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 :)
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