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 46 minutes ago46 min 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 42 minutes ago42 min 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 27 minutes ago27 min 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.