Travel Bangkok Ranks 6th Among World's Most Expat-Friendly Cities

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

Bangkok has secured its place as one of the world's most expat-friendly cities, according to the latest survey by InterNations. The Thai capital claimed 6th position, showcasing its growing appeal to foreigners seeking new opportunities abroad. While Malaga, Spain, topped the list, Bangkok's high ranking underscores its charm, especially with expatriates who find making friends and integrating into the local culture relatively easy.

 

The survey highlighted that 67% of expats in Bangkok felt welcomed by locals, a testament to the city's vibrant social scene and the warmth of Thai people. With its rich cultural history and a thriving job market, Bangkok continues to attract expatriates looking for both professional opportunities and cultural immersion.

 

Meanwhile, cities like Malaga and Mexico City confirmed their popularity with expats looking for friendly, welcoming environments. Conversely, German cities such as Munich, Hamburg, and Berlin were noted for being less accommodating, with expats struggling to make connections.

 

 

 

In addition to its friendly atmosphere, Bangkok has also gained recognition as a culinary powerhouse. Time Out's 2025 ranking placed Bangkok as the second-best food city globally, right after New Orleans. Famed for its diverse and affordable street food, from aromatic noodles to spicy som tam, Bangkok's culinary scene is celebrated by both locals and visitors, with 86% of residents praising the vibrant food landscape.

 

Together, Bangkok's welcoming community and extraordinary food culture make it a prime destination for expats and food enthusiasts alike, ensuring its place as a favoured city for newcomers eager to explore the best of Thailand.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-04-29

 

 

[Tom100]

Hi from Spain. Bangkok is far more welcoming than Malaga Spain or any city in Germany. Malaga is banning AirBnB -- its the "blame the farang game" for rising costs. 

 

Malaga has implemented a ban on new short-term rental registrations in 43 neighborhoods to address overtourism and housing affordability issues. The ban, which went into effect in early November 2024, aims to reduce the number of tourist accommodations in areas where they make up a significant portion of the housing stock. This move is part of a broader trend in Spain to regulate short-term rentals and balance the needs of tourism with those of residents. 
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Target Areas:
The ban specifically targets neighborhoods where short-term rentals represent more than 8% of the housing stock. 
Duration:
The restrictions are initially set for a period of up to five years, allowing the city to assess the impact and make adjustments. 

[MalcolmB]

Lovely people the Thais and one of the main reasons we are all here.

[factual monk]

Some surveys look so much stage managed... 

[newbee2022]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

 

Bangkok has secured its place as one of the world's most expat-friendly cities, according to the latest survey by InterNations. The Thai capital claimed 6th position, showcasing its growing appeal to foreigners seeking new opportunities abroad. While Malaga, Spain, topped the list, Bangkok's high ranking underscores its charm, especially with expatriates who find making friends and integrating into the local culture relatively easy.

 

The survey highlighted that 67% of expats in Bangkok felt welcomed by locals, a testament to the city's vibrant social scene and the warmth of Thai people. With its rich cultural history and a thriving job market, Bangkok continues to attract expatriates looking for both professional opportunities and cultural immersion.

 

Meanwhile, cities like Malaga and Mexico City confirmed their popularity with expats looking for friendly, welcoming environments. Conversely, German cities such as Munich, Hamburg, and Berlin were noted for being less accommodating, with expats struggling to make connections.

 

 

 

In addition to its friendly atmosphere, Bangkok has also gained recognition as a culinary powerhouse. Time Out's 2025 ranking placed Bangkok as the second-best food city globally, right after New Orleans. Famed for its diverse and affordable street food, from aromatic noodles to spicy som tam, Bangkok's culinary scene is celebrated by both locals and visitors, with 86% of residents praising the vibrant food landscape.

 

Together, Bangkok's welcoming community and extraordinary food culture make it a prime destination for expats and food enthusiasts alike, ensuring its place as a favoured city for newcomers eager to explore the best of Thailand.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-04-29

 

 

Who invented this story? Based on what?

[fredwiggy]

15 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Lovely people the Thais and one of the main reasons we are all here.

I would think the main reason men are here is the younger aged women they can get with. The few women here maybe for business reasons. Take away the possibility of being with those younger women, what do you have? Cheaper lifestyle, yes, but would that keep those men here? The main reason men come here as tourists is the same. A sex capital with a lot of hot women, temporary pleasure with sometimes bad side effects. Thai food you can get just as good in most other countries. Temples also, although there's more here, all looking much the same besides the largest ones.

[Harrisfan]

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

I would think the main reason men are here is the younger aged women they can get with. The few women here maybe for business reasons. Take away the possibility of being with those younger women, what do you have? Cheaper lifestyle, yes, but would that keep those men here? The main reason men come here as tourists is the same. A sex capital with a lot of hot women, temporary pleasure with sometimes bad side effects. Thai food you can get just as good in most other countries. Temples also, although there's more here, all looking much the same besides the largest ones.

