What Is Your Opinion Of The Expat Scene In Thailand?

[Huey]

Why should all foreigners here be friendly with each other? Now that being said, you will find that different nationalities tend to be more friendly to their own nationality here, as much as what you would see in other countries. For example, Indians here stick to themselves just like anywere else in the world, as do Chinese. Germans tend to stick with Germans and the same for Russians. Americans I have meet have been quite friendly with me and I see british mingling in british pubs.

Join a social organization that's caters to expats and you will find your fill of expat friends. Or come play Dungeons and Dragons and other RPGs with us certifiable geeks and enjoy Doritos and Mnt Dew each sunday while ya roll 20siders and crack jokes all day. Whatever floats your boat, ya just need to find a social group or hobby here.

[Lopburi99]

(Replying to the original post) As previously mentioned, it depends where you live. I live in Lopburi and there is no expat scene here because virtually no expats live here. Maybe that would be OK with you, but for me I will be relocating to somewhere where I can have a beer and a chat with few English speaking friends! (Thinking about the seashore near Chanthaburi - a few expats there, the lovely scenery, and not expensive.)

Edited November 13, 2008 by Lopburi99

[colonelsing]

Perhaps there is something wrong with me, but the reason I stayed in Thailand was the

people. I think they are basically kind, fun-loving and generous, and I truly enjoyed their company and their culture. And I also found that I could help people in ways I never could in America and I found that it made me feel good. So I guess I am a do-gooder, as some say here, which they think is bad, although these same poeple would probably find fault with my military career and call me a murderer or something so I cannot worry about it. The fact is I came to Thailand originally for work and my farang friends were people I worked with. After I retired and moved to another part of Thailand I had fewer expat friends. Many of the farang I came in contact with were fat, unkempt

drunken sex tourists who couldn't get l--d in a whorehouse with a fistful of fifties in their home country, but because they could purchase some short time bar-girl for a few baht they thought they were Brad Pitt. I am not claiming to be Brad Pitt either, but the point is I did not stay here because it was cheap or because I was horny. I just really like the people. As far as farang go, there are many good ones here too. No matter what problem you have, someone in thai visa forum would always take their own time to help you out and get nothing in return. And this applies to the majority, despite the few who have nothing better to do than insult people and give stupid sarcastic replies.

Finally, I also do believe if you don't like Thailand, then why don't you just leave? Except for the one guy who hates Thais and farangs. He will be miserable anywhere, so might as well be miserable where it is cheaper

[bkkjames]

Perhaps there is something wrong with me, but the reason I stayed in Thailand was the

people. I think they are basically kind, fun-loving and generous, and I truly enjoyed their company and their culture. And I also found that I could help people in ways I never could in America and I found that it made me feel good. So I guess I am a do-gooder, as some say here, which they think is bad, although these same poeple would probably find fault with my military career and call me a murderer or something so I cannot worry about it. The fact is I came to Thailand originally for work and my farang friends were people I worked with. After I retired and moved to another part of Thailand I had fewer expat friends. Many of the farang I came in contact with were fat, unkempt

drunken sex tourists who couldn't get l--d in a whorehouse with a fistful of fifties in their home country, but because they could purchase some short time bar-girl for a few baht they thought they were Brad Pitt. I am not claiming to be Brad Pitt either, but the point is I did not stay here because it was cheap or because I was horny. I just really like the people. As far as farang go, there are many good ones here too. No matter what problem you have, someone in thai visa forum would always take their own time to help you out and get nothing in return. And this applies to the majority, despite the few who have nothing better to do than insult people and give stupid sarcastic replies.

Finally, I also do believe if you don't like Thailand, then why don't you just leave? Except for the one guy who hates Thais and farangs. He will be miserable anywhere, so might as well be miserable where it is cheaper

A stupid sarcastic reply,,,,hmmm. Like "just because you are no Brad Pitt, doesn't mean your shaved head and tattooed forearms won't be a hit with the ladies"

Guilty as implied.

[F1fanatic]

Obviously there are an awful lot of ex-pats out there to avoid! But having said that, I've met a few who are genuine, caring people, in fact - just like us!

Yes, I smile at most farang (and Thais) I meet, but one of the reasons I left my own country was 'cos it's so depressing! O.K. - most of the smiles you receive in LOS are not genuine, but it doesn't actually matter - if you smile it leaves you both feeling better, so why not?

