Thai Town Thai Style in the City of Angel

Being in an ethnic media is a challenge to me – and more so in Southern California where the Thais are among the flourishing minority groups.  It is rather unfortunate, however, that a major shortcoming among the greater part of our people is a deficiency in English language.  This is regrettable but true when it comes to the fact that our people are predominantly in the service sector, and not in farming or manufacturing business.  Unable to expand their horizons by assimilating ideas, knowledge, etc. available in English, they prefer only Thai television, Thai newspapers and fail to benefit from information on politics and policy.

From my experience as a Thai journalist, I tried to cover stories related to politics and policy that were beneficial to them.  Whenever those non-profit organizations stage an event in the policy field I always reported all information to the readers who couldn’t join. 

Thai New Year Parade 2009 on Hollywood Blvd.



Thai immigrants living in Southern California are the largest groups compared with other areas in the United States of America. We have our own community called “Thai Town” located in Hollywood. Actually, this is the biggest Thai community outside Thailand.

Due to Thai people get used to their own cultures and ways of life. Sometimes, they cannot adapt themselves to get a long with American culture easily. The main problem is language barrier. When they cannot communicate in English, their lives here seem to be tough, it affects the way they work and spend the life. Therefore, most of Thai immigrants, who are predominantly in the service sector and illegal immigrants, have suffered from stress especially in the economic hardship nowadays.  

           Thai people are totally different from Americans on the point that they don’t speak out. Because of our cultures, we hardly say no and spend the lives quietly. Thailand is called “the land of Smile” because Thai people are nice, friendly and easy-going. Nevertheless, these personalities may cause the problems on the time they move to stay with people from other cultures.

The United States of America is known for “the land of Opportunity” That’s why almost every ethnic group tries to migrate here. When they have already been here and have problems, it is our jobs to help. It’s not only the government sector who must give them a hand but every part of the society should take responsibility. I believe that together we can survive!