Two well known English-language magazines published in Thailand have listed the names of the most well-known people in contemporary Thai society. Expat Society (2010-2011) came up with the names of 300 foreigners who, in some way or another, have contributed to the development of Thailand, while The Magazine (October 28, 2010, Issue 174), a Bangkok Post publication, had an extensive article of the seven most influential living Thais.
Following this trend, as a journalist with a special interest in literature and art produced by farangs in Thailand, I have put together my own list of seven foreigners who, in my opinion, lead a life that is a great source of inspiration for everyone out there interested in all things Thai. It is worth mentioning that I have read, listed to, or seen all of these seven magnificent foreigners’ work and greatly appreciate it.
1. Marcel Barang (French, literary translator) – One of the very few foreigners (if not the only one!) living in Thailand who focuses only on translating Thai writers into English and French. His work is available at ThaiFiction, where you can choose from over 40 translations of novels, novellas and short stories. Bangkok Post also publishes one of his translated short stories in their first issue every month.
2. Peter Pannapadipo (British, former Buddhist monk) – After spending years as a Buddhist monk in Thailand, Peter renounced his yellow saffron robe to work full time for the SET Foundation, an organization that awards scholarships for students in need. He is also the author of three books about life as a monk in Thailand: Little Angels: Real Life Stories of Thai Novice Monks (2001), Phra Farang: An English Monk in Thailand (2005), and One Step at a Time (2009).
3. Andrew Biggs (Australian, journalist, author, television personality) – The foreigner who speaks Thai better than the Thais themselves, received official recognition from the Thai Government’s Ministry of Culture when, in 2007, he was presented the Excellent User of the Thai Language Award. It was the first time when such an award was given to a foreigner. He has written over ten books about Thailand, his first one being Thailand In My Eyes (1997). He also writes a weekly column for Brunch, a Bangkok Post publication, and hosts a daily TV program on Channel 3.
4. Christopher G. Moore (Canadian, writer) – The most read foreign writer living in and writing about Thailand, has been a great source of fiction books about Thailand. His books deal with what really happens behind all the smiles we receive from the Thai people and his Vincent Calvino Private Eye series are mandatory bibliography for anyone living in, travelling to, or just passing through Thailand. 9 Gold Bullets, his upcoming book, the 12th in the Vincent Calvino P.I. series, will be available in Thailand early in 2011.
5. Aaron Le Boutillier (British, security specialist, author, 2004 tsunami survivor) – A man who likes to give back to society, Aaron trains airline personnel in self-defense techniques and, during his free time, he runs self-defense workshops for women and raises money for charity. In his book, And Then One Morning – A Personal Odyssey, published by Big Wave Publications in 2008, he writes about his experiences before, during and after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Aaron is also the founder of LeBoutillier Group, a Bangkok-based security company with to resources and expertise throughout the ASEAN region, including Australia.
6. Elsie Evans (Scottish, artist) – A regular contributor to the Bangkok art scene, Elsie has lived in Asia for more than 20 years. She runs Attic Studios, an art school where see teaches but also paints. An accomplished artist, she has mastered a number of expressive techniques and disciplines while discovering which of a number of styles might one day be her own.
7. Richard Barrow (British, photographer, journalist, blogger) – “The father of English blogging in Thailand,” Richard has written thousands of blog posts and has set up tens of websites about life in Thailand. He is the Managing Director of Paknam Web, an online portal that provides quality content about travel in Thailand. Over the years he has become an authority in all things that concerns Thai culture and has recently proven himself as one of the most prolific tweeters. His frequent updates are followed by over 6,000 people.
Of course, there are many more remarkable foreigners out there who bring their contribution to the better understanding of Thailand and its people, but the seven farangs mentioned above are, for myself, the most representative.
congratulations to ewveryone
but
i do not know if i see the value of this
Where’s all the bankers and stock brokers????
As I mentioned in the article, these are people whose achievements and way of life I value the most. There’s definitely a personal value attached to this list, but maybe other readers, just like you, don’t see its relevance.
It’s all a matter of perspective.
I think you have made some good picks here; all very deserving. I’m particularly pleased to see that you have mentioned Richard Barrow – he has done a lot to provide relevant information to those interested in Thailand. Peter Pannapadipo is another good choice; he has been inspirational.
