Don't usually start a thread devoted to criticizing Thais, but there is something that I find odd about the Thais I've met in America. I can speak some basic phrases and follow simple conversations about everyday topics. And I know the difference between "thaan ahaan" and "gin khao", "mai ow" and "mai tongaan". In other words, I don't speak bargirl Thai in front of polite company and use words like "joa chuu" and not pronounce the "r" in khrap.
Without fail, after the initial shock of seeing a foriegner speak Thai in US wears off, the first question they ask me is, "Do you have a Thai girlfriend?" Seems like an innocent question, but then I thinking what the implications are. The educated Thais here will all claim that people visit Thailand for the food, temples, culture, or laidback lifestyle until they are red in the face. So why is this the first question they ask?
If someone spoke French, would you assume he had a French girlfriend? Or would you more likely assume he had an interest in French culture?
If I met a white person that spoke Hindi, I would probably think he worked with many Indians or had a keen interest in the religion before thinking he had a Indian wife.
So do Thais believe that the only reason someone would stay for an extended period in their country is for the women? Do most of them automatically assume this is primary reason farangs live in LOS?
BTW, not saying that their assumption is completely inaccurate in my case.