Surviving in Thailand Part 4: Why do FARANGS AVOID OTHER FARANGS? 3 Areas with less foreigners 

Locations Map: www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1iP6aM6ZKpnk9X5ztHK5tzczXgEEbo4sH&usp=sharing Rental Prices are taken from the Hipflat website but if you shop around or just visit the condominium/apartment's office you might find a better deal direct from the property owner.

I moved away from Bangkok 5 1/2 years and moved to the middle of nowhere near the Cambodian border..I'm the only farang in my neighbourhood and although I didn't intentionally try to get away from Farang, it is what it is and couldn't be happier.Growing food,fruit trees and 100 or so Chickens...Thank Buddha for the internet and can watch videos like this lol..Good one Pat.

I'm black and I was in the Philippines a few years ago, and Whenever another black guy walk pass me, You could see the delight in his face as if he was happy to see someone else who looks like him, Even nodding with a friendly smile, I felt like a celebrity.

The Thai people are mostly kind and polite but become hardened and jaded when too many tourists or "ex pats" are around. A general tip is that as soon as you cross the river to the Thonburi side the number of farangs drops dramatically, and there is a nice provincial feel.

I love the irony of so many foreigners doing/not doing all the same things that they complain about foreigners doing/not doing in their own home country. Not learning the language, not trying to fit in, only mixing with their own. I like the advice that if they're not someone you would drink or hangout with or be friends with at home, then why would you do it here.

It’s hilarious the types you meet here, especially at work-. I remember 35 years ago and in the new job office I met a co-worker from Canada and his Canadian wife… introduced ourselves in the usual way… then he asked how long have I lived here, I said “just a month”. His reply was, “Well, I’ve been here 2 years, so I won’t bother talking to you until you’ve been here at least a year”. Never bothered talking to him ever again, and actually I went on to a better job within a year anyway. Guy like that, about two years after our brief talk- heard from a former colleague that he separated from his Canadian wife and took up with a local woman. It takes all kinds. Another great video, Pat - 🤙🏾

Phra Khanong here, many foreigners, but, of course, more Thai residents. Its very simple: If you want to come in contact with foreigners, just go to one of the several bars only farang use. And if you want to meet Thai people, just go to markets, street food places, etc. Just do one thing: Learn Thai. Its not hard and locals love when you want to integrate.

Another great video! I lived at the end of Sukhumvit Soi 4 in 2001. The place is called Siam Court. About 4 or so buildings from the entrance to the tobacco factory. It was a nice place and inexpensive at the time. I was single and not much of a monger but I did have my fun. It did get annoying living there after a while and I moved after eight months. It was a good introduction to living in BKK until I got to know the city layout better. The people watching in the Nana Plaza/Nana Hotel area at night back then was lots of fun. I'd buy some chicken satay sticks, a drink, and sit for hours watching the most unique mix of people to be found anywhere on planet earth. Now I couldn't imagine living in that area, it would drive me mad.

I was always annoyed with those old folks that always were telling stories, lived here for 10-20 years and couldn't even communicate with a local.. So i moved down to Samut Prakan, Bang Phli area, more friendly "farangs" that actually accepts that they're living in Thailand and not their home country, and it's a lovely area not too far to Bangkok either. Love your videos keep it up!

Up in the bush of Isaan, it's relatively easy to avoid farangs. Most either die off or scuttle back to wherever they came from because they've run out of money.

I spent 20 years working at a major multinational in Bangkok and almost all of the employees were the type who would not piss on someone if they were on fire. That was a good observation.

Interesting to see the price gaps of the condos between the areas. I'm not sure which area I would choose. I don't care if other westerners living around me and "scan" me as long as they not bother me :). My grandfather always sayed "Choose your friends wisley"... It doesn't matter if westener or local. For me is only "the view" an important point for my decission - not the people. Seeing a river, a nice skyline, a park or some green - that are my reasons to choose a place. I'm a "balcony guy" - I stay every morning on my balcony, watching in the far and enjoying my morning coffee. This clears my mind and motivates me every single day.

when I first arrived at the end of 2008 I lived in a Thai mansion in Nontaburi and although there was the occasional foreigner around - usually a teacher - I was greeted like a minor celeb quite often when I went out. The local eateries were superb & some of the best I've eaten at period in all my 15 years here. I moved to Withayu which was about as central as you could get but again, no expats in the part where I lived in soi Nailert. Now I stay outside the centre again at Bearings and around the area where I live..............very few expats. Inadvertently I've managed to avoid the expat bubble life and I am glad I did - the ones on fat-cat contracts tend not to make any real attempt to aclimatise and they live as much as they possibly can just as they did before they came. They don't realise that of course and think that eating soi food and and having a full-time nanny (or maid) is acclimatising. The rest are where you'll find some decent guys who don't have their heads up their rear-ends but even then you have to be careful if, like myself, you've actually made a good living here.

in 1999 I moved into a small village in Nontaburi, not many Thais, let alone foreigners. Did it because I wanted to try the traditional Thai lifestyle, live in a wooden house, chat to locals, learn about Thai history and culture. Worked out well, learnt so much, especially how to read, as there was no English not even on the menus or busses.

