Thailand Expats Versus Expats Elsewhere

[DrWho]

Hello everyone.

I recently transferred from Singapore to BKK.

I'm surprised at some of the things I've seen here.

I met a man in Sukhumwit Road who said that many expats here in Thailand are "the scum of the earth".

What do you think? I've certainly noticed more than a few "undesirables" here. The expat business community seems to be very small.

[chiangmaikelly]

Great first post.

[Swiss1960]

What a very nice introduction of yourself to that website....

[GuestHouse]

The OP is either blessed with accute powers of observation or cursed with a severe case of judgementall prejudice.

On the basis of the evidence pesented by expats in Thailand it is impossible to discern if the OP has been blessed or cursed.

[DrWho]

The OP is either blessed with accute powers of observation or cursed with a severe case of judgementall prejudice.

On the basis of the evidence pesented by expats in Thailand it is impossible to discern if the OP has been blessed or cursed.

From what I've seen so far, the expat community here in BBK is very different to those in Sing and KL.

A quick look inside the pubs/bars dotted along Sukhumwit crystalizes this assertion.

[JoeLing]

Hub of "undesirables"?

[canman]

The OP is either blessed with accute powers of observation or cursed with a severe case of judgementall prejudice.

On the basis of the evidence pesented by expats in Thailand it is impossible to discern if the OP has been blessed or cursed.

From what I've seen so far, the expat community here in BBK is very different to those in Sing and KL.

A quick look inside the pubs/bars dotted along Sukhumwit crystalizes this assertion.

Your going to fit in here at TV very well. Welcome

[yoslim]

For some eminent TV posters those you refer as expats or only long term tourists, sexpests, or retiree and not real expats so in fact I think the issue is your mixing things up

[chiangmaikelly]

The OP is either blessed with accute powers of observation or cursed with a severe case of judgementall prejudice.

On the basis of the evidence pesented by expats in Thailand it is impossible to discern if the OP has been blessed or cursed.

From what I've seen so far, the expat community here in BBK is very different to those in Sing and KL.

A quick look inside the pubs/bars dotted along Sukhumwit crystalizes this assertion.

The crem de la crem is of course in Pattaya a must see for all new expats. A short taxi ride.

[yoslim]

The OP is either blessed with accute powers of observation or cursed with a severe case of judgementall prejudice.

On the basis of the evidence pesented by expats in Thailand it is impossible to discern if the OP has been blessed or cursed.

From what I've seen so far, the expat community here in BBK is very different to those in Sing and KL.

A quick look inside the pubs/bars dotted along Sukhumwit crystalizes this assertion.

The crem de la crem is of course in Pattaya a must see for all new expats. A short taxi ride.

I couldn't agree more, sadly Bangkok is littered with pseudo English teachers struggling to live, in Pattaya we got all the high class retirees on golden pensions

[Soutpeel]

There maybe some validity in what the OP is saying, lets face it Thailand has large numbers of foreign retiree's, hanger's on and wannbee's where as places like Singapore dont, the vast majority of expats in Singapore, HK etc are working there with reputable companies, therefore there would be a tendancy for there to be more undesirables in Thailand just based on numbers.

Based on my own observations of 10 years here and in comparision with other countries I have lived, worked in, Thailand does seem to have a lot more "damaged" , bitter, resentful, chip on their shoulder type expats floating around than I have seen on other places

[chiangmaikelly]

There maybe some validity in what the OP is saying, lets face it Thailand has large numbers of foreign retiree's, hanger's on and wannbee's where as places like Singapore dont, the vast majority of expats in Singapore, HK etc are working there with reputable companies, therefore there would be a tendancy for there to be more undesirables in Thailand just based on numbers.

Based on my own observations of 10 years here and in comparision with other countries I have lived, worked in, Thailand does seem to have a lot more "damaged" , bitter, resentful, chip on their shoulder type expats floating around than I have seen on other places

Don't forget the poor young teachers who make Thai ladies wash their polyester pants by hand!

[DrWho]

The OP is either blessed with accute powers of observation or cursed with a severe case of judgementall prejudice.

On the basis of the evidence pesented by expats in Thailand it is impossible to discern if the OP has been blessed or cursed.

From what I've seen so far, the expat community here in BBK is very different to those in Sing and KL.

