This question applies to any foreigner who settles in a different country, but let's limit it to Thailand.

Very few foreigners here become Thai citizens. There are a number of PRs, but the vast majority of us are on non-immigrant visas, and therefore not legally settled here.

I see/read about many foreigners who 'settle' in Thailand, but then share nothing with the local population, other than the sun. They make little effort to learn the language or traditions or history or culture. They commit faux pas because they know little about the dominant religion. They survive on 'western' food and exist in some kind of expat bubble.

I have to ask why they came to settle here, and I can only think of sun, sex and cheaper living. But all of those desires do not preclude making an effort to integrate into the Thai community. For me, it's similar to the Muslim ghettos of my home city of Leicester - foreign communities who have no desire to integrate or understand the indigenous population.

Would you support a simple Thai language test when you go renew your non-immigrant visa? Fail that test and you're out......? Let's hear your comments :)

Just now, simon43 said:

I see/read about many foreigners who 'settle' in Thailand, but then share nothing with the local population, other than the sun. They make little effort to learn the language or traditions or history or culture. They commit faux pas because they know little about the dominant religion. They survive on 'western' food and exist in some kind of expat bubble.

Why bother when you can never be a citizen?

I'm more hermit than expat bubble, I don't mix with anyone outside my immediate family.

I didn't come to settle here, got married to a local and had a kid.

And I can't return with my wife, as she's Buddhist Thai.

And the Brit government only want Muslims.

Edited July 22Jul 22 by BritManToo

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Why bother when you can never be a citizen?

But not being a Thai citizen doesn't exclude you from the vast majority of activites, basically not owning land and that's about it. If you reside in Thailand but am a foreigner and don't integrate you are - as I said - on a par with the Muslim ghettos in the UK - communities refusing to integrate with the general, local population.

1 minute ago, simon43 said:

But not being a Thai citizen doesn't exclude you from the vast majority of activites, basically not owning land and that's about it. If you reside in Thailand but am a foreigner and don't integrate you are - as I said - on a par with the Muslim ghettos in the UK - communities refusing to integrate with the general, local population.

I don't want to change the Thai government, claim Thai benefits, or turn Thailand into the UK, or kill the locals.

I just want to be left alone and spend my money on my family.

Edited July 22Jul 22 by BritManToo

I came here to retire in peace & quiet. Not to become Thai, or try to intergrate into Thai society. Thais could care less if I did or not.

Also didn't come here to offend anyone, as they're the host, and I'm the guest. Not really much of a fine line, as Thais seem to be very open minded, as myself.

Slightest bit of research, would clue you into what's considered offense, mostly around the Buddhist religion. The rest is simply common sense.

Wouldn't want to change a thing, to make it like home country, USA, or I would have simply stayed there, as way easier.

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

I don't want to change the Thai government, claim Thai benefits, or turn Thailand into the UK.

I just want to be left alone.

You do claim Thai benefits when you go to Thai hospitals

Just now, BritManToo said:

I don't want to change the Thai government, claim Thai benefits, or turn Thailand into the UK.

I just want to be left alone.

I understand that, and wanting to be left alone as an individual is not the same as forming a 'ghetto' of foreigners who refuse to integrate. I'm living on Phangan Island, and I'm amazed at the increasing number of foreigners who are isolating themselves from the local Thai community, (especially those of a certain nationality). I was at the immigration office yesterday and chatting in Thai with the local IOs. There were some choice comments and criticisms from them about a certain nationality......

13 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Would you support a simple Thai language test when you go renew your non-immigrant visa? Fail that test and you're out......? Let's hear your comments :)

This would be an EXCELLENT strategy.

I wish I could vote for the Thai-language test for all foreigners, especially Farang,

This would improve the quality of life for everyone.

2 minutes ago, simon43 said:

I understand that, and wanting to be left alone as an individual is not the same as forming a 'ghetto' of foreigners who refuse to integrate. I'm living on Phangan Island, and I'm amazed at the increasing number of foreigners who are isolating themselves from the local Thai community, (especially those of a certain nationality). I was at the immigration office yesterday and chatting in Thai with the local IOs. There were some choice comments and criticisms from them about a certain nationality......

