Life in Bangkok these days

[boomerexpat]

I lived in BKK for a year 2011 and 2012 and thinking of moving back in a year. When I visted last summer I noticed that there were a lot fewer activity group activies on meetup.com and there seemed to be fewer exapts out and about in the central area. What is the reality for those of you that live there?

1. Has the expat herd thinned out since the coup? Since I'm 62 particularly interested in expat scene over 50.

2. Have most expats moved up to Chiang Mai which seems to be hopping especially for the digital nomad set?

3. Are things as happening as ever but just not in organized activities like meetup.com?

4. Are expats more withdrawn and just spending their time on Facebook and online porn?

Edited November 9, 2015 by boomerexpat

[crocken]

Does anyone look at porn in thailand when you can just step outside and be part of it....

[smutcakes]

I think Bangkok is now maybe pulling a slightly younger expat crowd than previously. With the growth of ecommerce etc, i know a lot of these companies are bringing over younger 25-30 year old expats to work here, on relatively low salaries, but the people want to be here.

If you read most topics about BKK, many of the older members that you are looking for, seem to spend an inordinate amount of time bashing BKK as to polluted, to many blocked sidewalks, to many dodgy paving stones, to many bad taxis etc etc etc I suspect they have moved away, perhaps to Chiang Mai.

Maybe BKK like most major cities is becoming a young person’s game. Work hard, get well paid, put up with the negatives of living in a huge city, and then when older slowly float away to quieter surroundings. I love BKK, but as I get older I am sure i will look for quieter and more relaxing environment away from the big cities.

[yellowboat]

It is no longer an easy place to stay as it once was. The digital nomads I know spend less time in Thailand.

[AlphMichaels]

Let not the naysayers here sway you from return. The right attitude is paramount and some here (not all) just seem unhappy in many facets of their lives if posts in this forum about their world (i.e., living here) are any indication. You take the good with the bad anywhere you go in this world today.

I still find it refreshing that I can walk a Soi here, smile at a total stranger (Thais, not foreigners-most still frown), and get one in return. Love that.

[mcfish]

After many years I'm looking to get out due to some health problems related to pollution, that all cleared up during my 1 month stay by the sea in jomtien.

I haven't noticed any difference in the expat crowds

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

Edited November 10, 2015 by mcfish

[BrainLife]

No idea, stayed in Bangkok 3x2 days my very first holidays in the 80's, after that never bothered. Hate big cities and what I hear and read, no chance you will see me there.

[MauiSteveBKK]

I am 62 and own condo in BKK, not in tourist section.

I am only there half the time -- will be interested in Ex-Pat responses as well.

I'd like to find some guys my age for some beers and good talk.

I'll watch the thread -- it will be a few months before I get back there.

My Thai wife and I BASE in BKK - and travel around from there.

We Love BKK -- but beware, as there are just at 62,395 BKK-Bashers on here.

Good Luck.

[mydee]

I think Bangkok is a fabulous place to live, excellent restaurants, the Skytrain pubs and friendly considerate people. But I rarely frequent the tourist areas like Sukhumvit and have a nice little apprtment overlooking the river. I have developed interest here such as learning Thai but I do miss having a beer with friends.

I am 62 and own condo in BKK, not in tourist section.
I am only there half the time -- will be interested in Ex-Pat responses as well.
I'd like to find some guys my age for some beers and good talk.
I'll watch the thread -- it will be a few months before I get back there.

My Thai wife and I BASE in BKK - and travel around from there.

We Love BKK -- but beware, as there are just at 62,395 BKK-Bashers on here.

Good Luck.

[SoiBiker]

No.

No.

Yes.

No.

[ThailandLOS]

1. Has the expat herd thinned out since the coup? Since I'm 62 particularly interested in expat scene over 50.

Depends on what category of "herd" you are referring to. Nana is still packed on a Sat night, so are most expat pubs.

2. Have most expats moved up to Chiang Mai which seems to be hopping especially for the digital nomad set?

Who knows, a lot seem to have left Thailand altogether, as "hanging around" without proper visa is not that attractive anymore.

3. Are things as happening as ever but just not in organized activities like meetup.com?

There is plenty of activity outside of Meetup, with social clubs, semi-social business clubs etc.

4. Are expats more withdrawn and just spending their time on Facebook and online porn?

More withdrawn than before? See no reason why they should. And as someone pointed out, stepping out to lower Skhmvt is like stepping into a porn movie.

[onekoolguy]

I live in Bangkok most of the time because my Thai wife works here and it's a great hub for travel to the rest of Asia. I travel frequently but when in Bangkok I usually go to the gym at the Landmark hotel. They have a nice members lounge with free coffee, newspaper, and wifi. Plenty of places for lunch in the area and several parks to visit. Gets a little boring so I travel every couple of weeks and very soon several friends will show up for the winter. All good! A recent trip back to the USA reminded me how much I take the scenery here for granted. Beautiful friendly women everywhere!

