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A reader commented on the Expat Report Dating and Marriage in Bangkok, Thailand

What is it like in your country of residence for someone with your relationship status (married/divorced/dating)? If you're single, how do you meet other people? Do English-speaking people tend to gravitate to certain parts of your city?

Being a married couple here is fine, as long as your man doesn't partake of the local nightlife. I can't imagine a worse place to be a single, Western woman. Yes, English-speaking people do tend to gravitate to certain parts of the city. We even have an "American Suburb" gated community. Sadly, living there you might not ever realize you are in a foreign land. (Continue)

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A reader replied most recently with:

i strongly advice against moving to italy. being italian myself, i have to declare that we are on the fast lane towards poverty, but with higher cost of living than NY - this will possibly lead to an even more unmanageable situation for strangers, with racism growing stronger, prices to the roof and public services cut to the bone. that's why i myself am trying to find a way to leave this disgraced country for good. by the way, it's kind of odd to compare to the same level italy and africa (but not for long, i fear)

A reader replied recently with:

I lived in Bangkok for one year. I was recently divorced, 37 and a teacher. I had a lot of fun, but no chance for single foreign women to find a date! Unfortunately am too tall to date most Asian men and any other foreign men there are only interested, understandably in Thai women. On the darker side, many are corrupted by the sex scene. Even if they came over without any intention of participating in that lifestyle they are slowly sucked into it. Trust me go somewhere like Italy or Africa. That is what I eventually did and my ego was greatly boosted! Warning: married men are pushed by other men to get involved and I would never move there with a husband. Ever.

A reader commented on the Expat Report Culture Shock in Bangkok, Thailand

Do you have any advice or thoughts about culture shock you would like to share?

Not really, just know that you just need to let go of your western concepts, relax, laugh, be polite, be clean, and enjoy this wonderful country and it's people. If invited to someone's home and everyone is sitting on the floor, sharing all of the wonderful food, get down and dig in. You will make much merit and great face in the eyes of your hosts. (Continue)

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A reader replied most recently with:

Hi, I work for KPMG. When i arrived i took a Thai cultural training course with a company called Change works. The trainer was an expat that had lived in Thailand for many years. His knowledge and understanding of the problems expats face in Thailand was extremely informative. What was also great about this course was that i was given strategies to deal with the differences rather than just insight! Check these guys out if you are new to Thailand! www.changeworksltd.com

A reader commented on the Expat Report Review of The American School of Bangkok in Bangkok, Thailand

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

The school is very well located in the center of Bangkok. It offers excellent facilities and classrooms and activities for children. The school setting is extremely beautiful. (Continue)

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A reader replied most recently with:

This has become an excellent school! It has the academic level of ISB and Pattana yet the family community that we need in a town like Bangkok

A reader commented on the Expat Report Review of Shrewsbury International School in Bangkok, Thailand

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

Fantastic, great facilities and extra curricular activities available (Continue)

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A reader replied most recently with:

Actually they are not closely affliated to anything in England and certainly not a sister school upon speaking to the british school. The schools name was chosen to attract clientele. As are lots of schools sporting names from the British isles found in Asia. Copy write, or copy it right.

A reader replied recently with:

Not the most popular expat school!

Hermit commented on the Expat Report Culture Shock in Bangkok, Thailand

Do you have any advice or thoughts about culture shock you would like to share?

Yes I do. Don't expect that either Thailand will be like home. Don't expect the Thai to do as you do. Don't expect much of anything...just learn from what you see and experience. If you can learn at least how to speak Thai you will enjoy Thailand a lot more.

Word of caution: Thailand is currently in the throes of political turbulence. Having been here through many coups, protests and other related activities, the best advice is for foreigners to stay away from the areas where the protesters are. If that cannot be avoided, at least stay in the background and keep a low profile. Foreigners have never been targeted but if you get in the way, you could suffer. I also recommend staying away from the southernmost three Thai provinces, because of Muslim terrorists, murderers and bandits. Keep tabs on the political situation, because if you are coming to live/work in Bangkok or some other areas, you will need to know which areas to avoid. (Continue)

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Hermit replied most recently with:

Why are there so many Culture Shock interviews with people who have experienced no culture shock? It almost seems like the people with the least helpful advice are purposely chosen for these interviews.

Expat Report Culture Shock in Bangkok, Thailand was published

Do you have any advice or thoughts about culture shock you would like to share?

Make sure you have thick skin if you are a Black or brown person heading off there. It can get tough and the weak go home! (Continue)

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califdann commented on the Expat Report Moving to Bangkok, Thailand

What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?

If you need to be around other expats, this may not be the place for you. If you are OK with living in a Thai building, which on the outside does not look that great, this may not be for you. We have a pool, gym and plenty of resturants and bars to choose from, but most do not speak English. As for transportation this is a great neighborhood for cabs and soon the BTS line to the airport and back to the city. We did live in Tong Lor for awhile, which has plenty of expat's around but the rent is going to set you back about 18,000-as high as you want to go. Villa Market is close by, which has just about everything you may want from the west. For me I prefer a bit away from the center of the city, where the people are really friendly, and if you have the need, grab a cab or in our case soon the BTS. If you have kids, be concerned with the schools and you find the best closer into the city center. If you are just a couple, have some adventure and get outside the city center and you will also save a lot of precious resources. (Continue)

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califdann replied most recently with:

Great report. When was this written? Over time, things change a bit, like prices. Thanks

Expat Report Review of Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok, Thailand was published

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

The facilities are excellent.They have two swimming pools, a tennis court, a covered gym, elementary playground apart from three canteens and two good libraries. There are a number of clubs which are student led giving very good exposure to children in leadership. (Continue)

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A reader commented on the Expat Report Moving to Bangkok, Thailand

What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?

Best advice I can give is to talk to other expats who have lived here. Talk to as many as you can because they all have different opinions, but some things come through the same. Talk to Orientations too because it's their business and they know what they are doing. Traffic and flooding can be a problem and the real estate agents will not tell you coz they just want the commission from the lease contract. Better to talk to people like Orientations. (Continue)

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A reader replied most recently with:

If the housing is more expensive than where you moved from, where did you move from?

Expat Report Culture Shock in Bangkok, Thailand was published

Do you have any advice or thoughts about culture shock you would like to share?

If you are moving from a western culture to Thailand, or even if you are moving from some eastern cultures I strongly recommend that you get someone like Orientations (www.orientations.com) to help you with cross cultural training. My family and I found them to be immensely helpful from both a personal and business perspective. They have both westerns and local staff so they know what the problems are going to be before they even happen. (Continue)

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Expat Report Review of Wells International School in Bangkok, Thailand was published

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

It actually has three campuses - one kindergarten, one primary, and one primary and secondary. All three campuses have extensive facilities and resources, including multiple libraries, computer labs and much more. Extra-curricular activities are fairly standard. (Continue)

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