The best ex-pat community in Thailand.

[infinity11]

Bangkok was great for thais and AND farang.
Socially there is little one can not find there.
Out side of bangkok, where is the most variety of decent ex-pats?
Of course this is very subjective.
Pattaya i find very friendly and not so interesting, a lot of russians that prefer to keep to themselves and old nasty brtis.

Just google meet-ups for pattaya and you get marketing, that's it and that says a lot.
The islands i have seen are mostly young party tourists passing through.
Maybe Hua-Hin is like cha'am, mostly old and/or British curmudgeons.
I prefer to stay on the coast though i hear chang mai is a great place (so darn far, though.)

I am sure there is no clear answer to this but still i am curious so i put it out there.

And please, if you don't like my post, topic or threads, please ignore and move on to some other one, thanks

[NancyL]

How old are you, nationality and interests?

Edited September 4, 2014 by NancyL

[Costas2008]

I have nothing against your posts so I will answer.

Is there anywhere that you would like to be?

Seems to me, you find a fault with everywhere you have been.

You don't like the British, you don't like the Russians.

What about the Greeks? Any good to you?

I can't understand, how do you expect other people to help you.

I do believe you have to help yourself and stop being so choosy.

[Crazy chef 1]

depence on your age. if you below 60 Cha Am is certainly not for you to look for a expat community.or you do it like me: i stay with my wife and the dogs ( and soon the baby) and the rest of the world can kiss my > deleted<.

dam'n i am a grumpy "young"man

Edited September 4, 2014 by Crazy chef 1

[pgrahmm]

Well - this is a virtual expat community - how ya doin' so far??????

I've noticed in CM the expats meeting are filled with expats showing off their "throphies" - some congregate together but not many.....when the bell rings and the meeting is over it looks like someone shouted bomb! -- or fire! - everyone exits quickly.....no real common bond.....some Thai business self interested entrepeneurs parading around looking to score (but damn fine looking).....

We are all individuals and here they seem to echo that - I mainly pass on these and will not subject my wife to it.....not really interested in one upping anyone - it's not a contest.....

Their "socials" are even worse - the drunk braggarts congregate to drink, brag, and talk and the wives mingle together and gossip.....while others wander around wondering where the (seasonal) party is or when it will start.....no band - no dancing - just drinking.....

Saving the best for last ---- there are a lot of special inerest groups from computers to music to gardening where like minded people do get together and share a common interest - from there friendships may be forged.....

[smokie36]

The happiest expats in Thailand are those who are comfortable spending long periods in their own company.

[Ricardo]

If the OP doesn't like the Brits he's met in Pattaya, he should meet some of the ones who stayed-home, or were rejected as being too lo-so for Thailand's greener-shores.

But hey, everybody is an individual, and you've got to take them as such & give 'em a chance, until you know them !

For an expat-community, I've always thought the Chiang Rai mob seemed a very decent & individualistic lot, going by ThaiVisa ?

[Aussieroaming]

Actually I think the OP writes like he is British.

I'm going to agree with other posters..Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai expats seem to be pretty well balanced people. As a former country boy I vote for the boondocks. Give me clean air and country life over Bangkok anyday.

[Likener1]

How old are you, nationality and interests?

I think in a genuine post he would said far more about exactly what you ask, of course he has made no replies as of yet.

Perhaps he will, rather than just talk about people he dislikes.

[marcusd]

Chiang Mai is great with young and older and every nationally.

You must say what you like.

If you want fun and to hell with the expense. . Phuket. Otherwise any place is WHAT YOU MAKE IT

[balo]

In Pattaya the expat community is more divided into countries I believe.

We have a big Norwegian expat community here , with a Norwegian church , restaurants and bars only for Norwegians. I don't like these places at all since I prefer to mix with other people and nationalities. So I would prefer a mixed expat community, but hard to find in Pattaya.

[Soutpeel]

In Pattaya the expat community is more divided into countries I believe.

