Where To Find Quality Expats In Thailand

[andrew]

There's a thread running in the Isaan forum in which a guy talks about his trip to Udon Thani. One of the guys who's replied has offered the observation that expats in Udon are the "bottom of the barrel".

This is quite interesting. I mean, if Udon expats represent the bottom of the barrel, where should one go in order to meet expats who inhabit the top of the barrel? Or perhaps you'd prefer to meet expats who occupy the center of the barrel.

This is what I think.

The bottom of the barrel

Pattaya. Without a doubt. What a dreadful place. A sink of iniquity. A veritable Pandora's box of horrors.

Sure, Pattaya plays host to some very successful expat hotel managers and chefs, but the dregs far outweigh the quality.

The lower part of the barrel

Isaan. What a boring place! Expats here are generally retirees; most are overweight; most are bored senseless; many take their first drink before midday; all are married to farmers' daughters. No need to comment any further.

The center of the barrel

Bangkok. There are many highly successful expats in BKK. They are executives employed by multinational companies; they earn serious green; they are often accommodated at Nichida Thani and/or Muang Ake; remuneration packages usually include school fees; cars and chauffeurs are usually thrown in. These men do extremely well.

The average, however, is brought down by the abundance of third rate English teachers (sic), boiler room boys, and a plethora of nefarious scum whose lifestyles I'd prefer not to comment on.

The upper part of the barrel

Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetburi. Specifically, Hua Hin and Cha Am. I like these two seaside towns. They are generally scum-free, and seem to attract elderly Scandinavian retirees who come here with partners who they've been married to for a couple of decades or more. I personally find that quite refreshing.

The top of the barrel

Singha Nakhon and Rayong. If you're looking to meet the expat creme da la creme, these two towns have it all.

Singha Nakhorn -- the former Sultanate of Singora -- is these days a regional home to many of the world's leading oil and gas companies. Expats who work here come from Europe, the Gulf States and Singapore. They get great salaries. The whole place is devoid of sexpats and sex tourists. There are very few slut bars. Men who work here are hardworking and respectable.

Ranong. No need to say too much. Ranong is the wealthiest province in Thailand, and Japanese expat managers rule. I have immense respect for the Japanese. Here in Thailand, there is no such thing as Japanese scum.

Edited May 29, 2013 by andrew

[EyesWideOpen]

Sorry am going to have to agree with the original thought, that Udon expats are the bottom of the barrel. I have been through there many times, and each time that concept is reinforced.. Was in a small bar beer the last time , at the Day and Night bar beer center. There was a farang passed out stone cold in the corner of the bar. A pleasant Thai woman was there with her 1 year old child. When I asked her who the passed out guy was, she said it was her husband.....

Side note: Have also been to Ranong many times, do not recall seeing any Japanese expats in large numbers. Regarding respect for Japanese men, do some research on the comfort women and Unit 731 in China, and tell me if you feel the same way about Japanese men.

Wait, have you confused Ranong and Rayong ? That is a bit of a newcomer mistake.....

Edited May 29, 2013 by EyesWideOpen

[Eesat]

Rayong is right next to Pattaya,isn't it?

[arthurwait]

Ranong is wealthier than Bangkok, Chonburi and Samut Prakan ? You learn something new everyday.

Hua Hin is mostly full of skint pensioners nursing a pension or skint girly bar owners/pimps , but many would like you to think it's the classiest place in Thailand.

There I've helped your wind up. .

[Eesat]

Personally I think Chiang Mai is effortlessly classy and full of character,with the ancient city walls and moat,plus ancient stone stupas hidden around corners on small lanes around the city.

There's some dodgy old expats but they are mostly dinosaurs,so the worse thing they'll do is sneeze and maybe hit you with flying false teeth.Not even too many smelly backpackers either,win-win all round situation,super friendly locals and cheap prices!

[Phronesis]

I am the guy who started the thread "my recent trip to Udon".

Unfortunately you are missing the point I made about expats. In this thread you have graded expats entirely on their income. I am only in my forties and have retired early to Thailand as a self made millionaire. However, I do not judge other expats by their net worth, or their salary.

I judge them on their self respect. In Udon, I did not observe a single expat who took pride in himself or his conduct.

