Meanings of the term ‘Farang’ (ฝรั่ง)

phuketrichard · Post by **phuketrichard** » Sun Jan 12, 2020 9:28 am

Also holds for the Khmer word "Barang" and Laos word,"Falang"

It is an assured fact that the word derives from ‘Frank’, a word that originally referred to a Germanic speaking people in the region of today’s France.

Nevertheless, this term was also widely used in medieval Greece, Egypt and further Mediterranean areas attributing to West European people generally. In addition, similar expressions can be found in other languages as well. For instance, there is the Persian ‘farang’, the Hindi ‘farengi/farangi’, the Tamil ‘pirangi’, the Arabic ‘frangi’ and the Polynesian ‘palangi’. These terms all sound very similar and point to a common origin.

In fact, the Thai word ‘farang’ was borrowed from Muslim Persian and Indian traders during the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767). During that time this term referred to the Portuguese who were the first Europeans to visit Siam. Later, the term became a generic Thai word for other Europeans as well and finally to all Caucasians generally. What is more, ‘farang’ describes the West in general. Thailand’s neighbouring countries Cambodia (‘barang’) and Laos (‘falang’) also know this term.

https://www.thephuketnews.com/sirinya-w ... sIs0do10V8

adders28 · Post by **adders28** » Sun Jan 12, 2020 10:21 am

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Sun Jan 12, 2020 9:28 am Also holds for the Khmer word "Barang" and Laos word,"Falang"

It is an assured fact that the word derives from ‘Frank’, a word that originally referred to a Germanic speaking people in the region of today’s France.

Nevertheless, this term was also widely used in medieval Greece, Egypt and further Mediterranean areas attributing to West European people generally. In addition, similar expressions can be found in other languages as well. For instance, there is the Persian ‘farang’, the Hindi ‘farengi/farangi’, the Tamil ‘pirangi’, the Arabic ‘frangi’ and the Polynesian ‘palangi’. These terms all sound very similar and point to a common origin.

In fact, the Thai word ‘farang’ was borrowed from Muslim Persian and Indian traders during the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767). During that time this term referred to the Portuguese who were the first Europeans to visit Siam. Later, the term became a generic Thai word for other Europeans as well and finally to all Caucasians generally. What is more, ‘farang’ describes the West in general. Thailand’s neighbouring countries Cambodia (‘barang’) and Laos (‘falang’) also know this term.
https://www.thephuketnews.com/sirinya-w ... sIs0do10V8

it comes from the way they said francais as they were first westerners they see or its very similar to foreigner in japanese, farang actually means guava fruit

phuketrichard · Post by **phuketrichard** » Sun Jan 12, 2020 10:31 am

"...In fact, the Thai word ‘farang’ was borrowed from Muslim Persian and Indian traders during the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767). During that time this term referred to the Portuguese who were the first Europeans to visit Siam"

adders28 · Post by **adders28** » Sun Jan 12, 2020 11:17 am

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Sun Jan 12, 2020 10:31 am "...In fact, the Thai word ‘farang’ was borrowed from Muslim Persian and Indian traders during the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767). During that time this term referred to the Portuguese who were the first Europeans to visit Siam"

yes that is the 4th meaning thanks for posting i forgot that. I dont think anybody knows for sure. thats oldest so possibly, if you search internet nobody knows for sure
still we are all guava to them 555