[tmd5855]

In addition to many good expats living in LOS, a great many of the farang expat population consists of misfits, drunks, crooks, perverts, anti-social types, or people that have escaped to LOS to take advantage of the the cheap housing, women, and whiskey. I think most farangs with any common sense tend to be more guarded and careful in choosing who they socialize with due to the vast number of losers and western society rejects living in LOS.

Well you must be the opposite then

Fit in anywhere, sober as a judge, no crinimal record (not even a speeding ticket), Sex? No thank you !!, An extremely sociable chap who lives in expensive housing, has never been with a Thai women nor brought a whiskey to your lips

Your a winner in life and an upstanding example of Western society

Your to good for me??

To be serious and not flippant, no one is perfect an average human has flaws, majority exhibit them at all times. Minority keep them in check. Owing to the former tend to keep my distance from ex-pats when home (Thailand) on leave. A lot of farangs make me cautious.

Edited November 14, 2008 by tmd5855

[patklang]

I certainly wouldnt want to mix with deadbeats,misfits and expats on retirement benefits(sorry but that was the funny one lol).better take out the retirement benefit ones as some are very rich.

anyway i certainly wouldnt like to mix with some of the up country expats who are so miserable the misfits are much better company.the top losers are the ones who sit outside a shop and drink cheap leo,now that is very sad and so cheap charlie.

[mahtin]

I certainly wouldnt want to mix with deadbeats,misfits and expats on retirement benefits(sorry but that was the funny one lol).better take out the retirement benefit ones as some are very rich.

anyway i certainly wouldnt like to mix with some of the up country expats who are so miserable the misfits are much better company.the top losers are the ones who sit outside a shop and drink cheap leo,now that is very sad and so cheap charlie.

Nah, those are the Changover merchants. We Leo drinkers have more class.

Better not tell my niece about "tramp stamps".

Top Loser.

[JimsKnight]

Now as one of the few single expats out here that actually stays for longer than 4 months at a time I find that part of the reason is:

The age factor - Old, coffin dodgers who don't socialise that much. They just stay at home with the wife and kids and thats it. Getting them to come out and play is like trying to raise the titanic. But that's not their fault usually. But its just a reason.

The mentality - Even in my apartment which has a few younger farang in it there is this 'dam_n, another farang in Thailand' effect that you get. It's like you are spoiling their bubble by being near to them as they've come here to get away from white caucasians etc.

A very good expat-friend of mine and I summed it up like this:

The piss-head expats go to Patong beach, Phuket

The Whoremongers go to Pattaya (and Patong Beach to a lesser extent).

The piss-head expats who've got money, a proper expat company job and have a bit of sense to them go to Bangkok.

The Chill-heads, lay-backs and prima-donnas often end up in Chiang Mai and the other islands.

The Retiree's and statics end up in Hua Hin and Issan.

The unknowns and hiddens dwell in the south of Thailand and get up to their own thing down there, (never have figured them out yet)

Please don't take that to heart, it's just a rough generalisation for rule of thumb (typically).

For me I monger and drink from time to time (not at all right now) and chill and even static (but not much). It's the excess that gets you

Expats move around and don't always stay in one place, so there can be a 'changing of the guard' effect in a place over time.

An example of this was Chiang Mai pre-2000 when there were more characters and now it's less characters but more farangs in numbers

Now I've lived in Chiang Mai Province for xx months as a single dude and do find the place to be that bad but it is boring and the expats are very routinelike, married (often the wives have got them up their to be away from the big bad cities down south ). The whole 'expat club' scene is a bit too village-minded and group-think for my liking but it's a good way of meeting the local expats.

But the mentality of the locals and expats are more friendlier than say Bangkok where there is a more stand-offish, expat-snob mentality.

Yet the big city, naughty night-life expats are not usually boring and more characterful so you have a story or two to tell with/of them and there's usually sanuk etc etc.

So you've got good and bad sides to the whole scene depending on the area and crowd you hang out with.

The best crowd of expats (in general so far) were on the islands and in Hua Hin for me. They aren't perfect but there was a more even-handed mentality and 'all-round' quantity.

I am at ease in groups or as a rarely-seen solitaire who is just tinkering about doing some things and projects.

i do agree the whole negative boozy-ballshitters are unfortunately quite apparent out here there is something to take from this in experience and gaining knowledge on the what is and what isn't. Too much of that isn't a good thing.