[andrew]

Ranong is wealthier than Bangkok, Chonburi and Samut Prakan ? You learn something new everyday.

Apparently, yes. I've seen the stats. Have you? Ever heard of the Detroit of the East?

[jombom]

The OP can keep Ranong and Rayong. Both are boring places with many boring people.

As for Japanese, please don't get me started.

[EyesWideOpen]

I am the guy who started the thread "my recent trip to Udon".

Unfortunately you are missing the point I made about expats. In this thread you have graded expats entirely on their income. I am only in my forties and have retired early to Thailand as a self made millionaire. However, I do not judge other expats by their net worth, or their salary.

I judge them on their self respect. In Udon, I did not observe a single expat who took pride in himself or his conduct.

Yep !!!!! Udon is noted for having attractive women, so they are very successful at snagging farang husbands. But these snagged expats do not actually live in Udon, they live outside town in little villages. They are bored to death, so they come into the town of Udon to get roaring drunk.

So this can create some ugly situations... :-)

And for the last time, RANONG is a small quiet coastal town north of Phuket, and RAYONG, south of Pattaya, is the Detroit of the east.

Edited May 29, 2013 by EyesWideOpen

[kevvy]

and you talk about thai people looking down , because someone chooses to live where they like , they get sh*t put on them .there are good and bad all around this country ..

[arthurwait]

Ranong is wealthier than Bangkok, Chonburi and Samut Prakan ? You learn something new everyday.

Apparently, yes. I've seen the stats. Have you? Ever heard of the Detroit of the East?

Yes. Maybe you should research where it is.

[NancyL]

I once met an expat female yoga insructor who had worked in both Phuket and Chiang Mai. She said the expats in Phuket "had more money than brains" and the ones in Chiang Mai had "more brains that money".

Personally, I'm glad to be part of the brainy crowd.

[andrew]

Ranong is wealthier than Bangkok, Chonburi and Samut Prakan ? You learn something new everyday.

Apparently, yes. I've seen the stats. Have you? Ever heard of the Detroit of the East?

Yes. Maybe you should research where it is.

HEY -- MASSIVE APOLOGIES!!!!

I meant Rayong. I'm really sorry. You're right and I'm wrong.

Very sorry.

[arthurwait]

Maybe the OP should try Sri Racha in Chonburi provence also known as Little Japan if he thinks Japanese make quality ex-pats. Now where do they work ?

[Jingthing]

Another Pattaya bashing thread?

Isn't there a quota system in effect on that?

[kevvy]

I am the guy who started the thread "my recent trip to Udon".

Unfortunately you are missing the point I made about expats. In this thread you have graded expats entirely on their income. I am only in my forties and have retired early to Thailand as a self made millionaire. However, I do not judge other expats by their net worth, or their salary.

I judge them on their self respect. In Udon, I did not observe a single expat who took pride in himself or his conduct.

well said, but since you are talking about you being a millionaire i ask you this , if you are a reader of this forum you would have seen a member asking for money to buy a lawn mower for the father ray orphanage ..did you give any donation to this ?

[EyesWideOpen]

I once met an expat female yoga insructor who had worked in both Phuket and Chiang Mai. She said the expats in Phuket "had more money than brains" and the ones in Chiang Mai had "more brains that money".

Personally, I'm glad to be part of the brainy crowd.

Lived there 6 years. Really bad air for three months, and a somewhat boring nightlife. But otherwise ok, and a pretty good group of expats.

[EyesWideOpen]

Another Pattaya bashing thread?

Isn't there a quota system in effect on that?

I love Pattaya bashing threads, especially when performed by up country guys with bar girl wives they met in Pattaya. The hypocrisy is wonderful !!! Plus since I live here, I can easily judge the accuracy of the bashing comments... Edited May 29, 2013 by EyesWideOpen

[Jingthing]

Another Pattaya bashing thread?

Isn't there a quota system in effect on that?

I love Pattaya bashing threads, especially when performed by up country guys with bar girl wives they met in Pattaya. The hypocrisy is wonderful !!! Plus since I live here, I can easily judge the accuracy of the bashing comments...

Clearly they don't know what they're missing either. Pattaya, home to the world famous PAO.

Pattaya

Art

Organization

The global hub of art project installations involving hand made noodles and dark Chinese vinegar mounted on cardboard and sold for a minimum of 10 million baht. Open? Whenever! Don't complain or no noodles for you!

