Peopling of Thailand - Expatriate Populations in Recent Times

Expatriate Populations in Recent Times

In recent times, since the development of inter-continental modes of transport in Thailand, including air travel, populations of Indian, Japanese, Korean, European and African descent have added to the ethnic pool of Thailand, particularly around the area of Bangkok. The Thai often refer to Westerners and those of European descent as farang (from the Indo-Persian word farangi, meaning foreigner), carrying the connotation of "outsider." Most farangs come to Thailand on a temporary basis, although a growing community has begun to settle in Thailand, as the coastal regions of Thailand are establishing themselves as an ideal locations for western businessmen to retire and enjoy a comfortable living. While cost of living in Thailand is relatively low in comparison to Western nations, it is on par or relatively high when compared with neighboring countries. Thailand's relative political stability compared to other nations in the region, however, makes Thailand particularly attractive to westerners.