How long did it take you to feel like a local in Thailand?

[Mekmong MICK]

I've been pleasantly surprised how quickly its taken me tbh. I've been here nearly 3 weeks and already feel at home. I've previously done the usual tourist trips to Pattaya, Patong and Kuta but never been a local in Thailand.

 

Even though I'm well travelled and cultured, it's a different feeling actually feeling like a local in a foreign land. Between wives 2 and 3 I spent a month in the Philippines to try and meet someone but never felt totally comfortable and like it was home. There were too many Western sex tourists.

 

Here, I've already met someone, starting to learn the language, joined this online forum which is a useful resource and even eat mostly local food. The locals are always smiling and welcoming. I have even stopped adding tomato sauce to my pad Thai (in Australia tomato sauce accompanies every meal). Case in point below; my breakfast this morning was a Thai bahm mi and two little boys.

 

 

How has everyone else's experiences been fitting in? Was there a defining moment where Thailand felt like home and you were a local?

 

 

MICK

[marin]

The title should be me me me. As that's all that it is about. Why not get out and explore your new "home" rather than sitting inside all day posting?

[Mekmong MICK]

2 minutes ago, marin said:

The title should be me me me. As that's all that it is about. Why not get out and explore your new "home" rather than sitting inside all day posting?

Um excuse me?? I am exploring, I'm going to Bangkok tomorrow for an appointment. I've been to heaps of bars and night markets and the beach at Pranburi.

 

I'm asking about others' experiences 

[tomazbodner]

I'm still reading your garbage, so apparently not yet. 30 years+

 

And that breakfast on the top is Vietnamese, not Thai.

Edited July 2 by tomazbodner

[Mekmong MICK]

Just now, tomazbodner said:

I'm still reading your garbage, so apparently not yet. 30 years+

Wow, you must be unsettled mate. I don't know how it could take anyone 30 years here but each to their own. Try taking a language or cooking class or book a tour to fit in more

[Moonlover]

1 minute ago, tomazbodner said:

I'm still reading your garbage, so apparently not yet. 30 years+

Try the 'ignore user' option. I placed this idiot on mine within 48 hours or his 1st post. (I have NOT read the O/P)

[GeraldTheSlayer]

After my first ladyboy experience about 2 days in I’d say. I’ll never look back now 

[susanlea]

11 minutes ago, marin said:

The title should be me me me. As that's all that it is about. Why not get out and explore your new "home" rather than sitting inside all day posting?

Don Wai toilets and a drink?

[susanlea]

4 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Try the 'ignore user' option. I placed this idiot on mine within 48 hours or his 1st post. (I have NOT read the O/P)

Yet here you are.

[Yellow Fever]

6 minutes ago, susanlea said:

Yet here you are.

Haha good one Susan! 

[susanlea]

Thailand felt like home in 2 weeks. Western countries never feel like home. 

[Mekmong MICK]

Just now, susanlea said:

Thailand felt like home in 2 weeks. Western countries never feel like home. 

There is something a lot more familiar and homely about Thailand compared to Western countries.

 

This forum a classic example; the majority of Westerns are not friendly or welcoming whereas I go out into the hotel grounds and everyone smiles and says hi

[susanlea]

Just now, Mekmong MICK said:

There is something a lot more familiar and homely about Thailand compared to Western countries.

 

This forum a classic example; the majority of Westerns are not friendly or welcoming whereas I go out into the hotel grounds and everyone smiles and says hi

I wonder if it's buddhism or Thainess or both. Cause Thais accept people. Westerners judge people too much. You can be a happy lesbian in Thailand but in the west it's all judgement.

[Mekmong MICK]

Just now, susanlea said:

I wonder if it's buddhism or Thainess or both. Cause Thais accept people. Westerners judge people too much. You can be a happy lesbian in Thailand but in the west it's all judgement.

There is so much judgement!! When I told my friends back home I'm packing up and moving over to Thailand they assumed I was just a sex tourist / pest. They don't realise I'm here for the culture and food and bars and beaches

 

People here are just generally nicer and happier 

[susanlea]

Just now, Mekmong MICK said:

There is so much judgement!! When I told my friends back home I'm packing up and moving over to Thailand they assumed I was just a sex tourist / pest. They don't realise I'm here for the culture and food and bars and beaches

 

People here are just generally nicer and happier 

Agreed as long as you avoid the bitter westerners.

[scubascuba3]

Sounds likely honeymoon period or wearing rose tinted glasses

[bubblegum]

3 weeks and know it all, I have heard that before but where? 

[susanlea]

10 minutes ago, bubblegum said:

3 weeks and know it all, I have heard that before but where? 

In a bar?

[KhunLA]

As an old sex tourist, the OP might want to hang out at the local fake karaoke bar, if he wants to fit in, although they'd probably ask him to leave.

 

Although if he leaves the basement, I'm pretty sure he'll fit in where ever he is, but I'm pretty sure it's not TH, or ever been here.

[MalcolmB]

I felt a local on my first night ever here. 

Straight off the plane at Dan Mueang, into a taxi and down to Soi 6 in Pattaya before I even checked in. 

 

Felt quite a few locals since then.

[Celsius]

The first time I felt like a local is when I sat on a blue chair and ordered tom yam. From just a "feeling" to a full blown local transition occured when I learned important phrases like Farang ting tong, Som nam na and mai mee temtang.

 

Today I demonstrate my vast knowledge of local culture by inserting 555 while foruming on aseannow. I take the special pride of explaining to newbs the meaning of such an important conversational masterpiece 

[Mekmong MICK]

3 minutes ago, Celsius said:

The first time I felt like a local is when I sat on a blue chair and ordered tom yam. From just a "feeling" to a full blown local transition occured when I learned important phrases like Farang ting tong, Som nam na and mai mee temtang.

 

Today I demonstrate my vast knowledge of local culture by inserting 555 while foruming on aseannow. I take the special pride of explaining to newbs the meaning of such an important conversational masterpiece 

Embarrassing post from you.

 

Over 3k posts suggests you haven't left your Khao San Rd hostel the entire time

[Doctor Tom]

I never feel like a local, because I'm not one.

Forgot to add, and neither do I want to be one. 

Edited July 2 by Doctor Tom

[Celsius]

1 minute ago, Mekmong MICK said:

Embarrassing post from you.

 

Over 3k posts suggests you haven't left your Khao San Rd hostel the entire time

 

I did. I upgraded to a studio condo in on nut

[Myran]

If you're seriously "feeling like a local", you're delusional. You might feel like part of the local expat community, but you'll never be anything resembling a local.

[Mekmong MICK]

2 minutes ago, Myran said:

If you're seriously "feeling like a local", you're delusional. You might feel like part of the local expat community, but you'll never be anything resembling a local.

Disagree and I don't hang out with any expats.

 

You can feel like a local without being born here

[stoner]

1 hour ago, Mekmong MICK said:

I've previously done the usual tourist trips to Pattaya, Patong and Kuta but never been a local in Thailand.

 

i find kuta to be absolutely beautiful this time of year. how about you uncle buck ?

[Mekmong MICK]

Just now, stoner said:

 

i find kuta to be absolutely beautiful this time of year. how about you uncle buck ?

I think I went in November so couldn't really comment friend

[OneMoreFarang]

After a few weeks I felt like a local.

Then, sometimes later I realized I will never be a local.

Now, after almost 3 decades of Thailand I know I will never be a local.

[stoner]

3 minutes ago, Mekmong MICK said:

I think I went in November so couldn't really comment friend

 

nice. i love kuta in november.