A quick look inside the pubs/bars dotted along Sukhumwit crystalizes this assertion.

The crem de la crem is of course in Pattaya a must see for all new expats. A short taxi ride.

How true. I went there last week. Surely, Pattaya has to be the worst place in the world.

How or why does the Thai Government allow this place to exist? It's an abomination.

[jacktrip]

the majority are chang drinkers, sexual perversion inflictors, scumbag situation and rip off focusers, dragging around cans of lard sweaters...

[Soutpeel]

How or why does the Thai Government allow this place to exist? It's an abomination.

You have to ask...it all about the money...

I agree its an abomination, much prefer 4 floors...

[DrWho]

There maybe some validity in what the OP is saying, lets face it Thailand has large numbers of foreign retiree's, hanger's on and wannbee's where as places like Singapore dont, the vast majority of expats in Singapore, HK etc are working there with reputable companies, therefore there would be a tendancy for there to be more undesirables in Thailand just based on numbers.

Based on my own observations of 10 years here and in comparision with other countries I have lived, worked in, Thailand does seem to have a lot more "damaged" , bitter, resentful, chip on their shoulder type expats floating around than I have seen on other places

You are obviously an expat who has experience of working in a number of regional locations. Your comments are well observed.

Many of my colleagues are based in HK, KL, Seoul, Tokyo, Sing, and Macao. The general consensus is that the man who has been transferred to BKK is the man who has drawn the short straw.

My contract is only for 6 months. After this, I'm back to Sing.

Edited September 24, 2012 by DrWho

[yoslim]

Pattaya is Thailand's finest, you guys bashing the place should be deported asap

[chiang mai]

The OP is more right than he is wrong, buckoo damaged expat merchandise here.

Edited September 24, 2012 by chiang mai

[FrankieFourFingers]

The OP is either blessed with accute powers of observation or cursed with a severe case of judgementall prejudice.

On the basis of the evidence pesented by expats in Thailand it is impossible to discern if the OP has been blessed or cursed.

From what I've seen so far, the expat community here in BBK is very different to those in Sing and KL.

A quick look inside the pubs/bars dotted along Sukhumwit crystalizes this assertion.

The crem de la crem is of course in Pattaya a must see for all new expats. A short taxi ride.

The social misfits are hidden up in villages and in the hills up north. These are the type of folk one needs to be very wary off.

[Soutpeel]

There maybe some validity in what the OP is saying, lets face it Thailand has large numbers of foreign retiree's, hanger's on and wannbee's where as places like Singapore dont, the vast majority of expats in Singapore, HK etc are working there with reputable companies, therefore there would be a tendancy for there to be more undesirables in Thailand just based on numbers.

Based on my own observations of 10 years here and in comparision with other countries I have lived, worked in, Thailand does seem to have a lot more "damaged" , bitter, resentful, chip on their shoulder type expats floating around than I have seen on other places

Many of my colleagues are based in HK, KL, Seoul, Tokyo, Sing, and Macao. The general consensus is that the man who has been transferred to BKK is the man who has drawn the short straw.

My contract is only for 6 months. After this, I'm back to Sing.

I wouldnt agree with the short straw bit.... is work/business a bit more difficult to conduct in Thailand over Sing, HK ? certainly...Sing, HK, Thailand etc all have their pro's and cons.

I have done my time in Sing & HK and now Thailand, and once Thailand over it will be somewhere else...have I regreted any of my time in any of the places ?...No, as with most things it what you make of it.

If someone for example has spent their whole working life in say Singapore and then came to Thailand, they would be in for one h*ll of culture shock

Edited September 24, 2012 by Soutpeel

[DrWho]

The OP is either blessed with accute powers of observation or cursed with a severe case of judgementall prejudice.

On the basis of the evidence pesented by expats in Thailand it is impossible to discern if the OP has been blessed or cursed.

From what I've seen so far, the expat community here in BBK is very different to those in Sing and KL.

A quick look inside the pubs/bars dotted along Sukhumwit crystalizes this assertion.

The crem de la crem is of course in Pattaya a must see for all new expats. A short taxi ride.

The social misfits are hidden up in villages and in the hills up north. These are the type of folk one needs to be very wary off.

