Oh yes! I’ve lived in Thailand for most of the last 11 years and, almost daily, come across the Thai stereotype that I am rich stupid falang. As you know, I teach here and my students are amazed when they discover how much I get paid. Their estimates of my wages are usually three or four times what I actually get! Of course, because they grow up believing that all farangs are rich!

And, of course, there is always the stereotype that I am an outsider and can know nothing about Thai society or culture or religion. Despite being here for years, having a Thai wife and children, etc etc, I am always asked dumb questions such as can I eat Thai food. Would you ask a Thai resident of the US, after a decade in America, if they can eat western food?

But worse is the institutional racism. My Thai wife lives in the UK where she can do any job and, with permanent residency, has no further dealings with the immigration authorites. In fact, as a resident, she has more or less all the benefits of British people. On the other hand, as a legal resident of Thailand, I am restricted in the work I can apply to do and my visa is dependant upon my job. I even have to sign in for ‘alien registration’ every 90 days at the immigration office.

Worse still is the treatment from many of the temples. Ten years ago my wife and I made merit at the temple of the Golden Buddha near the main train station in Bangkok and we supported the temple as it raised funds for a new building to house it’s incredible Buddha image. I went back there a few weeks ago to visit the newly completed project and was told I had to pay to enter.

Thais could enter for free for non-Thais have to pay. I explained that I am a legal resident, that I have a work permit, that I pay tax and have done for years. I explained that I have a Thai family and that we even helped build this new temple building but I was still told that non-Thais must pay to enter simply because they are ot Thai.

The same at the main temple in Bangkok by the Grand Palace housing the most important Buddha image in the country. I went there last year with a Korean monk in robes. We were stopped at the gate and told to pay – because we are not Thai. Again I explained that I am a Thai tax-payer and that my friend is a fully ordained member of the Sangha, but again we were told that non-Thais must pay regardless of residency or religion.

And so, for as long as the institutional racism exists, stereotypes will also exist. For as long as foriegners in Thailand are officially prevented from integrating, popular understanding of foriegners will also be full of misunderstanding.

zengirl1: A lovely story, thank you for sharing.

Chana: At the very least, Buddhism helps us realize we’re even doing it. :-p

Chana