Right now I'm on solitaire mode writing my books and projects etc etc, but next month it's into the sin-city expat scene.

The key is to keep on moving and don't stop in one place for too long. You never know what the next month brings and for me that is a part of lifes adventure. Too many expats forget that or trade it in for married life, which is a cool thing too

One thing that does piss me off are the people who seem to launch the whole moral crusades and wage these wars of words against the singletons and mongers doing there thing.

Expats choose their groove and if that's what they do, then that's what they do.

Sure, I don't agree with the nutcase lunatics, raging boozers/womanisers and primadonnas who seem to think they are walking demi-gods but it's a waste of time letting it get you down. You just swerve and move around that sht or play it off. You rarely should have to meet them head-on so to speak

So much truth in there that I LOLed. I'm certainly guilty of the "how dare you also be farang and here?" mentality once in a while.

Forgive my ignerrance but I thought an expat was someone who lived in another country: How can you be an expat if you live here for a few months at a time? (insert puzzled smiley)

here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriate

Take note of the word 'Temporary' in the above link my tropical TV friend

[manjara]

I will admit to having met very interesting people here. However there are very few that I would ever socalize with on a personal level.

Exactly. I've been in many expat communities throughout the world, but the thai one is filled with people I just would not want to spend more than a few minutes with.

There are a few, but generally I seem to keep to myself here. It's a huge generalisation, but the majority of expats here are broadly into self-gratification.

[on-on]

Maybe it's the American, DeTocquevillian "nation of joiners" thing, but I've found that if you get involved in various organizations you meet plenty of farangs who are nice folks. At the same time, if you don't want to meet people you don't have to. That seems to be part of the libertarian vibe of the expat community - live and let live. From my experience, though, only the UK folks seem to have a social ethic for getting bent out of shape when they see you commit acts of public courtesy, heh (and even then it's only a subset). I'LL SHOW YOU A F**KIN GOOD MORNIN. BLOODY YANKS WITH YOUR PLASTIC SMILES!!! Never ceases to crack me up.

[kiakaha]

Don't partake in the "scene" as such. Have friends from many different foreign nationalities though, mostly met through my work here in Bangkok.

My wife belongs to a female expat club with which she sometimes attends get togethers.

[Tod Daniels]

This thread has turned into quite an interesting read;

I have to agree with the consensus that getting involved with various organizations will provide you the opportunity to meet other foreigners here. I wouldn't go so far as to say they are 'nice' people (by any stretch of the word nice), but they are certainly an interesting, diverse and eclectic group (albeit IMHO often myopic in their views of things here in the glorious "Land 'O Thais").

Siam Society, Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, and several other organizations DO provide valuable insight into this country and its peoples' views on all things wacky and wonderful in the glorious "Land 'O Thais". Sadly, in my experience, criticism is NOT taken well by either of the aforementioned predominantly foreign attendees of those clubs. I have been booed by the audience for asking more than one guest speaker to actually answer a question I posed, instead of dancing around the issue with oblique answers as thais oft do. Evidently asking an "un-thai" question (i.e.; a valid question, supported by research) is frowned upon in those lofty circles.

Another poster pointed out the very valid observation at the ease which foreigners can exist here without any "hold-my-hand" type of support system, and how this self sufficiency lends itself to foreigners being more standoffish towards one another. (BTW: no I don't need a hand holding or a hug, thanx).

The above premise can be further extrapolated upon by the fact that often times thais don't know which category a foreigner falls into within the highly regimented and stratified levels of conduct/interaction to which thais adhere (having had it beaten into them since birth). This can and does give foreigners the luxury of existing outside the 'normal parameters' of thai interaction i.e.: foreigners receive a great deal of freedom and latitude in their conduct, (often detrimental in thai perceptions of foreigners residing here). Foreigners can and do traverse the levels of thai social strata with comparative ease. This is most certainly something thais do NOT afforded each other. It could be yet another reason why there is no need for deep infrastructure and/or support in the foreign population here.

It has also been stated by a poster that I would be unhappy wherever I live so might as well live where it is cheaper. I find that amusing as I feel extremely happy with not only my life here, but my interactions with these people and foreigners as well. I make no excuse about being critical, judgmental, cynical, or acerbic, and I do NOT suffer mindless sock puppet mentalities easily. To quote a line from the American television show "House MD" staring Hugh Laurie; "I'm curious.. Seeing as I'm not a cat, that's not dangerous."

