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Chiang Mai, Thailand
An American expat who moved from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai talks about how she underestimated the how much culture shock she would experience in Chiang Mai. She loves the welcoming Thai people, low cost of living, affordable medical care, respect for elders, Thai food and more. However, she explains that Thai culture is very complex and it's easy to make social mistakes.
Chiang Mai
Yes. After the move when I started to try to learn Thai.
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I speak a little Thai. I learned it after the move. I would love to learn the language and have taken many different courses but I have not found Thai to be easy to acquire.
No.
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Let the Adventure Begin! is our premium weekly relocation newsletter that guides you step-by-step through your international move. The weekly newsletter begins 8 months before your move and runs through your first 4 months abroad. For US $29.99, you'll receive an e-mail on Wednesday with tips and advice tailored to where you are in the relocation and settling-in process.
Significant. I moved here from Hong Kong where I lived for two years. Before living in Hong Kong, I had been a lifelong resident of the US. I experienced very little culture shock in HK. As a result, I underestimated how much culture shock I would experience in Chiang Mai.
I skipped the honeymoon phase and experienced the others. I have lived here five years, and I'm still in the cultural adjustment phase. Thai people are kind, friendly, and gentle. But the culture is complex. It is very easy to make social mistakes, especially if you don't know the language. Fortunately, Thais are very tolerant.
Increased eating, drinking, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. I was "homesick" for Hong Kong. Still am.
Thai people are generally gracious and welcoming. They are extraordinarily tolerant. The food is marvelous. The cost of living is very low; medical care is inexpensive and excellent. There is very little crime. Older people are visible and respected. Humility, kindness, and generosity are valued.
The language. Without being able to speak Thai, one's social life depends upon other expats. Chiang Mai is very transient when it comes to expats. Many Westerners move here thinking it will be permanent but then cannot adapt culturally and move away. Single Western women looking for a dating life struggle to find partners.
Undoubtedly, I have and unintentionally continue to do so. It is very easy to make blunders because there are many cultural rules in Thai society. Thai culture is complex and hierarchical. It takes Westerners a while to gain appreciation of what that means.
Learn to speak Thai. Don't expect Thailand to be anything like where you grew up or have lived before. Thai culture is fairly insular because it was never colonized. Based upon my experience, unlike Westerners, Thais do not value efficiency or individualism. They do value social harmony, relationships, and collectivism.
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Guide to Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in Chiang Mai
Thailand Forum
Join our Thailand forum to meet other people living in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Chiang Mai.
Expats and global nomads in Chiang Mai share their experiences with health insurance, healthcare in Thailand, local hospitals and specialists, quality of medical care and more.
Expats offer advice about everything you need to know before moving to Chiang Mai: what to bring (and what to leave behind), how to find housing and more.
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats and digital nomads have to say about the pros and cons of living in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
If you're moving to Chiang Mai with kids, here's are some of the best international schools according to expats.
Expats share their experiences living in Chiang Mai, Thailand and offer advice about meeting people, schools and more.
The number of people interested in becoming a digital nomad continues to grow, and Chiang Mai is considered by many to be one of the top destinations in the World. Find out why this city in Northern Thailand is so alluring to digital nomads throughout the world.
An expat in Chiang Mai advises newcomers to know their local doctors, dentists and hospitals. He also says that medical care and medicines are not expensive.
Expats in Chiang Mai find a complicated city that has many unexpected aspects to navigate. Here is a brief overview of this beautiful city in Thailand.
An expat who retired in Chiang Mai Thailand offers some detailed insight into what it means to live abroad there. Health care in Chiang Mai, crime, cost of living and more are covered.
An American expat who moved from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai talks about how she underestimated the how much culture shock she would experience in Chiang Mai. She loves the welcoming Thai people, low cost of living, affordable medical care, respect for elders, Thai food and more. However, she explains that Thai culture is very complex and it's easy to make social mistakes.
Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
Get a Quote
Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
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Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
Get a Quote
Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
Get a Quote
Chiang Mai, Thailand: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in Chiang Mai
Thailand Forum
Meet other people living in Chiang Mai.
Expats and global nomads in Chiang Mai share their experiences with health insurance, healthcare in Thailand, local hospitals and specialists, quality of medical care and more.
Expats offer advice about everything you need to know before moving to Chiang Mai: what to bring (and what to leave behind), how to find housing and more.
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats and digital nomads have to say about the pros and cons of living in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
If you're moving to Chiang Mai with kids, here's are some of the best international schools according to expats.
Expats share their experiences living in Chiang Mai, Thailand and offer advice about meeting people, schools and more.
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Chiang Mai.
The number of people interested in becoming a digital nomad continues to grow, and Chiang Mai is considered by many to be one of the top destinations in the World. Find out why this city in Northern Thailand is so alluring to digital nomads throughout the world.
An expat in Chiang Mai advises newcomers to know their local doctors, dentists and hospitals. He also says that medical care and medicines are not expensive.
Expats in Chiang Mai find a complicated city that has many unexpected aspects to navigate. Here is a brief overview of this beautiful city in Thailand.
An expat who retired in Chiang Mai Thailand offers some detailed insight into what it means to live abroad there. Health care in Chiang Mai, crime, cost of living and more are covered.
An American expat who moved from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai talks about how she underestimated the how much culture shock she would experience in Chiang Mai. She loves the welcoming Thai people, low cost of living, affordable medical care, respect for elders, Thai food and more. However, she explains that Thai culture is very complex and it's easy to make social mistakes.
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