Update from Chiang Mai

[faranglaw]

Orion Bar has been offering free food every Sunday night for the last two years.

Freshly cooked thai food.

Not too many balloon chasers, and enjoyed by everyone.

The idea is not new.

What's a balloon chaser?

[vinapu]

What's a balloon chaser?

guy who it bar hopping in search of free food, offer usually announced by  balloons, I gather it originally was coined in Pattaya

[KhorTose]

guy who it bar hopping in search of free food, offer usually announced by  balloons, I gather it originally was coined in Pattaya

Also know as, "Cheap Charlies" or by the Thais as Farang Kinok (kinoo)

[kokopelli]

I believe that "balloon chaser" is more hyperbole than reality. I am not a Cheap Charlie nor a balloon chaser, but, when a bar is having a party for one of their boys (with balloons) I may attend, buy a drink, don't eat and give the birthday boy a tip. I believe that is also the case with many of the attendees. Nonetheless, a picturesque figure of speech.

[Guest DThump]

This is the leader of a well known group of balloon chasers in Pattaya.

[sglad]

Also know as, "Cheap Charlies" or by the Thais as Farang Kinok (kinoo)

 

Two different phrases actually:

 

farang kee nok: bird-shit farang

 

farang kee nuu: rat-shit farang

 

Both describe a farang who's cheap or miserly.  I wouldn't use it as it's not very polite and the kind of colloquial speak best left to the Thais.  You can say kee neow (to mean stingy) but personally I would hold my tongue when Thais criticise other farangs and for sure when they criticise other Thais.  I just flash my benign half-smile.