I operate under a live and let live philosophy. I accept without question your behavior and opinions may and most likely do differ greatly from mine. However, that fact in and of itself does not invalidate either my opinions or beliefs. Neither am I compelled to acquiesce to your point of view because of our differing opinions. Often times from my perspective you are wrong anyway.

(edited for spelling and clarity)

Edited November 15, 2008 by tod-daniels

[eek]

Im not sociabIe, but im not impoIite. Im happy aIone or in the company of those cIosest to me (which at present is my bf and his kids). Its aIways been that way for me.

Ive met some IoveIy westerners (as weII as a fair share of strange ones), but im not the going out type, so its just time to time get-togethers.

I agree that it seems strange to smiIe at every westerner you see, but if im spoken to, im happy to interact (but not get into too deep a conversation.)

Im carefuI who i make friends with. Many of the westerners I have met (especiaIIy where i Iive) seem to think that every other westerner wants to have Iong conversations, and when i am trying to do something, they often stop me and taIk ..a Iot! Its hard to get away, because i dont want to be rude, but at the same time I just want to get on with my own thing. I think it may be hard for some peopIe to understand those of us who genuinely enjoy our own company. I think some even have a faIse sense of being a do-gooder and 'heIping' me to be more sociabIe. I think when they see me aIone, they feeI sorry for me, rather than reaIising thats how i want to be.

The onIy thing i dont particuIarIy Iike is rudeness, but i dont dweII on it. If someone wants to bIatetIy ignore me if i ask a simpIe question or make a comment, so be it. Part of me doesnt bIame them because maybe they think I wiII end up being one of the bIah bIah expats that constantIy tries to engage them in conversation.

[Birdman]

In addition to many good expats living in LOS, a great many of the farang expat population consists of misfits, drunks, crooks, perverts, anti-social types, or people that have escaped to LOS to take advantage of the the cheap housing, women, and whiskey. I think most farangs with any common sense tend to be more guarded and careful in choosing who they socialize with due to the vast number of losers and western society rejects living in LOS.

Whats wrong with being anti social?? I'm anti social I prefer my own company or just me and the wife, don't like parties or any social gatherings.

...that's quiet alright, up to you.

But the internet, particularly an expat forum, is also a social gathering. So, people like you and many others as well, who say they prefer their own company and post xxxx times, appear to be self-contradictory.

If I would prefer my own company, I would not be active in TV.

[PeaceBlondie]

I had a big loy kratong party since I last posted in this thread. Maybe 20 people. Roughly divided between males and females, expats andThais, straight and gay, young and old. A good time was had by all, and less than four bottles of beer, no liquor, all evening.

[eek]

...that's quiet alright, up to you.

But the internet, particularly an expat forum, is also a social gathering. So, people like you and many others as well, who say they prefer their own company and post xxxx times, appear to be self-contradictory.

If I would prefer my own company, I would not be active in TV.

Dont agree Birdman. In a forum you can come and go as you pIease and read what you Iike, etc. You can give as much or as IittIe time as you wish. Its easy to come to a forum to interact if you are in the mood or have time. There reaIIy is a vast difference between physicaI sociaI interaction and a forum. You cant see that? =]

[cmsally]

Siam Society, Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, and several other organizations DO provide valuable insight into this country and its peoples' views on all things wacky and wonderful in the glorious "Land 'O Thais". Sadly, in my experience, criticism is NOT taken well by either of the aforementioned predominantly foreign attendees of those clubs. I have been booed by the audience for asking more than one guest speaker to actually answer a question I posed, instead of dancing around the issue with oblique answers as thais oft do. Evidently asking an "un-thai" question (i.e.; a valid question, supported by research) is frowned upon in those lofty circles.

I find this a very interesting observation considering it concerns foreigners rather than Thais. Any hypotheses as to why this should be?

[mahtin]

I had a big loy kratong party since I last posted in this thread. Maybe 20 people. Roughly divided between males and females, expats andThais, straight and gay, young and old. A good time was had by all, and less than four bottles of beer, no liquor, all evening.

Did you eat hay?

[bassmaster50]

I think if some people here were honest they would have to admit that, not only do they not want to talk to other people, but other people do not want to talk to them either. Many expats I have come across here are dysfuntional misfits, or just plain crazy. This in the minority, however. Most expats are nice people. But I think there is a reason that some expats I have met here tell me that noone back home misses them.

