Why are Thailand Expats so angry?  

Zach's channel: www.youtube.com/@SavageTraveling The original video I watched that Zach made: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Mk_m5pFDYnc.html

it should probably called the Colonel Kurtz effect, as in "here I am in my jungle kingdom with my native worshippers.........how dare you encroach on my territory!"

Hey, not all of us are like that. What a sweeping generalization! I'm 61 and happy as a pig in shit. I'm not angry, in fact I'm super glad to be here!

It's very simple. Happiness is not a location. Eventually you will bring that unhappiness with you no matter where you go. You might be good for a few weeks, months or even years but you can't run away from whatever is bothering you on the inside until you resolve the root cause of your problem. If you were miserable back in your home country then it will follow you wherever you go and many times will get worse.

I had the n-word thrown at me while visiting Bangkok, and I was surprised that someone would bring that type of nonsense into someone else’s country.

I am Ross from Brisbane Australia . I am aged 73 . It's some years since I have been to Thailand . I love the place . I love being friendly to everyone . It saddens me to think that people adopt certain attitudes

When Thairish ends the interview after less then 15 min ... you know😂

I found Pattaya to be like a war zone at times.. some German Karen purposely rammed into the back of me goin like 20mph at a red light

I've travelled around the world and met many people like some of the ones Zach describes. Most of the time the common denominator was drink. Heavy drinking can cause depression obviously but also can bring out a side in some people where they just end up talking shit about other people because they're 'unfriendly' drunks. When you meet these people it's generally in the evening in a bar or restaurant after they've had a few and their miserable side comes out. They also seem anti-social during the day if you bump into them because they probably haven't had a drink yet. The other stereotype would be the upbeat chatty guy who's a bit lonely and tends to bullshit because he thinks it will impress you. People have often tried to escape unhappiness in their own country where they felt victimised by the system or other people or just 'life' for whatever reason and they move somewhere cheaper to try and improve their situation or leave their baggage behind. They of course don't leave it behind. They tend to moan about things they think are unfair or be very critical in general. I think they see it as a legitimate way of bonding sometimes? For me, I am polite but try and avoid it because the constant negativity can be a bit of a bummer obviously. As for that guy calling rural thai people the 'n' word?!!! He seems like he's really got his shit together (not), sounds like a guy who's being used by a bar girl to me. He'll probably get what's coming to him.

NEWSFLASH: "Some people are assholes."

I lived in Issan for 3 years and found everyone to be very friendly. The expats were very helpful and were happy to meet new people. Living in the countryside can get get a touch dull, new people are interesting. This is definitely not what I experienced. I think this is a reflection on this dude. Mean men in Big C? Ok then. Make a video champ!

I met my Thai wife in Los Angeles & we’ve been married 37 years - I’ve only been to Thailand 4 times but we plan to go every year now that we’re retired. I’d say about half the foreigners I’ve talked to have been bitter old men. Last year at Doi Suthep some very old Australian guy engaged me in conversation about the US. After a minute the conversation started to change and I thought “Uh oh” - he proceeded to tell me how my country was being overrun by Blacks and Mexicans etc…. My eyes glazed over and I skedaddled. The next day I talked to an extremely nice old Australian guy who gave me all kinds of tips on cool things to do in Chiang Mai. It’s 50/50 like I said.

Thanks for having me on the show, Pete!!! Almost forgot we had done the interview! Riding motorbike around Vietnam with Kai now. Good luck with the channel!!!

An interesting watch. Just to shed my experience on this topic. I'm from Australia/New Zealand and I recall when I was travelling when I was a lot younger through America and stopping in a small town. I recall going into a bar and everyone in the place looking at us as if we had just arrived from Mars. I think this trait could be common when arriving in areas which are unused to having many outside visitors

A lot of foreigners specifically choose rural Thailand because they want to get away from other foreigners.

