The discussion began when Siranudh “Sai” Scott, a Thai-Scottish former ranger, posted online about confronting a tourist in Krabi who greeted him with Ni Hao, a phrase he perceived as racially insensitive. Sai claimed he asked park officials to remove the tourist, sparking mixed reactions online.
While many criticized Sai’s response as excessive, others backed his view, citing global awareness around cultural sensitivity. The issue gained further traction when Sergei “Gei” Sychoff, a Russian language teacher in Thailand, weighed in, drawing parallels between Ni Hao and the Thai word farang, commonly used to describe Western foreigners.
Sychoff argued that while Ni Hao may come off as awkward or presumptive, it is rarely used with racist intent—similar to how farang is often used playfully by Thais. He shared personal anecdotes of being addressed as farang and suggested that if Ni Hao is considered offensive, farang warrants reevaluation too.
Thai social media users were quick to defend the term, citing its historical usage dating back to the reign of King Rama V and its roots in Thai-Persian linguistic exchange. Many insisted farang is a neutral term, though they acknowledged that variations like farang khi nok (a derogatory version) cross the line.
Following criticism, Sychoff deleted his original video and issued a public apology, clarifying that he meant no disrespect and intended only to spark reflection on cultural sensitivity. He reiterated his respect for Asian traditions and emphasized the need to be mindful of how words can unintentionally reinforce stereotypes.
As the conversation unfolds, it underscores broader questions of intent, cultural evolution, and the need for empathy in an increasingly interconnected world.