I also agree with the birdman. writng on this forum is a means of communication. for someone to say they do not want to socialize or talk to people and then write numerous long messages on the forum is a contradiction. I believe these people do wish to socialize with other people, but either are insecure or do not have good social skill.

[jackyseymour]

This thread has turned into quite an interesting read;

I have to agree with the consensus that getting involved with various organizations will provide you the opportunity to meet other foreigners here. I wouldn't go so far as to say they are 'nice' people (by any stretch of the word nice), but they are certainly an interesting, diverse and eclectic group (albeit IMHO often myopic in their views of things here in the glorious "Land 'O Thais").

Siam Society, Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, and several other organizations DO provide valuable insight into this country and its peoples' views on all things wacky and wonderful in the glorious "Land 'O Thais". Sadly, in my experience, criticism is NOT taken well by either of the aforementioned predominantly foreign attendees of those clubs. I have been booed by the audience for asking more than one guest speaker to actually answer a question I posed, instead of dancing around the issue with oblique answers as thais oft do. Evidently asking an "un-thai" question (i.e.; a valid question, supported by research) is frowned upon in those lofty circles.

Another poster pointed out the very valid observation at the ease which foreigners can exist here without any "hold-my-hand" type of support system, and how this self sufficiency lends itself to foreigners being more standoffish towards one another. (BTW: no I don't need a hand holding or a hug, thanx).

The above premise can be further extrapolated upon by the fact that often times thais don't know which category a foreigner falls into within the highly regimented and stratified levels of conduct/interaction to which thais adhere (having had it beaten into them since birth). This can and does give foreigners the luxury of existing outside the 'normal parameters' of thai interaction i.e.: foreigners receive a great deal of freedom and latitude in their conduct, (often detrimental in thai perceptions of foreigners residing here). Foreigners can and do traverse the levels of thai social strata with comparative ease. This is most certainly something thais do NOT afforded each other. It could be yet another reason why there is no need for deep infrastructure and/or support in the foreign population here.

It has also been stated by a poster that I would be unhappy wherever I live so might as well live where it is cheaper. I find that amusing as I feel extremely happy with not only my life here, but my interactions with these people and foreigners as well. I make no excuse about being critical, judgmental, cynical, or acerbic, and I do NOT suffer mindless sock puppet mentalities easily. To quote a line from the American television show "House MD" staring Hugh Laurie; "I'm curious.. Seeing as I'm not a cat, that's not dangerous."

I operate under a live and let live philosophy. I accept without question your behavior and opinions may and most likely do differ greatly from mine. However, that fact in and of itself does not invalidate either my opinions or beliefs. Neither am I compelled to acquiesce to your point of view because of our differing opinions. Often times from my perspective you are wrong anyway.

(edited for spelling and clarity)

A few years ago, I happened to be seated next to a very straight laced looking lady on her way to London via Bangkok. She told me she and her husband's experience of expat communities anywhere were to be avoided at all costs. Well, just take a look at the number one topic this evening re the sexual appeal or otherwise, with a 'poll' no less, of a fugitive and devisive demagogue's young daughter.

Their are 'expats', and there are those that have chosen to live in a country not of their birth.

[jackyseymour]

Obviously there are an awful lot of ex-pats out there to avoid! But having said that, I've met a few who are genuine, caring people, in fact - just like us! 'us' hmmm ...

Yes, I smile at most farang (and Thais) I meet, nerves, I suspect (by the way, I find the fact you felt the need to put 'Thais' in parenthesis rather telling) but one of the reasons I left my own country was 'cos it's so depressing! so having relocated to the other side of the world and having had your husband of 30 years dump you for what you describe as a 'Thai tart' within the first year, made you happier? O.K. - most of the smiles you receive in LOS are not genuine, and you have deduced this after what, one year, year and a half? what insight! but it doesn't actually matter - if you smile it leaves you both feeling better, so why not? Hmmm. How can you be sure the reciprocee is just as happy to receive your empty and inane grin as you are as to have proferred it, given your aforegoing statement that 'most of the smiles you receive in LOS are not genuine? (sic)

Edited November 15, 2008 by jackyseymour

[alaina]

I've had some experiences with some expats here that have made me more cautious and I think that a minority of bad people have a disproportionate influence on the perception of expats. Living in a foreign country can give people different and more conspicuous ways of being annoying. Some expats decide to say, TiT and use it as an excuse for doing all sorts of things that are unacceptable at home, some feel the need to tell everyone about their 'superior' knowledge of all things Thai and others will endlessly assert that their nationality/class/education/etc. is number one. These behaviors would manifest themselves some other way at home, but we notice them more here because we hear these same things from different people.