We have a big Norwegian expat community here , with a Norwegian church , restaurants and bars only for Norwegians. I don't like these places at all since I prefer to mix with other people and nationalities. So I would prefer a mixed expat community, but hard to find in Pattaya.

Pray tell... What exactly is a norwegian church ? a Viking thing ?... praying to Oden and Thor ?

[Bernard Flint]

depence on your age. if you below 60 Cha Am is certainly not for you to look for a expat community.or you do it like me: i stay with my wife and the dogs ( and soon the baby) and the rest of the world can kiss my > deleted<.

dam'n i am a grumpy "young"man

very grumpy

[Bernard Flint]

The happiest expats in Thailand are those who are comfortable spending long periods in their own company.

disagree

The happiest expats in Thailand,are the ones who are at peace with themselves,treat people as they want to be treated, and not interested in the, I am considerably richer than you, brigade.

It does help to do everything in moderation too, and treat thais good.

[balo]

In Pattaya the expat community is more divided into countries I believe.

We have a big Norwegian expat community here , with a Norwegian church , restaurants and bars only for Norwegians. I don't like these places at all since I prefer to mix with other people and nationalities. So I would prefer a mixed expat community, but hard to find in Pattaya.

Pray tell... What exactly is a norwegian church ? a Viking thing ?... praying to Oden and Thor ?

No, then it would have been a viking church I guess.

This is the Norwegian seaman church located between Pattaya and Jomtien. Look for the Norwegian flag. Danes and Swedes are also welcome. I'm not very religious but the church is a good place to meet and discuss anything.

[NancyL]

Well - this is a virtual expat community - how ya doin' so far??????

I've noticed in CM the expats meeting are filled with expats showing off their "throphies" - some congregate together but not many.....when the bell rings and the meeting is over it looks like someone shouted bomb! -- or fire! - everyone exits quickly.....no real common bond.....some Thai business self interested entrepeneurs parading around looking to score (but damn fine looking).....

We are all individuals and here they seem to echo that - I mainly pass on these and will not subject my wife to it.....not really interested in one upping anyone - it's not a contest.....

Their "socials" are even worse - the drunk braggarts congregate to drink, brag, and talk and the wives mingle together and gossip.....while others wander around wondering where the (seasonal) party is or when it will start.....no band - no dancing - just drinking.....

Saving the best for last ---- there are a lot of special inerest groups from computers to music to gardening where like minded people do get together and share a common interest - from there friendships may be forged.....

How long has it been since you've been to a meeting of the CM Expats Club? There's been a change in the Board in March and much more going on after the meeting what with business sponsors, community sponsors and outside group activities having displays in the foyer -- well let's just say the hotel finally had to run us out after the last meeting because we were lingering after our allotted time.

And what do you mean by "trophies"? Don't tell me those are the women? Well, now it's mostly women on the Board of CEC and our husbands call us "gems" not "trophies".

[transam]

The best ex pat place is my house................

Why, I am the only farang here.......... ...................

[Upset]

ThaiVisa....................HURRAH

[pigeonjake]

The best ex pat place is my house................

Why, I am the only farang here.......... ...................

rock on trans,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,rock on brother

[Beetlejuice]

In my opinion our infinity11 is spot on with his description of the ex-pat scene in Thailand, except that I would elaborate and say this extends to all nationalities of farangs living in Thailand and is not exclusive to the Russians and the British and certainly do not consider the OP`s comments as racist, he is just telling it how it is.

His question: where are the-best ex-pat communities in Thailand? My answer to that is; there are no ex-pat communities in Thailand that I am aware of.

I would doubt that any Westerners plonking themselves in Thailand for the long term would ever be successful in gaining close friendships within the ex-pats circles. Many are extremely iffy, for example I have learned over the years to never ask farangs what they do in Thailand, some are openly hostile, rude, arrogant and strictly anti social. The older ones in general seem to be the grumpiest of all, totally rooted into their own worlds and some will consider other farangs only as intruders into their space, like a dog meeting another dog for the first time.