The Russians will be leaving KPG as soon as the war is over

6 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

The Russians will be leaving KPG as soon as the war is over

It's not the Russians they were complaining about...... but this isn't about specific nationalities, it's a general question. Why settle here if you don't want to integrate.

Edited July 22Jul 22 by simon43

1 minute ago, simon43 said:

It's not the Russians they were complaining about......

The Chinese have stopped going to Thailand en masse recently , they will all soon be gone

I'm living on the outskirts of Korat for a few months as my wife is renovating her late mothers house at my wifes expense. Since I've been here I'm a total nobody, not even a sawadee krub. That's ok with me because I'm out of here in about 10 days time. May I add my wifes family treat me extra well. They always refer to me as Papa Raymond, I've never heard them use the word farang once. I'll be back in our home in Nong Chok Bangkok soon, the Thai people in our large estate are totally different to the people up here. They are so polite and friendly, one would think these country and city people come from two different countries.

36 minutes ago, simon43 said:

It's not the Russians they were complaining about...... but this isn't about specific nationalities, it's a general question. Why settle here if you don't want to integrate.

I think you have to describe what integrate means to you.

... speaking, reading, writing fluent Thai, when many Thais over 60 yrs old can't themselves (see below)

... becoming Buddhist

... what level of living comfort or lack of, as that's a wide range, along with income

Not sure what integrate means. If just speaking Thai, then I guess I'd be leaving. Not a problem, though tell me that before I came the 1st time. Staying in USA would have been fine with me. Or any Spanish speaking country, as would only take a month or so to be fluent in Spanish again, if required to.

I live here just like every other Thai, basically. My wife doesn't even need to speak Thai to live here. Most people under 40 or 50 understand English fine. All Imm officers I've encountered understand it, and I don't need a translator when extending visa.

... "AI Overview

Yes. Many elderly Thais, particularly in rural or border regions like Isan, the Deep South, and remote mountain villages, have limited education in Central (Bangkok) Thai. Thay often understand only the local dialect (e.g. Lao-Ison, Kam Mueang, or Yawi) or rely on it as their primary language for daily communication." ...

Edited July 22Jul 22 by KhunLA

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

But all of those desires do not preclude making an effort to integrate into the Thai community.

I've never integrated in any community really. I walk among them though.

All my life I've been surrounded by what can be described as mostly morons regardless of where I live.

It's no different here, I do my thing, they do theirs.

It's just a piece of land with a border, there's nothing special about the place.

Why come? Generous tax regulations.

Why stay? Well I'm here already so it's convenient....at the moment.

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I think you have to describe what integrate means to you.

... speaking, reading, writing fluent Thai, when many Thais over 60 yrs old can't themselves (see below)

... becoming Buddhist

... what level of living comfort or lack of, as that's a wide range, along with income

Not sure what integrate means. If just speaking Thai, then I guess I'd be leaving. Not a problem, though tell me that before I came the 1st time. Staying in USA would have been fine with me. Or any Spanish speaking country, as would only take a month or so to be fluent in Spanish again, if required to.

I live here just like every other Thai, basically. My wife doesn't even need to speak Thai to live here. Most people under 40 or 50 understand English fine. All Imm officers I've encountered understand it, and I don't need a translator when extending visa.

... "AI Overview

Yes. Many elderly Thais, particularly in rural or border regions like Isan, the Deep South, and remote mountain villages, have limited education in Central (Bangkok) Thai. Thay often understand only the local dialect (e.g. Lao-Ison, Kam Mueang, or Yawi) or rely on it as their primary language for daily communication." ...

Well, if you live in the Deep South (of Thailand), would you learn some Yawi? After all, some people learn Isaan-Lao to integrate in the north-east.

Not for me. It's not a culture I'm particularly fond of. I put up with it living here, but it drives me crazy sometimes. My British son (born here) is fully integrated and it's my job to make sure he doesn't lose his "Britishness"!

Should foreigners try to integrate into or change Thai culture?

No, and no.

I have a long-term, annually-extended NON-O tourist visa. The location is convenient, for now, nothing more. No interest in the language or alleged culture.

