Is it a myth that Thais don't like confrontation?

[Pragmatic]

I believe it a myth. I've seen Thais confront each other many a time. Admittedly more so when drunk. Where I live the local temple used o organize free concerts etc. There's rivalry between villages which meant the use of civil militia being deployed with 'night sticks'. The temple has now had to knocked the concerts on the head, excuse the pun.
Family feuds are common. Upset one family member and the rest take sides. I could go on with examples of when Thais confront others but I'll leave it there for now. Are Thais confrontational people, in your opinion?

[chassamui]

Have you ever seen a Thai returning faulty goods, or complaining in a restaurant or shop?
I think in a parochial environment, they are more likely to cut loose as you describe, but IME they do avoid confrontation in a wider public situation.

[Pragmatic]

Sorry mate I don't see it. My missus complains if things ain't right. As for the general population most are too ignorant as to know their rights, so therefore many say nowt.

[ltnt]

Rare any sign of conflict Thai on Thai. Business, class rooms, village meetings, working or traveling. They keep it inside. You may have pissed a lot of people off there P, but until they reach the breaking point, you're safe.

[thaimeme]

I believe it a myth. I've seen Thais confront each other many a time. Admittedly more so when drunk. Where I live the local temple used o organize free concerts etc. There's rivalry between villages which meant the use of civil militia being deployed with 'night sticks'. The temple has now had to knocked the concerts on the head, excuse the pun.
Family feuds are common. Upset one family member and the rest take sides. I could go on with examples of when Thais confront others but I'll leave it there for now. Are Thais confrontational people, in your opinion?

Myths to certain degrees - depending on one's perspective and interpretation.

Females tend to have a higher concentration more so than the guys.

[nevets]

Yes absolutely yes.

[Fluke]

Its pointless even thinking about it .
There are 70 million or so Thais, and they are all different

[Fluke]

"Israelis love confrontation"
Sabang

[Pragmatic]

There are 70 million or so Thais, and they are all different

I agree Fluke but there is this belief/myth that Thai's, in general, are 'non confrontational'. And I see that as being false.

[thaimeme]

There are 70 million or so Thais, and they are all different

I agree Fluke but there is this belief/myth that Thai's, in general, are 'non confrontational'. And I see that as being false.

Yes...
Along the same proposed generalities that Thais don't challenge or question.

Some do, some don't.

[Fluke]

There are 70 million or so Thais, and they are all different

I agree Fluke but there is this belief/myth that Thai's, in general, are 'non confrontational'. And I see that as being false.

Generally, IMO, Thais are non confrontational towards strangers .
Of course they have disagreements and rivalries .
But on a day to basis, they would typically shrug their shoulders and smile, rather than sticking their chest out and giving a stern look .
As in numerous Asian Countries, getting angry is seen as a sign of lack of self control , intelligence and a weakness , back in the West , getting angry and confrontational is seen as sign of ones stature and physical prowess .

[Pragmatic]

Of course they have disagreements and rivalries .

They sure do.

[thaimeme]

Thais don't apologize either.....

[Fluke]

Of course they have disagreements and rivalries .

They sure do.

There you go, that shows that all Monks are confrontational...................

[palexxxx]

Thais don't apologize either.....

bullshit, they apologize profusely ....... but they don't mean it.

[chassamui]

back in the West , getting angry and confrontational is seen as sign of ones stature and physical prowess

No it isn't.

[Fluke]

back in the West , getting angry and confrontational is seen as sign of ones stature and physical prowess

No it isn't.

Yes it fukkin is you twunt

[PeeCoffee]

I perceive Chas' post # 2 as being on the target.

Basically , one only loses face or must save face if a conflict or disrespect has blatantly taken place in public or has become public knowledge.

As for actual fighting in public - if the known parties have had a simmering beef and they meet up in a public venue, I believe it's all fair.
(ie: there's the dude that banged our sister)

As for random acts of violence that are carried out in public it's okay in certain circumstances.
(ie: (1) shooting the younger lad at the noodle shoppe. yes , the lad that disrespected you in front of your crowd at the disco the previous night
(2) cricket bats to head of person that grassed out Mom's yaba hut)

In private everything goes.
(ie: cutting your husbands penis after you heard that he wasn't at his man-friends bar and that he ran off with that whore who lives down the block the night prior)

[Nathan Napalm]

People are different.
Good folks from all walks of life - bad same.

Stereotyping - great word.
Not PC but very fvcking relevant.

Thais in general are an un-confrontational - compared to say Scots - as a nation.

The well educated and provided for one's are exceptionally un-confrontational (compared to your average Glaswegian )

Motosai, Taxi Drivers etc are much more hot headed - for obvious reasons.

On the whole though, the western "confrontational" style is becoming more common here throughout the entire strata.

[Pragmatic]

If Thais are non confrontational why is the place awash with illegal guns? If I wanted a gun I'd bet money that I could get one within the hour. In fact when I first got burgled my missus was a nervous wreck. A local copper loaned me a 9 mm pistol (illegal gun), to put my missus at ease, for a few weeks until we had security bars fitted.

[Pragmatic]

On the whole though, the western "confrontational" style is becoming more common here throughout the entire strata.

I agree but feel that the Thais are somewhat cowards being as we in the west prefer one on one face off's. Whereas Thais rarely confront on their own.

[Nathan Napalm]

If Thais are non confrontational why is the place awash with illegal guns?

With respect Pragmatic, the two are not connected. Guns are freely available here because the US pumps the country full of them, the police are mostly bent, the laws are outdated and irrelevant and nobody is held responsible for their actions.

[Pragmatic]

^ But the chances are high in a Thai using a gun in a confrontation. Nothing to do with the US flooding the country with guns.

Edit. The guns my BiL manages to acquire are not American made but Chinese.

[Nathan Napalm]

I agree but feel that the Thais are somewhat cowards being as we in the west prefer one on one face off's. Whereas Thais rarely confront on their own.

Culturally as we were taught - yes - the group attack is cowardly. It's not like that here - end of. Thais confront each other one on one (in my experience) but due to the size of foreigners - they attack in groups.

[Cujo]

back in the West , getting angry and confrontational is seen as sign of ones stature and physical prowess

No it isn't.

Yes it fukkin is you twunt

Fluke means in America.

Also, apparently 'confrontational' to some means simply asking for a refund on faulty goods.
(I've never found complaining about bad restaurant service to be particularly helpful, useful or theraputic anywhere.)
Confrontational to me has a whole different meaning.