I worked with Thai's, they were university educated, all were my friends, had a few very good Thai male friends.
It's quite easy to befriend them, wonderful, fun people to be around.
Workplace is where you'll meet the educated, English speaking Thai's.
My co-workers were from all over Thailand, we worked out of Songkla, I looked forward ever other month to seeing them, we regularly had safety training together and social events together. A few of the guys come down to Pattaya and we catch up occasionally.