Does anyone have success living in Thailand with minimal contact with the locals?

 

I am looking for something similar to the "Gringo Ghetto's" that are found in Mexico where there are primarily just retired foreigner's living and it could pass as a place in the USA, with minor differences. Or, some of the resort areas around Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

 

That would involve common spaces, shopping and outdoor recreation like sea, ocean, etc where there were mostly or all foreigners, rather then a mix of Thai locals and expats.

 

I was possibly looking at Cape Panwa in Phuket. Has anyone lived there, or know of any other areas I could look into?

 

Personally, I'm not here to 'be in Thailand', it's a re-location for financial and other reasons and I would prefer a living situation as close as possible to California, USA if that's possible.

Naklua, Pratumnak,Jomtien could fit that.  Parts of Sukhumvit in Bangkok are referred to as Falang ghettos.

 

You want to move to Thailand, but you don't want to interact with Thai people? Now I've heard it all, 555

 

Trust me when I say this, 95% of Thai people are nicer better people, than 95% of Californians. 

Sleep in the street that would be more in tune with California

5 minutes ago, Trippy said:

You want to move to Thailand, but you don't want to interact with Thai people? Now I've heard it all, 555

That's correct. It's nothing personal against Thai's, it's just me. Nothing wrong with that.

Just now, Photoguy21 said:

Sleep in the street that would be more in tune with California

Don't forget the defecating, intravenous drug usage and looting that has become commonplace there. 

Maybe that Kasetsin area around the corner from Pratumnak,  for me it's similar to the forbidden zone in planet of the apes but lots of farangs and Russians there

I don't blame you to be honest mate.

 

most locals are pretty dull.

 

though the girls aren't too bad.

until they open their mouths.

and not for the reason you may think..

 

bob.

6 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

That's correct. It's nothing personal against Thai's, it's just me. Nothing wrong with that.

I think there's some expensive condo buildings that are almost all foreigners, but to never have to deal with the locals is impossible I think. Your going to have to buy groceries sometime.

9 minutes ago, Trippy said:

Don't forget the defecating, intravenous drug usage and looting that has become commonplace there. 

I didnt want to list all the attractions of California

37 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Naklua, Pratumnak,Jomtien could fit that.  Parts of Sukhumvit in Bangkok are referred to as Falang ghettos.

That's nowhere near enough what I'm looking for. I'm looking for something akin to a gated community, maybe in the Phuket area or someplace like that that's removed from things off in it's own area, maybe around a lake or something or part of the coastline.

 

Where you could go out to get groceries or whatever, but would not have to deal with moto drivers or thai street life type situations on a daily basis unless you left that enclave.

9 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

That's nowhere near enough what I'm looking for. I'm looking for something akin to a gated community, maybe in the Phuket area or someplace like that that's removed from things off in it's own area, maybe around a lake or something or part of the coastline.

Nai harn beach, Phuket has a lot of what you are looking for!

 

lake & beach too.

Seems to me youd be happier in the Philippines.

Hang Dong Chiang Mai. Many gated communities. It has a mall with Farang in the name. Caveat: I've never been.

16 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Seems to me youd be happier in the Philippines.

why so?

 

is it a prerequisite when you land here that you have to love everything Thai the moment you step foot off the plane?

 

I think not.

5 minutes ago, bob smith said:

why so?

 

is it a prerequisite when you land here that you have to love everything Thai the moment you step foot off the plane?

 

I think not.

I was basing it purely on his description also some US based facilities have offices there and so on.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Kasetsin area around the corner from Pratumnak,  for me it's similar to the forbidden zone in planet of the apes

Oh, is that why Dan About Thailand lives there. 😮

 

15 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

I was basing it purely on his description also some US based facilities have offices there and so on.

Such as? Any names I can look into online?

 

Everything I see regarding the Phillippines online is just isolated expats living streetside in much poorer local communities.

55 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

That's nowhere near enough what I'm looking for. I'm looking for something akin to a gated community, maybe in the Phuket area or someplace like that that's removed from things off in it's own area, maybe around a lake or something or part of the coastline.

 

Where you could go out to get groceries or whatever, but would not have to deal with moto drivers or thai street life type situations on a daily basis unless you left that enclave.

 

There's a village on chaeng wattana entrance is under the highway. Quite posh and I only ever saw foreigners there. Schools shopping all there.