Nah Thai food is worse in the west.

[Krabi King]

New Orleans #1 for food? How so? America has no food culture 😆

[Harrisfan]

15 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Lovely people the Thais and one of the main reasons we are all here.

Great people unlike farangs.

[fredwiggy]

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

Nah Thai food is worse in the west.

I've had it a hundred times easy, in New Jersey, New York and Texas, and it all was just as good or better than here, mainly because the chefs were from here but had better health conditions in the states than here. My favorite two restaurants in San Antonio had people from Korat.

[fredwiggy]

2 minutes ago, Krabi King said:

New Orleans #1 for food? How so? America has no food culture 😆

America has some of the best food worldwide, with all foods from all countries in one place, which is the selling point. All of the ethnic restaurants have chefs either from other countries or had relatives that taught their skills to American chefs.

[Harrisfan]

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I've had it a hundred times easy, in New Jersey, New York and Texas, and it all was just as good or better than here, mainly because the chefs were from here but had better health conditions in the states than here. My favorite two restaurants in San Antonio had people from Korat.

Northern food is not common in the west. Isaan food is average.

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Nah Thai food is worse in the west.

No, there are some good Thai Chefs that set up shop in the West. 

And some Thai fast food chains are not that great, but not bad. 

[fredwiggy]

7 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Northern food is not common in the west. Isaan food is average.

All types of Thai food is available in the US.

[Harrisfan]

20 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

No, there are some good Thai Chefs that set up shop in the West. 

And some Thai fast food chains are not that great, but not bad. 

Not as good as Bangkok and Chiang Mai imo.

[Harrisfan]

15 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

All types of Thai food is available in the US.

Got a menu to show?

[Harrisfan]

A big factor is culture. In Thailand you can go get a 150 baht massage, eat a cheap meal, flirt with chicks in a shop then go back and have a swim. Then go to night market.

 

The west does not have that culture.

 

 

[fredwiggy]

3 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Got a menu to show?

https://thaispicesa.com/menu/

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Got a menu to show?

yeah, if you check the Michelin guide, they list the best thai restaurants

 

you can even get isaan food in florida. really not much need to be in thailand for thai food. 

 

https://guide.michelin.com/en/florida/fort-lauderdale_2883737/restaurant/larb-thai-isan

[fredwiggy]

Just now, Harrisfan said:

A big factor is culture. In Thailand you can go get a 150 baht massage, eat a cheap meal, flirt with chicks in a shop then go back and have a swim. Then go to night market.

 

The west does not have that culture.

 

 

The US has all cultures in one place. It's just cheaper here.

[Harrisfan]

Just now, save the frogs said:

yeah, if you check the Michelin guide, they list the best thai restaurants

 

you can even get isaan food in florida. really not much need to be in thailand for thai food. 

 

https://guide.michelin.com/en/florida/fort-lauderdale_2883737/restaurant/larb-thai-isan

Isaan food is second rate.

[Harrisfan]

Just now, fredwiggy said:

The US has all cultures in one place. It's just cheaper here.

Crime culture and burger chains

[fredwiggy]

5 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Not as good as Bangkok and Chiang Mai imo.

The US has all worldwide food comparable and superior to the original countries where they're from, with a lot less chance of getting food poisoning than here, which is commonplace.

[Harrisfan]

Just now, fredwiggy said:

The US has all worldwide food comparable and superior to the original countries where they're from, with a lot less chance of getting food poisoning than here, which is commonplace.

So which restaurants offer Gaeng Hang Lay?

[fredwiggy]

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Crime culture and burger chains

Crime happens everywhere, as do burger chains. You have to live in the US to know what's there. Can't go by a few Youtube videos and those that hate the US for their own agendas.

[fredwiggy]

Just now, Harrisfan said:

So which restaurants offer Gaeng Hang Lay?

Anything you can get anywhere you can get in the US. There are hundreds of thousands of Asians there, along with chefs from Asia. Thousands of Asian markets where you can buy almost everything you can here,or grow it yourself.

[Harrisfan]

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

Crime happens everywhere, as do burger chains. You have to live in the US to know what's there. Can't go by a few Youtube videos and those that hate the US for their own agendas.

I've been to Hawaii. Nothing like Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

[Harrisfan]

Just now, fredwiggy said:

Anything you can get anywhere you can get in the US. There are hundreds of thousands of Asians there, along with chefs from Asia. Thousands of Asian markets where you can buy almost everything you can here,or grow it yourself.

Show me a menu with it listed then

 

[fredwiggy]

Just now, Harrisfan said:

I've been to Hawaii. Nothing like Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

Hawaii is one state. There are 49 more plus Puerto Rico.

[Harrisfan]

Just now, fredwiggy said:

Hawaii is one state. There are 49 more plus Puerto Rico.

Go back then.