Also don't forget Jomtien. Word is in twenty years it will be RETRO and then y'all will be so jealous!

These provincials from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket just don't get it.

Edited May 29, 2013 by Jingthing

[Phronesis]

I once met an expat female yoga insructor who had worked in both Phuket and Chiang Mai. She said the expats in Phuket "had more money than brains" and the ones in Chiang Mai had "more brains that money".

Personally, I'm glad to be part of the brainy crowd.

Any chance you can PM me the details of the expat female yoga instructor?

[IsaanUSA]

Ranong is the wealthiest province in Thailand? That's news to me. I would imagine that most of the wealth in Thailand would be concentrated in Bangkok. Wikipedia says Ranong has the lowest population of any province in Thailand. Is it mainly the super rich that live there?

[philw]

Oh dear...................

[arthurwait]

Ranong is the wealthiest province in Thailand? That's news to me. I would imagine that most of the wealth in Thailand would be concentrated in Bangkok. Wikipedia says Ranong has the lowest population of any province in Thailand. Is it mainly the super rich that live there?

The OP has now realised he didn't know what province he was talking about, but is yet to realise his facts were a survey that was as well thought through as a 7 year olds homework and only took into account wages of people who declare what they earn. Where as every rich person in Thailand owns their own business and doesn't declare what they actually make and avoid paying tax until they get caught and then donate to the tax inspectors retirement fund instead of declaring their true income and assets.

What the OP's well thought through evidence research concluded was that employed ex-pats have to declare they income and ex pat oil workers declare a lot more than most employed Thais whose income is considerably less and that most only earn 9000 Baht. Surprise surprise Rayong topped the list OUTSIDE of Bangkok.

[cornishcarlos]

Scum always floats.. Glad I don't live in the barrel

[andrew]

Ranong is the wealthiest province in Thailand? That's news to me. I would imagine that most of the wealth in Thailand would be concentrated in Bangkok. Wikipedia says Ranong has the lowest population of any province in Thailand. Is it mainly the super rich that live there?

Read my comments above. I wrote RANONG when actually I meant RAYONG.

This was my mistake and I apologize again for the confusion.

[Tywais]

Flame and comment on moderation removed.

[bigbamboo]

From the comments so far it would appear Chiang Mai is the place to be if you want to meet quality expats in Thailand.

I'd go along with that.

Toodle pip!

[Eesat]

I am the guy who started the thread "my recent trip to Udon".

Unfortunately you are missing the point I made about expats. In this thread you have graded expats entirely on their income. I am only in my forties and have retired early to Thailand as a self made millionaire. However, I do not judge other expats by their net worth, or their salary.

I judge them on their self respect. In Udon, I did not observe a single expat who took pride in himself or his conduct.

Why on earth was your "Recent trip to Udon",from Phuket of all places by bus then?

Even the cheapest backpacker would NOT make that epic journey by bus,a millionaire business man would just fly Silk Air (Business Class) with Thai Air for around 10-15,000 baht return!

[IsaanUSA]

Ranong is the wealthiest province in Thailand? That's news to me. I would imagine that most of the wealth in Thailand would be concentrated in Bangkok. Wikipedia says Ranong has the lowest population of any province in Thailand. Is it mainly the super rich that live there?

Read my comments above. I wrote RANONG when actually I meant RAYONG.

This was my mistake and I apologize again for the confusion.

Ahhhh, okay. Gotcha. Thanks, I was really confused.

[andrew]

I am the guy who started the thread "my recent trip to Udon".

Unfortunately you are missing the point I made about expats. In this thread you have graded expats entirely on their income. I am only in my forties and have retired early to Thailand as a self made millionaire. However, I do not judge other expats by their net worth, or their salary.

I judge them on their self respect. In Udon, I did not observe a single expat who took pride in himself or his conduct.

Why on earth was your "Recent trip to Udon",from Phuket of all places by bus then?

Even the cheapest backpacker would NOT make that epic journey by bus,a millionaire business man would just fly Silk Air (Business Class) with Thai Air for around 10-15,000 baht return!

Agreed. I've commented on this already, but my post seems to have been removed.

It would appear that little Phronesis is living in a dream world.