[ThailandLOS]

I live in Bangkok most of the time because my Thai wife works here and it's a great hub for travel to the rest of Asia. I travel frequently but when in Bangkok I usually go to the gym at the Landmark hotel. They have a nice members lounge with free coffee, newspaper, and wifi. Plenty of places for lunch in the area and several parks to visit. Gets a little boring so I travel every couple of weeks and very soon several friends will show up for the winter. All good! A recent trip back to the USA reminded me how much I take the scenery here for granted. Beautiful friendly women everywhere!

How's the gym in Landmark? Been considering to give a try. Possible to pay as you go, or membership only? Do they have serious lifting equipment or just the usual fitness machinery?

[ChangMaiSausage]

No idea, stayed in Bangkok 3x2 days my very first holidays in the 80's, after that never bothered. Hate big cities and what I hear and read, no chance you will see me there.

BrainLife: constructive response why do you feel the need to post if you wont be visiting again.

As pointed out things have changed and there does seem to be a younger crowd and more expat Asians in BKK.

You will always meet up with people as easy as you did years ago, some people you will want to meet again other you wont

[SoiBiker]

For some reason people that don't like cities often feel the need to tell people this fact. I'm not sure why.

[PFWilliams]

I Wrote a reply But WiFi went out and Lost it ALL.

I will make it Short this time. Frist Thailand is Great. But Don't Get hurt PERIOD.

Ok I Have Some thing to say. Your Life is not worth anything to Thai People, You May say

I am Bitter no I am not. I Happen to Fall off a Bus when I was getting off. I Don't Drink

I was Going Home after Buying some Food. the bus started to go when I was half way off

that's when I fell and hurt my Knee and land on my face, NO ONE I MEAN NO ONE HELPED ME

Too see if I was ok, The bus just Drove off after I rolled over. ALL Thai People on the BUS.

I AM A AMERICAN an have lived here for Two Years now and no Problems that I cannot except.

Not until this happen which made me Realize my LIFE Means NOTHING TO THEM Not even to see if I was Okay. Just be carful and spend your money you are just a GUEST HERE AND Don't ever forget

That FACT. I Wanted to stay here for my Retirement but now I am rethinking it After this

Accident. I could have Died or Broke a Hip, But who would Care. Just SAYING I live alone

I do have friends and they are sorry that this happen and that I must be carful but accidents

do Happen,

WHO CARES RIGHT. Luck have it I am in good shape for my age 70. I Look like 55 or 60 Just

saying and MIXED in Nationalty very light skin not dark. Maybe that had something to do with

it. But remember we are Human Beings and I dont care if you cant speak English or Thai OVE

which I can speak a little. So Just remember Have your money ready for Problems and EMERGANCY. I am now thinking about leaving, Don't want to but Life is to short to be Cut SHORT BY NO

ONE WANTING TOO HELP. GOOD LUCK

[smotherb]

No.

No.

Yes.

No.

No, No , No , No, well maybe.

[boomerexpat]

No, No , No , No, well maybe.

When I lived in Bangkok the first time I did get the impression that things had changed from the traditional expat life and people were more insular. Maybe when there weren't computers only a certain type of person would be an expat and being tethered to your online world allows another to join the expat scene. I just noticed that most of the expats around me rarely ventured outside and that most of the coffee shops had few people during the day in them. Reading Graham Greene and other writers from an earlier era I have an entirely different impression of expat life pre computer, a view, that for all I know, might not be accurate.

[boomerexpat]

How's the gym in Landmark? Been considering to give a try. Possible to pay as you go, or membership only? Do they have serious lifting equipment or just the usual fitness machinery?

It is a good gym for serious weight lifting. I belonged to it. You could pay by the time but it was really expensive. I think the month package was 2500 baht with the price per month dropping if you took a longer package. decent selection of new weights and machines. I ended up switching to a hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 22 that was only 1000 baht month that had an OK gym and a clean rooftop pool big enough for laps and was usually the only person in either one of them..

[boomerexpat]

I am 62 and own condo in BKK, not in tourist section.

I am only there half the time -- will be interested in Ex-Pat responses as well.

I'd like to find some guys my age for some beers and good talk.

I'll watch the thread -- it will be a few months before I get back there.

My Thai wife and I BASE in BKK - and travel around from there.

We Love BKK -- but beware, as there are just at 62,395 BKK-Bashers on here.

Good Luck.

If I base myself in Thailand it will probably be for only 6 months a year like you. After a certain point, I get tired of the pollution, ugly buildings and lack of access to green space and weather to enjoy the green space.

