Meeting people

[Blue flare]

Hi Guys,

I moved here in June last year from UK, living in Nonthaburi, and I would like to meet some people to kick start a new friends circle.

If anyone is into golf, diy or computer stuff, it would be nice to hear from you.

Maybe you need a hand with some building work and stuff, electrics is my game, or even if you like pushing back with a beer and putting the world to rights, I am your man!

[berybert]

Try again and let people know you are ex-SAS or former spy. You will have 40 pages of fellow workers who will be only to pleased to meet you.

[rocketboybkk]

How old are you op?

You might find friends in your circle

I doubt a 20 yo hooker chaser will want to hang out with a 75 yo stamp collector

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[Blue flare]

Thanks Guys, more information helps of course, I was not gonna mention the ex-sas due to official secrets.......

I am a retired company director, aged 61, married to a Thai for 10 years, have been coming to Thailand for 18 yrs so know the country and culture well. Here on a retirement visa, and I aint going nowhere else....

although Rocketboy if you know a hooker with a stamp collection let me know!

[PT4]

Blue flare wrote:

" if you know a hooker with a stamp collection let me know!

Good one!

Blue Flare brings up a common problem for expats here, especially new expats of retirement age: How to make new friends? (In person, rather than via a computer screen.)

For those of us who don't spend time sitting on bar stools, what are other ways to make new friends? The conventional answers are some hobby or sport, like golf. But by a certain age, not so interested. I've been to a few "Meetups" on topics that interest me (eg. Thai language and DELETED), but found the potential for making new friends sorely lacking. So, like Blue Flare, I am also looking for ways to make friends with other retired expats. (I'm not ex-US Marine, not ex-Special Forces, not ex-US Marshals Service, but I was a Boy Scout.)

Edited March 31, 2016 by seedy
illegal activity

[FireMedic]

Where in Nonthaburi?

[Blue flare]

PT4 you are so right, clubs and bars you well might meet some expats if you go there regularly, and you get chatting. However where I live just outside Bangbuathong (Hi Firemedic) there is nowhere near like that.

I too have been on a few meetups with the same result as PT4, most of us tend to make friends with work colleagues or hobbies. In our own countries when we retire we can hang on to them.

Personally, I prefer to meet up somewhere quiet with just a couple of chums and have intelligent conversation about interests etc, and maybe some good ole British piss taking and a laugh!

Where do you live PT4, I was a boy scout too, and I still have my woggle!

[PT4]

Before starting to look for solutions, I always try to understand the problem. Thank you, Blue Flare, for having the courage to start this topic. I'll add what I can:

1) You speak English; I speak English; so we should get along well as friends, right? Wrong! I've stumbled on that assumption many times among my fellow expats in Thailand. What is intelligent conversation for some is, for many others, "Whaddya drinkin'" followed immediately by, "Lemme tell ya 'bout the time I was ... ".

2) Brits and Yanks might as well be North Pole and South Pole in social conversations. I'm a Yank. I've given up trying to meet Brits in the middle. Aussies and Kiwis seem able to make friends in both directions; I can't. Canadians are as far as I can go, but the Canadian National Mantra is, "Were not The States," so little interest from their side.

3.) Those who drink alcohol frequently vs. those who don't, are like oil and water. Finding a "local" pub is easy, but, for a non-drinker, finding friends there is impossible.

4.) Similar could be said for whore-mongers. For them, mongering is the main topic of conversation, almost the only topic of conversation.

Back home, easy to make friends. Work, yes, and, thru work I attended conferences and conventions all over the country, so friends from many places. Hobbies and sports, can not help but make lots of friends. And in most areas back home, some neighbors were friendly and welcoming. I had to buy a bigger BBQ to accommodate everyone on Sunday afternoons. But nothing like that from what I've experienced among my fellow expats in Thailand.

I'd sure appreciate some fresh ideas on this topic.

Edited February 21, 2016 by PT4

[robblok]

PT4 you are so right, clubs and bars you well might meet some expats if you go there regularly, and you get chatting. However where I live just outside Bangbuathong (Hi Firemedic) there is nowhere near like that.

I too have been on a few meetups with the same result as PT4, most of us tend to make friends with work colleagues or hobbies. In our own countries when we retire we can hang on to them.

Personally, I prefer to meet up somewhere quiet with just a couple of chums and have intelligent conversation about interests etc, and maybe some good ole British piss taking and a laugh!

Where do you live PT4, I was a boy scout too, and I still have my woggle!

Indeed not much to do near Bangbuathong (i live there) but the good thing is we now have a big shopping mall it is useful to get some stuff. For more fun its better to just go into town.

[mcfish]

Humans are sociable creatures and we are not meant to live a life of isolation. Beinge separated from like minded people can lead to depression and alcoholism. I often wonder if it's a good trade off substituting your old life for a wife out in the Sticks. Nothing worse than being married and still feeling lonely

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[Blue flare]

PT4, again I agree, its the same language but all people are different, back home however I had three very good friends who were yanks, and we all rubbed along just fine, they got the English humour, I got theirs. So maybe you have been unlucky.