I split my time between Sukhumvit and Bangsaray, both full of hardworking and decent farangs. And I couldn't be happier.

Pat. I love your videos and binge on them regularly. I'm from the UK and stay in Chiang Mai on a regular basis . And I have to agree re some expats in Thailand. I have never come across a more angry looking, miserable bunch of guys of a certain age, wondering around the city and loitering in coffee shops etc. I totally don't understand their mentality. As you pass them on the pavement . You nod and acknowledge them, only to recieve an angry stare !!

After 26 years of living, working and visiting Thailand I can understand why a lot of farangs avoid other farangs. The experiences I've had even in the UK as I come from the most transient town in Britain have sharpened my perceptions. In my town we used to get RRI's runaway reinventions as I termed them. Ppl from all parts of the UK who holidayed in my town and loved it so much they'd come and live there. Furthermore, lots of ppl with questionable backgrounds who simply ran away and tried to reinvent themselves would wash up so to speak. I have seen a massive parallel here in Thailand - the same thing, but on a bigger more international scale. Luckily, I grew up with this and can spot a RRI a mile off! Personally, working here amongst farangs it's a mixed bag that tends to lean towards ppl who are RRI's. In fact a friend of mine who owned a bar in Nana for a while met no other than Andy Mcnab drinking in his bar! Unfortunately, for the wanna be Andy my friend was an ex British army captain who quizzed the gulf war veteran, and then pointed at the Regimental coat of arms hanging up in his bar. Lol, Andy was well and truly banged to rights. Would have loved to have seen his face 😂

Great stuff. I lived around Taopoon for three+ years. The Tree Interchange is the best condo unless you really need the MRT station directly outside your door. Taopoon is booming, and as you know, there is plenty to explore. I love Taopoon market and beside Lotus there is a thriving evening "street food" market and even a decent bar with football. I worked down Samsen road, so it suited me, especially after the area got MRT connected. I speak Thai, so less "farang" areas are great for me. Good prices and a more immersive Thai experience. Taopoon is only a 30 or so minute ride away, from down town and 15 mins from Chatujak, and the Ladprao bustle. Superb spot if you want a Thai deep dive.

I've lived in Thailand on a retirement visa for 10 years. My observation is that the local Thai do not have the English language skills to scam me out of my retirement nest egg. However, I have come across some English spaking "farang" who clearly had intentions to separate me form my money. I have spent time in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chaing Mai, and Phitsanulok.

I lived for many years in the Victory Monument area, not so many foreigners but still centrally located

The other GREAT thing about Tao Poon is "WOOD STREET" (Pracha Naruemit/ Soi Krungthep-Nonthaburi 5). Really unique!! Whereas most of Thailand is a timber-desert, in Wood St almost every building (for more than half a mile) is a timber-related business ! ........ hardwoods, softwoods, plywood (many grades), MDF, chipboard, mouldings, doors & frames, wooden flooring, pre-cut screens, and small furniture makers! Absolutely brilliant - and relatively cheap in most cases! Not a single sign or price-list in English though - so take the wife or girl-friend to ask the tricky questions .... and to bring the prices down.

We are all humans.Mostly friendly but also some bitter ones.Like all over the world.Nobody should feel like a foreinger nowhere.Everybody should feel like a human being everywhere.It could be so simple.

Another great video Pat. Your knowledge never ceases to amaze me. You're like the David Attenborough of Bangkok. I am seriously surprised you haven't been picked up by one of the networks as a presenter. Only a matter of time me thinks. Their loss is our gain until then. Love the editing, music and night shots by various stations and railway lines. I'm thinking you must be an insomniac but what better place to be an insomniac in :-D

Again an excellent presentation from Pat! Thanks!

I owned a condo at thonglor near to bts, quiet cozy place with many friendly thais or foreigners and always love to live in BKK kap.🙏

Thanks Pat, another great video. I love your take on life.