Whenever someone says they are treated badly by a others, and it happens consistently, I wonder what is it that they are doing to attract that kind of energy. This past Monday I was at a bar downtown Sukhumvit Rd, unusual for me bc I don't drink. But I had a lovely time, met 4 expats. One was the bar manager, an old New Yorker my age, charming guy. There was a 40 year old Aussie Cyber Security expert who came on a consulting gig. He got stranded during COVId and never went home. Third guy was a German film maker talking about the non-visible light spectrum and intuitive film making. These are the expats I meet, erudite, charming guys. Okay, the 4th guy was a Yank who does videos about the price of soapy massages and blow jobs. So we had one who fit a stereotype too. But guess what? He was a cool dude too. IDK, maybe the boonies are making some nuts.

I live in a remote corner of Nakhon Phenome and this is definitely a thing. My girlfriend is always taken back when the rare sighting of another ferang will end up with them avoiding and snubbing the only other foreigner in the vicinity. In lotus I had a guy cover his face with his hand to avoid being recognized. Sad for me a bit as I'm outgoing and friendly but can go weeks sometime months without so much as seeing a English speaker much less interacting with them. My goal is to never allow myself to act or be like this.

I think by the time you get old and you have aches and pains and testosterone drops. Also the amount of really beer bellied men over there, you have to wonder how many alcoholics there are there and all the health disorders both mental and physical. Another thing I've noticed is that although many would say that going to Thailand as an older man and participating in the nightlife is a fun thing, there's sort of a 'monger syndrome' personality... drinks too much, eats crap, mongers, lives on the cheap, has some far out political beliefs, often had a bad divorce in the west.

I am currently living in my friend's condo in Ekkamai area Bangkok. Every day, I walk down Sukhumvit Road for exercise and to buy food/fruit. During those walks, I meet a lot of old foreigners (I am 72 and very fit) male and female, not one of them has a smile on their face. As for me, I smile speak to anyone and everyone. But, jeeze Louise, the looks I get from the fossils that I pass in the street could curdle milk!

I have to say i noticed this in Pattaya with the long term expats when i visited a few months ago, so many of them just look miserable. It was striking.

Disclaimer: I am Asian/American, not European/American. I avoid other expats in Thailand because I am an introvert. I'd rather spend my time alone or with Thai people who are comfortable with being around an introverted person. I left the west to get away from western culture. I don't have anything against western expats, I just have a lot of doubt that we have much in common beyond the English language. I'd never be ugly to one and have even chatted with a few when approached but I don't 'need' them for company. In the case of my Thai friends, I am often their only 'western' friend and as someone with an Asian cultural background, I'm more like one foot in the west, one foot in the east already. In many cases, I'd rather do things the Thai way than the western way.

Hey bud.merry christmas to u & your family.thanks for your interesting shows. All the best. keep it rollin

The grumpiest old men are in the supermarket whether barging round with their trollies or being rude to the check out staff, I see this in Big C Pattaya Extra Pattaya Klang on numerous occasions,I have to bite my tongue.

Best Wishes, Zac . And a Merry Christmas . And a Happy New Year

I live in koh Samui and have 64 teeth in perfect health. There are good dentists in Samui.

His situation is very similar to mine at the end of the conversation. I’m back now to work and bring my lady back here and work some more years then go back. Thanks for sharing!

Zero Anglo foreigners acknowledged me when I visited Isan. I thought it was odd. They want to be the special and unique Farang. They don’t like seeing any one new who’ll make them seem less of a commodity.

Thanks Zach and Pete for video.

Sadly, the Expats living in Thailand feel like they have a monopoly or have a greater sense of entitlement because they have lived there and/or have a Thai wife/GF or whatever. We are all guests in Thailand whether on a marriage visa, retirement visa, education visa, etc... But, we are also foreigners; so, it is crazy that Expats act a certain way to others who are living there and/or visiting Thailand. I once had a guy from one of the UK countries approach me in his drunken state to tell me that as a "Black man", I am not welcomed there in Thailand. But, it is not just guys from the UK but also now that the Passport Bros movement is trending and so American Black men are traveling more to Thailand; the older Black American men living in Thailand feel they have a greater sense of entitlement too. They do not want the younger guys to come to live, work, and visit Thailand. In some cases, they want to tax the Passport Bros and younger guys coming to Thailand. I think it is possible that the Expats and the older men want to keep Thailand a secret and for themselves. Anyway, it is an interesting topic of discussion. Thanks for sharing the interview.

