Cheap Farangs Suffer As Rice Prices Climb

Tired of cocktail-party talk about the unreliability of maids? But nevertheless lost touch with reality out there? Not The Nation has an exclusive that brings you back to earth: Not every farang in town enjoys an expat-contract with paid multi-million-baht-schooling for multiple kids and free business-class flights back home each year for the whole clan.

With rising prices Thailand’s seemingly rich foreigners fight the misconception that they are richer than Thais as they are forced to shell out more for Thai food. And true: You see more and more farang beggars on Bangkok’s streets, be it in Sois around Sukhumvit or on the BTS’ skywalk.

Take Briton John Wilson, reports Not The Nation, who says he’s just like any Thai person: He wakes up at the crack of down, takes the bus three hours to work, slaves away at work for a low wage and simply wants to enjoy his khao mun gai and Leo beer in peace when he comes home.

By Not The Nation, Thonburi

But now, with rice prices soaring to record levels, his life has become all the more difficult. The food vendors on his soi in Thonburi raised prices of nearly all dishes by five baht, leaving him struggling to survive.

“I think a lot of Thais are confused and think that just because I have white skin I am a rich person,” he said in an interview on Wednesday. “I’m not though. Five baht is actually a lot of money to me.”

“Thais think I am rich because I can make 40,000 baht per month,” he added. “But what they don’t realize is that I need to pay for my flights back to London twice a year, so that actually means I make less money than Thai people.”




John is not alone. Cheap farangs all over Bangkok are erupting in anger at the price increases, claiming that food vendors are simply trying to pull a fast one on old whitey.

In Bang Na, an American man reportedly was so livid about paying the extra five baht for khao pad mu that he called the vendor in broken Thai “a thief and a liar” and ensured him that he would never eat there again.

In Ramkamhaeng, a fat British woman was overheard complaining about decreased portion sizes, claiming that she was “absolutely famished” after a recent meal of krapow gai.

And on Khao San Road, a group of Australian backpackers beat a pad thai vendor nearly to death after he raised the price three baht from the previous month.

“Thai people, listen to me: We are not made of money,” declared Andrea Silverstein, a fast-talking British backpacker who was “appalled” that prices were at least five percent more than the Lonely Planet guide said they would be.

Americans who are paid in dollars are especially in dire circumstances. They claim that they have already lost 20 percent of their large salaries in the past few years, and rising rice prices will cause them to cut down on drinking or paying for more expensive farang food.

Some foreigners have decided to take action. Renowned farang beggar Marcus Stevenson says he is planning a march on the Commerce Ministry to call for cheaper prices.

“Not every farang is sipping cocktails at Vertigo, and I think that Thais need to hear that as well,” said Stevenson. “Sure we might make double, triple or quadruple what Thai make for the same amount of work, but our traveling and living costs are much higher. Thais don’t need serviced apartments, laundry service, pools, fitness rooms and UBC. We do. And those things cost money.”

To coincide with the rising prices, Stevenson has started asking Thais for 1,500 baht contributions instead of 1,000 baht. He says he has “almost” made enough money to finally go home and should have enough cash in a few more years.

Via Not The Nation




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April 1, 2008 | Filed Under Being Farang, Travel & Tourism, Truly Bangkok 

Comments

6 Responses to “Cheap Farangs Suffer As Rice Prices Climb”

  1. gonzobrains on April 22nd, 2008 2:01 am

    What exactly is a “farang beggar”? How do you get a work permit to become one? Why hasn’t this Stevenson guy been locked up or deported for being a beggar? Does he have to make visa runs between begging for change or is he taking chances with visa overstay?

    And why exactly do farang (especially those of the beggar variety like Stevenson) “need” serviced apartments, laundry service, pools, fitness rooms and UBC? Can’t they do without just as they do without cocktails at Vertigo? These comments are simply examples of middle-class snobbery. Exhibit jealousy for those above you (the ones with the multi-million dollar contracts) and look down at those below you (the Thais).

    Last time I checked, being broke back home is the same as being broke in Thailand. You’re just plain broke. So if prices go up, stop crying. Tighten the belt and deal with it. Being a farang in Thailand doesn’t exempt from from the same economic woes you have back home.

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  2. hugo on April 24th, 2008 3:01 am

    British Embassy should send him home and take back his passport.

    I have shame and the British ambassador should too, the Thais are getting sick of British beggars littering their city.

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  3. Nathan on June 6th, 2008 6:43 pm

    To hear of a group of Australians being violent towards a pad thai vendor for raising the price by only three baht makes me ashamed to be Australian. To get some perspective on the issue three baht is equal to approx ten cents. If life is getting so tough for these greedy farung, they should go home and stop giving honest and respectable people like me a bad name.

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  4. BangkokDan on June 7th, 2008 9:40 am

    Rightly so Nathan!

    BangkokDan

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  5. Somchai Smith on July 1st, 2008 10:20 pm

    This is absolutely ridiculous. Complaints over 3-5 baht increase? The woman complaining about prices not reflecting what Lonely Planet says? Travel guides are NOT static by nature. Prices change! Ever hear of “inflation”? It’s not just reserved for rich Western nations. If you eat 4 Thai meals a day (given that servings are smaller), this would mean an extra 20 baht or so a day – 140 baht a week – 560 baht a month. So if an additional $17 US a month is making life unaffordable for you here GO HOME where a dinner for 2 at a Thai restaurant in the US/UK will set you back at least $17. Enough said. I am about to enjoy my 500 baht pizza I just ordered.

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  6. Jack on September 12th, 2009 4:35 pm

    Wow, can’t believe that everyone took this seriously. It’s so damned obvious that this is meant to be a satirical story, purely for laughs. You’re all so thick-headed or literal-minded that you actually fell for this fake story. I guess if you guys go to http://www.TheOnion.com, you’ll believe all the stories there and tut-tut “what is the world coming to?” instead of laughing your ass off.

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