The level of conversation you speak of is again one I relate to, I do not suffer fools very well, and I can see through most made up stories these days. Speak about the life you have lived, not the one you would have liked to have lived.

I have also noticed most expats ignore each other on the streets, whenever I see a fellow farang I try to make eye contact just to say hello, but most look the other way.

Ok, maybe I can understand it too, maybe they think I am a tourist, I don't want to speak to tourists either, (Always happy to assist if I can though) Maybe we should wear labels saying "Ï live here" it might help...

Even on this forum hardly any of us put our photo up there, is it because we don't want to be recognized in the street?

Mcfish sums it up well, swapping a life for a wife, and I am married and lonely, which is why I am here! Separated from like minded people, yes, depressed? Not yet...

[robblok]

PT4, again I agree, its the same language but all people are different, back home however I had three very good friends who were yanks, and we all rubbed along just fine, they got the English humour, I got theirs. So maybe you have been unlucky.

The level of conversation you speak of is again one I relate to, I do not suffer fools very well, and I can see through most made up stories these days. Speak about the life you have lived, not the one you would have liked to have lived.

I have also noticed most expats ignore each other on the streets, whenever I see a fellow farang I try to make eye contact just to say hello, but most look the other way.

Ok, maybe I can understand it too, maybe they think I am a tourist, I don't want to speak to tourists either, (Always happy to assist if I can though) Maybe we should wear labels saying "Ï live here" it might help...

Even on this forum hardly any of us put our photo up there, is it because we don't want to be recognized in the street?

Mcfish sums it up well, swapping a life for a wife, and I am married and lonely, which is why I am here! Separated from like minded people, yes, depressed? Not yet...

Greeting people on the streets.. i nod.. maybe.. depending on my mood. But just because we both are Caucasian does not mean we have other things in common. I don't mind where like minded people come from, UK, Netherlands, Germans, whatever but just because someone is from the same country does not mean I would like him.

I see a few foreigners around here, bangyai / bangbuathong and some are quite crazy (or have adapted well going against traffic without a helmet on the m/c). So just contacting random guys around here.. not really my thing.

I think if you really want to meet other foreigners go to the heart of the city but if your not a bar person.. then it would be hard. I met most of my friends while fishing. I am not a bar type. Met some when discussing training online ect ect, just don't force it.

[ExpatOilWorker]

Thanks Guys, more information helps of course, I was not gonna mention the ex-sas due to official secrets.......

I am a retired company director, aged 61, married to a Thai for 10 years, have been coming to Thailand for 18 yrs so know the country and culture well. Here on a retirement visa, and I aint going nowhere else....

although Rocketboy if you know a hooker with a stamp collection let me know!

Friday night is social night at FCCT, both your age and level of education will fit in fine.

Some of the wine bars around Chitlom/Ratchadamri are other easy meeting places.

It has been a while since I was last at FCCT so let me know if you want to give it a try and I will join you.

[Blue flare]

Hi Expatoilworker, thank you very much! I would like to take you up on your offer, but FCCT? you got me, and I have a feeling I should know....

[rocketboybkk]

Hello BlueFlare

I certainly will!!

Where in the uk are you from?

Where will you be in Thai most of the time?

Cheers.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[smokie36]

Hi Expatoilworker, thank you very much! I would like to take you up on your offer, but FCCT? you got me, and I have a feeling I should know....

Foreign Correspondent's Club.

[Blue flare]

Rocketboybkk, so thats two helping me out, thanks. But I still dont know where this place is....

Oh, born in Hertfordshire, lived in Essex, and yes here for the rest of my natural...

[ExpatOilWorker]

Hi Expatoilworker, thank you very much! I would like to take you up on your offer, but FCCT? you got me, and I have a feeling I should know....

Foreign Correspondent's Club.

.....of Thailand.

http://www.fccthai.com/

[Thian]

The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand
The Penthouse, Maneeya Center
518/5 Ploenchit Road
Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330

+66 02-652-0580/1 (office)
+66 02-652-0582 (fax)
E-mail: [email protected] The club is conveniently located. It is connected to the BTS Skytrain Chit Lom station by Skybridge and is accessible from both the Skytrain and Ploenchit Road.

Coming from Nonthaburi it sure isn't convenient to go to Chit lom. I just came home from there and it's a long trip...You can't park at Mo-Chit, there's no skytrain going further then mo-chit and going there by car/taxi also is a big problem.

Is it possible to park at Wongwianyai and travel by skytrain from there?

[Blue flare]

Thanks for that Thian, if I am going into town I usually drive to Bang Sue MRT parking can be a bit tight though, and then I can go to Asok, and walk or Skytrain from there.

Or I can MRT to Mo Chit and Skytrain from there depending where I am going.

Takes me about 40mins from home to Bang Sue.

Will be pleased when the new purple line on the MRT opens later this year, then I am just 15 mins from a station, it's currently being tested, opens August.

