Meeting people

[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.

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

I bet they would love to pay for that, especially the ones who live in condo's downtown. For you it can have a nice gym there, more fun then doing fitness at home i would think and after training you can jump in the pool, order a drink and some food and relax at the pool under a nice tree. Yes it would cost more then the foodcourt but i would be happy to pay extra for that.

[Thian]

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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??

The pictures of the Brittish Club look OK but that restaurant doesn't make me feel comfortable. It reminds me of work or businessmeetings. I need more plants and artifacts on the walls.

Also it isn't large enough but it's a good start. Also i don't like the long pants, socks, shoes....This is Thailand where it's very hot.

[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.

I bet they would love to pay for that, especially the ones who live in condo's downtown. For you it can have a nice gym there, more fun then doing fitness at home i would think and after training you can jump in the pool, order a drink and some food and relax at the pool under a nice tree. Yes it would cost more then the foodcourt but i would be happy to pay extra for that.

If i wanted I could go to the gym in Westgate, for me working out is not fun its just something I do. I do enjoy it at times but for me what is important is that I can do it close by home (Westgate and at the market in Bangyai would be ok, before i went to Pinklao and it was too far to do regularly). But I do like pools and relaxing.

But what I mean is not that I would not mind paying, I just think there will be enough people for something like that to exists and be profitable. Just my view and no need to argue, i could be wrong never did do market research about it.

I would pay for it and use it once in a while but I just wonde rif there are enough people to make it sustainable.

[PT4]

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I bet they would love to pay for that, especially the ones who live in condo's downtown. For you it can have a nice gym there, more fun then doing fitness at home i would think and after training you can jump in the pool, order a drink and some food and relax at the pool under a nice tree. Yes it would cost more then the foodcourt but i would be happy to pay extra for that.

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​I'm liking this idea more and more. Won't happen, of course, because Thais are not as social as Aussies, but I still like this approach. Might there be a way to find, say 70% of this idea? I think there is, and I wonder if others here have more ideas.
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Some of the nicer hotels have monthly pool/fitness memberships. In recent years I've tried two: Emporium Suites and Dusit Princess. Emporium Suites very nice facilities, but not friendly at all. At Dusit, I did met one other expat, simply because we both went to workout about same time each morning.

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​So, question is, are there other hotels, with monthly memberships, that are more along the lines of a resort. The Marriott on the river comes to mind. Are there others that might fit Thian's concept?? And various price ranges would be helpful, too.

Edited February 23, 2016 by PT4

[Blue flare]

The idea is great, the problem is from a business side it would cost a hell of a lot of money to set up, some big investment needed from somewhere.

Then of course it needs to make a profit, so it needs loads of people using it everyday, but heres the rub, if you charge a small amount to use it, counting on big numbers membership, you will get the low life not being respectful of the place and doing damage or worse.

If the membership costs are high, sure you may still get the numbers and a profit can be made, however the likes of a lot of the posters here would not be able to afford, and here we are back where we started.....

Expanding PT4's idea why not announce a date at a certain hotel where expats can go, initially start with the bar as the meeting point, non drinkers can always get coffee or soft drinks, do it a few times see how many turn up, if it grows move it to a larger private room.

Then maybe expand the concept out to other areas of Bangkok. The publicity required to get it going is right here on the the forum.

Its cost nothing to set up. you go and meet with expats who are there for the same reason, you talk, you like a few, maybe not some others, but if you go every week/month a club is born.

Of course I have made it seem simple, others will now shoot me down, but thats fine, I cant be right all the time, except when dealing with the wife!

[ExpatOilWorker]

The idea is great, the problem is from a business side it would cost a hell of a lot of money to set up, some big investment needed from somewhere.

Then of course it needs to make a profit, so it needs loads of people using it everyday, but heres the rub, if you charge a small amount to use it, counting on big numbers membership, you will get the low life not being respectful of the place and doing damage or worse.

If the membership costs are high, sure you may still get the numbers and a profit can be made, however the likes of a lot of the posters here would not be able to afford, and here we are back where we started.....

Expanding PT4's idea why not announce a date at a certain hotel where expats can go, initially start with the bar as the meeting point, non drinkers can always get coffee or soft drinks, do it a few times see how many turn up, if it grows move it to a larger private room.

Then maybe expand the concept out to other areas of Bangkok. The publicity required to get it going is right here on the the forum.

Its cost nothing to set up. you go and meet with expats who are there for the same reason, you talk, you like a few, maybe not some others, but if you go every week/month a club is born.

Of course I have made it seem simple, others will now shoot me down, but thats fine, I cant be right all the time, except when dealing with the wife!

Dean & Deluca at Chongnongsi is a good starting point. They have wide selection, including beers and upstairs sofa section where it is easy to sit a large group.