Groups can be helpful to meet new people that are social because people join them to be social. I went to a victory party for Obama this month and met loads of people that have lived here a long time. I've even bumped into a few of them since and continued to chat with them. Other friends play netball or take art classes or are involved with the expat theatre group. Normally I'm not a joiner but I think that it makes sense to keep trying new things until you find something works.

[AndyBlueEyes]

...that's quiet alright, up to you.

But the internet, particularly an expat forum, is also a social gathering. So, people like you and many others as well, who say they prefer their own company and post xxxx times, appear to be self-contradictory.

If I would prefer my own company, I would not be active in TV.

Dont agree Birdman. In a forum you can come and go as you pIease and read what you Iike, etc. You can give as much or as IittIe time as you wish. Its easy to come to a forum to interact if you are in the mood or have time. There reaIIy is a vast difference between physicaI sociaI interaction and a forum. You cant see that? =]

Yeah, I would have to agree with 'eek' that there is a big difference between physical social iteraction and forums. Forums can be entertaining and good sources of information but are not in any way, shape, or form a real substitute for actual physical social interaction. Forums have much more than their fair share of misfits and oddballs since it allows that type of person to thrive in the anonymity of cyberspace and not suffer any social repercussions found in physical interaction thereby creating a pseudo social situation for them. I prefer being a real person and enjoy the physical company of real people therefore I choose my friends carefully from the real world and view forums only as a source of information and entertainment.

[ray23]

Things have changed remarkedly at least in Udon. Then you mihgt see farrang twice a week. If yuo didnlt go to one of the three farrang hangouts. When I was single I ui used to that. But what I found was a lot of negative people. I was struggling to adjust myself. It wantl long befoe I headed to Thai palces, maybe I couldnt; talk to them but at least they were milign and haivng a good time. I wa alway catered to they really made an efort to make yuo feel welcome. I was never charged anymore then a Thai. That was Udon eight years ago, the place I decided to spend the balance of my life in.

Today anywhere you go you will see a farrang. When I first came here I was given help and guidance in adjusting in geting d set up. Soemtime the information wa good sometimes it wasn't.

So I believe in returning what is given to me, I would help any newbie, interstingly enough not one is a friend today. Well there comes a time when you just can't handle litenignt o waht it's loke in america heack I think I might know a bit about that myself. You no longer want to hear anb bout the guys girl problem you've had yuor own. Peopel checking prices ona five baht bottle of water and acting like the world had ended if they are charged six. There must be this huge conspiracy going on. Have I been overcahrged you bet, but my world didn't end and I just didn't go back again.

I really no problem being friendly to people, but that doesn't mean I want to hear their life story. I have found a lo differnt kind of people I'm meting as newbies today. They don't eem to grateful for the help But demanding about it. Like it's somthing you owe th them. I figured out a long iem ago no matter what you say they are going to do what they are going to do. Then come back to you to tell you about their problems. I'm sorry I go better things to do with my retirment, I'm no tour guide or shrink.

I have spent time with Gary and Lickey, they are very likeable people and shared with me what their life style was. It was great but not my cup of tea. Never seen them a being anti socail at all they are living their lives not complaining about them. Those kind of people I enjoy being around.

I have pretty much gave up on greeting people they first they do i heck their wallet to see if yuo stole it. I simply don't need it.

I enjoy motorcycle touring wanl; much going on around here so I started a ride list where local ride are sit up each week. I e-mail them those that want to go show up, if they dont they don't simple as that. Pretty mellow stuff. Those are people I enjoy an activity with who have a common interest. So the talk is about that interest.

From time to time someone will how up that just can't stop complaining about Thailand. Or they spend their day calling Thai's stupid getting drunk and challenging people, believe me you see it all. I take them off the list simple as that. I refuse to spend my retiremetn liek taht I have conrol in most instances of my life. Am I anti social no I want to live my life, the one I created for myself.

For me that alone is enough social activity with farrrangs there is rides every week. I might actually go out and ride once a month. I don like riding in club a memeber always some sort of power struggle going on, not for me.