You have such a great manner and on screen confidence/presence! Not seedy, or cringe inducing, but just factual videos! Well done!

Thanks for the video. I'm an Americam who lived in Thailand from 2016 to 2018 and toured the country in my car. In general, and painting with a wide brush, I found the areas that I enjoyed the most had fewer foreigners , less prostitution and heavy drinking . The Thais seemed more friendly, but there was more of a language barrier. I think Krabi was my favorite. I know the video was about areas in Bangkok, but I only spent 3 months there.

With David Attenborough's voice: "The foreign expats are some recently introduced species that have become part of Bangkok's diverse biosphere beside the locals, the cats and the rats."

By far the best informations ! Thank's , good job.

Great work once again!

Thanks for this video - very insightful

I'm in a rural village in Ubon Ratchathani by virtue of my wife is from here, it has taken quite some adjustment but I do enjoy it. Life on the farm is simple and cheap, sometimes I crave a chat but that's easy enough online, as far as I know I'm one of two farang in the district 'not that I care either way'. Keep up the good work Pat

What an excellent upload. Thanks.

Thanks for the video, Pat. It reassured me that living near Chiang Mai was the right choice. I can't think of anything worse than living in a city made of concrete and cars. I've had that in Europe long enough. But the title of the video is "Surviving in Thailand", not "Living in Thailand". 😁 Here we have a house and a huge garden, it's only 20 minutes to Chiang Mai. When I look out the window, I see trees, fields and mountains in every direction. Most of the "noise" is made by the many birds outside. I can easily walk or cycle many kilometers without having to worry about my health.

Great info Pat.... Thank you once again 👍

Over the years I've lived in Ratchayothin, Soi Rangnam, Sukhumvit 8, 36, and 77, Suanphlu, Silom 3, Charoen Krung, Ratchada 17, and Ladprao. Typically I select the location based on: 1) The overall feel of the area and soi - I like it to be convenient with shops and restaurants very nearby - ideally a mix of local and foreign foods 2) Commute (having a motorbike opens up more options) 3) Friends living in the area - improved social life How many foreigners live in the area was never a consideration.

Sublime effort Pat, i did seek solace at times it was more to escape high season tourist madness than other expats. I headed north with my Thailand road atlas and my lonely planet guide book best thing i ever did in Thailand, Lampang was my no1Thai city not many tourists 😀 great seats at 10.20..

Two video ideas: 1. Quietest areas to live in. (with the most nature perhaps?) 2. Choosing a quiet condo

Great video! You add a new definition to the term "happy ending" in Thailand 😊

thanks for the direction.

Great information and video!

Great documentary 👏 really informative!!

Greatly enjoy the coherence of your posts Pat. You have a talent in the editing suite and in front of the camera.

Thanks for the interesting content...very useful

Big fan of the channel Pat! Quality productions. Keep up the great work.

Very informative, Pat. I enjoyed this.

Thanks for the video Pat, I recently moved to Bangkok and just picked the nana and asok area since my initial test and go hotels were there. I see that snobbiness and the entitlement. Glad you made this video, it really opened my eyes up, I have started taking Thai classes and I am really falling in love with the language, food and the culture. I will be checking out those cities you mentioned through BTS lines.

Congrats @bangkokpat, your videos are getting better and better, super well researched and not sugar-coated. I specially like the contemplative shots of Bangkok at its most honest, both ugly and beautiful at the same time

A great channel Pat. Really enjoy your presentation and history. Wish you many more subscribers.

A few of my subscribers recommended your channel and I can see why, very informative Pat 👍

Excellent video and priceless info. 👍😁

Your channel is great! 👍

Great video Pat 🙏

Love your content/videos Bangkok Pat!

Here is a true story for you. I was with my girlfriend riding rented motorcys looking for a place to rent in Cha Am. We saw a nice hose with a number so she called it and the man told her 5,000 baht a month. We met the owner the following day to rent the house. When he got out of the car and saw me he immediately said "if I new it was a Farang wanting to rent I would have wanted 10,000 baht. We got for the 5,000 but the other Farangs on that street were all paying 10,000 baht.

