Farang

Farang ( in Thai: ฝรั่ง, pronounced: [ Faran ], in the vernacular often falang ) is the usual term in Thailand for foreigner with white skin color. Africans or African- Americans are mostly as a Negro, formerly often called Farang Dam referred to African-American U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War ( "Black Farang "). In contrast, South Asians and West Asians hot (for example, Arabs, Persians, Turks, Indians, Nepalis ... ) Kaek ( แขก, literally guests) or something derogatory Abang ( อา บัง ).

Generally farang is a neutral word, but may also - depending on the context - to be understood as an insult or derogatory. In Thailand, living and traveling Europeans and Americans use the term often referred to as a self-designation.

Origin

The word farang is probably derived from the Persian word farangg because the Persians were trading partners of the Siamese before the Europeans. In Hindi in India, the foreigners is called farangi, or Arabic alfrandsch, Egypt and North Africa afrangui, Ethiopia faranji. A unique or somehow detectable answer to the riddle, when and how the Thai took over the word, has not yet been found. The Muslim merchants called probably all European Christians ( Portuguese, English and Dutch ) "Franks". Thus the word probably came with the crusades to Jerusalem and to the Arab countries, from there via the old trade routes to Asia and Africa, possibly even to Polynesia, there are white Europeans " Palangi " called.

Linguists question the commonly held view, the word is probably derived from the French " français ", but the French were among the first Europeans who settled in this area. Even the first syllable of the word " française " prepares the Thais problems with the pronunciation. One on one "f" following "r" "as in" Fran " Thais find it difficult to express why they used a Füllvokal, or ignore him. Fran from is so farang or just start. Therefore was " Farang "from" français " derived, one should actually something like F ( ar) expect angsä. for the thesis, however, speaks the similar word Barang, which use the neighboring Khmer for French.

French are called " Khon Farangset " means ( in Thai: คน ฝรั่งเศส ).

Second meaning

The word Farang is also the name for the guava, the, native to South America, has been made known by Portuguese traders in Thailand.

Others

Since 1997 is published by members of the Thai - German community in Berlin, the South-East Asia magazine FARANG whose website www.farang.de also in German Farang in Thailand is popular. The magazine is cooperating with the published magazine in Pattaya THE FARANG.