Over the last couple of years there have been quite a few farang social groups starting up, loads on facebook, but as the OP said; most are just people trying to sell something or hustlers seeking jobs or just those looking for potential customers to sell whatever it is they are peddling.

I have been lucky because I plonked myself in Thailand over 30 years ago, there were some good groups here then and consider myself as having and had the best of it. But today it is a different scenario, a completely different scene and a completely new breed of ex-pats arriving in Thailand, more or less as our infinity11 explained it.

[AYJAYDEE]

In my opinion our infinity11 is spot on with his description of the ex-pat scene in Thailand, except that I would elaborate and say this extends to all nationalities of farangs living in Thailand and is not exclusive to the Russians and the British and certainly do not consider the OP`s comments as racist, he is just telling it how it is.

His question: where are the-best ex-pat communities in Thailand? My answer to that is; there are no ex-pat communities in Thailand that I am aware of.

I would doubt that any Westerners plonking themselves in Thailand for the long term would ever be successful in gaining close friendships within the ex-pats circles. Many are extremely iffy, for example I have learned over the years to never ask farangs what they do in Thailand, some are openly hostile, rude, arrogant and strictly anti social. The older ones in general seem to be the grumpiest of all, totally rooted into their own worlds and some will consider other farangs only as intruders into their space, like a dog meeting another dog for the first time.

Over the last couple of years there have been quite a few farang social groups starting up, loads on facebook, but as the OP said; most are just people trying to sell something or hustlers seeking jobs or just those looking for potential customers to sell whatever it is they are peddling.

I have been lucky because I plonked myself in Thailand over 30 years ago, there were some good groups here then and consider myself as having and had the best of it. But today it is a different scenario, a completely different scene and a completely new breed of ex-pats arriving in Thailand, more or less as our infinity11 explained it.

nonsense. i know of a number of upcountry towns and cities that have very active groups of farangs sharing interests in many activities and sports.

[Beetlejuice]

In my opinion our infinity11 is spot on with his description of the ex-pat scene in Thailand, except that I would elaborate and say this extends to all nationalities of farangs living in Thailand and is not exclusive to the Russians and the British and certainly do not consider the OP`s comments as racist, he is just telling it how it is.

His question: where are the-best ex-pat communities in Thailand? My answer to that is; there are no ex-pat communities in Thailand that I am aware of.

I would doubt that any Westerners plonking themselves in Thailand for the long term would ever be successful in gaining close friendships within the ex-pats circles. Many are extremely iffy, for example I have learned over the years to never ask farangs what they do in Thailand, some are openly hostile, rude, arrogant and strictly anti social. The older ones in general seem to be the grumpiest of all, totally rooted into their own worlds and some will consider other farangs only as intruders into their space, like a dog meeting another dog for the first time.

Over the last couple of years there have been quite a few farang social groups starting up, loads on facebook, but as the OP said; most are just people trying to sell something or hustlers seeking jobs or just those looking for potential customers to sell whatever it is they are peddling.

I have been lucky because I plonked myself in Thailand over 30 years ago, there were some good groups here then and consider myself as having and had the best of it. But today it is a different scenario, a completely different scene and a completely new breed of ex-pats arriving in Thailand, more or less as our infinity11 explained it.

nonsense. i know of a number of upcountry towns and cities that have very active groups of farangs sharing interests in many activities and sports.

There are such interests and sports clubs spread over Thailand, and I have no doubts that there will be some friendships or at least acquaintances made within these groups, but I would not describe these as being part of any ex-pats communities, but rather being as social events where people turn up, perhaps have a chat, do their thing, maybe grab some business or an earner their way and then go home until the next date of events.

I have commented on a general level that gaining a good circle of close friendships among the ex-pat circles is extremely difficult, perhaps even impossible these days, especially for the new boys in town.

