Anyone been to/lived in Nakhon Si Thammarat?

[Mr5555]

I'm thinking about working in the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Has anyone any experience? Would love to hear, good or bad. 

[Kwasaki]

https://www.google.com/search?q=Nakhon+Si+Thammarat.&oq=Nakhon+Si+Thammarat.&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[seajae]

we have friends that live there and visit often, its not a bad area, some great places to eat and visit, dont know about the night life but lots of coast line through out the region, good sea food too, we always take an esky with us to fill up and bring back to Surat Thani with us(1.5 hour drive)

[spidermike007]

It is a very scenic area. NST and Surat are gorgeous provinces. Not a bad town. Inexpensive to live, I would imagine. Also that area has alot of lovely storms. Good rainfall. A real monsoon season. I love that. 

 

Alot to see nearby. Great national parks, easy to get around, close to Phuket, Krabi and Samui. And it has an airport. You could do worse. 

Edited April 9, 2021 by spidermike007

[dddave]

It is one of the southern provinces with fairly frequent Muslim/Thai violence.  That said, I have never seen any reports of Westerners or tourists being targeted.

[jim1953]

Very nice province with charming peoples and a lot of things to do ans visit!

[Dirk Z]

My wife is from there. Generally a quiet place with hard working people and a very different mentality from e.g. the north. In the north a farang is a prize for a girl, in south the reaction is rather "why do you need a farang". And as for moslim problems, that is still a lot further south, I have never noticed any violence in NST itself.

[Mr5555]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

 Also that area has alot of lovely storms. Good rainfall. A real monsoon season. I love that. 

I also love the monsoon storms. Sounds great.

[Mr5555]

Anyone any idea about the nightlife and expat community? 

[unblocktheplanet]

2 hours ago, Mr5555 said:

Anyone any idea about the nightlife and expat community? 

Really? Who needs expats? (You've got ThaiVisa!)

[Patong2021]

I would not move to NST.   From what I saw of facilities after driving around  several times, there is not much in comparison of places like even insignificant Chiang Rai. Hat Yai region was a bustling metropolis in comparison.

I tried to have extended holiday 2X over a period of 5 years, and after each time of making heroic effort,  departed saying never again. Lousy quality hotels, with poor standard of hospitality.

 

The province has a well deserved reputation for corruption and the baggage that attaches. IMO because the province was one that benefited from the era of Suthep, the population has an attitude that reflects the old era and I find that the people are not as friendly or as hospitable as is seen in other regions. The violence is driven more by local crime than the southern insurgency.  I did not see much western type nightlife to speak of and the typical plastic chair dirty beer bar joint did not appeal to me.

 

NST is a wasted opportunity. The beaches in the Khanom area are beautiful and offer so much  potential. Unfortunately, the amount of garbage is disgusting. I watched locals fly tip right next to the beach. Broken glass, plastic bottles, fishing equipment and general debris foul high quality sand beach. As they say in business articles, poor value proposition.  

[sikishrory]

I have always wondered this myself as it sounds like it should be nice. I did read somewhere that it had highest amount of gun crime anywhere in Thailand. That was in 2015. 

[Nick in Thailand]

5 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

I would not move to NST.   From what I saw of facilities after driving around  several times, there is not much in comparison of places like even insignificant Chiang Rai. Hat Yai region was a bustling metropolis in comparison.

I tried to have extended holiday 2X over a period of 5 years, and after each time of making heroic effort,  departed saying never again. Lousy quality hotels, with poor standard of hospitality.

 

The province has a well deserved reputation for corruption and the baggage that attaches. IMO because the province was one that benefited from the era of Suthep, the population has an attitude that reflects the old era and I find that the people are not as friendly or as hospitable as is seen in other regions. The violence is driven more by local crime than the southern insurgency.  I did not see much western type nightlife to speak of and the typical plastic chair dirty beer bar joint did not appeal to me.

 

NST is a wasted opportunity. The beaches in the Khanom area are beautiful and offer so much  potential. Unfortunately, the amount of garbage is disgusting. I watched locals fly tip right next to the beach. Broken glass, plastic bottles, fishing equipment and general debris foul high quality sand beach. As they say in business articles, poor value proposition.  

This is a shame to read. Especially less friendly locals. There seems to be some stunning nature that would make nice weekend trips though, would you agree? 

[worldexpress]

4 hours ago, sikishrory said:

I have always wondered this myself as it sounds like it should be nice. I did read somewhere that it had highest amount of gun crime anywhere in Thailand. That was in 2015. 

Us Americans would fit right in then.

[soi3eddie]

11 hours ago, dddave said:

It is one of the southern provinces with fairly frequent Muslim/Thai violence.  That said, I have never seen any reports of Westerners or tourists being targeted.

 

What? OK the NST Thais are a bit hot headed (I was married to one for 14 years) but I have no idea where you get your info. Not from personal experience I suggest. The area is very friendly and welcoming although few there will speak English. There is NO Muslim violence but some great southern food. I would often get up before sunrise and ride my bicycle to the foothills of Khao Luang National park and the locals would greet me and offer coffee during my ride. Never had to pay. Lovely people.  This was 2001 to 2014. Was there several times since and nothing changed for the worse.

 

[soi3eddie]

9 hours ago, Mr5555 said:

Anyone any idea about the nightlife and expat community? 

