Ashwin during his internship in Bangkok, Thailand

Ashwin in Bangkok: “Make friends through Facebook groups.”

I live in a neighborhood known as an ‘expat’ area, meaning many foreigners live there in the often new high-rise buildings. The area is residential and not a nightlife district, so there are no clubs or such, but there are some nice family restaurants or just street food stalls along the road! There are always some places to meet people.

Nationalities in Bangkok

My colleagues are mostly Thai, with some expats mixed in. After work, we sometimes go out or to the movies, for example. Another intern went with a colleague to an island for a weekend. I usually go out on weekends with my girlfriend and her friends!

It’s hard to say what the largest other nationality here is. When we go to clubs, it’s mostly just Thai people, with the occasional lost Westerner. On Khao San Road, it’s all backpackers or local Thai. Sometimes you see groups of Chinese or Japanese in the club or on Khao San, mostly tourists. That’s about it.

I do try to stay in touch with the other Dutch interns, yes. I also joined a Facebook group for Dutch travelers, where I sometimes respond to posts or give tips. A few weeks ago, I actually ‘rescued’ a Dutch couple from a scam because I happened to overhear them talking as I walked by. Handy.

Facebook groups and apps

Have I joined Facebook groups for internationals? Yes, I’m part of one group with about 55,000 members, so there are plenty of posts about things to do or tips on where to go (or where not to). I went to one event but it wasn’t much of a success, so now I mostly stick to an evening of pool or a drink somewhere during a soccer match, for example.

Whether you meet people quickly in Bangkok really depends on the kind of person you are and if you actively look for it. It can be difficult because you don’t speak the local language, but most people your age speak decent English and are happy to help. The downside is that as a foreigner you’re often seen as wealthy, even if you’re just a student, and some people want to take advantage of that. Joining an expat group or using apps to meet people works great and there’s always something going on or someone to hang out with!

If you can’t do things with your colleagues or don’t get along with them, I’d recommend joining Facebook groups, internet forums, or installing apps as soon as possible and just going out to do things. Often you’ll meet people who started out the same way here and understand how hard it is to find your footing so far from home. All the interns I’ve spoken to so far have gotten along well with colleagues, so that’s good of course!

Dutch vs Thai

The Dutch and Thai cultures are completely different. Fortunately, we Dutch are known for adapting everywhere, and the Thai really appreciate that. Thai culture is still very much family-oriented, which also shows in the way food is served in a restaurant. Not everyone gets their own dish, no, you order together and everything is served in large pots, pans, or on big plates and everyone shares.