Considering many of the comments made on this thread from dead head posters who took great delight in taking the peesd out of the OP just for making a reasonable inquiry proves my point that these are the average attitudes towards their peers in Thailand today and all that I mentioned in my previous post still stands.

[AYJAYDEE]

In my opinion our infinity11 is spot on with his description of the ex-pat scene in Thailand, except that I would elaborate and say this extends to all nationalities of farangs living in Thailand and is not exclusive to the Russians and the British and certainly do not consider the OP`s comments as racist, he is just telling it how it is.

His question: where are the-best ex-pat communities in Thailand? My answer to that is; there are no ex-pat communities in Thailand that I am aware of.

I would doubt that any Westerners plonking themselves in Thailand for the long term would ever be successful in gaining close friendships within the ex-pats circles. Many are extremely iffy, for example I have learned over the years to never ask farangs what they do in Thailand, some are openly hostile, rude, arrogant and strictly anti social. The older ones in general seem to be the grumpiest of all, totally rooted into their own worlds and some will consider other farangs only as intruders into their space, like a dog meeting another dog for the first time.

Over the last couple of years there have been quite a few farang social groups starting up, loads on facebook, but as the OP said; most are just people trying to sell something or hustlers seeking jobs or just those looking for potential customers to sell whatever it is they are peddling.

I have been lucky because I plonked myself in Thailand over 30 years ago, there were some good groups here then and consider myself as having and had the best of it. But today it is a different scenario, a completely different scene and a completely new breed of ex-pats arriving in Thailand, more or less as our infinity11 explained it.

nonsense. i know of a number of upcountry towns and cities that have very active groups of farangs sharing interests in many activities and sports.

There are such interests and sports clubs spread over Thailand, and I have no doubts that there will be some friendships or at least acquaintances made within these groups, but I would not describe these as being part of any ex-pats communities, but rather being as social events where people turn up, perhaps have a chat, do their thing, maybe grab some business or an earner their way and then go home until the next date of events.

I have commented on a general level that gaining a good circle of close friendships among the ex-pat circles is extremely difficult, perhaps even impossible these days, especially for the new boys in town.

Considering many of the comments made on this thread from dead head posters who took great delight in taking the peesd out of the OP just for making a reasonable inquiry proves my point that these are the average attitudes towards their peers in Thailand today and all that I mentioned in my previous post still stands.

and I'm telling you youre wrong. I dont know what its like in Pattaya etc but upcountry ex-pat communities are common. they share a common interest that brought them together in the first place but they go on to form very good friendships and share many things together. sorry to hear you dont.

[Beetlejuice]

In my opinion our infinity11 is spot on with his description of the ex-pat scene in Thailand, except that I would elaborate and say this extends to all nationalities of farangs living in Thailand and is not exclusive to the Russians and the British and certainly do not consider the OP`s comments as racist, he is just telling it how it is.

His question: where are the-best ex-pat communities in Thailand? My answer to that is; there are no ex-pat communities in Thailand that I am aware of.

I would doubt that any Westerners plonking themselves in Thailand for the long term would ever be successful in gaining close friendships within the ex-pats circles. Many are extremely iffy, for example I have learned over the years to never ask farangs what they do in Thailand, some are openly hostile, rude, arrogant and strictly anti social. The older ones in general seem to be the grumpiest of all, totally rooted into their own worlds and some will consider other farangs only as intruders into their space, like a dog meeting another dog for the first time.

Over the last couple of years there have been quite a few farang social groups starting up, loads on facebook, but as the OP said; most are just people trying to sell something or hustlers seeking jobs or just those looking for potential customers to sell whatever it is they are peddling.

I have been lucky because I plonked myself in Thailand over 30 years ago, there were some good groups here then and consider myself as having and had the best of it. But today it is a different scenario, a completely different scene and a completely new breed of ex-pats arriving in Thailand, more or less as our infinity11 explained it.

nonsense. i know of a number of upcountry towns and cities that have very active groups of farangs sharing interests in many activities and sports.

