Being a Foreigner in Thailand

In this week's video, I'm asked, "Can foreigners ever have the same rights as Thais?" While it is possible to become a permanent resident here in Thailand, and also a citizen, there are few incentives to do so. Also, there is a huge distinction between being a citizen in Thailand and being treated as an equal.

In the podcast, I talk about just how inefficient Thai schools can be, how visiting them is frustrating, the staff is apathetic, and how unwilling or unable they are to make a positive change. The Thai government recently spoke of doing away with foreign English teachers, however, in my own kids bilingual school, the only people who speak a lick of English are the westerners. The Thais speak the usual "Hello, how are you, I'm fine, thank you," nonsense.

On the same day as I visited my kids school, a Thai woman decided she would step to the front of the queue even though she had taken a number. She saw me at the front of the queue, and for whatever reason, decided to jump in front of me. Of course, I politely reminded her that 35 came after 32 and we were ahead of her.
"I don't care," she said. "Well, I do, so get your ass to the back of the line."