QUOTE(Sirikittong @ May 5 2006, 02:05 PM) [snapback]1822237[/snapback]

You dont have to get so angry about this. Its a mere discussion, charlee. I, who grew up for a long time in Ayudhaya and in BKK, can tell you that most of the Leukrung Thais that I have met had single mothers. Albeit perhaps those that I met that my cousins introduced me to were bad examples, but my family in general (and many other thai families hold this view--particularly military families) has always had reserved feelings towards Leukrung Thais. There is a sense of conservancy in my family, where familial ties, old lineage and blood relations are still taken into consideration, something that most leukrung thais do not share due to their foreign blood lines. Nonetheless, I personally DO NOT condone the bias look towards leukrungs, however, it must be placated that the mindset
IS there, specially in the military and politics (IM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE MEDIA/ENTERTAINMENT). Remeber Thai law, one cannot join or ever serve in the military so long as his/her father is not a thai national, doesnt matter about the mother. As for Thai politics, it is thesame.
Jia, and Charlee, I ask you two to remain calm in this thread. It is something that must be discussed; for thais and thai leukrungs.
a bit off topic to go back into it but this thread is still open and me (speaking in 3rd person yet again) has some views i'd like to share
1). sooner or later the military will change its rules - remember up until (i think) 1992 us lot coudn't get thai citizenship (apparently). anyway the fact is we can - maybe a change of attitudes within the government/thai society? society is always changing - you cannot deny that. attitudes to sex/sexuality, attitudes to drugs, attitudes to social status etc - sooner or later its going to transform itself and thailand is no different, every generation is different to the one that precedes it. im looking to the new generation to "rectify" this - the way i see things, bloodline is irrelevant to how well you do your job. your grandfather's ethnicity isn't going to help you lead troops into battle, plan the progress of the economy for the next 10 years, make your country's position known in the world. personally myself if i had two people applying for the same job, i would choose who i felt was going to be better at doing that job. im not going to start asking them "oh, did your father have thai citizenship... where were you born". if its government or military i can understand to a degree - representing thailand, you obviously want thai citizens. but tracing your entire lineage? what has your father's nationality got to do with anything? if feel thai and were raised as one, hold thai values and identify yourself as thai whats the problem? someone explain that to me PLEASE !
2). im a luk-krung myself and even i have reservations towards other luk-krungs. i know/have met around 20 LK's in my lifetime (both uk and belgium) and to be honest with you about 3 (not including me) spoke thai and knew how to "wai" properly. i hope this is not reflective of LK's but i have a feeling it is true. i always notice how people react different when i greet with a "wai" or speak to them in thai/mueang - im guessing its just an external factor "oh look another LK, i bet he doesn't speak our language or know anything about us, shame on him/her". there might also be envy at work there as well - switch on tv and look how many LK's are on there. they're making money, they're famous and they haven't really earnt any of that - they just happen to be lucky to have a farang dad/mum, know the right people, look good and bingo - big paycheque, red carpets, glitz and glamour. not my idea of "reaping what you sow", i have a greater respect for someone who works in the fields or in a factory than someone who smiles a bit and gets the benefits other people work all their lives.
i've even had people come up and say things like "its good you've maintained an effort to stay in touch with our culture - there are not many foreign LK's who do that, most seem to be ashamed and only want to be 100% farang. it can't be easy maintaining a thai identity abroad". i sometimes get the impression it shocks people more when a luk-krung speaks thai than a farang by the reactions i get. if that is the case, you can't blame mainstream thai society for having reservations or prejudices.
some of the prejudices do piss me off - having people continually bugging me in english "only 100 BHT for this" at pattaya the one time i went there or at ayuttayah when i went to see an exhibition and had to pay full fare because i forgot my ID card .. "im sorry but luk-krungs pay full fare unless they hold national I.D card". *but i left it at home as i don't like carrying I.D with me in case i lose it and i've never had any problems like this before* "that is not my problem, i suggest you either pay as a farang or just get out." funny - nobody i went with was asked for I.D. could've been a little more polite like she was to the others. hmmmmm !!!
compare that to wat phra keo - i've never had to flash my I.D card and i go in the "thais only" entrance. fair enough i've been stopped once or twice , "you speak thai?" *whats the chance of a thai who doesn't speak thai? how much more proof do you want?* "oh sorry!! just go through!". i get through AND i get an apoligy! bonus !
whenever i arrive at don mueang, even though i use my EU passport for travel purposes i've always gone in through the "thai citizens" desks... "hi, im living abroad and am using an EU passport but im thai and i don't want to spend half an hour lining up". never had any problems with being let through.
just like any society, you get nice people and narrow minded fu**s. thank god there arent many of the latter in thailand, it could be worse.
anyway just like sirrikitong said, its an issues thais and half thais need to discuss - any issues will not be resolved if we just put our fingers in our ears and pretend nothing is happening. it needs to confronted - prejudice against luk krungs will not dissapear overnight or completely as you always get a minority, but hopefully those numbers can be greatly reduced. and next time, i'll make sure i carry my I.D all the time.
any thoughts?