Zach's no beauty. Shouldn't be making fun of the older gents.

I choose not to mix with the other local foreign people when I am at my wife’s place. I’ll always say hello and be polite when I see them. Just choose to keep my own company and with the wife’s family. Came across some egotistical people who wanted to be the big farrang in the area. Was quite embarrassing and what I liked escaping the uk from.

Pete I am so glad that you are posting again. I hope all is well. I hope to go next year for my birthday

I don't think it;s unique to Thailand. I have lived in Roi Et for 6 years. There are some great people here, and there are others I avoid. Anything or anyone with too much drama, I try to avoid. Be polite, don't look for trouble, push back occasionally when needed. I thnk it comes from lack of purpose, too much alcohol, and choosing the wrong Thai partner. Those foreigners with happy relationships are usually very easy to be around.

Awesome interview and sorry about the Ozzie pizza 🍕 joint

Your scraping the bottom of the barrel, with this story , I think old mate is just over sensitive, Peter Sukhothai

I noticed this when I came to Japan 25 years ago. I’ve heard it called “My Japan” effect, or “gaijin syndrome”. It can be a variety of factors. They don’t like the spotlight being taken off of them as the only foreigner in the area. They don’t approve of the way you’re living in Japan, infield is the ‘correct’ way to do it. Alternatively, if you’ve been here long enough, you’ll run into someone who is extremely disrespectful and acting like a fuckhead. If you have to deal with this long enough or often enough, you’ll start to avoid other foreigners, maybe even give them a dirty look, because you just don’t need to hassle.

I have been living in Sriracha for 32 days. Not so many foreigners here but I saw some and believe me I have tried to just say hello but no one has responded to that. Very sad really.

So interesting, I have had the EXACT opposite experience? I’m also a young dude with glasses, vlogging in rural Thailand, but the foreigners seems to be cool in Krabi? Very interesting. Now I’m gonna start to pay more attention and investigate this, amazing video as always Thairish, and respect for you Zach for being vulnerable enough to address something like that. I’d say, maybe they had chips from the past, and felt their money and lifestyle should match up, but you managed to make it align in your 30s presumably. Our viewers are mostly 45 to 65 + so I’m not saying they are jealous, but maybe they’re just tired of being nice for the sake of what someone else thinks. Makes me feel grateful to be here at 34

I am 67 and have travelled continously for 50 years basically, I earned my living as a merchant seaman which helped.. From mountains in Peru to slums in Mumbai to obscenly rich places in California. I saw Times Square in 1974 before it became Disneyland I cannot remember where I have been these days unless someone talks about somewhere. Most people have not done that. I try to enjoy everywhere I go and talk to everyone. Travel snobs bore me.

Just a week ago I was talking to my Thai wife abt how other farangs don't even look at you when I was in Aranyaprathet. It's like they want to be the only farangs in the area .

Or the old guy mean-mugging you is like the skit from Little Britain where Daffyd wants to be the only gay in the village. 😂

Having experienced life in a village when l met my wife 15 years ago as a young man and now experiencing life as a middle aged man there have always been expats who want to keep to themselves or are a bit angrier. Same as every neighbourhood at home in the west. This guy seems to look for negativity because l've rarely encountered it. Also the only farang in the village trope is well overplayed, there has always been farangs in remote villages since l've been coming here, so anyone protecting their kingdom is about 30 years too late. But there does appear to be a young man syndrome happening where young guys come to Thailand and seem to think they are saving Thai women/Thailand from old expats. I don't recall thinking that about old guys when l first came to Thailand, but there definitely seems to be a lot of older expat hate around now.

I'm a Brit and have just come back from a month in Pattaya. The only two angry assholes I met were both aged Brits too. Funny you should mention this! However, a lot will be gone soon. The UK pension system is ready for the bin, and its bail out will be less and not usable in Thailand. This problem will fade away imo.

