young people have.
It spoils the conversation.
I do wish they would listen to themselves and change their habits.
Robert
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 11:23 am
Great segment. The young man was spot on about ignorant people but opinions can definitely be wrong. Regarding traffic, Thais drive very selfishly-me first. To improve the accident rate appeal to the Buddhist nature of the people and have them understand that good driving is making merit. Let other people merge, don’t skip the line and force your way in at the front, and yield to pedestrians, for God’s sake.
Also, Thai roads are pretty good but with all the motorcycles there’s a need for motorcycle lanes. And no trucks in the fast lanes on the highway
Michael Dirk
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 11:52 am
Excellent video about how some Thais think. However, probably much different answers from the uneducated and poor Thais.
Would like similar interviews among different socio economic levels with Thai people.
William
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 8:00 pm
Indeed these young ladies are very beautiful! You know that!
DAVID LAIRD
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 8:28 pm
Having lived in France where the road deaths and accident rate were really high and was reduced substantially by government action i would suggest the following in Thailand :
1.Everyone must pass a driving test : Practical and theoretical. The police must enforce this. No bribes either to get the licence or to the police when they control.
2. Cars and motorbikes must be properly maintained. A technical test every 2 years for all vehicles over 4 years old. This will include : lights, brakes, wheel alignment, tyres and also exhaust emission
These 2 measures will already reduce substantially the accident rate, as the the vehicles will be in better condition, but will start start to make the Thai driver understand that driving can be dangerous and they have to take responsability for their own actions.
3. More police control of drinking and driving with substantial penalties which are also related to the driver’s income.
4. More control of speeding as for drink and driving.
5. Police enforcement of helmet wearing on motorbikes.
6. Education via advertisements etc of traffic rules : particularly drive on the left overtake on the right.
These measures will take some time to enforce and for them to take effect but they will in time bring down the accident rate. As the accident rate drops the Thais must be informed so that they are proud of the improvement as they move down the world rating and will then help to strive for a even beter position the following year.
Somchai
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 12:37 pm
100% agree. My country also in Europe had a similar high death rate. It is now substabtially lower thanks to the goverment implemeting similar policies to what you siggested above.
Will it happen in Thailand? Not in the next 20 years no.
brian mc
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 9:43 pm
Shame Tim is not called Ray.
Bow and Beer, a female beer. Ray a drop of golden sun.
Simon
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 10:53 pm
Where is Ask the Thais Episode one? No link on this website and no search results. What is going on?
Toby Andrews
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 10:55 pm
Apart from my intention to be seen cool in bar, I do wear dark glasses in order to guard against glare of persons wearing shirts such as this person to the left in the picture.
Far a long long way to run
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 11:03 pm
Doe a deer!
Alan
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 11:29 pm
I went from farang to uncle on my first visit.
Clinton
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 12:43 am
Would like to hear more news regarding the police and government officials who were charged with corruption regarding the facilitation of illegal migrant workers suspected of introducing the surge of new COVID-19 cases in a number of provinces in Thailand.
norbert BUFFARD
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 6:01 am
The word FARANG came from the word FRANC which mean FRENCH and was used by French having business with the kingdom of Siam
Ian
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 7:17 am
I would like to know your opinions on how foreigners living in Thailand are treated versus how Thais living in other countries are treated by the respective governments (and immigration in-particular).
TV
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 8:28 am
“You want the old once with a lot of money who will die in a few years…” Lol, your hilarious Tim!
Patrick
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 8:48 am
If you really want to get their opinion you should let them answer in Thai and add subtitles because most of your guests have problems expressing themselves in English and seem to miss the finesses sometimes. Or its a lack of general interests? Like to hope thats not the case..
Anh Lam
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 10:22 am
Max, your right, nothing will change until the government get kicked out and a new governing body gets in. I went to the drivers license office in Nakhon Ratchasima in October last year. What a joke. The operators of the various test’s need to be replaced with professional testors. I did not even finish the color blindness test, passed! I didnot complete the depth perception test, passed! Finally the residency test, which was not accepted by one of the 3 admin staff. I had to go to Immigration office 31km away to get a document stating my address in Korat. Well, i informed this 2 bar officer look at your requirement list and tell me what document is required.
She disappearedand came back with a ugly no good document answer. Me as a farang went donwstairs to the chief’s office and complained. I finally did get my renewed drivers license. Not a baht lost or paid under the table to staff that don’t take their jobs seriously.
MikeD
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 3:01 pm
This is a nice segment. I wish you had more Thai people 10 to 20) to answer each question. To get a wider range of responses. Especially on whet they don’t like about farangs what farangs do wrong. Etc. I hope continue to have these segments.
Social Observer
Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 4:52 am
Being called Farang doesn’t bother me at all. Same as calling someone a “Brit” or “French” or “Swiss”.
The Thaiger
Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 12:15 pm
Wel,, totally different thing really. ‘Farang’ is referring to your skin colour.
Wayne crozier
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 12:37 am
I thoroughly enjoyed the program.