Can a foreigner get into the core of Thai-ness? September 7, 2010
Posted by judegrrl in Days of our lives, From the heart of Thailand, General, News.add a comment
Found this great topic on the Bangkok Post forum. Have a read to get a glimpse into the dichotomy of the Thai-Farang relationship!
Farang cannot know!
by thompson on Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:05 am
The general Thai view is that some farangs may know a lot about Thai politics, culture, way of life and so on, but they will never be able to reach the core of Thai-ness.
In retrospect, the traditional elite have always viewed themselves as being caught in the dilemma of whether to wipe out the threatening farang culture or to welcome its modernity.
This Post Bag reader reply is worth a read:
Contrary to the premise of the article about the impossibility of farangs to comprehend Thailand (“Farang cannot know – even if they do understand,” Bangkok Post, Aug 31), Thais often have to turn to farangs living on the other side of the world to learn about their own country, as we have seen in many high-profile corruption cases as well as in the identification of other social ills, particularly in the areas of human rights and human trafficking.
Thais are often uniquely incapable of learning about their own country, being too deeply entangled in the characteristics of Thai-ness that prevent them from seeking the truth. They are hampered by superstition, the importance of image over substance and of social harmony over truth, a natural tolerance of social ills, and a willingness to smooth things over instead of addressing ugly problems head on.
Farangs are an asset to Thailand in many ways, including their objective view of Thai society that exposes obvious truths that are often invisible to Thais.
CHA-AM JAMAL
Re: Farang cannot know!
by Voice on Sat Sep 04, 2010 12:14 am
Re: Farang cannot know!
by wilko on Sun Sep 05, 2010 8:26 pm
Things that die in your absence August 4, 2009
Posted by judegrrl in Mission, News.Tags: Khon Kaen, sad news, shrivel & wither
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When we first got home after our week-long Seoul trip, we found dead bugs in the house. Quite a few of them. Cockcroaches, nymphs, spiders etc. And it happened that each subsequent morning would yield new finds without fail. Hahaha…
We also found some other changes awaiting us on our return. Good ones such as Am & boyfriend who have returned from the Loei province after spending 3 weeks in the rice-fields. There were also news that gave us mixed feelings- such as finding out a valuable member in Vince’s cell ministry had just turned full-time, thereby unable to join all future meetings.
And then there were the bad news that broke my heart: hearing that a dear missionary family in KK had been robbed while asleep, finding out that one of the ladies from my ladies’ cell, absent for three weeks, showed up in church with a new Caucasian boyfriend/ friend in tow. Learning of a local Christian sister who had a non-Christian boyfriend & finding out that no one ever told her it was wrong.
Was our enemy having a field day here in KK, living off his fresh pickings while we were off in Korea?
By the way, I think the termites are back in our sabaai room. Again.
Khon Kaen, Strike One- Out! December 1, 2008
Posted by judegrrl in Geography, News.Tags: Khon Kaen, political unrest, Thailand
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It’s official- our short trip to Khon Kaen from 3rd-7th Dec has been cancelled. The PAD has taken over the BKK airport since 26th Nov and are demanding for fresh elections. Thousands of passengers were left stranded in the airport, unable to fly home while many more had to change their travels plans or cancel flights to Bangkok altogether.
So our little team was pretty disappointed in having to face up to the news. Some of us were hoping that the airport would even be re-opened by Tuesday. Still we know that God is in control even in the midst of this anarchy. Please pray for Thailand and for us. Who knows if the door for spreading the gospel in the country will be closed to foreigners like us?