I've ridden motorcycles to remote areas in Thailand and the Philippines and I also noticed/ felt some resentment from fellow expats. (I'm mature, 555) It's like I was invading their personal paradise, 555. Other expats were so eager to engage in conversation that they would cross the street to say hello. So I agree with @lgottlob, it's 50/ 50.

I’ve experienced that a few times here in America and in Thailand. I hear an English accent and go to say hello and have had short blunt answers from some expats. Maybe it’s a Western thing? 😂

Zach looks familiar, not a good sign if you don't remember why 😅 Non Thais aren't worth bothering with.A large percentage 'have an angle'. As for the grumpy element it's probably because it'd be the same if you understood what the Thais are saying. Thailand is quite a racist country, I'm surprised you don't know that. How many of your past interviewees have a chequered past now compared to when you originally interviewed them?

Thumbs up 👍 Thairish Times

i've heard a saying "there goes the neighborhood" used with racial connotations in the west. wondering if it also could apply in thailand in some places.

Pete, I love you and Nune, actually I think she is the best thing since fig rolls. You two are the real deal, met, fell in love and above all respect each other and support each other. But there are really some sleaze bags over there, it is very hard to get over sometimes. I know it works both ways I am not naive but I sometimes cannot wrap my head around it. Here is a sound looking man but has to deal with the bullies on the playground. It is honestly sad.

Be scarier if you walked into a bar in the middle of nowhere in Thailand and there were 20 geezer white Aussie men who suddenly got a gleam in thier eyes and smiled broadly.

They don't always need to be old! There is always Thai Talk with Dan!

I lived in a rural upcountry area in the early 1990's and can give my two cents on this Marco Polo Syndrome idea: I didn't know how many foreigners were around in our province area, but I was reticent to get involved with any of them on a personal basis for none of the reasons your guest gives. It most certainly was not out of jealousy or the territorial Marco Polo idea. I was only in my thirties myself, living with my wife at our small business. I did not scowl at anybody, but I went on about my business around town and took no particular notice of the other farangs -- in passing at a distance near the bank, for example. In my previous experience of years in Bangkok, too many farangs had been involved in or associated with criminal friends or criminal activity, indirectly or directly, as some of your own videos show was going on at the time! I wanted no part of it and sought to avoid it. I was friendly and open with our farang customers and met quite a few that way. But they were tourists, PASSING THROUGH, which is different than living in a place where those you associate with are around all the time. It turned out -- as I eventually learned over time -- that there were 2 Brit and 2 American farangs in my town. The 2 Americans were Peace Corps volunteers with fixed periods of stay, so they turned out to be okay and I then interacted with them without reserve. One of the Brits was retired -- a 60-year old as your guest describes, married to a Thai -- but it was HE who actively sought me out and wanted to socialize! He could not speak Thai (in which I was fluent) and wanted an English-speaking mate. We got on well and had some laughs. He invited me over to his beautiful custom-built house a number of times. We had a fine Christmas dinner there. But my earlier caution was warranted. He DID have some Thai mafia "friends" in town. They had "given" him a car! (I wanted no part of such things. There will ALWAYS be strings attached.) Though we were on friendly terms over time as two couples who socialized privately together, I never let my guard down, either. Luckily, as the timing worked out, he only took me to meet his local mafia head man (for some personal reason when we happened to be together) on the day before I was LEAVING that area and moving my family back to Bangkok. I avoided all entanglements. The other Brit, much younger -- maybe in his thirties like me -- WAS involved in dodgy stuff of which I was suspicious and again wanted no part. He casually said he had "thrown away" his passport, and so, obviously, was in an over-stay status. Jesus! That was a red flag. He also seemed to be either a severe alcoholic or illegal drug user, so I wanted nothing to do with him and most certainly no public association with me in Thai eyes. He had no visible means of support that I could tell, nor that he mentioned. I don't think he was ever working at all, though he had a truck! I only met him twice, I think, in passing in town, and I did not want any social relationship with him. My caution was again correct.

Being an avid Deer hunter in my youth, the ritual is for men deer to paw the ground and “scrape” the ground to dirt. They will then pee on their scrape. The women deer will come, sniff and then pee in the scrape. The man deer goes crazy after the women deer. I think what’s happening in Isan is no female deer are sniffing and peeing in these older men’s scrapes anymore.

