Luk kreung

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A luk kreung (Thai: ลูกครึ่ง), literally "half child", is a colloquial reference in the Thai language to a person whose parents are of two different races. It is most often used to refer to those with one Thai and one farang (Western) parent, thus a Eurasian or Amerasian.

The number of luk kreung increased dramatically in the period following World War II, with the increasing number of western residents and visitors to the country. Many are the children of American servicemen who came to the country in the 1960s and 1970s, when there were several large US military bases in the country.

While some of these servicemen formed lasting relationships with Thai women, some luk kreung are the product of temporary relationships with "rented wives" or prostitutes, a fact which has led to some discrimination. Some Thais are also hostile because of the perceived lack of racial purity but most are quite accepting. With the current increase of foreign expatriates in the country, the number of young leuk kreung is also rising, and Thailand now has many bilingual international schools [1].

On growing up, the children of the Vietnam generation have carved out a prominent role in the entertainment industry, in which their often fluent English and their pale skin have proved to be advantages. One of the best-known of these is the pop star Tata Young.