This is very similar to what out HR guy said. He said there is a place up in the north called Chang My and there are islands in the south that should be avoided.

Reasons: expats doings -- drugs; smuggling; online porn businesses; online gambling businesses; prostitution; and (sometimes) worse.

Edited September 24, 2012 by DrWho

[chiang mai]

This is very similar to what out HR guy said. He said there is a place up in the north called Chang My and there are islands in the south that should be avoided.

Reasons: expats doings -- drugs; smuggling; online porn businesses; online gambling businesses; prostitution; and (sometimes) worse.

Very difficult to generalise and be accurate but if I had to do so I would have chosen Pattaya as the hot bed of bad farangs, far too quiet in Chiang Mai and too many stay at home retirees here.

[chiangmaikelly]

From what I've seen so far, the expat community here in BBK is very different to those in Sing and KL.

A quick look inside the pubs/bars dotted along Sukhumwit crystalizes this assertion.

The crem de la crem is of course in Pattaya a must see for all new expats. A short taxi ride.

The social misfits are hidden up in villages and in the hills up north. These are the type of folk one needs to be very wary off.

This is very similar to what out HR guy said. He said there is a place up in the north called Chang My and there are islands in the south that should be avoided.

Reasons: expats doings -- drugs; smuggling; online porn businesses; online gambling businesses; prostitution; and (sometimes) worse.

Ever been to Geylang in Singapore? Why don't you tell us about it. Or Orchard towers, 4 floors of ******?

[Swiss1960]

Nice to see - for once - a thread where expats bash expats and not Thai's...

but I must say I truly admire the op... has talked with one man in one street in one city and had a quick look in few bars in that one street in that one city... and came to the clear and unambiguous and non-disputable conclusion that all expats in Thailand are undesirable scumbags...

WOW! Op must make lot of money with fortune-telling....

[thenervoussurgeon]

the majority are chang drinkers, sexual perversion inflictors, scumbag situation and rip off focusers, dragging around cans of lard sweaters...

And the rest are a thoroughly bad lot

[soi41]

"expat doings- drugs, smuggling, on-line porn, on-line gambling. prostitution and worse"

Your friend got it all wrong. Those occupations are reserved for Thais. With your attitude to your new country, if only for a short stint, you will find quite a few thailand-bashing threads in this forum, where many posters will only be to happy to agree with you. Even if it only for a few months at least learn a little about the country you are visiting. The place up north is called Chiang Mai, and is the second largest city in Thailand, which even a tourist/sexpat on a 3 week holiday would know.

And who are you to decide, who is "undesirable" here, after being here for a couple of weeks ??

[Songhua]

OP you may be interested in hopping on over to PatPong (you are only new and appear to have only surveyed Sukhumvit as of yet so in case you don't know it's off Silom).

There you may even find the odd diplomat engaged in much the same activities as you have already witnessed. It's just that they're a little better dressed and most still have their teeth.

By the way, ever taken a geek inside some of the establishments out the back of Kowloon HK? Now, THAT's an eye-opener!

[eeeya]

just sit in any bar and side up to an arm chair expert that's all you need.

[Soutpeel]

Nice to see - for once - a thread where expats bash expats and not Thai's...

but I must say I truly admire the op... has talked with one man in one street in one city and had a quick look in few bars in that one street in that one city... and came to the clear and unambiguous and non-disputable conclusion that all expats in Thailand are undesirable scumbags...

WOW! Op must make lot of money with fortune-telling....

He didnt say all expats...he said "many" and he aint far wrong and thats my conclusion of looking in many cities, many bars and many streets all over Thailand, there are many expats here who are short of a beer or two out of their 6 packs, others who are simply nutjobs, who in a civilised country would be under medical treatment on a permanent basis and there are other who are just miserable, whinging old tw*ts

[steelepulse]

Singapore and KL expats are mostly on better packages and are generally higher up the company ladder than those in BKK as the cost of living is higher, so it makes sense to keep lower level employees in cheaper postings such as BKK. In Singapore you don't find pensioners and school teachers ( although when I lived in Singapore I knew some freelance school teachers ) as you do in Thailand.

That being said, many of my friends in Singapore would love to be living in Phuket doing their own thing and not having to break rocks for the man in the corporate world.

ns