There are such interests and sports clubs spread over Thailand, and I have no doubts that there will be some friendships or at least acquaintances made within these groups, but I would not describe these as being part of any ex-pats communities, but rather being as social events where people turn up, perhaps have a chat, do their thing, maybe grab some business or an earner their way and then go home until the next date of events.

I have commented on a general level that gaining a good circle of close friendships among the ex-pat circles is extremely difficult, perhaps even impossible these days, especially for the new boys in town.

Considering many of the comments made on this thread from dead head posters who took great delight in taking the peesd out of the OP just for making a reasonable inquiry proves my point that these are the average attitudes towards their peers in Thailand today and all that I mentioned in my previous post still stands.

and I'm telling you youre wrong. I dont know what its like in Pattaya etc but upcountry ex-pat communities are common. they share a common interest that brought them together in the first place but they go on to form very good friendships and share many things together. sorry to hear you dont.

I live in Chiang Mai, if you consider that as upcountry? The social aspects for me are no problem having been here many years and well established in this town. I can regard my ex-pat friends in Thailand as lifelong friends although many are now very elderly and my friends have dwindled over the years.

I think you are confusing communities with circles of groups of people that are 2 different things. I do agree that there are ex-pats that share common interests, but to many this appears to make no difference, as there are still those who when encountering other farangs on their travels will treat them as if they have some sorts of contagious diseases and to be avoided, especially some of the old croaks that I have had the misfortune to be sharing the same spaces with when out somewhere.

I am by no means suggesting that we all hold a duty to nice to others just because they are farangs, but many are openly anti social and make themselves completely unapproachable and the reasons it is difficult to make close ex-pat friends here. Everyone has a right to choose their own ways of living and who they wish to be associated with, I am only giving some reasons as to why it is difficult to form close relationships with other ex-pats in answer to the OP`s inquiry, otherwise how else would you like me to explain this? And as regards going to social clubs, I have already explained this in my previous post.

[Rupert Wellington]

I have found the Chiang Mai expat community a little "odd". Hermit type characters that don't fit in anywhere else.

[Beetlejuice]

I have found the Chiang Mai expat community a little "odd". Hermit type characters that don't fit in anywhere else.

I don`t think Chiang Mai is exclusive in having it`s weird ex-pats, as there are oddballs in all the regions of Thailand, but probably having different oddball traits according to their habitat.

Agree that Chiang Mai has it`s hermit type characters that don't fit in anywhere else. See them everywhere, at the supermarkets, post offices and so on.

[AYJAYDEE]

I am by no means suggesting that we all hold a duty to nice to others just because they are farangs, but many are openly anti social and make themselves completely unapproachable and the reasons it is difficult to make close ex-pat friends here. Everyone has a right to choose their own ways of living and who they wish to be associated with, I am only giving some reasons as to why it is difficult to form close relationships with other ex-pats in answer to the OP`s inquiry, otherwise how else would you like me to explain this? And as regards going to social clubs, I have already explained this in my previous post.

as usual youre just playing semantic games. a circle of friends is a community

com·mu·ni·ty

kəˈmyo͞onitē/

noun

1. 1.

   a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

   "Rhode Island's Japanese community"

   synonyms: group, body, set, circle, clique, faction; More
2. 2.

   a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

   "the sense of community that organized religion can provide"

Edited September 5, 2014 by AYJAYDEE

[Skywalker69]

Seems like no one likes the OP wherever he lives.

A round of golf could help him maybe...like....

More like a good shag?

With the golfclub??

[JLCrab]

From somewhere above: We are all individuals ... Wow -- you learn something new every day.

[infinity11]

I learned from this thread:

1-I can not private message some members, i.e, BEETLEJUICE!

2-If you ask for what you DON'T want, you might GET what you don't want.

3-Write for your audience, if possible.

thanks all for your input
no offense intended