Hmm. When I was on holiday in Penang, in 1985 or 1986 it would have been, I was told that Ferrenghi (as in Batu Ferringhi) came from a Thai word for foreigner (esp. European).

Some nice pics. from someone's holiday at Batu Ferringhi. I should point out that Batu Ferringhi would mean Foreigner's Rock rather than Foreigner's Beach. But perhaps that's not so good for the tourist trade.

http://www.interlog.com/~wwhite/malaysia.html#Penang's Batu Ferringhi (Foreigner's Beach)

I wonder if the Star Trek Ferengi take their name from this word.
Bingley

Bingley