Haha, Makiyo, i guess whats really important is in the heart, the love for the country. http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...ons/tounge.gif

when you say farangs will always be considered farangs, well what about other nationalities that are born in thailand, and then later on moved to the U.S? would you consider then farangs, or would you consider their nationalities, even if they were born in thailand? http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...icons/rock.gif

Well in Bangkok most young people talk and look like farangs too! No biggie!

How I wish I was given the luxury to choose. It would be so cool to say "Hi, I'm Thai-Chinese."

American Hmong Thai sounds good...has a ring to it. http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...ns/biggrin.gif

If you were born in the U.S., then you are a U.S. citizen. You would be considered Thai-American, just like Italian-American, Irish-American, African-American, etc. You should still embrace Thai culture and learn about and preserve as much as you can. The contributions of all the world's cultures have helped to make America great. http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...s/unclesam.gif

What is it to be consider as a thai.
 

Being Thai is as far as I know mainly a question of where you live and who your parents are. If you have a Thai mother or father you get automatically a Thai nationality. Though I am not sure if the same rule applies when living not in Thailand.

It is nearly impossible for foreigners i.e. Faragns to get a Thai passport at least there are no cases known to me.
If your name is Tiger Woods (half Thai) Thailand will ask you if you want to have a Thai passport after becoming famous.

greetings http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...cons/laugh.gif

And more food for thought.. (from the 1st perspective)

Maybe you know this feeling.. You make a new friend, talk with them, get to know them well... And after a while... You become a bit like them! You start saying similar things, behaving in a similar way! And no doubt, they have become a bit like you too.

This leads to sayings like, "You become the people you hang out with".

So.. If you hang out with thai people, what happens? http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...ns/biggrin.gif

And I think this is true for many of you, you've interacted with thais, their food, culture, learnt their language, and it is now it is a part of your identity.

Everything you experience in life becomes a part of who you are. "We are the sum of our experiences".

Aah.. http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...ns/biggrin.gif Yeah, I ponder the "Identity" issue alot too, since I am a "Turkish-Australian" (Turkish, but born and lived Australia my whole life). Ok, my ponderings so far..

First perspective, "What Identity label do I give myself?". These are the "internal" feelings you have about yourself.

Second perspective, "What Identity label does my society give me". Ie, if you ask your friends, "What Identity/race do you think I am?". Or maybe the government has already given you a label and branded your identity on your passport.

I think the 1st perspective is the most meaningful to you personally. As an example, from the 1st perspective, what make Thai people think that they are Thai? A few possibilities:

Born in Thailand, speak thai, look thai, eat thai food, abide thai customs, appreciate thai culture.

The critical point here is, that they "BELIEVE" that these things make them Thai. And from the 1st perspective, that's all that matters, BELIEVING. If you BELIEVE you are Pakistani, Uzbekistani, Tajikistani, or whatever... No matter what anyone else says to discredit/disprove you, you can stand your ground if you just continue to BELIEVE who you are.

Yes, Gurce,

nice how you write that! I have once come to a similar result when contemplating about that subject.
I might add that ones genes , at least initially, might have some influence.

Well... I guess whenever any person gets into "ramble" mode, it can be very entertaining (or very boring? http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...ns/biggrin.gif Hehe, just kidding) But I'm glad it 'connected' with you in some way, thankshttp://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...lies/smile.png

Just curious, can you elaborate on this. (Gurce passes his special "ramble mode" badge to Rambutan. http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...cons/smile.gif )

I guess I've never been through this experience exactly, so its hard for me to say... Do you have a story to tell too maybe??? Please go ahead! http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...cons/smile.gif (Gurce builds an extra "ramble mode" badge for Seeker)

I know if you have enought money you can become an Australia, I think if you have enought money you can become a citizen in any country,
I think if your rich that can make you a Thai if you want.

I'm Chinese. If I live in Thailand long enough, can I actually become Chinese-Thai?

If you were born in Thailand, it is safe to say that you are considered Thai. http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...ns/biggrin.gif And I don't think there is any other way, but...
actually, I read a case where a girl who was born in China was sold as a slave at a very young age. She ended up in Siam, and she successfully pretended to be Thai. She absorbed the culture, and pretty much everybody thought that she was Thai. But that seems to be the exception rather than the rule.
Especially if you are a Farang, then no matter how long you live there, no matter how well you speak the language, you are a Farang, period.
I could be wrong, of course, because all this I just read from books and journals. Only Thai people can give you a definite answer.

That is very interesting Gurce... nicely put too! http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...cons/smile.gif

Not too long ago, that's what I was thinking as well. But now, I see things otherwise.

You say that the first perspecticve (self-perception) is more meaningful personally than the second perspective (what society, government and friends think you are)... that might be so, by and large, but what about people who are dear to one's heart?

One can believe himself/herself to be Thai, but when these people think otherwise about him/her, the results can be devastating. One could feel as an outcast, and lose his/her self-perceived identity altogether. From then on, it depends on the individual whether he/she can cope with that loss.

Anyway, my point is that the second perspective can be equally important when it comes to loved ones. And that self-perception is not enough, in my opinion. It cannot stand alone, but has to be reinforced by the perception of people who we respect and love.

Okay. What am I then? *hehehehe* I was born in Thailand, lived there over 10 years, but now I live and became citizen of USA. However, my parents are neither Thai or Americans?

I'm Thai-Hmong-American or Hmong-Thai-American.

Ohh, I think you should not say that.
Mr. Vision will give you a sound thrashing.

Actually, you've expressed an opinion on this topic, I didn't understand it fully, and I think an example would help clarify.

I was assuming that you came to your conclusions through experiences in your life, so it would be a valuable thing to share... A good example for others to understand your view... And learn from it... but its up to you, your call, I can't force you http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...cons/smile.gif

LOL...Very funny Rambutan http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...cons/laugh.gif Now when have I ever delivered this sound thrashing you speak of? I am, after all, a peaceful man with only good intentions http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...icons/cool.gif

The story would not add anything valueable to the topic at hand, so... I'm afraid you have to set my "ramble badge" aside for another occasion, Gurce http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...ns/biggrin.gif

Thanks anyway http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...cons/smile.gif