3 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

Such as? Any names I can look into online?

 

Everything I see regarding the Phillippines online is just isolated expats living streetside in much poorer local commjnities.

 

From Google: 

Most expats in the Philippines live in the Metro Manila area, particularly in Makati City – home to many international corporations and the heart of the country's diplomatic community. From luxury condominiums to houses in gated communities, there's a variety of accommodation to choose from.

 

You may want to join one of the expat forums for the Phillipines and get some local knowledge from them.

 

We also have a Philippines General chat forum here too.....

 

https://aseannow.com/forum/390-philippines-general-chat/

13 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

 

From Google: 

Most expats in the Philippines live in the Metro Manila area, particularly in Makati City – home to many international corporations and the heart of the country's diplomatic community. From luxury condominiums to houses in gated communities, there's a variety of accommodation to choose from.

 

You may want to join one of the expat forums for the Phillipines and get some local knowledge from them.

 

We also have a Philippines General chat forum here too.....

 

https://aseannow.com/forum/390-philippines-general-chat/

Makati seems like it would just be another Bangkok though. The locals would not be Thai, but it's still living around people that are too different, poorer, whatever. The same situation as in Thailand.

2 hours ago, JimTripper said:

I would prefer a living situation as close as possible to California, USA if that's possible.

Please tell us if you find one.

I will make sure that I will never go there. 

Start your own commune, man. 

There are certainly resorts / moo baans, where you live in a gated community mostly with foreigners (i.e. on Koh Chang Blue Haven, Siam Royal View), BUT...

- most of them have Thai wifes, which would obviously bother you and

- there are no shopping centers / restaurants in there, maybe a bar or a seven eleven, but that is it.

 

So you would have to mingle with those pesky Thais, even though you seem to believe in freedom from harassement by the locals

2 hours ago, JimTripper said:

Personally, I'm not here to 'be in Thailand', it's a re-location for financial and other reasons and I would prefer a living situation as close as possible to California, USA if that's possible.

Not anywhere here in TH that I’m familiar with. Seems like you’re looking for a place resembling Costa Rica or Manzanillo. As @CharlieH mentioned sounds like you’re looking for something more like the Philippines.

Thailand would be well-inspired to create such ghettos, could be a nice source of revenue, especially if including well-equipped retirement/nursing homes.

 

An area with its own supermarket, own police station, own hospital, own beaches, own golf course, etc.

Quite a few foreigners come to Thailand, and refuse to learn even the most rudimentary Thai. Their choice, their loss. I find it much easier to live here with  modest ability in the language.

Probably  a condo with a large foreigner component of owners or renters in Jomtien or Pattaya would best suit the OP's California-like aspirations.

Given his preferences, he should only be renting property. I'm also assuming he is celibate, making him a pretty odd fish in the Pattaya scene.

Panama? isn't that where the Americans go?

2 hours ago, JimTripper said:

I'm looking for something akin to a gated community,

How about the Bangkok Hilton.

 

52 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Quite a few foreigners come to Thailand, and refuse to learn even the most rudimentary Thai. Their choice, their loss. I find it much easier to live here with  modest ability in the language.

Probably  a condo with a large foreigner component of owners or renters in Jomtien or Pattaya would best suit the OP's California-like aspirations.

Given his preferences, he should only be renting property. I'm also assuming he is celibate, making him a pretty odd fish in the Pattaya scene.

That's pretty much my situation, roughly. I try to ignore the riff raff in my daily life, but it's seemingly having a culumative effect of sorts. Fyi I have lived here 10 years, although not in Pattaya, so it's not culture shock.

 

Things were Ok six months ago, but I'm finding that I'm less inclined to leave the condo as time goes on. For example, today I was headed downtown to eat, In the middle of the walk I just thought forget it, and went back to the condo to eat at home. Other times I go out for a drink and just say forget it and go home for a swim instead or a drink on the balcony.

 

I just don't feel like it's worth all the noise and hassle around the locals, seeing that motorbike guy, ignoring those yells from the 10 massage shops both ways, whatever else, to get that drink and act like I'm having a good time.

 

I feel like if I lived in a gated location the people around me would be less "needy" because we would all be in the same situation economically, roughly. Thus the more comfortable and happier living environment, rather then being the dartboard for or constantly exposed to the energy of other people's problems which are not my problems.