Hey Pete, this is quite intriguing! Could it be the Marco Polo effect, or could it be that people moving to or traveling in Thailand are stuck with some negative stereotypes about other foreigners, thinking we're all a bit grumpy? It's like a total flip of misconceptions! 😄 I believe it's crucial to understand that stereotypes and perceptions might not always be accurate or fair. Nice interview, mate.

Obviously the word 'some' is missing from the title. Clearly there are always going to be people with issues that left their home country, and brought all their issues with them. I also wonder if, certainly in the less popular areas, that have few expats, that they might think of themselves as a bit of a novelty, but when someone else swans in, their status is somewhat diminished. They might no longer be the most interesting novelty.

Im a great lover of the old western movies & when a stranger walks into a bar, the guy on the piano stops playing & everyone stops talking & looks at the stranger, I call this.....(Theres a stranger in town) just make sure you've got a fistful of Dollars & a few Dollars more....

That's a shame he keeps running into these old craggy guys. I know my experience in the countryside around Phetchabun is quite different. Most Falang guys (old and young) I bump into are delighted to speak to another Falang. Just "shooting the shit" as we say in the USA:):):)

Very much doubt whether you'd walk into a Thai rural town pizza shop, and there'd be 20 or 30 Australians in it, giving dirty looks. There's a lot of generalisations in this rant. Unfortunately sounds like he's a bit paranoid, and has some anti Australian sentiment. I'm in my early 60s and have been going there for more than 30 years, I've never experienced what he's talking about.

I'll be 54 next month and just climbed up to Naga Cave in Bueng Khan Province back in December. You want to be the only farang around? Try that little hidden gem. ;-)

When I lived in Japan I got the cold shoulder from a lot of expats. Especially if you look at them, smile , or whatever. I don't get it. Maybe they think you dont have the life skills they have and you will embarrass them? who knows. I just started saying hello to anyone I thought was an expat. Made a good friend that way so it isn't all bad..

I worked in Russia 30 years ago and did my best to avoid other Americans as they seemed not to adjust to Russia very well during those hard times and seldom made much effort to understand Russian culture, history, society and spent their free time complaining. I never went to the expat bars, grocery stores, etc. as I found then insufferable. Since Thailand is not in chaos, one could only speculate that their felt that their territory had been violated just like an alley cat. Pathetic behavior that exposes their smallness.

Yeah thailand is getting to crowded with other foreigners for me i prefer outside of bkk to find that but i think going to Lao or vietnam is better since less tourists there

Maybe he should just say hi?

Only ever met one friendly expat in Nakhon Si Thammarat, the rest give you a weird look, when you say hello ~!

The term “Grumpy old man” has been around for generations. It’s a fact, men become grumpier, not just in Thailand but everywhere! Smile at them and say hello. Even if they’re scowling. It’ll freak them out. 😅

whats the difference between an expat and a tourist ?

I was working in Pattaya a few weeks ago. I travelled up from Australia. I was stunned at the number of grumpy old guys there. They seem to give you the evil look and really they don't look happy. I was on my own wandering around looking for decent restaurants and I couldn't believe the grumps about, They seem to want to fight you if you look at them. Seems crazy, they are living / holidaying in a great place so why be so grumpy

Generally speaking; negative impressions leave a stronger mark. You probably notice the bad sides more prominently than the good ones. Also, you might be going to the wrong areas. Happy travels!

This guy is delusional, no one is jealous of a guy who lives in a run down squat....more likely they are avoiding being tapped up for some investment opportunity or business venture ......

Same thing happens to us but we are Asian/Chinese/Thai Male/White/American Female couple, we get glares mainly from older foreign men here in Thailand. I thought it was just bitterness from the racial pairing.

Not sure what that story was all about but it sounds like a young man with no plan... Dad died, sold the house and run out of money ... Maybe take her back...work a few more years and make a plan for the future? He should have had more learning experiences than 1 thai girl who he talked to sometimes over several years..... I can understand the falang community

Those old Aussie guys in the pizza bar were probably living happily in there rut together and in walks a new guy and realised the beers to men ratio just plummeted and they might run out

I could type - First!! - but I'm not some sad sack. Oh hang on a second 🙄😂

Has he tried striking up a conversation? Most people are alright if you make the effort to engage.