Great research, cool montage-esque editing, biting but humorous commentary with heavenly synth music… I’ve subscribed!

another great off the wall video Pat well done chok dee

Foreigners say they don't want to be near others, but from my experience, they eventually get lonely once the whole "female" aspect gets boring. There are a few stages of living here as an expat: 1. Khoasan / Island foreigner mix= everyone enjoys the company of others because it's like being able to share the excitement and fun with people. 2. Job/party mix= Still around foreigners as a majority unless it's females. (western female disinterest still strong) 3. Rooted/ tired of party life/still go out for drinks/ still like the girl nightlife= starting to see the worst of other foreigners, but avoid looking in the mirror at the similarities 4. Living here = Dislike for other foreigners due to seeing the "me" "I'm the main character" mentalilty that they all have. Also still refusing to look at ones self to see you're the same. 5. Jealousy/ disillusioned expat= I'm handsome and I'm valuable and I'm set with money, so I can do what I want. Better to avoid other expats so more fun for me. 6. Older expat = Seeing younger people coming to your area = no attention for you. INstead of being valuable for being rare, your only value now is money and even that doesn't stop girls from wanting to mount the young buck. 7. Drunk/alcoholism setting in expat= The drinking becomes the goal. Sex is not the main aspect, but does tend to happen after these old fellas are wasted and easy to pick off. As the list goes on, each expat likes and then dislikes other foreigners again and again as their life changes from time to time. Personally, I've been pushed into disliking other expats by friends who didn't want to be near them (British Expats typically hate others and don't want their friends to like them either)....it's weird. Younger guys that come here get past ths sexpat stuff eventually whereas the older guys figure they're done with all of the life building stuff. Older guys descend to the depths of depravity as long as they can before their bodies go out from alcohol and age. The younger guys start to feel shame and want to settle down with someone they consider normal and real.

Eight years living and working in northern Thailand and do my best to avoid areas with lots of farang. The main reasons are cost, food, atmosphere. Local Thai restaurants have better food at better prices. Thai focused bars don't have bar girls and other scammers trying to get your money plus the overall cost of everything is lower. Areas with lots of farang tend to serve western food at high price and Thai food at inflated rates. I've lived in towns where you rarely if ever see other farang and have rented houses under 3k per month. Getting out of places like BKK is the best way to learn about Thailand and learn the language.

Your videos have great content and are very well put together!

Great vid Pat, very informative

100% correct , great video

Great video🙏

Pattaya is a place where I look around and say, “ Yeah, there are too many foreigners”. Otherwise I don’t actively avoid foreigners. I find I need/enjoy speaking fluent English to someone about once a week. I live in Phra Khanong but there is a small Isaan farming village in my future. I’m fine with either living situation.

Thank you Pat👍🙏

Thanks again mate! Great following editing! I’m seeing your number going up🤩 I hope you’re well champ! Cheers🥳

Wow...what a awesome channel ! Subscribed ! Greetings from Portugal

Hi Pat, In addition to my comments on your previous videos in this series, I can say for myself that I don't care whether there are "Farangs" in my area or not. What is important to me are the people I like and with whom you can talk on a reasonable level. I'm not one who regularly meets up with a group of people in pubs or at events, I much prefer to enjoy my community in the neighborhood and of course private family life. Thank you Pat as always for your excellent suggestions. Greetings from Sattahip - Gerd 🌈🍀💖🌴🌈

Found this channel from Thairish Times: great shots and editing! Dig the evening vibe!

When you said "won't win prettiest street award" to me it kind of does 😳 Your videos give me so many screenshot of lovely Bangkok sights and kitties, thank you 🥰

I love these videos. I lived in Bang Khae in the 90's and can't believe how things have changed. A train now? Omg, I would never have left. And Starbucks. Damn.

like Pat's 'down to earth' outlook that's reflected in this interesting vid . new sub. drum roll.

25 years ago I was happily living near saphan khwai, but it has so much changed, I think coming back to thailand would change my understanding of the classic thai culture

Wow, D-Thai apartment, I used to live there too! 4500 for a studio. Great days and I’d love to go back to 2007-2010 when life seemed so much simpler

Best place I ever lived in Bangkok was top end of Udomsuk near Srinakarin Road. Loved it. Easy access to Nong Bong Reservoir, Rama 9 Park and Bang Krachao. The delights of central Bangkok only a songthaw and BTS ride away.

Thanks for showing my area Pat. Been here for nearly 4 years since moving to Thailand and I cannot think of a better place to be. 👍

Just caught your channel tonight. Good topic, I have several friends that are of the mind that the only good Expat is one that has moved back to their country of origin. Like your polished approach.

