squarethecircle Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 (edited) I started a thread on this subject previously, but the question seemed to be unclear, so I will rephrase it. I'm looking for recommendations of cities in Thailand where a "obviously foreign" westerner can more-or-less blend in. I found this previously in a city in the east coast of China called Hangzhou, where I felt (despite my obvious foreignness) as just another face in the crowd. One clear measure of this is that I was called out by the equivalent of "f*rang" exactly 0 times over the better part of the year I was there, (yet just down the road in SH the word for "foreigner" became the standard form of address, call me sensitive but it doesn't feel welcoming). Yet it seems the people in HZ have an attitude where if you're a well-dressed and dignified "f*rang" you're accepted as just another member of the crowd.So I'm curious if such cities exist in Thailand. Previous posters recommended Roi Et, Cha-Am, Phrapradaeng, Aranyapratet, and Bangyai Nothaburi, and after researching these places they seem like they'll turn out to be exactly what I'm looking for - nice cities off the main tourist trails with reputations for having decent people - so I started this thread to try to get some more recommendations for such places. I'll be glad to clarify the question but I'm looking for names of cities. Cheers Edited July 14, 2014 by Rooo Font Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJP Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Pattaya. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benalibina Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Pattaya. What happened to Roi Et ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehelmsman Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Pattaya. Go to Pattaya have a pint, pull a bird and go unnoticed. Repeat as you're physically able. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJP Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Pattaya. What happened to Roi Et ? I did say Roi-Et but I think to really blend in I can only think of Pattaya. The mention of Roi-Et has stirred responses of "please check my pulse, I'm bored to death" in other posters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreedomDude Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Pattaya. I think that violates all 3 of the criteria he is seeking, doesn't it? He said he is looking for " (1) nice cities (2) off the main tourist trails with (3) reputations for having decent people" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJP Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Pattaya. I think that violates all 3 of the criteria he is seeking, doesn't it? He said he is looking for " (1) nice cities (2) off the main tourist trails with (3) reputations for having decent people" I really should read the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benalibina Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Pattaya.I think that violates all 3 of the criteria he is seeking, doesn't it?He said he is looking for " (1) nice cities (2) off the main tourist trails with (3) reputations for having decent people" I really should read the question. But you live in Roi Et. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squarethecircle Posted July 14, 2014 Author Share Posted July 14, 2014 "I think that violates all 3 of the criteria he is seeking, doesn't it? He said he is looking for " (1) nice cities (2) off the main tourist trails with (3) reputations for having decent people""Wasn't he being sarcastic? Actually the hints in the last post just changed my plans and I will probably swing by both Phrapradaeng and Bangyai Nonthaburi when I'm in the area after 1-2 weeks (assuming I get my 30-day visa-free entry, otherwise I'll be in Vientiane applying for a TV), I'd appreciate more suggestions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJP Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Pattaya.I think that violates all 3 of the criteria he is seeking, doesn't it?He said he is looking for " (1) nice cities (2) off the main tourist trails with (3) reputations for having decent people" I really should read the question. But you live in Roi Et. About 70km north of Roi-Et. I like it anyway. It has fantastic garden centres and it's laid back yet rather clean and well kept. It has a Makro and a Big C too, which is handy. Also DIY stores. Bueng Phalan Chai is nice to take the kids boating. Got a very tall Buddha image too . . . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 If I ever blend in here in Thailand ... it definately means it's time to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RikDao Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Phrase. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave2 Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 re pattaya I think that violates all 3 of the criteria he is seeking, doesn't it? He said he is looking for " (1) nice cities (2) off the main tourist trails with (3) reputations for having decent people" you mean pattayas not nice ? just joshin .. dave2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squarethecircle Posted July 15, 2014 Author Share Posted July 15, 2014 Phrase. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Do you mean Phrae? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RikDao Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Yeah, meant Phrae. Have one of those obnoxious word anticipator things. Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgs2001uk Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 "I think that violates all 3 of the criteria he is seeking, doesn't it? He said he is looking for " (1) nice cities (2) off the main tourist trails with (3) reputations for having decent people"" Wasn't he being sarcastic? Actually the hints in the last post just changed my plans and I will probably swing by both Phrapradaeng and Bangyai Nonthaburi when I'm in the area after 1-2 weeks (assuming I get my 30-day visa-free entry, otherwise I'll be in Vientiane applying for a TV), I'd appreciate more suggestions. Phrapradaeng, best of luck with that one, what the poster forgot to mention was, dirty. noisy polluted industrial area. Dont forget its ugly twin sister Phrasamutchedi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisb Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Khon Kaen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
losworld Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 You will never escape the "farang" notation here in Tland. I hear it from all sorts of professionals such as doctors, lawyers and the like so if they don't have the sensibility to refrain good luck with everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
losworld Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 (edited) Khon Kaen. Is that a joke? Some nice people like everywhere else but you'll hear farang just like everywhere else. Actually probably here it less in Bkok than smaller centers. Edited July 15, 2014 by losworld Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisb Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Khon Kaen. Is that a joke? Some nice people like everywhere else but you'll hear farang just like everywhere else. Actually probably here it less in Bkok than smaller centers You are just as big of a falang as you are buk si dar in all of Thailand. Area makes not one speck of difference, and really the whole op makes not a whole bunch of sense(no offence op). But anyway, carry on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urloc Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 My advice is a small village, anywhere, but a small village. In the beginning you will be "the farang", that is right. But if you try to blend with them (you are the one who has to blend in, not the other way around) you will see it is pretty easy and in the end they don't point at you saying "farang" but just smile at you or sa-wa-dee you when you cross with them. There are many of them. And farang is not really an insult or a despective way to address you. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieH Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Like many good things in Thailand, when you discover them, the last thing you want is to broadcast it or it gets ruined. So no, I have no idea. Good luck with your search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cypress Hill Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 OK so the OP's asking: "Is there anywhere in Thailand where I can turn up and, provided I look "respectable", all the locals will be politically correct and be oblivious to the fact that I'm Caucasian, won't realise that I don't speak Thai and will resist the urge to overcharge me?" Sounds like the sort of clown who wais the cleaning lady. Anybody who wants indifference can have it by NOT trying too hard to ingratiate oneself or fit in, NOT walking around hand in hand with off-duty sex workers and NOT being seen drunk in public. Unfortunately for the OP, it doesn't happen overnight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umbanda Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 (edited) If you do live enough time in any Thai city with small expat community, you will become not one more "farang"..you will be the local "farang" and you will have the time of your life....After living more than 2 years outside Lampang, and telling everybody in the local market that I was moving to other city for personal reasons...I saw tears in their faces. I was there every day, not shopping, just practicing my Thai with all the vendors and teaching English to the kids around...Having a lot of fun too! Edited July 15, 2014 by umbanda 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datebayo Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Patong Phuket, enuff said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squarethecircle Posted July 16, 2014 Author Share Posted July 16, 2014 If you do live enough time in any Thai city with small expat community, you will become not one more "farang"..you will be the local "farang" and you will have the time of your life....After living more than 2 years outside Lampang, and telling everybody in the local market that I was moving to other city for personal reasons...I saw tears in their faces. I was there every day, not shopping, just practicing my Thai with all the vendors and teaching English to the kids around...Having a lot of fun too! OK cheers, we'll give this a shot. Cheers, STC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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