[onekoolguy]

I live in Bangkok most of the time because my Thai wife works here and it's a great hub for travel to the rest of Asia. I travel frequently but when in Bangkok I usually go to the gym at the Landmark hotel. They have a nice members lounge with free coffee, newspaper, and wifi. Plenty of places for lunch in the area and several parks to visit. Gets a little boring so I travel every couple of weeks and very soon several friends will show up for the winter. All good! A recent trip back to the USA reminded me how much I take the scenery here for granted. Beautiful friendly women everywhere!

How's the gym in Landmark? Been considering to give a try. Possible to pay as you go, or membership only? Do they have serious lifting equipment or just the usual fitness machinery?

The gym is very good, fitness first franchise so they have a lot of gyms in bangkok. About done with a complete remodel. You should check it out. Not cheap. Best to do yearly or at least monthly. I like it a lot! If you go in my name is Steve.

[boomerexpat]

There is plenty of activity outside of Meetup, with social clubs, semi-social business clubs etc.

How do you find out about the social clubs and business clubs? I know of internations.

A concern I have is being isolated. I'm the type that will go to a bar with others but not the type to just hang out in them all the time to meet other people.

[ExpatOilWorker]

I think there are more expats here now, than there were in the red/yellow shirts fighting days a few years back.

Different age groups socialize in different areas. Thonglor attract the somewhat younger end of the spectra and lower Sukhumvit a mix of everybody. Friday nights at FCCT have some elder gentlemen.

Meetup groups still exist, but I guess the novelty is starting to wear off.

[carter1882]

I have been in Bangkok since I was a teenager and now I am 54 and retired from school teaching. There is nowhere in the world I would rather live. Where I live is quiet and clean and still central to a vibrant and exhilirating city. Opportunities abound everywhere for pleasant social interaction. The friendliness of the people has not changed and for those willing to put in the time to learn the Thai language and move out of the so called expat lifestyle somewhat it is perpetually rewarding. My grown up kids actually prefer Europe and live and work there. But i am working on another family and have no doubts that my little ones will grow up happy and safe and fulfilled before deciding what they would like to do. My main interest in life is professional Scrabble (i just returned from Perth, Australia, where I represented Thailand)and it may be incredible for non-players to learn that Bangkok was recently named as the number one city in the world to play the game. Bangkok has given me everything and I owe it and Thailand big time. The naysayers of TVF just give me chuckles and even if I feel outraged by their nonsense there are, i know, many people from abroad who have made their life here are are very happy.

[mantu]

I aLmoSt felt tHAT Charles bukowski might HAVE written this....

I Wrote a reply But WiFi went out and Lost it ALL.
I will make it Short this time. Frist Thailand is Great. But Don't Get hurt PERIOD.
Ok I Have Some thing to say. Your Life is not worth anything to Thai People, You May say
I am Bitter no I am not. I Happen to Fall off a Bus when I was getting off. I Don't Drink
I was Going Home after Buying some Food. the bus started to go when I was half way off
that's when I fell and hurt my Knee and land on my face, NO ONE I MEAN NO ONE HELPED ME
Too see if I was ok, The bus just Drove off after I rolled over. ALL Thai People on the BUS.
I AM A AMERICAN an have lived here for Two Years now and no Problems that I cannot except.
Not until this happen which made me Realize my LIFE Means NOTHING TO THEM Not even to see if I was Okay. Just be carful and spend your money you are just a GUEST HERE AND Don't ever forget
That FACT. I Wanted to stay here for my Retirement but now I am rethinking it After this
Accident. I could have Died or Broke a Hip, But who would Care. Just SAYING I live alone
I do have friends and they are sorry that this happen and that I must be carful but accidents
do Happen,
WHO CARES RIGHT. Luck have it I am in good shape for my age 70. I Look like 55 or 60 Just
saying and MIXED in Nationalty very light skin not dark. Maybe that had something to do with
it. But remember we are Human Beings and I dont care if you cant speak English or Thai OVE
which I can speak a little. So Just remember Have your money ready for Problems and EMERGANCY. I am now thinking about leaving, Don't want to but Life is to short to be Cut SHORT BY NO
ONE WANTING TOO HELP. GOOD LUCK

[SoiBiker]

I AM A AMERICAN

So what?

[mcfish]

I AM A AMERICAN

So what?

Well I'm assuming the thais on the bus should have known this and forced the bus driver to stop and apologize

Sent from my IdeaTabA1000-G using Tapatalk

[PFWilliams]

OKAY To all the Bashers , You all Miss understood want I was saying and that is ok.

I was just referring to Nationalty , I Really don't care where you are from and who you

are. If you are a human being to help , not looking for a apology , Just a little thoughtful ness

That is it. Like I said before I have been here before and I came back to live here. But things are changing

Fast. Just Saying Take it for What its Worth, That's it.

[SoiBiker]

But how is your nationality relevant here?

[Rumblecat]

Maybe he was just expanding on it what he was saying- like he wasn't saying "I am an American so they should help me"- he was just saying "Anyway, that's my story. I'm an American, I'm 70 but look a bit younger blah blah blah."

It was conversational.