Interesting..... Thank-you

Really good video pat, Tao poon looks a good bet pat well done

I remember when I first met my closest foreign friend in Bangkok. My area doesn't have many foreigners, so you always notice when you see a fellow foreigner. Now, I didn't choose the area I live in because of this. It was purely about work and location. Anyway, first time I met my best friend here was in the supermarket. I remember he looked at me and gave me a big smile. He said, "hey, what's up?". First thing I thought was that he's very friendly. We got speaking and he mentioned how there weren't many foreigners in the area so it was nice to see one. He mentioned that he likes football so I invited to the place where I play footsol. After that we became best friends. He is definitely an anomaly. I find many foreigners can be quite territorial. I guess many like the idea that they're the most popular 'farang' and feel threatened when someone younger or more handsome is around. For me, I couldn't care less. If someone is nice to me, I'll always be nice back. But to be perfectly honest, all my closest friends are Western. With my male Thai friends I feel I often have to filter myself. With my Western friends, we make fun of each other. Mock each other's countries and politics but in a teasing way.

Nice shots! You have a good eye for camera.

Pat, you are a good person and someone I would drink a beer with. Thanks for the well done very informative videos!✌️

Another informative video Pat. I suppose Minburi is too far out to get a mention but there are definitely FEWER foreigners out this way. Keep up the good work.

Glad you mentioned Tao Poon. I live in Nonthaburi but have visited the area very regularly for the past 6 years. It’s changing super quick, but it still has a neighborhood feel, where you can just walk from the MRT to the mall and there’s lots of interesting shops. My dentist is on Sukhumvit 55 and even though they have the nice shops, it just doesn’t have the neighborhood feel of Tao Poon. Great video by the way.

Great video Pat, as usual. Expecting an influx of foreigners to join me living at Pradiphat Road now! You should come back in the evening though, when it's a lot more lively - with the street food, restaurants, open air eating places like the Camping Ground and the new Pradiphat Night Market. Cheers.

An incredibly informative exploration of not well known Bangkok neighbourhoods. As you insightfully say in the video "expats" are a highly diverse lot in terms of interests, language, culture and motivation. What I enjoy about your presentations is that you are non-judgmental. You let people draw their own conclusions.

grt video, grt work

Another great informative video! Thank you! …. the cogs are ticking thinking how I can possibly live / work in Thailand 😀

Great video. When I do move , I shall avoid the busy areas a lot of the time.

I've walked around a lot of Tao Poon, it's a pretty solid pick. The main reason is (like you mentioned) the access to mass transit.

Very interesting video Pat. On Nut is another area with plenty of foreigners.

Congrats on passing 10k!

My wife and I are moving and we want to live away from the farang hoods, simply because we want to enjoy Thai society and culture. If we wanted to live in a Eurocentric environment, we both agree that we’d live in Europe. If we live in Thailand, we want to enjoy Thai neighbours and Thai life, as far as a couple of middle aged farang can, of course!

I recommend Srinakarin. Talad rod fai is awesome. (Train market/ night market) 2 huge malls nearby too. Paradise park and Seacon square. Loads of street food around and a very local feel.

Last time I stayed in BKK I rented a nice condo just about 100 meters from the Wutthakat BTS station and thought it was great. Had its own outdoor market next to the BTS station and was a fairly peaceful area -- and the next station east (Talat Phlu) had a mall with the typical upscale offerings such as movie theaters, restaurants and such. For some reason I never see the various "where to live" videos by various RU-vid vloggers mention that area west of the river... which is probably why I see very few foreigners there. The BTS ride into "downtown" might be a big longer than some want but it is probably only 1 or 2 more stops away from downtown than OnNut. Cheers :)

Great video Pat. I've been living in the Ratchayothon area for 22 years and aside from the traffic it's always been a pleasant area to live in. Tao Poon is a good shout too. The family and I often head down to Gateway - one of the quieter malls and good for kids.. I like your documentation of areas and life in Bangkok. It will be fascinating for people to look at in years to come. Imagine the RU-vid videos people could have made just 20 years ago. So much has changed and yet so much is quintessentially as it was. Wishing you continued and deserved luck with the growth of your channel.

Great recommendations Pat! When we move to TL from the US next year, maybe you can show me and missus around town. Lived there forty years ago and have visited often since then, but it would be nice to have a current denizen of your expertise to reintroduce us to Bangkok's many neighborhoods.

I had an Airbnb in Tao Poon for a month. A great condo at the Tree Interchange that offered great views of the city and river.

I stayed at The Signature right next to BTS Saphan Khwai during my semester abroad in Bangkok a few years ago. The entire building only had one other farang living in it. If I was to move back to Bangkok, I would probably stay closer to central sukhumvit, somewhere between Ari (already stretching it) and On Nut. Rama 9 and Silom would also be options. Apart from the nearby Chatuchak Market and a giant BIG C, Saphan Khwai didn't really have much to offer.