You left a very important person from Australia who speaks, reads and writes Thai, Northern Thai and Lao and is a recognized translator currently working with UNICEF on HIV/AIDS programmes with the monks here. Recently won an award to go to Austria with his project with the monks and won further awards whilst in Austria.He lives in Chiang Mai and his name is Laurie Maund.
This is not an exhaustive list and I’m sure there are many more foreigners in Thailand that deserve to be listed on a more comprehensive list.
@Richardbarrow undeserved, why?
1. His articles are way yellow, he often attacks Reds and promotes Yellows. He is also very pro monarchy. Not a very nice thing to do if you are trying to promote Thailand.
2. I dislike the way he uses @nonggrace to promote his site, just very exploitative in my view
Please remove him from the list because he simply is undeserving!
i dare you to post my previous comment, if you are fair and square, then you should let others voice their discontentment and disagreement!
I feel there are many rank and file “Farangs” doing great things in Thailand.
Yet,we are all treated like our name implies…..aliens!
@ Charat,
All visitors who post comments on my blog for the first time go through the “comments moderation section”. It’s just the way the blog is set up (mainly to prevent spamming). Never intended not to publish your comment, I’m just not at the computer 24/7.
Now, regarding Richard Barrow, you have all the right to differ. Still, his blog posts about Thai food and festivals are the benchmark for any aspiring travel blogger.
What about Father Joe Maeir?
Surely he is a great foreigner?
Seems you have a leniency for writers?
I am sure you write yourself?
A little bit if Bias?
Anyway. Sorry for all the silly questions. Just my two bahts worh.
@James: You’re right, my main interests (as mentioned in the article) are literature and art. I guess this is reflected in my list too.
Bill Heinecke?
Here is one more to consider: Claudio Romano
He operates an NGO named Sainam Foundation, http://www.sainam.net
In rural Surin, he improves the quality of life for many very poor people, orphans, and more.
I’d like to say that your inclusion of Andrew Biggs and Richard Barrow are excellent ones. Years ago I was fascinated by seeing this foreigner on Thai TV who could speak Thai as well as the Thais themselves. It was only years later I discovered he was Andrew Biggs.
Richard Barrow is a tireless worker who is always promoting Thailand to good effect. He’s also a brilliant writer too.
A very good and interesting post that has got my bird out of its nest. Tweet Tweet.
This list only consists of writers and not those who really make a difference to Thailand or the local Thais. What is so magnificent about that? It also seems that the writer is impressed by foreigners who can speak Thai. I have read and seen some of the work of these mentioned people; some are great but many are simply mediocre. Richard Barrow, for an e.g., might be fun to read his blogs and tweets initially but after a while, they become excessive, egocentric and almost condescending. And oh, all his tweet sentences end with exclamation marks! Do we really need to know all the little details that he does!? Also, I find his views and tweets to be very colonialistic; a farang in an exotic foreign land getting excited at every little things he sees but fails to embrace the true local issues such as the fight for democracy, freedom of speech, womens rights but chooses to focus on leisure issues.
Where’s my name?
I tend to agree here with Andrew Coleman (above).
Not a bad list at all though Christopher Moore is in my view an untalented hack.
Never heard of Richard Barrow.Marcel Barang is an unsung hero.
But full marks for not including the boorish Bill Heinecke and the worthy but somehow strangely unappealing Father Maier.
No offense to anyone in your list – Richard Barrow is a top guy, for example – but truly ‘magnificent’ farangs are those you’ll never know. People who are working for charity, dedicating their lives to a cause etc.
Your list is a collection of those who inspire you…which is 100% subjective.
Richard barrow top guy ka? I used to follow him until I found out that he likes to tweet news about thai monarchy (today tweeted twice about crown prince visit India). Many times I also see him wearing yellow. I disagree with his view ka, as he wants to promote not just Thailand and also his hidden agenda. I am not sure if because he is a farang teacher and he needs to be loyal to country, religion and monarchy but we are all adults and we can think for our own without him to brainwash us ka. Korp khun ka!
I think Richard barrow is trying hard to promote Thailand with his own hidden agenda. If you look at some of his tweets carefully, they will link to his own sites that you are not just bombarded with advertisements but also products that he sells online. What disturbs me dearly was how he always talk about not wanting to promote Thailand in a negative manner but yet his site, especially the Thailand blog site, do contain materials such as ads for “online thai dating” with pictures of ladies. Also, his thai isnt that good for someone who claimed to be in Thailand for almost 2 decades.