[PT4]

Blue flare wrote:

the problem is from a business side ... some big investment needed... why not announce a date at a certain hotel where expats can go, initially start with the bar as the meeting point, non drinkers can always get coffee or soft drinks, do it a few times see how many turn up, if it grows move it to a larger private room. Then maybe expand the concept out to other areas of Bangkok. "

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I like it! Blue, you've neatly solved the investment problem. With your approach, no investment needed at all. Sweet. And, even better, it doesn't have to be only one place at one time: Several expats, in several areas, or with various interests, could each arrange meetings, with no conflicts.

Blue flare wrote:

"if you go every week/month a club is born."

Yes, indeed. Thank you, Blue.

So, now thinking about how I might start an informal meeting:

1) First and most important; not open to the public. I would not "announce" on the Internet; not on any forum, nor on Facebook. Only by private invitation. If person invited wanted to bring friends, that's okay.

2) No cost, no membership dues. Just each pay their own check-bin.

3) Not the same place each month. Why not? Some attendees will not be suitable. Don't want them "crashing" every meeting. If change locations, they will not know where.

4) Finally, focus on something expats have in common -- not just eating and drinking: Examples: one meeting for expats interested in learning/practicing Thai language. Another meeting to bring wives or prospective wives or "significant girl friends". Perhaps a meeting to discuss investments, or buying gold in Thailand, or building a house, or opening a business here.

I welcome critique on any of this.

[PT4]

ExpatOilWorker wrote:

"Dean & Deluca ... easy to sit a large group.

Thanks, Oil, but if I do any groups they will be small: 4-6 is best for pleasant conversation and making friends. More than 8, or perhaps 10 at most, any group degenerates into "bar chatter" and one-liner jokes. So I will select small, quiet, places, suitable for conversation. I'm thinking a nice hotel buffet, Saturday lunch, reserving a table in a quiet corner. Others who do something similar, may prefer the large group approach. (And maybe I'll attend, if I'm invited, to see how that works out! )

Edited February 23, 2016 by PT4

[Blue flare]

Started something here haven't I

PT4 I agree with you on some points 1) Not open to the public, OK keep in niche. 2) No cost, of course 3) Not the same place each time, Ah! this is where I disagree, I have joined Meetups in the past that keep moving around, you attend one near you, have a good time, next one is other side of town, to far to go, next one somewhere else, still too far, lost interest now...

I think same location gets local expats, another 'branch' setting up somewhere else is fine, we can have occasional visits to their turf

The unsuitable attendees will soon get the message they are not welcome anyway. 4) I agree to some extent, but lets keep it a wide church, something for everyone, maybe someone who did not want to learn Thai talks to people who do and decides to give it a try.

The number is a tricky one, I agree too many and it loses its charm, start with 10 and run with it...

Expatoilworker yes that could work! Looks nice, I am gonna pay a visit anyway.

[PT4]

Blue flare wrote:

"Ah! this is where I disagree, I have joined Meetups in the past that keep moving around ... The unsuitable attendees will soon get the message they are not welcome anyway. ... lets keep it a wide church, something for everyone

No need to agree or disagree on any of these points, because each meeting organized by one individual. Blue, if you start some meetings, you do it your way: same place and wide church. If I start some meetings, I'll do it my way. Oilworker can follow his plans. A free market approach. I hope each style will work out well.

Edited February 23, 2016 by PT4

[PT4]

Blue flare wrote:

Started something here haven't I

Yes, you have, Blue, and thank you for that. I've decided to move ahead on this -- see my new signature just below. I hope you and others will do similar, and we can help each other.

[Blue flare]

Go man go PT, maybe others will follow, I wish you the best with it all.

I have just one big question........................................................................................................You gonna invite me?

I will check out your profile

[ExpatOilWorker]

How are the meet ups going?

[Thainess]

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.

As I actually am ex-SAS and a former MI6 spy, I can't tell you how annoyed I get when I tell people about my former lines of work and they laugh or show scepticism about my veracity. There are so many vain poseurs in BKK, most of whom haven't done anything remarkable or worthwhile in their lives and would be considered a "loser" back in their home country.

[scoutman360]

Meetup.com.

I have meet a lot of good friends there that don't spend their life sitting on bar stools. You will find people with the same interests as you. Join some groups. I see all ages there.

[mogandave]

People always poo-poo it but churches are a great place to meet people.

[PT4]

People always poo-poo it but churches are a great place to meet people.

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No reason to "poo-poo" churches, if what you want is to meet the kind of people who attend churches. But, if that's the case, you're probably already attending church. The problem with all churches in The West these days is the thick and suffocating overlay of Cultural Marxism, everywhere. (I'm not aware of any exceptions.)

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Edited March 15, 2016 by PT4

[mogandave]

People always poo-poo it but churches are a great place to meet people.

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No reason to "poo-poo" churches, if what you want is to meet the kind of people who attend churches. But, if that's the case, you're probably already attending church. The problem with all churches in The West these days is the thick and suffocating overlay of Cultural Marxism, everywhere. (I'm not aware of any exceptions.)

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That has not been my experience, what churches have you been attending in the west?

That's what I thought.