So how is my expat experience fine, it was what I wanted what I built and what I live as much as possible. We all have our bad day when we have to vent frankly I do it on here most of the time. Simply becaue lot less chance of harming someone in some way. But if yuor entire life is a bad day I don't want to be around you.

Everyone here finds their own way eventually and that might include going back to their home countries. That is their business not mine. ( Mai Chai Tura Pom)

anyone want to go riding

[keencenturion]

I came to live in Thai with my mrs, i dont need a spanish costa type of living, to have a chat with a falang once a month is ok for me, im self sufficient in asmuch that i have an inner happiness of independance, Im not in an ex-pat circle and therefore i dont have to make lame excuses as to why i dont want to go drink with you fellas tonight, I had enough of that in my home country, so here in Thai, i can please myself, and its great!!!

Well said Lickey,I agree whole heartedly with your comments,differing slightly with my thoughts on the majority of ex-pats i have seen in Thailand over the number of years I have lived here.

I cannot understand why they never seem to acknowledge that we are from the same neck of the woods,not even a nod or a grin as a sign of recognition.To me it is a sign of ignorance,lower intelligence,or just the fact that they are terribly unhappy with their lot or worrying how much they are being fleeced for,which we all are aware of,or,should be.

That is why I prefer my own company mainly,although like you I talk to decent guys from time to time,that suits me fine.

take care

Cheers

KC

[keestha]

I remember situations like meeting a farang accompanied by two Thai women in a very much out of the way national park. The Thai ladies returned my greeting, but the farang plainly ignored me. On another occasion, I was having a softdrink in front of a shop way out of nowhere. A pickup truck stopped, and out came a farang, who acted like he didn't see me.

This type of behaviour strikes me as a bit odd. I definitely don't nod to every farang in a place like Ranong where many farangs are passing through, but in a completely out of the way place I certainly do.

[JimsKnight]

A few years ago, I happened to be seated next to a very straight laced looking lady on her way to London via Bangkok. She told me she and her husband's experience of expat communities anywhere were to be avoided at all costs. Well, just take a look at the number one topic this evening re the sexual appeal or otherwise, with a 'poll' no less, of a fugitive and devisive demagogue's young daughter.

Their are 'expats', and there are those that have chosen to live in a country not of their birth.

It sounds like she probably was a world away from some lofty glitter-brigade expats seen in other countries.

Correct me if I'm wrong but are you saying that to be an expat means some 'ivory tower' corporation/company has to be paying you an 'expat package'

I know many fine expatriates who have CHOSEN to live in LOS and are self-made in getting an ordinary job and earning a decent living.

Obviously these can't, by your reckoning, be 'expats' then can they?

Everyone needs to take a few steps back, remember this is Asia we're in, not some prudish and rigid office with David Brent shuffling around and chill.

[mdrichard]

In addition to many good expats living in LOS, a great many of the farang expat population consists of misfits, drunks, crooks, perverts, anti-social types, or people that have escaped to LOS to take advantage of the the cheap housing, women, and whiskey. I think most farangs with any common sense tend to be more guarded and careful in choosing who they socialize with due to the vast number of losers and western society rejects living in LOS.

Well written summary answering most of the questions in the original posting. The statistical breakdown I have heard from government sources is 75% of the expats who call Thailand home are non-desirables who strengthen the criminal element of this third world country. From drugs to human trafficking to just day to day offensive and dishonest behavior all of which contribute to the "catch 22" situation Thai people (including the Thai government) find themselves faced with. Unfortunately, Thai and other third world country citizens look to the west for role models or since it is easier look to the westerners visiting or living in their country. Considering the statistic mentioned earlier, the Thai people and the country as a whole are in for a long struggle to end their "catch 22" situation.

I am a relative newbie to Thailand as I have only lived here 5 years but in my opinion, another expat help center or increased formal expat social gatherings would only result in the same group of expats asking for help, complaining about everything they encounter in Thailand and attending the social gatherings. There is already help available in many forms, you just have to look, listen and learn. There are also many small and large social gatherings that take many forms but I understand that for those who thrive on such events for sanity or survival would welcome more of the same.

[Ulysses G.]

The statistical breakdown I have heard from government sources is 75% of the expats who call Thailand home are non-desirables who strengthen the criminal element of this third world country.

Isn't this a little low?