10 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Not for me. It's not a culture I'm particularly fond of. I put up with it living here, but it drives me crazy sometimes. My British son (born here) is fully integrated and it's my job to make sure he doesn't lose his "Britishness"!

I agree with your statement "I put up with it living here, but it drives me crazy sometimes." After 21 years living in Thailand, I would think I would be used to it but the dichotomy between Thailand and my home country is just too great. The social norms, especially the acceptance of corruption and lawlessness is unacceptable to my personage. The only thing keeping me in Thailand is my wife and even though she has citizenship in my home country, she wants to stay.

IMHO, the fact that so many foreigners do not want to integrate is one strong reason why governments of Thailand have little interest in making life 'easier' for us.

"Don't want to integrate, but happy to live here for the sun ,cheap lifestyle, cheap booze and women... well don't be surprised if we ignore your opinions when we make rules that affect you in a negative manner ....."

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

I have to ask why they came to settle here

Most are sex tourists, having only travelled between their home country and Thailand.

They settle here because it's cheap, most of them are on a budget, perhaps aged pension.

Most are miserable living here but have no choice, their entire life making the wrong decisions, mismanaging their lives.

These same old fools attack me at times when I post my girlfriend's photos, calling me names, being hostile.

These guys are miserable, married to an old ex bar girl, living in the village, now she's shagging the local Somchai

I love the Pub forum 🙏

Edited July 22Jul 22 by SAFETY FIRST

2 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

You do claim Thai benefits when you go to Thai hospitals

The hit and run medical costs were paid by the Thai that tried to kill me.

I mostly treat myself from my local pharmacy.

Edited July 22Jul 22 by BritManToo

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

It's not the Russians they were complaining about...... but this isn't about specific nationalities, it's a general question. Why settle here if you don't want to integrate.

Why settle here if you only want access to Burmese children?

8 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Why settle here if you only want access to Burmese children?

I've worked in Myanmar for many years, and as you know I try to help with the education of Burmese kids. The easiest solution would be to live in Myanmar. But Myanmar has no retirement or DTV or Elite etc visa. If you are not working or married to a local, then you can't remain in the country... I have a Thai family (5 kids) - so Thailand makes a realistic 'base' for me for my trips into Myanmar.

Were I able to reside in Myanmar without teaching (at 67 years old!), then I would jump at the opportunity.

a chiseling bustard like sergeant bilko you mean?

2 minutes ago, 3NUMBAS said:

a chiseling bustard like sergeant bilko you mean?

That sentence went right over my head! :)

i get local women come to my front door and give me a titty rub so i must be integrating

3 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

The Chinese have stopped going to Thailand en masse recently , they will all soon be gone

Israelis gee whiz

3 hours ago, simon43 said:

This question applies to any foreigner who settles in a different country, but let's limit it to Thailand.

Very few foreigners here become Thai citizens. There are a number of PRs, but the vast majority of us are on non-immigrant visas, and therefore not legally settled here.

I see/read about many foreigners who 'settle' in Thailand, but then share nothing with the local population, other than the sun. They make little effort to learn the language or traditions or history or culture. They commit faux pas because they know little about the dominant religion. They survive on 'western' food and exist in some kind of expat bubble.

I have to ask why they came to settle here, and I can only think of sun, sex and cheaper living. But all of those desires do not preclude making an effort to integrate into the Thai community. For me, it's similar to the Muslim ghettos of my home city of Leicester - foreign communities who have no desire to integrate or understand the indigenous population.

Would you support a simple Thai language test when you go renew your non-immigrant visa? Fail that test and you're out......? Let's hear your comments :)

I do the culture but Thais don't care.

i made little to no effort to learn the language the traditions or the history of my native UK.

What level of integration are we actually talking about I always speak Thai when I'm at immigration I'm not perfect but they seem to understand , I eat whatever the Mrs cooks for me,which is invariably Thai, and I spend a large proportion of my time lazing in a hammock. Thats Thai enough for me

I have no aspirations to be the talk of the town, and being the only one in the village I can hardly be accused of living in a ghetto,

3 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

You do claim Thai benefits when you go to Thai hospitals

I always paid for the service, I claimed nothing, there is nothing to claim