 

Zero expat community apart from a few brain dead teachers (IMO) but they may say same about me ???? Some great Thai style nightlife but nothing like HH, BKK, Phuket, Samui or Patts. I like the Thai nightlife there. Good local music and great food plus friendly locals. Never dated there (due to being married) but many are well educated and it's quite prosperous due to farming and fishing and a little bit of domestic tourism. 

 

[soi3eddie]

6 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

The province has a well deserved reputation for corruption and the baggage that attaches. IMO because the province was one that benefited from the era of Suthep, the population has an attitude that reflects the old era and I find that the people are not as friendly or as hospitable as is seen in other regions. The violence is driven more by local crime than the southern insurgency.  I did not see much western type nightlife to speak of and the typical plastic chair dirty beer bar joint did not appeal to me.

 

NST is a wasted opportunity. The beaches in the Khanom area are beautiful and offer so much  potential. Unfortunately, the amount of garbage is disgusting. I watched locals fly tip right next to the beach. Broken glass, plastic bottles, fishing equipment and general debris foul high quality sand beach. As they say in business articles, poor value proposition.  

 

Anywhere south of Hua Hin is staunchly Democrat. Nakhon Si Thammarat included (my ex father-in-law was a party member). The beaches are not great due to run off from the mountains. Sichon and Khanom are best beaches though and quiet and pleasant.

 

[soi3eddie]

I would actually like to live there. Somewhere near LanSaka in the foothills of the mountains where it is cooler and greener. In 2000 there was 1 flight per day and 2 on Fridays and Sundays. Today there are about 22 flights per day to/from Bangkok with 4 different airlines and costs similar to the bus. 

[soi3eddie]

5 hours ago, sikishrory said:

I have always wondered this myself as it sounds like it should be nice. I did read somewhere that it had highest amount of gun crime anywhere in Thailand. That was in 2015. 

 

Yes there are a lot of gun holders. Don't <deleted> them off and you'll be fine.

 

[Nick in Thailand]

1 hour ago, soi3eddie said:

 

What? OK the NST Thais are a bit hot headed (I was married to one for 14 years) but I have no idea where you get your info. Not from personal experience I suggest. The area is very friendly and welcoming although few there will speak English. There is NO Muslim violence but some great southern food. I would often get up before sunrise and ride my bicycle to the foothills of Khao Luang National park and the locals would greet me and offer coffee during my ride. Never had to pay. Lovely people.  This was 2001 to 2014. Was there several times since and nothing changed for the worse.

 

Is it true, in your opinion, that the Thai women there are less interested in farang? 

[PeachCH]

I was living in Nakhon for about 8 years. It's a good, quiet place to live. Cheap restaurants and many Thai style lounges and bars. Beaches nearby. Before living in Isan and Chiangmai, enjoyed the South more. 

[simon43]

I lived there for about 9 months - got dengue fever there - never returned!

[soi3eddie]

7 hours ago, Nick in Thailand said:

Is it true, in your opinion, that the Thai women there are less interested in farang? 

 

The ladies you find in Nakhon Si Thammarat will be regular Thai ladies. They don't speak much English so that could be a barrier. No bar girls there. I wouldn't say that their interest in farang men would be any different than anywhere else (excluding tourism hotspots).

 

[Mark1066]

19 hours ago, Dick Z said:

My wife is from there. Generally a quiet place with hard working people and a very different mentality from e.g. the north. In the north a farang is a prize for a girl, in south the reaction is rather "why do you need a farang". And as for moslim problems, that is still a lot further south, I have never noticed any violence in NST itself.

The only people who think a Westerner is a prize for a girl in the North are deluded foreigners with an overinflated opinion of themselves.

[PeachCH]

Well, in the already mentioned Thai style lounges, one can find willing Ladies. But.. you have to speak Thai, even better to learn some "Southern Thai language" expressions. Massage parlours as well hotels with ladies available. Have fun... Of course don't know the actual situation because of COVID-19. 

Edited April 10, 2021 by PeachCH

[Nick in Thailand]

I also saw some jobs down there. Thinking of applying or just getting my boots on the ground. Are there zero bars for westerners and zero bar girls? That's not my sole interest but wouldn't mind every now and again. 

I guess the nearest spot is Krabi? 

[elliss]

On 4/9/2021 at 8:25 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Really? Who needs expats? (You've got ThaiVisa!)

 

 Correct ...

Nuff is enough ...

  

[Mr5555]

Thanks for the responses. I had a little virtual drive on Google Streetview and the beach road to Khanom looks really chill. If I rent a simple rural house 15 minutes from the city and buy a 400cc bike, I think I could lead a pretty idyllic life there with the odd trip to Krabi. 

[PeachCH]

22 hours ago, Nick in Thailand said:

I also saw some jobs down there. Thinking of applying or just getting my boots on the ground. Are there zero bars for westerners and zero bar girls? That's not my sole interest but wouldn't mind every now and again. 

I guess the nearest spot is Krabi? 

 

 

22 hours ago, Nick in Thailand said:

 No Western style bars. Ladies mostly can't speak English, Thai language essential! Thai lounges and cafes a lot of fun, especially most of the time you will be the only Falang. Next for Western bars, Krabi or Ko Samui. 

[PeachCH]

PS: Daily Mini buses to the Samui ferry pier.