I would not say I have Thai friends. However, I do get on well with Thai people in general because I can speak their language, and am polite. I joke with them sometimes.
It's easy to delight some Thais, just compliment them on their English when appropriate. Never fails.
Thais that work for me, such as massage ladies and caddies, think I am jai dee. The caddies all refer to me as Santa Claus. I don't know if that's due to my beard, or the tips I give.