[motyduke]

I agree : very difficult to find new friends in farangs . If You dont drink à lot and dont chase bar girls it is very difficult to find someone . Last month i met a Yankee Man in my Condo . He wanted to share with me a huge bottle of whisky in afternoon near the pool ! Big gap of culture too between some europeans and americans or aussies. I like them but not interested by the same things .

[robblok]

I agree : very difficult to find new friends in farangs . If You dont drink à lot and dont chase bar girls it is very difficult to find someone . Last month i met a Yankee Man in my Condo . He wanted to share with me a huge bottle of whisky in afternoon near the pool ! Big gap of culture too between some europeans and americans or aussies. I like them but not interested by the same things .

I don't really agree with you, it not culture I can have more in common with a American or Brit or whatever as a Dutch guy. Its all about hobbies and what you like and dislike. There are plenty of Dutch I would not be caught dead with. In general nationality never is a problem as long as you can communicate.

Many people are far to nationalistic and go ballistic if something negative is said about their country.

[Blue flare]

Exactly, its common interests that get people together, not where they were born. Ok sometimes accents slow down the conversation, and sometimes misunderstandings arise because of the way some people use the English language.

Lets face it, if you are married to a Thai you already know that!

[Thian]

Would be nice if there were "country clubs" in the subs of bangkok. Big places where you can play sports/games in a nice green surrounding. In Australia i've seen great places like that.

They had swimmingpools, tenniscourts, billiards, pingpongtables, cardgames, a bar/restaurant and so on. Just a place to go to for an afternoon and meet people while doing something.

Would be perfect to have something like that at the riverside with a nice view and connected to the river expressboats.

[robblok]

Would be nice if there were "country clubs" in the subs of bangkok. Big places where you can play sports/games in a nice green surrounding. In Australia i've seen great places like that.

They had swimmingpools, tenniscourts, billiards, pingpongtables, cardgames, a bar/restaurant and so on. Just a place to go to for an afternoon and meet people while doing something.

Would be perfect to have something like that at the riverside with a nice view and connected to the river expressboats.

It would not be for free.. and most expats would not want to pay for something like that.

[PT4]

Thian wrote:

"Would be nice if there were "country clubs" in the subs of bangkok. Big places where you can play sports/games in a nice green surrounding. In Australia i've seen great places like that. They had swimming pools, tennis courts, billiards, pingpong tables, card games, a bar/restaurant and so on. Just a place to go to for an afternoon and meet people while doing something. Would be perfect to have something like that at the riverside with a nice view and connected to the river express boats.

Excellent idea!

robblok wrote:

"It would not be for free.. and most expats would not want to pay for something like that."

Indeed. And that would be a benefit. People everywhere socialize with others of similar social-economic class. Especially so among expats here. Selecting those who want to, and are able to pay, would benefit all concerned.

Edited February 23, 2016 by PT4

[ExpatOilWorker]

Thian wrote:

"Would be nice if there were "country clubs" in the subs of bangkok. Big places where you can play sports/games in a nice green surrounding. In Australia i've seen great places like that. They had swimming pools, tennis courts, billiards, pingpong tables, card games, a bar/restaurant and so on. Just a place to go to for an afternoon and meet people while doing something. Would be perfect to have something like that at the riverside with a nice view and connected to the river express boats.

Excellent idea!

robblok wrote:

"It would not be for free.. and most expats would not want to pay for something like that."

Indeed. And that would be a benefit. People everywhere socialize with others of similar social-economic class. Especially so among expats here. Selecting those who want to, and are able to pay, would benefit all concerned.

I am surprised this has not been mentioned yet: http://www.britishclubbangkok.org

[PT4]

.

What are some opinions/experiences about the British Club? I visited only once -- as invited guest of a member. Did not get a warm reception. Perhaps because I'm a Yank??

Edited February 23, 2016 by PT4

[ExpatOilWorker]

.

What are some opinions/experiences about the British Club? I visited only once -- as invited guest of a member. Did not get a warm reception. Perhaps because I'm a Yank??

My daughter likes the Thursday play days.

Edited February 23, 2016 by ExpatOilWorker

[robblok]

Thian wrote:

"Would be nice if there were "country clubs" in the subs of bangkok. Big places where you can play sports/games in a nice green surrounding. In Australia i've seen great places like that. They had swimming pools, tennis courts, billiards, pingpong tables, card games, a bar/restaurant and so on. Just a place to go to for an afternoon and meet people while doing something. Would be perfect to have something like that at the riverside with a nice view and connected to the river express boats.

Excellent idea!

robblok wrote:

"It would not be for free.. and most expats would not want to pay for something like that."

Indeed. And that would be a benefit. People everywhere socialize with others of similar social-economic class. Especially so among expats here. Selecting those who want to, and are able to pay, would benefit all concerned.

I think it would just not be sustainable.. the prices would be real high as there are not many who would pay. So i doubt it would work, I could be wrong but in general you need a large group of people for something like this and the expat group is constantly changing.

I socialize with anyone rich or poor, I don't really care as long as the interests are the same. Im not that elitair.