Did this guy ever contemplate the fact that he is an American, and that could be something to do with it?

There’s this one old guy living in Patong who just wants to start sht. I was at Don’s bar once playing pool with my girl and nobody else was interested in playing and we were having fun and taking our time and kissing and such and dude walks up saying others want to play. Whole time I notice him mean mugging. So I said to him hey y’all can play now it’s all good. The ladies in the bar start trying to calm him down cause he’s very adamant and being all rude. That was 2 years ago and still when I see him he’s all mean mugging me. He is definitely 60 and up and I’m only 43.

That's it ? Not much of an episode.

Here is the basic fallacy of many Farang n Thailand: They think... a. I have white skin. b. That guy, that stranger over there crossing the street....HE has white skin, TOO! c. We both have white skin, and so I am sure he and I are the same, and I am sure we both would enjoy talking to each other... This is FALSE! False! It is only the new-comer Farang that do not realize their faulty reasoning...

I lived in isaan from december 2018 to February 2020 Seriously creepy and grumpy old guys Some were nice and great But others were awful They were very jealous of me I was in my late 20’s, healthy, and slept with 100 women

When too much beer is involved ...

I think some of them just have an angry expression but aren’t staring at the guy specifically

I’d give him give him the cold shoulder as well. Seems annoying . He wants other white people to acknowledge that he’s white too.

Regarding grumpy old men, most of us just want to be loved. That's where the problems start.

Just confusing and expected here to be like wherever they are from😂

Thx. They are angry because they've never forgiven the others neither themselves. They never found what they needed the most: Love. Not in the childhood, not in first mariage not on another continent. It is hard to find the luck inside of us, and it is totally impossible to find anywhere else

People who are angry will continue to be angry after they leave home. Nothing has changed for these guy except were they live now. Still have all the anger.

During rut season, Bucks make scrapes and pee in them, they rub their antlers on trees and fight other bucks. That lasts 2-3 weeks. Rut for men is 24/7/365.

This guy is walking around with some bad karma. Thailand’s expats are not like this. If anything it is quite the opposite. You will meet more friends here, from all walks of life, than you ever have in your life. Even expats like this guy. There are always going to be loners out there that prefer their own company. Also, many of the westerners are from non-English speaking countries so maybe they are avoiding the burden of an English language conversation that day. I don’t high-five every foreigner I see in Lotus. Often it is just a head nod. I seek out English conversation 1-2x a week. Otherwise I am doing my own thing. One thing us old guys are not . . . and that is jealous of young people. I’m happily retired and enjoying life. I feel bad for the people still working. He might want to think about dropping his attitude towards “old white guys” before he returns to stay.

Have definitely experienced this although most westerners I meet in the provinces are fine. I usually challenge myself to get the miserable gits talking by taking control of the situation and deliberately engaging them in conversation 😂

This little fellow’s feeling certainly get hurt easily

He didn't have the best examples but there are some super grumpy expats here.

Never mixed with farangs & never visit Irish pubs or Aussie bars !.

You will find cleeky bars all over the world.

You haven't me me in Thailand, or you'd make a video about that great American dude in his 50's who married a woman from Udon Thani. ;-)

Most likely these guys were angry before arriving.

I’ve wondered about this. Lots of cool expats, but an unusual number of toxic people as well.

Sorry nothing to do with this video... I seen Paul and Noon back in Dublin at the Christmas Market in farmeligh on Sunday 17th dec. Maybe they planning Christmas in Dublin.

Most moderately successful westerners are playing a 'zero sum zero' game. Probably alot of Thais too. IOW your loss is my gain. From my experience with the Ozzies during the VN war Ozzies mark their turf and like to have their own hangouts; and can be very belligerent.

well.....if your gonna walk around wearing those crazy looking ear-rings.....................

I know what he's talking about and I have been to kk and the auzzies can be cunty there